Most like to handle their own flights - to come earlier, stay later, use miles, etc. If you need help making your travel/flight plans or would like to find others to fly with, please let me know and I can help!

Optional Day Trip to Tallin, Estonia $199

Arrive Jan 31 or EARLY Feb 1st to make the hotel departure time of 7:00 AM.

Cruise across the Gulf of Finland to Estonia by comfortable ferry. Our local guide meets us at the ferry port and after a short walk to Old Town, the tour starts in front of the oldest town hall in Scandinavia and the Baltics. The walk follows the old street grid now enshrined on UNESCO’s heritage list, resembling a visit to an outdoor museum containing rarities.

The sights you will see include storied landmarks such as the Raeapteek apothecary shop, the Great Guild, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Toompea Castle, Neitsitorn tower and many others, along with unforgettable panoramas of the lower town and sea from two observation platforms. 

The full-day excursion includes a two-hour ferry trip in both directions, as well as a city tour and free time. Depart Helsinki 7:30 AM ferry , depart Tallin at 4:30 PM - back in Helsinki by 6:30 PM.

There is a minimum number of 4 people required for the tour to operate and if the tour is canceled because this number is not met you will be offered a full refund.

The day is at leisure for arrivals. Since most will arrange their own flights, arrivals may happen prior to today or at just about any time during the day.  

Go Exploring: Helsinki has the advantages of a big city in a smaller and compact package. In the city center, you can easily get from A to B by foot or by a rented city bike, but the city is also well served by public transportation. We will do a tour tomorrow, but take a peek that - then hit the sights you are interested in, but not covered. Or, just wander and soak in this cool lil' city.

We will have a meet & greet/happy hour in the hotel lounge - where you can find others to make dinner plans with.

Dinner on own.

Overnight: Scandic Grand Marina, Helsinki

Enjoy a breakfast buffet at the hotel. prior to meeting our English-speaking guide at the reception for a 3-hour walking city sightseeing tour in Helsinki. Includes tram ride and your English-speaking local authorized guide. 

Helsinki, the capital of Finland is also known as “The Daughter of the Baltic Sea”. Our tour includes the Senate Square, the University and Lutheran Cathedral – all displaying neo-classical architecture of the 1840’s, the colorful Market Square by the sea in the South Harbour, Kaivopuisto Park and diplomatic residences, the imposing statue of Marshall Mannerheim, the Parliament Building, Finlandia Hall, the Orthodox Russian Church Uspenski and the Sibelius Monument (no entrances). A visit is also made to Temppeliaukio Church – called the “Rock Church” as it is carved into solid rock (entrance included). 

Return back to our hotel at end of tour and rest of afternoon at leisure. 

Dinner on own.

Accommodation: Scandic Grand Marina 

In search of fun-in-the-snow and the Northern Lights, we head further north into the Lapland region. to Rovaniemi.

Transfer from your hotel to Helsinki Airport in for your flight to Rovaniemi. 

On arrival in Rovaniemi, you will meet with your local English-speaking guide. Depart from Rovaniemi Airport and stop at the Santa Claus Village, built right on the Arctic Circle and home to Santa Claus. 

Stop by his busy post office where you can ask Santa to send a letter to your loved ones just before Christmas. Take a step into the magical world of Santa’s home and meet Santa himself. No words can describe the feelings raised by fairy-tale-like moment. It is something you will always remember. A must for any visit to Lapland. After your visit at the Santa Claus Village you will drive to your centrally located hotel in Rovaniemi. 

Evening at leisure.  

Dinner on own, 

Overnight: Scandic Rovaniemi. 

Meet your safari guides in hotel lobby, after your breakfast buffet and proceed on foot to the nearby Safari Club for picking-up the helmets. Shortly after briefing of driving technique and safety rules you start your day with snowmobile safari right from the city center. Two persons share one snowmobile, taking turns in driving. This is a modern way of moving in the snow-covered woods and has become also a part of everyday life for the Lapps. 

Arrive at the local Reindeer Farm, where first upon arrival the mysterious Arctic Circle crossing ceremony. The personal certificates will be delivered. Then everyone can try their skills at reindeer driving and obtain an official driver's license. Lapp lasso casting and tobogganing are also worth trying.

Traditional Lappish lunch (included) is served at the farm before we continue back to town by snowmobiles.

Dinner on own - evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Scandic Rovaniemi 

Have a hearty breakfast buffet at the hotel and then meet your safari guides in the lobby and proceed on foot to the nearby to snowmobile parking place - you start your snowmobile safari right from the city center. Two persons share one snowmobile, taking turns driving. Snowmobile safari to Arctic Snow hotel. 

The Arctic Snow Hotel is an entire world of snow, an experience destination that provides an exotic and surrounded by picturesque and placid Lappish nature and to experience Arctic specialties.

Lunch is served in Kota restaurant.

Menu:  Salmon glow fried in the Lappish Kota, served with jacket potato and tartar sauce. Desert of oven baked apple delight, with a touch of syrup and served with custard

Snowmobile safari back to the town.

Evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Scandic Rovaniemi 

After your relaxing breakfast buffet at the hotel, your day is at your leisure. Many ideas on how to spend your day - more information to be provided.

OPTIONAL KEMI SNOW CASTLE & SAMPO ICE BREAKER USD $789.00 per person including transfer (min 15 guests)

Departure to Kemi to visit the Snow Castle and take a trip on the Sampo including ice swimming.

KEMI SNOW CASTLE

Time for a swim as we head to the town of Kemi for a full day of activities. First a visit to the Snow Castle* with its special snow slide. Enjoy the snow sculptures and complex. Later you will experience one of the highlights of your winter adventure as we board the Sampo Icebreaker and spend 4 hours on this unforgettable vessel breaking through the ice of the northern Gulf of Bothnia.

SAMPO ICE BREAKER & ICE SWIMMING (13:00 – 17:00)

*lunch included

This incredible experience includes a guided tour of the ship with its massive engine room, communications room and bridge, ice swimming and a three-course meal at the on-board restaurant. In the middle of the largest ice field in Europe, you can jump in the sea and float! You will of course be fitted with a warm survival suit and those who dare will also be presented with a certificate by the ship authorities. An unforgettable experience.

Accommodation: Scandic Rovaniemi 

After breakfast, we board our cozy coach and travel further north, into the Arctic Circle for about 3 1/2 hours. The winter wonderland scenery is awe-inspiring - yet the unique trees and snow scenes look like something Dr. Suess would create. Photo ops abound as we head towards the pinnacle of our trip...the Glass Igloos of Kakaslautten and, if our prayers are answered, the Aurora Bourealis a.k.a the Northern Lights!

Afternoon and evening at leisure - we meet at the main lodge for dinner, while keeping an eye on the sky!

Accommodation: Kakslauttanean Arctic Resort

Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Drive from Kaksluttanen Arctic Resort to the husky farm.

HUSKY SAFARI

The barking of enthusiastic dogs will welcome you to the most genuine Husky farm in Lapland. The head musher will talk about the life and training of these Arctic animals and you will also have the chance to take some great photos. After brief instructions and riding in pairs, you embark on a run through the forest behind your pack of huskies. After the trip there is time to visit the farm and enjoy a traditional outdoor lunch of Lappish sausage grilled on the campfire followed by Lappish pancakes. After the exciting husky safari, are we drive back to the Kaksluttanen Arctic Resort. 

Afternoon at leisure.

Accommodation: Kakslauttanean Arctic Resort –Small glass igloos

Revised itinerary for our last day. 

Mon Feb 10 – IVALO /  HELSINKI (B)

Breakfast buffet at the hotel (or boxed breakfast due to early departure).

Flight Info:  AY 602 IVL HEL 0920 1050

Transfer from Kaksluttanen Arctic Resort to Ivalo Airport (leave the resort at 6:00 a.m.) for your flight to Helsinki. On arrival at Helsinki airport, you will make your way to your onward flight.

When booking your flights home. Just to be on the safe side, please do not book anything prior to 2:00PM on Feb 10.