Rovaniemi offers a myriad of opportunities to make your stay in the heart of Lapland a special one. With access to nature all around you, you will be enchanted by the views and vistas that Rovaniemi presents.
With Helsinki’s vibrant cultural scene, you can immerse yourself in its rich history and make 9 stops along the way to enjoy some Finnish delicacies.
Finland is the home of Winter Wonderland and surely captivates each and every one of its visitors.
Day 1 | Arrive in Rovaiemi
After your long flight, arrive in Rovaniemi and make your way to the Apukka resort, a short journey from the airport. The Apukka Resort stands in the embrace of two wilderness lakes amid the most stunning Arctic nature. Check into your room where you can relax before taking on your first Finnish experience, the Sauna.
For Finnish people, the sauna is almost sacred. It’s a place where you make new friends, have important business meetings, or just simply relax for hours in a row. The temperature, the humidity level, and the atmosphere are different in each sauna. A few short steps from the sauna is a lake with enough room for you to dip into the freezing cold waters before returning to the sauna. Return to your glass roof cabin and sleep beneath the stars – and hopefully the Northern Lights.
Day 2 | Explore Rovaniemi
This morning, make your way into Rovaniemi where you will meet your private guide who will lead you on a tour of Rovaniemi by E-Fat bike. With no other riders and no need to care about speed or skills of anybody, relax and take in all the scenery as your guide takes you along a trail that is tailored to suit your wishes and abilities.
After your tour, explore Rovaniemi by foot. First enjoy a nice lunch at one of Rovaniemi’s many restaurants. The lively town centre of Rovaniemi is great for shopping; three shopping centres along with scores of specialized shops and boutiques cater for all preferences from fashion and shoes to sports equipment and classic Finnish design brands like Marimekko and Iittala.
After exploring the town, return to the Apukka resort and relax for the night.
Day 3 | Chasing the Northern Lights
Have a lie in today, keeping warm and cozy while looking out at the snow-covered resort. Just after lunch, enjoy a relaxing Reindeer Journey. Take a ride through history as you travel through the snowy forests on a reindeer sleigh. This traditional, arctic way of transportation allows you to experience the peace and purity of Lappish nature.
Return to your room after exploring the surrounding areas and rest up as you have a busy night ahead.
Snowmobiling through the Lappish wilderness is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Add the excellent chance to witness the Northern Lights and you have an experience like no other.
Drive out to a suitable location and gather around the bonfire for some hot berry juice and snacks. You’ll get to hear about the myths and science behind the Northern Lights before hopping back on your snowmobiles and continuing the chase.
After chasing the Northern Lights, return to your accommodation and rest up before traveling to Helsinki tomorrow.
Day 4 | Arrive in Helsinki & Explore
After landing in Helsinki, make your way to your accommodation and check in. Your hotel is conveniently situated in the center of Helsinki. Use today as a free day to explore Helsinki. Stroll around the central markets, visit stunning cathedrals and learn about Finnish history through the capital city’s many museums.
Day 5 | Helsinki – Tallinn / approx 2 hours
Today, take a day trip to the charming city of Tallinn in Estonia. You can reach Tallinn by taking a 2-hour ferry ride from Helsinki. Enjoy a more relaxing trip with the best views in the business class lounge.
Once you arrive in Tallinn, visit the beautifully preserved town walls which wrap around the old town. The Walls of Tallinn were built in 1265 and were originally five meters tall. Over the centuries, the city strengthened the walls, making them taller and thicker. They’ve since become a World Heritage Site.
After exploring the walls, walk along St. Catherine’s Passage. The street is narrow and is lined with shops and small cafes on each side. Everything is housed in historic buildings, taking you back in time. The combination of the old buildings and tiny shops help you experience Tallinn as it was hundreds of years ago.
Tallinn is home to many beautiful cathedrals that are jotted around the city. As you roam around, make sure to stop at any that pique your interest.
To finish off your day, a visit to the KGB Museum is a great idea! Located inside Hotel Viru, here once lay the secret offices of the KGB. Learn what Tallinn was like under USSR rule. You can learn what information the KGB kept on citizens and how it would spy on foreign guests of this hotel.
Return to the port and board your Ferry back to Helsinki in the evening.
Day 6 | Helsinki Food Tour / approx 4.5-5 hours
This morning, there is no need for breakfast as you start your day off with a walking food tour of Helsinki. You will make 9 stops along the way while passing by some of Helsinki’s most popular attractions that you can stop and admire. Although a walking tour, the pace is quite gentle but good, comfortable sneakers are recommended.
Contrary to popular belief, there is much more to Finnish food than just herring! It’s just one (possible) taste out of many. Our fish stop likes to ensure that everybody gets to see the best of Finnish fish tastes!
Day 7 | Return Home
Say goodbye to Finland as you fly home today. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to reach the airport before your flight home.
(For all Trans-Atlantic flights we recommend that you are at the airport 3 hours before departure)
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