Scenic Finland & North Cape Tour
7 days/6 nights:
Helsinki - Imatra - Koli - Kuhmo -
Kuusamo - Rovaniemi
$2,949 per person double
$535 single supplement
11 days/10 nights:
same as 7 days + North Cape Tour
$4,820 per person double
$895 single supplement
2008 Departure dates:
Jun 7, 21, 28
Jul 5, 12, 19, 26
Aug 2, 9, 16
Day 1: Helsinki – Porvoo – Ruotsinpyhtää – Langinkoski – Imatra
Depart Helsinki for Porvoo, Finland’s second oldest town. The old part of town is famous for its charming warehouses, cobblestone lanes, handicraft shops and medieval cathedral. Lunch in the old Ruotsinpythää iron works village. Stop at Langinkoski rapids. Dinner and overnight at Scandic Hotel Valtionhotelli in Imatra.
Day 2: Imatra – Punkaharju – Savonlinna – Valamo – Koli
Drive through the beautiful Punkaharju ridge, to the Retretti Art Exhibition, featuring classical and contemporary art. Lunch in Punkaharju. Continue to Savonlinna and see Olavinlinna Castle, venue of the annual Savonlinna Opera Festival. In the afternoon, visit the Eastern Orthodox monastery of Valamo in Heinävesi and have a cup of tea brewed in a silver samovar, sweetened with raspberry jam accompanied by traditional Russian delicacies. Continue to Koli Hills, Finland’s famous scenic overlook. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Koli in Lieksa.
Day 3: Koli – Joensuu – Kiihtelysvaara – Tuupovaara – Ilomantsi - Koli
Today’s excursion introduces Karelian culture and traditions. Visit a local farmhouse and experience the Karelian’s famous hospitality. Visit exhibitions of local arts and crafts. Listen to music played on the Kantele, the Finnish folk music instrument, and savor Karelian specialties for lunch in a typically decorated log house. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Koli in Lieksa.
Day 4: Koli – Vuonislahti – Lieksa – Kuhmo
Travel to Vuonislahti and see the studio home and log chapel of Eva Ryynänen, a talented wood-sculptor. In the Ruunaa wilderness close to the Finnish-Russian border, shoot the rapids on a long wooden riverboat, steered by local fishermen. Enjoy lunch by a crackling fire. Continue to Kalevala village for a tour. Discover the old traditions of the Karelian people as they were in the 19th century. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Kalevala in Kuhmo.
Day 5: Kuhmo – Kuusamo
After a guided tour Kuhmo, continue north. See the landscape change into steep cliffs, streams, and wild forests. Lunch enroute in Ämmänsaari. Stop at Julma Ölkky, the deepest canyon lake in the area. Dinner and overnight at Spa Hotel Kuusamon Tropiikki in Kuusamo.
Day 6: Kuusamo - Rovaniemi
After breakfast, travel to Lake Kitka. Watch local fishermen seine-fishing. If the catch is good, it will be prepared for lunch. On the way to Rovaniemi, visit the coffee cup museum. See Rovaniemi’s key sights and visit Santa’s Workshop at the Arctic Circle. Meet the jolly old man in person, and take part in a Lapp ceremony. Dinner and overnight at Quality Hotel Santa Claus in Rovaniemi.
Day 7: Rovaniemi - Särestö - Kittilä
The 8-night Helsinki – Rovaniemi tour ends after breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Rovaniemi airport for morning flight to Helsinki to connect with individual flight departures.
Guests continuing on the North Cape Tour travel to see works designed by Finland’s most famous architect Alvar Aalto. To make crossing the magic line of the Arctic Circle truly exotic, take part in a Lapp initiation ceremony. Lunch in a Lapp tepee at the Arctic Circle. Continue along the Ounasjoki River, and stop at the Art Gallery of Reidar Särestöniemi, a notable Lapp artist who’s studio and home represent traditional Lapp architecture. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Sirkantähti or similar in Kittilä.
Day 8: Kittilä - Harriniva - Hetta - Kautokeino - Alta
Equipped with rain gear and a life vest, set off from Harriniva onboard a pneumatic life boat on an exciting, yet safe one-hour journey through seven rapids. Enjoy steaming hot soup served around a glowing campfire. Continue via Kautokeino, Norway’s largest Lapp cultural center, to Alta by the Artic Ocean. Dinner and overnight at Rica Hotel Alta or similar.
Day 9: Alta - Honningsvåg - North Cape
Alta is famous for its 6,000-year-old rock carvings, included in the World Heritage list of UNESCO. Visit the Alta Museum and experience the world of an ancient Lapp depicted in rock carvings. Continue to Honningsvåg. Lunch en route. Reach the North Cape in the evening. Standing on Europe’s northernmost plateau by the Arctic Ocean, celebrate this unforgettable moment with sparkling wine and local caviar. Dinner and overnight at Rica Bryggen Hotel or similar in Honningsvåg.
Day 10: Honningsvåg – Inari – Saariselkä
Drive along one Norway’s most beautiful fjords. Lunch en route in the village of Karasjok. Visit an open-air Sami museum in Inari, Finland. Buildings and handicraft collected from different regions of Lapland give a fascinating look into the life of the nomadic Samis or Lapps. Visit a local reindeer herder’s home to see how a present-day Lapp family lives and preserves the ancient traditions. Listen to joiku-singing, a chant in the Sami language. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Riekonlinna in Saariselkä.
Day 11: Saariselkä – Tankavaara – Luosto – Rovaniemi – Helsinki
Visit the Tankavaara Gold Village. Relive the thrills of the Gold Rush and try your luck panning for gold. Lunch in Luosto on the way to Rovaniemi.
Price includes:
6 nights Helsinki – Rovaniemi
- 6 nights accommodation in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities
- 6 buffet breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
- Luggage assistance at all hotels
- Sightseeing, visits, excursions, and entrance fees according to itinerary
- Experienced, multilingual tour escort throughout
- Transportation by modern deluxe, private coach
- Service charges and taxes on included items
10 nights Helsinki - Rovaniemi with North Cape Tour Extension
All the services mentioned above, plus –
- 4 nights accommodation in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities
- 4 buffet breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
Please note that The North Cape Tour (days 7 - 11) can be taken separately.
Ask us for details and prices!
We offer competitive airfare from most U.S. cities - ask us for prices!
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