I'm planning a trip to Sweden, Finland and Estonia in June. I am traveling with my mother (she's early fifties) and wondering if we should plan to go and enjoy Midusmmer's Eve in one of those countries. . .or should we avoid that weekend? Does anyone have any experience with this event? Is it largely drunk partying. . .or is there anything enjoyable for people who would not be into partying hard? <BR><BR>If you have a personal recommendation on where to spend it, or any other personal faves from those countries - I'd love to hear. Thanks.

midsummer is an unforgettable experience if you are not from scandinavia. I was in Lapland, in Rovaniemmi (the Santa Claus village) and was so strange to have daylight 24 hours. Things are more or less the same, because ppl are used to it. Of course you can party hard and ppl usually rent cabins ni the country, but it is entirely up to you.<BR>Other suggestions. Stockholm (of course), Goteborg is really pleasant, take a day trip to Suomenlina island from Helsinki (just 20 mins with ferry) and Tallinn is amazing, you will love it. enjoy

topping

I think Finland, Sweden, Estonia and Latvia are the only countries where Midsummer is celebrated in a massive way. It is the biggest party after Christmas. At least in Finland people usually try to escape the towns, and go to the country where nature can be appreciated the way it deserves. And yes, people eat and drink and make big bonfires on the lakesides. But usually it is hard partying only for younger people. But also those are not in your sight, they go to somebody´s family cottage or some remote island. Midsummer is a celebration for everybody, from little children to old people. Don´t miss it!<BR><BR>If you are in Helsinki the place you should go to is called Seurasaari. The traditional Midsummer festivities include folk dances, a bonfire and a wedding. The wedding is a real thing, and not just some tourist attraction. Otherwise Finnish towns in Midsummer are emptier than usually. Some years ago Helsinki in Midsummer looked like a town after a neutron bomb, but nowadays people have learned to find the festive mood also there.<BR><BR>There are many celebrations on islands and shores around Helsinki, but in Seurasaari you can be sure that you do not land in the middle of teenagers &quot;wet&quot; celebrations.

Thank you for the advice - Seurassi sounds terrific. <BR><BR>Additional question: how many days/nights do you recommend for Estonia, Themis (or anyone else who has been)?

i would give 2 days for Tallinn, it isnt very big and you can walk it very pleasantly. When i was there the weather was excellent, hopefully you will have no problems as well. I didnt go to the island Hiiumaa, though i wanted to, cause i didnt have much time, but it is supposed to be quite nice. Try to ask people in Helsinki, as Estonia is a popular holiday destination for them and they know where to go. good luck<BR>

It depends how largely you want to see Estonia. Two days in Tallinn would be nice. Then you could take a bus to P&auml;rnu, Estonia´s &quot;summer capital&quot;. I really like P&auml;rnu. It is a small place with colorful old houses and a big beach. Or take a bus to Tartu, Estonia´s university town. Or go to Saaremaa island and check Kuressaare town. Saaremaa is a good place for biking.

Midsummer Day or actually Eve of this Day is not imortant not only for Estonians, or Latvians or some others, but also for Russians who celebrate this day as Ivan day (estonians name this as Jaanip&auml;ev, it means St John Day).<BR>If you will in Tallinn this eve, I recommend to visit Estonian Open Air Musum in Rocca Al Mare (half hour drive from the most centarl area of the city). Celebartion will start around 7 PM and will last until midnight at least.<BR>People celebrate Midsummer Day not only one afternoon, if you have more time you can look for smaller festivals which might be held 1,2,3 days before Eve of Midsummer Day. If you can use a car, I suggest to drive around- yoy can see so many bonfires everywhere in Estonia. Night of Midsummer Day is so short and so nice !Even if it will be rainy !<BR><BR>Ahti Arak, tour guide<BR>[email protected]<BR>http://www.hot.ee/tours <BR>

Midsummer?s Eve in Stockholm has people walking the town all night, but few of them drunk. In Tallinn last midsummer I found the city museums and galleries closed for this national holiday, but out at the Open Air Museum in Rocca Al Mare four great marquees had music stages, mostly with heavy rock, but a fifth great tent housed a local Stockholm folk dance club, all ages, both sexes, who danced to a band and a singer all evening 30 minutes on, 30 minutes off. There were plenty of beer tents, but I found people relaxed, not rowdy, and very ready to chat. The rain varied from light to heavy, but seldom ceased. They told me this was traditional: I told them that I was a Londoner, and thought rain normal. At one point the dance club gave us a gallop, and couples danced right out of the wall-less tent across a field and back, whirling over the green grass. I had read my history, and knew the place folk music had in the regaining of freedom in Estonia, and that knowledge added to my joy. I took a bus home to my city centre, but took a little time to go to sleep.<BR><BR>[email protected]<BR>

What are the dates of Midsummer this year?

Is there a great place to celebrate this in Sweden? I heard up North is great but where? Thanks

Most Stockholmers leave town on Midsummers and head out to the islands in the achipelago, town is pretty much deserted. There are some traditional celebrations on at the open air museum Skansen. Have a look at <BR><BR>http://www.skansen.se/eng/evindex.htm<BR><BR>/Nina