The World's Most Scenic Railway Journeys

Series 2 - Episode 6 Finland

Saturday 1am - 2am 5SELECT

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Review

by David Brown

Summer is officially just around the corner, but our latest train trip seems very unseasonal because it takes us to Lapland. Rovaniemi in northern Finland – which was destroyed at the end of the Second World War, but rebuilt famously in the shape of a reindeer – now serves as the official home of Father Christmas. No doubt the mere mention of the bearded gift-giver will no doubt inspire some people to start compiling lists of presents and checking to see whether Home Alone is on Netflix (it’s not, I’ve looked).

Thankfully, distraction soon comes at Kemijarvi, where it’s possible to ski across the Arctic wonderland – and get a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

Summary

A 600-mile journey through one of the most world's most northern countries - Finland - from Helsinki in the south to Kemijärvi in Finnish Lapland. The line whisks passengers through the thickest of forests, past vast frozen lakes 63 times the size of Lake Windermere and to station stops where time has stood still. As the train enters the Arctic Circle, it calls at Rovaniemi, a place destroyed by German soldiers at the end of the Second World War. Now the town has been re-built, famously in the shape of a reindeer, serving as the official home of Santa Claus. Narrated by Bill Nighy.

Cast & Crew

Narrator Bill Nighy

Director Peter Gauvain

Executive Producer Tom Porter

Producer Peter Gauvain

Series Producer Clare Fisher

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Series 2 - Episode 6 Finland

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