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FINLAND HIGHLIGHTS 2006
8 days / 7 nights, Helsinki - Porvoo - Imatra - Saimaa Lakeland - Savonlinna -
Joensuu - Kuhmo - Kuusamo - Rovaniemi - Helsinki
Departure Dates: June 02, 09, 16, 22, 29 / July 05, 11, 17, 23, 29 / August 02, 06, 10, 14, 18
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See places of great natural beauty and gain insight into the Finnish heritage. Follows the Kings Road to visit Porvoo, the second oldest town in Finland, where the past and the present merge in perfect harmony. Along with an ancient history and rich traditions, it is the home of Finland's greatest poet, Johan Ludvig Runeberg. Visit the Saimaa lake district, with more than 180.000 lakes the largest inland waterway system in Europe, and continue through Karelia, a borderland between East and West where eastern Orthodox traditions are part of everyday life. Next highlight will be Savonlinna and the Olavinlinna Castle. Founded in 1475, the castle is the setting for the annul Opera Festival. From the untouched wilds of Kuusamo, you travel past the Arctic Circle to Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland.
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Day 1 HELSINKI
Arrive Helsinki and transfer on your own to the hotel. Overnight at the Sokos Vaakuna Hotel.
Day 2 HELSINKI - PORVOO - RUOTSINPYHTÄÄ - IMATRA
Traces of the Past (L, D, coach, 270 km / 168 mi)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart by coach for Porvoo, the second oldest town in Finland. Enjoy the old Ruotsinpyhtää iron works village. Stop at the Langinkoski rapids, see the imperial fishing lodge of Czar Alexander III. Dinner and overnight at Rantisipi Hotel Valtionhotelli in Imatra.
Day 3 IMATRA - PUNKAHARJU - SAVONLINNA - VALAMO - KOLI
Finnish Countryside (B, L, D, coach, 270 km / 168 mi)
After breakfast, drive through the beautiful Punkaharju esker ridge. Continue to the Retretti Art Center with exhibition of classical and contemporary collections. Enjoy lunch before continuing to Savonlinna. On a small island, in the heart of Savonlinna, stands the stands the best preserved medieval fortress in Scandinavia, the Olavinlinna Castle. Founded in 1475, the castle is now the setting for one of the oldest music festivals in Europe, the Savonlinna Opera Festival In the afternoon visit the monastery of Valamo in Heinävesi and Koli Hills. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Koli in Lieksa.
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Day 4 KOLI - JOENSUU - KIIHTELYSVAARA - TUUPOVAARA - KOLI
Karelian Heritage (B, L, D, coach, 330 km / 205 mi)
Today's excursion will acquaint you with Karelian culture, traditions and friendly hospitality. Visit to a farm and enjoy exhibitions of local arts and crafts. Listen to music played on Kantele, the Finnish folk music instrument, and savor Karelian specialties. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Koli in Lieksa.
Day 5 KOLI - VUONISLAHTI - KUHMO
(B, L, D, coach, 250 km / 155 miles)
After breakfast, visit Vuonislahti and the log chapel of Eva Ryynänen. In the Ruunaa wilderness near the Finnish-Russian border, you have a chance to shoot the rapids on a long wooden riverboat. After lunch, proceed to Kalevala village, for a look at the old traditions of the Karelian people. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Kalevala in Kuhmo.
Day 6 KUHMO - KUUSAMO
Impressive Landscapes (B, L, D, coach 290 km / 180 mi)
Breakfast at the hotel. After a guided tour of the village, we continue northwards. Enjoy the Karelian landscape of hills, lakes, and lush green meadows changing to steep cliffs, streams, and wild forests. Lunch en route. In Kuusamo, stop to admire Julma Ölkky, the deepest canyon lake in the area. Dinner and overnight at the fabulous Spa Hotel Kuusamon Tropiikki or similar.
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Day 7 KUUSAMO - ROVANIEMI
Santa's Home (B, L, D, coach, 200 km / 124 miles)
Enjoy an excursion to Lake Kitka and a light lunch before continuing to Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, at the confluence of Lapland’s mighty rivers Kemijoki and Ounasjoki. As the capital of the province, Rovaniemi has always been a gateway to Lapland. It is also the home of Santa Claus. Visit Santa’s Workshop at the Arctic Circle and take part in a Lapp ceremony. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Rantasipi Pohjanhovi in Rovaniemi.
Day 8 ROVANIEMI - HELSINKI (B, coach, flight)
After breakfast, transfer to the Rovaniemi Airport for morning flight to Helsinki.
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Departure Dates
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June 02, 09, 16, 22, 29
July 05, 11, 17, 23, 29
August 02, 06, 10, 14, 18
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Prices in US Dollars
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Finland Highlights, 8 days
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Per person in double room
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2,275
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Single Supplement
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520
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Included
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7 nights hotel accommodations
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Scandinavian breakfast buffet daily
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6 x Luncheons
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6 x Dinners
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Transportation by private coach
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Sightseeing and excursions with guide as per itinerary
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Entrance fees as per itinerary
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Domestic flight Rovaniemi - Helsinki
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Luggage assistance at all hotels (1 piece per person)
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Multilingual tour leader throughout
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Taxes & services
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Please note:
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Meeting Point and Time in Helsinki:
In front of the hotel's entrance at:
Radisson SAS Plaza at 08.15
Sokos Hotel Vaakuna 08.30
Cumulus Seurahuone 08.30
Scandic Hotel Simonkenttä 08.45
Sokos Hotel Presidentti at 09.00
It is possible to join the North Cape Tour in Rovaniemi. Please see our
Finland Highlights and North Cape tour, 12 days
Day 1: Helsinki-Porvoo-Ruotsinpyhtää-Langinkoski-Imatra
Day 2: Imatra-Punkaharju-Savonlinna-Valamo-Koli
Day 3: Koli-Joensuu-Kiihtelysvaara-Tuupovaara-Ilomantsi-Koli
Day 4: Koli-Vuonislahti-Lieksa-Kuhmo
Day 5: Kuhmo-Kuusamo
Day 6: Kuusamo-Rovaniemi
Day 7: Rovaniemi-Särestö-Kittilä
Day 8: Kittilä-Harriniva-Hetta-Kautokeino-Alta
Day 9: Alta-Honningsvåg-North Cape-Honningsvåg
Day 10: Honningsvåg-Inari-Saariselkä
Day 11: Saariselkä-Tankavaara-Luosto-Rovaniemi-Helsinki
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List of Hotels
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Night 1
Sokos Hotel Vaakuna
Helsinki / Finland
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Night 2
Rantisipi Hotel Valtionhotell
Imatra / Finland
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Night 3 & 4
Hotel Koli
Lieksa / Finland
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Night 5
Hotel Kalevala
Kuhmo / Finland
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Night 6
Spa Hotel Kuusamon Tropiikki
Kuusamo / Finland
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Night 7
Rantasipi Pohjanhovi Hotel
Rovaniemi / Finland
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