Finland
Finland: Chic Cities & Winter Wonderlands
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Scandinavia is famous for being wonderful throughout the winter time, but this year it’s Finland in particular that has got us really excited. Often overlooked in favor of Sweden, Finland tends to be much quieter and thus benefits from an ‘off the beaten track’ feel. Home to a beautiful capital city and some of nature’s most spectacular offerings, Finland is fast becoming our new favorite European destination. Embark on a 5-night adventure where you’ll discover the delights of Helsinki before heading up to exciting Lapland where you’ll be hunting for the Northern Lights, husky sledging and much more. It may only be five nights, but it’s five nights of inspiring moments and epic landscapes. Just be sure to wrap up warm.
INCREDIBLE DESIGN AND ENDLESS WATERS
Landing in Helsinki you’ll be mesmerised by the city’s unique layout. Exciting and tranquil all at the same time, Helsinki is a city whose landscape is interrupted by lengthy waterways and romantic inlets, which in the winter are completely frozen over. You’ll fall in love with the visuals of this place before you’ve even had a chance to get to know it properly.
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Start PlanningDrop your bags off at your hotel, before heading out to spend the day exploring this winter wonderland. The Ice Park is the best place to start. Situated at the Railway Square, the park is home to a perfect ice skating rink. Even if you’re not too keen on the idea of skating, the Ice Park is a great place to take in the hustle and bustle of downtown Helsinki. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something a bit more invigorating, then head to one of the many hills around Helsinki and try your hand at sledding. Synbrychoff Park is our favorite – and it’s centrally located, too.
After a day out in the cold, you’ll be craving warmth and some authentic Scandinavian cuisine. Head back to your hotel and spend some time relaxing before dinner at Olo Ravintola. A world-class restaurant serving classic Nordic cuisine, Olo Ravintola changes its menu constantly to suit the seasons and no two visits are ever the same. One of the most popular and revered places to eat in the city, we’ll ensure we have a table booked for you well in advance. It’s a culinary delight you won’t want to miss. At the end of the evening. full and satisfied, head back to your hotel to rest before your journey into the heart of Finnish Lapland in the morning.
A GLISTENING BLANKET OF SNOW
Now it’s time for you to be transported to the iconic land of snow and ice, where the Northern lights brighten the skies and husky dogs are the most effective form of transport. From Ivolo Airport, you’ll be picked up and taken to your unique lodgings. Choose between a stay in an idyllic log cabin, glass igloo (perfect for watching the northern lights from the warmth of your bed), snow igloo or traditional Finnish house. All are cozy and luxurious, so it just depends on how intrepid you’d like your stay to be…
Having settled into your wintery abode, spend the rest of the day getting used to your snowy surroundings and enjoying the quiet serenity of being in the middle of nowhere. When night falls, you’ll be treated to a delicious meal before wrapping up warm to head out on one of many Aurora hunts. Whether you choose to go on foot, in a sleigh pulled by reindeer or horses, on skis or on a snowmobile, the excitement of catching a glimpse of this bucket-list phenomenon will keep you outside for hours. Don’t manage to see them on your first evening? Not to worry, we will ensure there’s an Aurora tour arranged for as many nights as you wish throughout your day.
SLEDDING AND SNOWMOBILES
In the morning, treat yourself to breakfast in your room before getting ready for another day of adventure. Today you’re off on a husky safari. With two husky farms located close to the resort, you’ll be used to having the dogs around you and before you know it, you’ll be speeding through the wilderness of Finnish Lapland. There’s a range of safari tours available, from 15-minute rides to full-on overnight adventures. We think half a day will leave you satisfied, so once you’re back at your lodge warm yourself up by the fire and have some lunch. While away a few hours on a horse ride or book a spot of ice fishing before preparing for yet another night of Aurora watching.
Whilst up in the wilderness, we’ll also arrange for you to snowmobile across the glistening blankets of snow that cover Finland’s epic landscapes. The fastest and most exciting way to get around, this is the iconic Scandinavian winter experience. Your four-hour tour also includes a lunch cooked over an open fire, so you’ll have plenty of time to sit back and enjoy your surroundings.
There’s so much to do here that you’ll find plenty to fill your days with. Cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, downhill skiing and snowboarding. You name it; we can arrange it for you. Imagine all of this topped off with a couple of magical sightings of the Northern Lights. It has to be the perfect winter break, wouldn’t you agree?