Explore the wilderness by driving your own husky team

Travel period 28.11.2010-23.4.2011
7 days (6 nights)

Enjoy the winter holiday with a difference in Finnish Lapland, just below the Arctic Circle. Explore Finland’s wilderness by driving your own husky team, an experience you will never forget! A treat for dog lovers!

Proper winters and warm summers shape nature in Taivalkoski, where the husky holiday takes place. The snow falls in October and lasts until May. The accommodation is in Saija Lodge that is situated in the middle of the beautiful, relaxing landscape. The lodge is built from wood in traditional Finnish style, and offers a cosy restaurant serving local specialities. The name “Saija” comes from the Sami language, and means “the quiet place”. The calm surroundings by Lake Jokijärvi help you to relax and enjoy the wonderful countryside around the lodge.

Day to day

Saturday: Arrival to Saija
Flight to Kuusamo airport and transfer to Saija. After checking in to your room, you can enjoy some real homemade Finnish food.

Sunday: Independent activities
Get to know your surroundings. Sunday is your activities day. You can book an additional snowmobile tour, go skiing or snowshoeing around the area. An experienced instructor will join you on the snow mobile tour to make sure that you can enjoy the ride to the full. There are approximately 15 miles of marked and well-maintained ski tracks leaving from the front door of the hotel.  If you feel adventurous, you can also try skiing or snowshoeing off the tracks.

Monday: Learn to drive huskies
After breakfast there is an introductory meeting about Saija and the coming week. You’ll get your safari equipment and meet the dogs. After an introduction to the sled-dog world and the winter gear that you will need during the tour, there is a test drive of about eight miles. Everyone leads his or her own dog team of 4-6 dogs.

Tuesday: Through the winter landscape
Tuesdays drive is about 15 – 20 miles long. The route takes you through the beautiful forest and marsh scenery, over frozen lakes and along the river. Lunch is enjoyed around an open fire and you’ll return to spend the night in Saija.

Wednesday and Thursday: Husky safari
The two-day safari will take you through the magical winter scenery. We stay overnight in the simple but cosy wilderness cabin, Harjajärvi. The cabin has a sauna, but no shower, indoor toilet or electricity. You will look after your own dog team, and help prepare the meals together. Breakfast and dinner are served in the hut, the lunch at an open fire in the wilderness.

Friday: Farewell to dogs
After breakfast we will pay a goodbye-visit to the dogs. They will remember you for the next time! Transfer back to the airport and flight back home.

Prices:

28.11.2010-22.1.2011 & 3.4.2011-23.4.2011
From London Heathrow: £1344/adult (two sharing), £1524/adult (single)
From Manchester: £1419/adult (two sharing), £1599/adult (single)

23.1.2011-02.04.2011
From London Heathrow: £1389/adult (two sharing), £1574/adult (single)
From Manchester: £1469/adult (two sharing), £1649/adult (single)

What is included in the price?

• Scheduled return flights from London Heathrow or Manchester to Kuusamo airport
• Collective transfer from/to airport Kuusamo
• 5 overnights in Saija (double rooms), with own toilet, shower and sauna
• 1 night in a wilderness cabin without electricity or running water
• From 09.01.2011 includes 1 night in an igloo (depending on weather conditions)
• Full board during the whole week
• Training, 1 daytrip, 1 overnight trip, daily different trails
• Own 4-6 dog team per person
• Experienced English-speaking wilderness guide
• Winterboots, overalls and gloves

Group size: 2 – 6 persons

Please ask price for:

• Additional days
• Activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow mobile tour
• Package without flights
• Stop-over in Helsinki

Lake Inari, one of the largest in Scandinavia, offers a vast scenery throughout the year

Travel period 01.01.2011-31.03.2011
Five days (four nights)

Combine a relaxing romantic holiday in Lapland with just a bit of activities and culture in Finland’s Lapland. Stay a night in a glass igloo under the Aurora Borealis, visit the Sami museum, take a snow mobile safari, dine in Lappish restaurants, and visit a reindeer farm or go for a husky ride. The Arctic Lapland is magical in winter!

The Wilderness Hotel Nellim is located in a very peaceful corner of Finnish Lapland away from the big tourist centres. The hotel stands on the shores of Lake Inari, one of the deepest lakes in Scandinavia.

Kakslauttanen Igloo Village is located high up above the Arctic Circle. This secluded log cabin village is the ultimate location for an arctic romantic break. As a highlight of your stay, you will stay overnight in a glass igloo. Kakslauttanen has been listed as one of the 100 best destination hotels in the world.

Day 1: First taste of Lapland

Flight to Ivalo Airport and transfer to Hotel Nellim. After settling in, you’ll enjoy a dinner at the hotel restaurant serving also local delicacies like white fish and reindeer stew with Arctic berries. Later on, there is a 2.5 hour evening trip to Aurora Camp.  This pleasant three-mile sledge ride takes you to Lake Inari, where you’ll have a good chance to see Aurora Borealis in the winter sky.

Day 2: Reindeer farm and snow mobiles

After the breakfast it is time to start the snow mobile safari to a local farm. You’ll meet a herdsman who tells about the life in Sámi land and how the reindeer are looked after. You can also feed animals in their natural surroundings. There will be a picnic lunch by a camp fire. In the afternoon you will join a local fisherman and help him to check his under- ice nets on the Lake Inari. After the 20-mile safari it is time to return to the Hotel Nellim for the dinner and sauna, if you like. Afterwards, there is still an evening ride to catch the northern lights.

Day 3: Snow shoes and huskies

The proper hotel breakfast gets you going for a two-hour snow shoe trek around Nellim area. You will return to the hotel for lunch, and the afternoon is free for your own interests. You can book an optional husky safari on the thick frozen lake and take the reins of a husky team pulling the sledge.  You can spend the afternoon exploring local traditions. You can book a three-hour special programme of Lappish activities – learn about local crafts, listen to old songs and enjoy seasonal dishes prepared from Lake Inari fish, reindeer and cloudberries. The wooden Nellim Orthodox Church is also worth a visit. The Russian border is only a few miles away, and on the Paatsjoki Bridge you can see the towers guarding both sides of the border.

Day 4: Sámi museum and night under northern lights

Time to get cultural on the way to Kakslauttanen, and stop at the Sámi museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre “Siida”.  The exhibitions show how nature and people have adapted to the extreme conditions of the Northern environment. Wonderful photographs, videos, sounds and original artifacts guide you through the seasons and the past times.

Kakslauttanen is a popular destination for romantic breaks and a venue for real white weddings. After a delicious dinner with Lappish delicacies, the night in a glass igloo will be the high point of the holiday. You can admire the northern lights and millions of stars in the clear Lapland sky in a comfortable room resting on a luxury bed. It will stay warm inside even when the temperature outside drops to under -30°C! Every December, the best ice sculptors in the world come to Kakslauttanen to participate in the international ice-sculpting week, and the creations remain on view for the rest of winter.

Day 5: Welcome again!

After the breakfast there is some time for shopping original Lappish crafts or just enjoying the winter morning in Kakslauttanen. Then it is time to take a transfer to Ivalo airport for the flight to Helsinki and then back home. And then it is time to start planning the next visit to Lapland.

Package prices:

From London Heathrow: from £1494 / person
From Manchester: from £1564 / person

Package price per person when minimum of two persons share a room and an igloo.
Packages also available without flights. Ask also for special offers!
Child discounts are also available.

What is included in the price?

• Scheduled Finnair flights from the United Kingdom to Ivalo (via Helsinki)
• Accommodation in a hotel room in Nellim  for three nights
• Programme as described
• Accommodation in Kakslauttanen glass igloo for one night
• Half board (breakfast & dinner)
• Transfers by a car between Ivalo airport and Nellim, Nellim and Kakslauttanen and  Kakslauttanen and Ivalo airport

Please ask for a price for:

• The single supplement
• Child discounts (up to 15 years old)
• Extra nights
• The package without flights

Please note that this is an unescorted trip and no guide services are provided.

As the flights to Ivalo are via Helsinki, you may wish to extend your visit to Finland by staying in Helsinki. If you wish to spend some time in the Finnish capital, call our office for further details and prices.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is not included in your holiday cost. It is strongly recommended that insurance be taken out to protect you and your group against any unforeseen insurable events.

Inari offers excellent hiking possibilities with vast scenery

Lapland invites you to a unique weekend break this summer. Stay on the shore of the huge Lake Inari, tailor-make your trip according to your interests: learn about local culture, go fishing or on a quad bike safari, cruise on the lake, hire a boat or a canoe, enjoy Lappish restaurant and shop local crafts. Be active or just relax. Finland’s Lapland is magical all year round.

This unforgettable summer holiday package gives you an opportunity to visit a reindeer farm, learn about the unique Sámi culture and cruise the magnificent Lake Inari. You can tailor the long weekend according to your own tastes with extra activities, including a boat rental, a quad bike safari, troll fishing on Lake Inari or try your luck with fly fishing in the Juutuanjoki River. You can also find a guide to take you bird watching, or you can rent a bike or a canoe to explore the neighbourhood. Feel relaxed, refreshed and inspired by the beauty of Lapland!

4 day package: Friday – Monday
Period: Mid-June to September 2010

Day 1 Friday: Welcome to Northern Lapland

Arrival at the Ivalo Airport, where a guide meets and greets the guests. Transfer to Hotel Inari, about 30 miles away. Hotel Inari is situated on the shore of Lake Inari close to all activities. The restaurant specialises in Lappish delicacies, like reindeer, local white fish, salmon and cloudberries. Enjoy a dinner at the hotel restaurant and get acquainted with your surroundings.

Day 2 Saturday: Sámi museum and reindeer farm

Guide will pick you up from the hotel, and take you to SIIDA- Sámi museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre. After a short introduction you can tour the exhibition showing how nature and people have adapted to extreme conditions of the Northern environment. There are wonderful photos and videos, dioramas, soundscapes and original artefacts to take you through the seasons and history. In the afternoon you will visit a local reindeer farm, where you can feed the reindeers and learn Lappish lassoing, a traditional herder’s skill. You will also hear stories about herding and Sámi culture, and enjoy a coffee/ tea break in a cosy local hut. Before departing, the host will joik (traditional Lappish singing) you welcome to the Sámiland. In the evening you can enjoy dinner and sauna at the hotel.

Day 3 Sunday: Lake cruise and artisan trail

After breakfast it is time to hit the Inari Artisan Trail with local – both traditional and modern – handicraft studios and shops ranging from jewellery and silver to items made of reindeer bone, wood and wool. You can take this tour independently depending on your timings. In the afternoon, there is a two-hour cruise on the mighty Lake Inari on board of the M/S Inari. The huge Lake Inari is the sixth largest lake in Europe with 3,318 islands. According to a song, the lake is as deep as it is long. You will visit the ancient sacrificial site of Inari Sámis on the island of Ukko (Äijih). Refreshments are served onboard of the ship (not included in the package). Cruise starts at 14.00 daily from June until September, and also at 18.00 in July. Later on, you can take part in optional safaris, hire a rowing boat from the hotel, try fishing, biking, hiking or just relax in the beautiful lake surroundings. Enjoy a farewell dinner of Lappish delicacies in the evening at the hotel restaurant.

Day 4 Monday: Leaving Lapland

After breakfast, there is some spare time in the morning for last minute shopping and sightseeing. In the afternoon, transfer to Ivalo Airport for a flight to Helsinki. Feel free to return and enjoy the magic of Lapland any season!

Prices from London Heathrow:

from £799/person when two persons sharing a room

from £969/person in a single room

What is included in the price?

• Return Finnair flights from London Heathrow to Ivalo
• Return airport transfers in Ivalo
• 3 night hotel accommodation with half board (breakfast and dinner)
• Visit to Sámi museum Siida, visit to reindeer farm, Lake Inari cruise, village map
• All taxes and fees

Not included: Optional extras in Inari (in pdf format)

Please ask a price for:

Extended stays in Inari and overnight trips to Norway
Departures from other UK airports
Stop-over in Helsinki (from £50/person/night)
Group travel options

Fully equipped log cabins on the Iso-Syöte fell

8 day package: Saturday – Saturday
Period: 31.5.2010 – 31.10.2010 (package is also valid during colourful autumn Ruska season)

Explore the beautiful Lapland region by car and try out various outdoor activities. Stay in a Lappish log cabin, visit a reindeer or a husky farm, go hiking, canoeing and go for a quad bike safari in an ancient forest. Summer holiday in Northern Finland means midsummer nights, unspoilt nature, splendid views over the hills and forests, crystal clear lakes, and plenty of freedom and space to relax.

Finnish summer offers an opportunity to enjoy the best of the bright months. This eight-day summer package to Iso-Syöte area includes flights, car hire, log cabin accommodation and activities. Iso-Syöte resort is located on the top of the most southern fell in Lapland. Hotel and cottages overlook the forest and valley area of the surrounding Syöte National Park with its rugged hills, unique marshes and old spruce forests.

During this one week’s holiday, you can enjoy activities offered by Iso-Syöte and drive around the neighbouring villages, towns and countryside. The pure, unspoilt nature all around welcomes you to explore. Since the resort is located in a triangle of three popular tourist areas of Rovaniemi, Oulu and Kuusamo, you can plan your weekly itinerary independently.

Day 1: Settle in your log cabin

Arrival to Oulu airport late afternoon and car pick up. After two hours of drive, arrival to Iso-Syöte. Check into your fully equipped log cabin with a kitchen, a fireplace and a sauna. Evening is spent relaxing, trying out sauna, and enjoying a dinner at the local restaurant.

Day 2: Visit Arctic museum and Santa Claus

Breakfast is served at the Hotel Iso-Syöte restaurant. Sunday is free for your own activities. You can either enjoy the nature of the Syöte National Park and learn more about the area at the visitor centre, or drive to the capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi is located only two hours’ drive away from Iso-Syöte offering an excellent day out!  Get acquainted with the local culture and history in the Arktikum Museum, or visit the Santa Claus village, open all year round! Rovaniemi also offers excellent possibilities for a river cruise on a sunny summer day. On your way back to Iso-Syöte, you can visit the Ranua Wild Life Park, an hour’s drive from Iso-Syöte.

Day 3: Guided quad bike drive

After breakfast, you will enjoy an exciting 2.5 hour quad bike safari at 10am. On this guided tour, you will drive your own squad bike through the nature, forest and swamps of Iso-Syöte area. What an excellent way to start the day! During the afternoon, it is time to explore the area on your own. We recommend visiting the open air museum in Pudasjärvi, only half an hour’s drive away from Iso-Syöte, together with the village of Taivalkoski, displaying the old village store dating back to 1882.

Day 4: Canoe safari

Tuesday morning begins with a canoe safari to the Lake Naamanka at 10am. This is a perfect, peaceful place to paddle around and learn the basics of canoeing with the help of your local guide. Lakeside offers a great spot for a coffee break by a camp fire. In the afternoon, you can drive to Puolanka to see the highest waterfall in Finland. Enjoy a walk in beautiful surroundings, only an hour’s drive from Iso-Syöte, or go golfing in the nearby golf-course.

Day 5: Visit the Bear’s Trail

Wednesday is a day for your own activities. We recommend driving to the town of Kuusamo, located 1.5 hours from Iso-Syöte. The area of Ruka-Kuusamo invites you to another nature adventure with all it has to offer. The Oulanka National Park is worth a visit for its excellent Karhunkierros hiking trail (Bear’s Trail). This 80 kilometre route with ravines, Arctic fells and primeval forests provides an unforgettable experience. There are several short hikes to choose from with raging rapids, wonderful views and fell sides.

Day 6: Nordic Walking and Design

After breakfast, the morning is free for your own activities. You can take your hired car and visit the Finnish design centre, Pentik in Posio, located an hours’ drive from Iso-Syöte or just relax in the fell surroundings.In the afternoon, it is time for guided Nordic walking! Nordic walking tour takes you around Kellarilampi, through the natural scenery of Syöte area with a coffee and cake stop during the journey.

Day 7:  Meet huskies and reindeers

During your last full day in Iso-Syöte, you can take part in optional safaris; visit a local reindeer farm, try out fishing on the river banks or visit a husky farm. Alternatively you can have your second go on the activities introduced to you during the week, have a final challenge at the Syöte fell or make your way to Ruka area for longer Karhunkierros hiking tour.

Day 8: Returning home

After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye! You will drive to Oulu airport, return your hired car and fly back to UK in the afternoon.

Prices from London Heathrow:

from £1044/person, when two persons share a cabin
from £854/person, when three persons share a cabin
from £754/person, when four persons share a cabin

What is included in the price?

• Return flights from London Heathrow to Oulu (or Kuusamo when available)
• Hired car (A class, Nissan Micra or similar), unlimited mileage, insurance and taxes
• One week’s stay in fully equipped Iso-Syöte cottages (living-room, kitchen, sauna, fireplace)
• Breakfast each morning
• Car hire for the whole week (pick up and drop off at the airport)
• Activities: Quad bike safari, canoeing safari, Nordic walking
• Equipment and guidance during safaris
• All taxes and fees

Optional extras:

• C class vehicle (extra cost £66/person/day)
• Hotel accommodation

Please note:

Driver must be at least 25 years old
Valid driving licence required when picking up the car
Credit card is obligatory to receive the car at the airport

Tall ship in Käringsund

Prices from £1009/adult when sharing a twin/double room
10 days, 9 nights
Travel period: May – September 2010

See gracious, classic Stockholm, modern, stylish Helsinki, the amazingly beautiful Åland Islands and historic Turku on one ten-day summer holiday. Start with Stockholm, the royal Swedish capital, then take a ferry and stay in a cottage by the sea in the Åland Islands, stop in the cultural Turku, and finish the tour on Helsinki, the World’s Design Capital 2012. Relax and enjoy history, culture and beauty on the shores of the Baltic Sea.

Friday to Sunday: Imperial Stockholm

Stockholm is called “Venice of the north” for a reason. It is a city characterised by the sea with boats and ships everywhere. It has a wealth of handsome historic buildings from the Royal Palace to museums and the medieval Old Town, Gamla Stan.

Stockholm is very compact city, so walking is the best way to get hold of it. Have a stroll in the narrow streets of lively Old Town in the evening. There are dozens of restaurants and bars to choose from, small boutiques for shopping and beautiful squares to relax for a while.

Sightseeing by boat is a must. There are various tours available depending on your interests or time available. ”Under the bridges of Stockholm” and the early “Good morning Stockholm” tours give an excellent view of the city.

Skanssen is an outdoor museum with 150 old buildings moved there from around Sweden. It gives an idea how people lived in the 17^th and 18^th century both in towns and in the countryside.

Vasa Museum is built around the battleship Vasa that sunk on its maiden voyage in 1628. The ship was salvaged and is the only almost intact ship from the 17^th century left in the world. Visitors can see the ship from six levels from keel to the stern, and there are fascinating displays life at the sea and about history of Sweden. Since its opening in 1990 about 25 million people have visited the Vasa Museum.

For shopping Södermalm has dozens of small trendy boutiques and friendly cafes. Östermalm’s old market building is an essential destination for all food lovers.

Monday to Thursday: Archipelago experience

Take a ferry from Stockholm through the islands to Mariehamn in Åland. This autonomous region of Finland is a collection of 6 700 islands and rocky islets. Pick up your hired car in the harbour and drive about 20 miles to Eckerö to settle in your cottage in Käringsund resort.

It is easy to tour Åland either by a car or a bicycle as the main islands are connected by bridges or ferries. The main attraction is the region itself with islands and the sea. On top of that, Åland boast 46 sights to see: there is the medieval Kastelholm castle, lovely fishing villages, the museum sailing ship Pommern, ruins of the Bomarsund fortifications bombarded by the Royal Navy, museums, events and handicrafts.

Åland’s capital, Mariehamn, is a small shipping town of 11,000 inhabitants that livens up in the summer. It has several museums reflecting its history as a seafaring town, and it has the largest small boat harbour in the Nordic countries. Mariehamn has idyllic streets with linden trees lined with quality craft shops and cafes.

The museum ship Pommern in the western harbour next to the Maritime Museum has been restored, and its four masts remind of the huge sailing fleet that once took to seas from the port. The ship was built in Glasgow in 1903 and came to Mariehamn in 1923. She sailed constantly around the world until the break of the Second World War, and in that time visited her home harbour only five times.

The Bomarsund fortification was built when Finland was still part of the imperial Russia. In 1854, during the Crimean War, the British and French bombarded the fort until it surrendered. The battle resulted in the first ever Victoria Cross being awarded to Charles David Lucas for his bravery. About 2,000 Russian soldiers were taken as prisoners of war to Britain and France, including 300 Finnish grenadiers who were taken to Lewes. The fortification was totally destructed after the battle.

The medieval Kastelholm castle was built by King Gustav Vasa of Sweden as the stronghold in the middle of his kingdom that also included Finland at the time. Most of the castle has been restored and there are guided tours available.

Åland offers also excellent opportunities for cycling, canoeing, golf, fishing and other sports.

Thursday: Ferry to Turku

Take a ferry to Turku, the former capital of Finland. You can have a nice dinner by the Aurajoki river or enjoy a drink in one of the various boats moored on the river. Make a plan for the next morning as there are a few hours to explore Turku before taking the train at noon to Helsinki.

The Turku Castle is a culturally historical tourism attraction that is over 700 years old. The Castle has a museum, which demonstrates the history of the Turku region from prehistory to present day with its frequent exhibitions, events and furnished style rooms. The Turku Cathedral is the national shrine of Finland. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Finland’s first bishop, English St. Henrik, the church was inaugurated in 1300. The Cathedral Museum in the southern gallery takes the visitor back in times to the 14th century Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art hosts a collection of the sculptors own works in various media and the city’s own art collection with works of regional artists.

Friday to Sunday: Helsinki, the modern capital

You have time to explore Turku before taking the 1.5 hours train at noon to Helsinki.

Helsinki’s identity has been formed by cultural influences from both the East and West. It is a vibrant city with a laid back attitude. Helsinki has a history of over 450 years, but it is modern and forward looking. There are dozens of museums and art galleries, lively markets, events and concerts, excellent restaurants and good shopping opportunities especially for design and fashion.

For the first time visitor a sightseeing tour is a good way to start. You can get the commentary on 12 languages (including Latin) on a bus tour or, alternatively, take the tram 3T/3B that drives a one hour circular route to different parts of the city. After the tour, it is easiest to walk everywhere as the Helsinki centre is very compact.

The Ateneum Art Museum has an excellent collection of Finnish art from the 1750s to 1960s with a superb section of works from “the Golden Age” of early 1900s.

Helsinki has been chosen as World’s Design Capital in 2012. The Design District around the Dianapuisto park has a cluster of designer shops, antique dealers, clothing and jewellery boutiques and galleries. In the centre of the area, Design Forum Finland, presents the best of the latest Finnish design. Artek shop shows the furniture by the legendary architect Alwar Aalto.

Temppeliaukio church is quarried out of natural bedrock that forms the interior walls with a copper dome as a ceiling. The church, opened in 1969, is a popular place for concerts and an essential place to visit in Helsinki.

Take a ferry to Suomenlinna, one of the world’s largest historical maritime fortresses. Built on six islands in the 1700s, the garrison town attracts steady flow of visitors and also offers a home for over 800 residents. This UNESCO Heritage site has museums and even a submarine to visit.

The Seurasaari open-air museum gives an insight into the Finnish housing and building traditions in the past. The museum’s buildings, dating from 18^th to 20^th century, come from all over Finland, and tell about how both the gentry and peasants lived.

Restaurants in Helsinki bloom in the summer. There are serious gourmet places with Michelin stars, small corner venues, restaurants on islands. There are dozens of cuisines available from traditional Finnish cooking to excellent Russian kitchen and international tastes. Try the Helsinki menu that is served in various establishments with local, pure ingredients.

Prices:

May, September: £1009/adult when sharing a twin/double room
June, August: £1064/adult when sharing a twin/double room
July: £1134/adult when sharing a twin/double room

The programme includes:

• flights from London to Stockholm, return from Helsinki to London
• 3 nights in a central Freys-hotel in Stockholm including breakfast
• Viking Line ferry from Stockholm to Mariehamn including breakfast buffet
• 3 days car hire in Åland
• 3 nights in a cottage including breakfast in Käringsund resort
• Viking Line ferry from Mariehamn to Turku including breakfast buffet
• 1 night in a central Hotel Seurahuone inTurku including breakfast
• train transportation from Turku to Helsinki
• 2 nights in a central Hotel Helka in Helsinki including breakfast

Not included: Activities in Åland – optional extras (pdf format)