zFinland's Lapland - Summer

On arrival, you’ll be greeted and escorted to the Hotel Lilla Roberts, a stylish and contemporary hotel set in a 1908 landmark in the heart of the capital.

Join your private guide this morning for a walking tour of Helsinki, beginning with the handsome neoclassical landmarks that grace Senate Square. The four most important structures here were designed by Carl Ludvig Engel in the middle of the 19^th century and include the Government Palace and the National Library of Finland. With its impressive green dome, the Helsinki Cathedral is visible from many areas of the capital and is perhaps the Square’s most iconic landmark.
 
This morning, you’ll also join Helsinki natives in the bustling shops and markets of the city. With our resident expert guiding the way, you’ll experience a genuine slice of city life and culture as you sample local artisan foods and traditional favorites in the historic Old Market Hall. One of the most popular stops is Mari’s Smoothie Café, beloved by locals for its organic, locally-sourced jams, juices and freshly-blended smoothie drinks. For lunch, we’ll take you to Savotta – known for its authentic regional dishes, all prepared with fresh Finnish-sourced ingredients, and a unique ambience that evokes the forests, lakes and logging traditions of the country.  After lunch, the balance of the day is free to enjoy as you wish. To make it easy, we’ve included a transport pass for complimentary use of the city’s tram, bus and metro network!  Meals B+L

After breakfast, you’ll be chauffeured to the airport for your included flight to Ivalo deep inside the Arctic Circle. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to the one-and-only Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. Here on the edge of the unbroken wilderness of Finland’s largest national park, you’ll enjoy private accommodations in a log chalet, meticulously constructed of rough-hewn Kelo pinewood with a private fireplace and your own personal Finnish sauna.
 
Enjoy a welcome drink and a guided tour of the resort – including its pristine forested grounds, guest facilities, Santa’s Home and Celebration House – the largest log building in Finland! You’ll also have a chance to meet and feed the resort’s herd of reindeer before returning to your cabin. This evening, you’ll join fellow guests for dinner in the restaurant.  Meals B+D

After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll be taken to a nearby Husky Farm where you’ll meet these friendly and noble creatures. Joined by your own personal Husky companion, you’ll embark on a nature hike into Urho Kekkonen National Park. Our expert guide is also along to offer insight into the flora, fauna and geology of Finland’s largest national park. Enjoy a campfire coffee break before returning with your dog to the Husky Farm. This 2.5-hour adventure includes transfers from our resort to the Husky Farm, a 1.5-hour nature hike with your Husky companion, bottled water and a coffee break.
 
Back at Kakslauttanen, the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish. Relax in your log cabin or explore on your own through the pristine grounds and forests of our Lapland resort. Later today, we’ve reserved one of the resort’s traditional smoke saunas for your own private 2-hour experience. It’s been heating for hours to the ideal temperature and the smell of the natural wood smoke just adds to the relaxing ambience. To complete the traditional Finnish sauna ritual, go for an invigorating dip in the river and then return to the smoke sauna. You’ll be well rejuvenated and relaxed before returning to your log chalet. This evening’s dinner at the resort’s congenial restaurant features traditional Lappish cuisine.  Meals B+D

After breakfast, you can personalize this day to your own personal interests and taste for adventure. We’ve included an exciting full-day excursion; just choose the one you want to enjoy today:
 
Lemmenjoki River + Sámi Museum: This guided expedition on the Lemmenjoki River is a wonderful way to explore the forests and rolling hills of Lemmenjoki National Park, considered by many as one of the loveliest parks in Finland. You’ll stop to admire the Ravadas Waterfall and visit a small Sámi village to learn more about the life and traditions of Finland’s indigenous people. Take a break to have lunch around a fire on the banks of the Lemmenjoki as our guide shares colorful tales of life in Lapland. After your river adventure, the Sámi Museum in the lakeside village of Inari offers further insight into their cultural traditions. Including transfers from our Arctic resort, this full day excursion lasts about 9 hours and includes a light lunch and museum entry.
 
Canoeing Adventure on the Ivalo – The River of Gold: Back in the heady days of the Gold Rush here in Lapland, plenty of gold was found along the banks of the Ivalo River. But most of the prospectors left long ago, and today the gentle Ivalo is surrounded by almost total wilderness. Paddling silently with your experienced river guide, this gentle excursion is the ideal way to take in the beauty of Lapland. A stop for lunch and some time to relax around a roaring campfire is a chance to learn more about the region’s culture and natural history from our engaging guide. With transfers from our resort, this excursion lasts 6 to 8 hours and includes all canoeing equipment, safety gear and a light lunch.
 
Meals B+D

After breakfast, another full and exciting day unfolds here in Lapland! The fun starts as you head into the wilderness with a hardy local miner to pan for gold in the Arctic wilderness. The Gold Rush has been over for more than a century, but there’s no telling what you might uncover… although it doesn’t happen with the same frequency as it did in the 1870’s, gold can sometimes still be found in the area!
 
In the afternoon, you’ll head to a Husky Farm that’s home to nearly 100 of these marvelous and intelligent dogs. You’ll enjoy a tour of the facilities and opportunities to interact with the Huskies as our guide shares insight into the history of these dogs in Finland and their daily life and activities. Then we’ll take you to the nearby stables where you’ll be introduced to Finnish horses, a breed developed entirely in Finland that shares traits of both riding and draught horses. You’ll be provided with complete instructions before setting out on the beautiful trails that wind through the area. You’ll enjoy about an hour of riding before returning to the stables for a light snack. Finnish horses are calm by nature and easy to ride, so no experience is required for adult guests. Children 8 t 12 can participate but must have previous riding experience. A riding helmet is provided as well as rainwear if needed.
 
You’ll have time to refresh in your log chalet before this evening’s dinner of hearty Lappish cuisine. From August 22 to September 20, you can book an overnight stay in one of our resort’s glass-domed igloos. With the right conditions, you could find yourself falling asleep under the shimmering glow of the Northern Lights!  Meals B+D

After breakfast, we’ll take you back to the airport in Ivalo for your included return flight to Helsinki where you’ll spend the night at the conveniently-located Hilton Airport Hotel.  Meals B

Return to the terminal via the covered walkway for your departure flight.  Meals B