Fascinating Finland

A Borton Overseas Scandinavia Specialist will accompany the group on flight from Minneapolis/St Paul international airport on an evening departure.
Borton Overseas can assist with arrangements for departures from other US locations- please inquire!

Welcome to Finland! We will arrive at Helsinki airport this afternoon. After baggage collection, the group will transfer by private motor coach into the city. Enjoy free time to settle into our rooms before we gather for a welcome dinner as a group in the city. Overnight at Helsinki hoteli

Following breakfast, there will be a tour of Finland’s capital. Explore the sights, history, and culture of Helsinki past and present. Some of the top landmarks we will see include the Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, the Sibelius Monument and the Temppeliaukio Church, quarried out of the natural bedrock. Finish with a stroll in Market Square, where the stalls sell everything from traditional dishes and snacks to crafts and souvenirs. After our tour, the afternoon and evening will be free to sightsee independently. Overnight at Helsinki hotel

After breakfast, we will be transferred by private coach to Helsinki Airport where we will board our flight and travel up to Ivalo, in Finnish Lapland. A driver will meet us at the airport and drive us about 30 minutes to our accommodations. On the edge of the wild and beautiful Lake Inari sits the small and lively village of Inari. This will be our base in Lapland as we seek the northern lights and embrace the northern Finnish culture. There is time to relax and acquaint yourself to this arctic setting. Option to rent skis, snowshoes, or explore the grounds of the resort. Tonight, we will gather for a group dinner of traditional Lappish cuisine with an exceptional panoramic view.

This evening’s tour takes you to the frozen lake in Inari. You will be comfortably seated in a sleigh that is pulled by your guide’s snowmobile and taken to an aurora camp where there is no light pollution. This set up offers you a unique opportunity to see and photograph the Northern Lights. At the aurora camp, your guide will make a fire and serve warm drinks and snacks.
Overnight at Inari hotel – in an Aurora Cabin

Breakfast at our hotel. Lunch and dinner each day are also included while at our Lapland resort.

Today, we will enjoy an excursion to learn about the Sámi, the indigenous people of northern Finland. Visit a reindeer farm and meet a local reindeer herder and his reindeer. Learning interesting information about the life of a reindeer herder and Sámi culture. Following our tour, we will return for free time before having dinner in the hotel restaurant tonight.

Tonight is free to keep watch for the northern lights from your cozy cabin or to join one of the following optional northern lights hunts:

• Aurora Snowshoeing: Suit up in your winter gear and snowshoes for a hike into the dark forest. Wait by the fire with a warm drink and watch for the dancing lights across the moonlit sky. From $175 per person
• Aurora Hunt by Car: Hop in a warm vehicle and let your guide keep an eye on the aurora forecast, following the best spots with the highest chance of seeing the lights. Warm drink and snacks will be served along the way. From $200 per person
Overnight at Inari hotel/resort

Breakfast at hotel. Your day is free to explore on your own or to choose from two optional tours:
• Snowmobile Safari: First you will get familiar with the snowmobile, have full safety instructions and a driving lesson with your guide. After everyone feels comfortable, you will head out for a small journey into the nearby surroundings. The driver of the snowmobile must be at least 18 years of age with a valid driver’s license. From $175 per person
• Husky Safari: You will be taught how to handle the sled before you head out on the dogsled safari, where the huskies will pull your sled through the beautiful winter scenery. Enjoy the excitement of the dogs before the start, and the serene silence once they do what they love – run in the snow. Guests are driving the husky sleds by themselves, based on two persons sharing one husky team (switching drivers half way). From $275 per person

Tonight is free to enjoy time in our aurora igloos to relax and await the northern lights. You may also reserve a private sauna session (30 minutes, additional cost – paid on site). Overnight at Inari hotel/resort

Breakfast at the hotel. Group transfer from the hotel in Inari back to Ivalo Airport, for our morning flight back to Helsinki. We arrive mid-day and will be transferred from the airport to our hotel. This afternoon is free to do last-minute shopping for souvenirs or further city exploring on your own. We will meet this evening for a farewell dinner. Overnight at Helsinki hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for our flight departure from Helsinki, back to Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.