Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Welcome to Finland. Arrive in Helsinki. After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? -  Helsinki Vantaa Airport International Airport, subsequent to Customs & Immigration, you will be met by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort and transfer you to the hotel. He / she will provide assistance during Check-in and also discuss the program for the next few days.

Helsinki (Finnish) or Helsingfors (Swedish) is the capital of Finland. Founded in 1550, the "Daughter of the Baltic" has been the Finnish capital since 1812, when it was rebuilt by the tsars of Russia along the lines of a miniature St. Petersburg, a role it has played in many Cold War movies.

It is fitting that harbourside Helsinki, capital of a country with such watery geography, melds so graciously into the Baltic. Half the city seems liquid, and the writhings of the complex coastline include any number of bays, inlets & islands.

Helsinki, Finland’s southern capital, sits on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland. Its central avenue, Mannerheimintie, is flanked by institutions including the National Museum, tracing Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present. Also on Mannerheimintie are the imposing Parliament House and Kiasma, a contemporary art museum. Ornate red-brick Uspenski Cathedral overlooks a harbor.

Though Helsinki can seem a younger sibling to other Scandinavian capitals, it’s the one that went to art school, scorns pop music and works in a cutting-edge studio. The design scene here is legendary, whether you're browsing showroom brands or taking the backstreet hipster trail. The city's gourmet side is also flourishing, with new gastro eateries offering locally sourced tasting menus popping up at dizzying speed.

Nevertheless, much of what is lovable in Helsinki is older. Its understated yet glorious art-nouveau buildings, the spacious elegance of its centenarian cafes, dozens of museums carefully preserving Finnish heritage, restaurants that have changed neither menu nor furnishings since the 1930s: all part of the city’s quirky charm.

Today, Helsinki pulls off the trick of being something of an international metropolis while still retaining a small-town feel. The best time to visit is in summer, when Finns peel off their overcoats and flock to outdoor bars and cafes to enjoy the sunshine.

Check-in at the hotel & relax.

Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Evening, meet your Group Leader & fellow travelers in the hotel lobby between 0600 pm - 08.00 pm. You will be briefed about the Program & other relevant information.

Morning, at around 09.00 am, meet the Tour-guide in the lobby & proceed for a 3 hour sightseeing tour of Helsinki's highlights & landmarks.

Helsinki is a rather compact fun city to visit & can be explored on foot by energetic visitors.

Surrounded by sea and a vast archipelago, Helsinki is at its best in the summer when the dialogue between the city and nature is at its fullest. Classical Helsinki's sights can be divided into an eclectic set of churches & a wide variety of museums.

Drive down the coastal road, passing the biggest Orthodox cathedral in Northern Europe, the Uspenski Cathedral.

You might see the icebreaker ships docked along the shore before stopping for some photos in Senate Square with Helsinki Cathedral in the background. Take a walk to the local open-air market at Market Square. 

Drive down the city's main thoroughfare, Mannerheim Street, which passes Finlandia Hall - a congress & event venue in the centre of Helsinki, the National Museum, & the Parliament House. Admire the architecture of Kiasma - the Helsinki Museum of Contemporary Art, then continue to the Opera House & the stadium used for the 1952 Olympics. 

Disembark at Sibelius Park for some photos of the monument to composer Jean Sibelius, then continue to the famous church built into solid rock, the Temppeliaukio Church.

The Tour concludes. You can either go back to the hotel or continue exploring on your own.

In the afternoon, you might want to visit the Christmas Market to, maybe shop for the last Christmas gifts or just enjoy the Christmas spirit & the decorations.

Helsinki is known as the Christmas city and boasts many Christmas Markets. The switching-on of the Christmas illuminations along Aleksanterinkatu - the official Christmas street - is a sure sign that the festive season is under way. Shop windows are decorated to outbid each other in the Christmas shopper stakes. Aleksanterinkatu, one of Helsinki’s best known shopping streets, is a natural focus for gift seekers.

Helsinki Christmas Market (also called St Thomas market) is the heart of the Christmas experience in Helsinki. It is all about relaxing, enjoying good food & drinks, spending time with family& friends and getting in the Holiday mood.

Helsinki Christmas Market is an annual Christmas event at the Senate Square, right in the heart of town. The market consists of over 120 stalls in cute little huts selling Finnish handicrafts, lanterns, Christmas decorations, canned food, sweets & hot drinks and is a great place for many traditional as well as more modern gift ideas & home items for gift shopping.

The stalls also provide traditional ingredients for your Christmas table. The restaurants of the food court offer great food & naturally mulled wine and other hot beverages. Have a warm meal or hot drink at the food yard and enjoy the Christmas spirit.

Return to the hotel (on your own).

In time, you will be met by our Rep & transferred to the Railway Station to board your train for Rovaniemi.

The Finnish double-decker night train, known as the Santa Claus Express, travels from Helsinki to snow-covered Lapland in the north. The train stops at Rovaniemi, the official home of Santa Claus, and then goes on to Kemijärvi, its final destination. See the beauty of Finland from the comfortable compartments of this train and wake up above the Arctic Circle the next morning.

You will be met on arrival by the Rep who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel.

There are many reasons to love Rovaniemi - spellbinding nature and phenomena, Lappish traditions & culture, urban life & wild activities make it a unique place to visit.

Rovaniemi is an urban oasis amidst the Arctic wilderness, where culture, wild activities & fairy tales come together. It is a base for snowmobiling, trips to husky dog farms & rides on reindeer-drawn sleds. East of the city, the Ounasvaara ski resort offers downhill skiing and cross-country trails.

Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, in northern Finland. Almost totally destroyed during World War II, today it’s a modern city known for being the "official" home town of Santa Claus, and for viewing the Northern Lights. It is home to Arktikum - a museum & science center exploring the Arctic region and the history of Finnish Lapland. The Science Centre Pilke features interactive exhibits on northern forests. The Korundi House of Culture contains the Rovaniemi Art Museum, which displays contemporary Finnish works.

Check-in at the hotel.

Today, you will receive the thermal outfits, which you can keep during all your stay in Rovaniemi to keep you warm and let you enjoy the snowy landscape.

In time, around 10.00 am, meet the Tour-guide & depart on a 4 hour excursion to visit Santa in Lapland, driving through the snowy countryside. As you travel along forest trails, soak up the sparkling white scenery – it is like riding through a Christmas card.

Arrive at the Santa Claus Village. You will have the chance to meet Santa himself and visit his post office, maybe send some post-cards which will be stamped by hand with special postmark of the Santa Claus Post Office. So make sure the kids are ready with their Christmas wish list! You will also be presented with your own personalized Arctic Circle crossing certificate for you to keep.

Head inside this magical world of fairy lit log cabins, shops & restaurants, and revel in the festive atmosphere. Peruse the shops for Christmas goodies & Lapland treats, and send a postcard from Santa’s post office - it will arrive complete with a Santa Claus postmark.

In this magic world there will also be possible to find some unique gifts of Finnish handicrafts or top Finnish Design products offered in the many giftware shops.

Please note: In order to avoid long lines during the busy Christmas period, the meeting with Santa might take place outside of the village. In addition, due to unpredictable weather conditions, daylight hours and other seasonable changes, the order of activities as described above may be subject to change on the day of your tour.

Finally, the experience comes to an end & you will depart on the scenic drive back to the hotel in Rovaniemi.

Balance of the afternoon is at leisure.

Evening you will enjoy a traditional Christmas Eve Dinner.

For families with children it is possible to leave the Christmas gifts for the children at the Hotel Reception so Santa Claus can pick them up and give them to the children when he makes a visit to the hotel this Christmas Eve.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08.00 am. You will be given driving instructions & then proceed for a 4 hour excursion on snowmobile safari with ice fishing.

There will be two persons per snowmobile and stops will be made during the tour to switch drivers. We will drive on the frozen river and our guide will choose a nice spot to stop for fishing. He will drill a hole in the ice, and you will try your hand at the ice fishing!

Time to enjoy the silence of the nature and breathe the fresh air of Lapland. Patience is the key of success. Enjoy the hot drinks & biscuits to keep warm.

After this nice experience, get back on the snowmobile to return to the hotel.

Balance of the afternoon is at leisure (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Evening, enjoy a traditional Finnish Christmas dinner.

Today, a new adventure awaits you today with huskies & reindeer. 

Meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & proceed for a 4 hour experience to the Husky farm where the breeders will tell us about the life of huskies, the breeding, feeding & training of the dogs while you will enjoy a hot drink.

Enjoy a sleigh–ride pulled by a husky team. Their eagerness to run through the silent forest makes this adventure magic

Continue on to the nearby Reindeer farm. When you arrive, meet the friendly herders & their beautiful reindeer. Hear how these hardy Lapland animals have evolved to survive the harsh winters; developing sharp & wide hooves that slice through the snow and narrow antlers that fit between closely packed trees.

You will also enjoy a ride in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. Settle into your sleigh and enjoy the magical ride along forest trails You will receive a special reindeer driver's license certificate to commemorate your trip.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure (we will be happy to suggest “optional” programs & arrange).  We recommend the optional Northern Lights Chase safari this evening.

Morning at 08.00 am, depart for a 5 hour excursion to Ranua Wildlife Park & Ranua Arctic Zoo. Here you will have the possibility to see the Arctic animals in an as authentic environment as possible for the animals.

Get acquainted with the Arctic's diverse array of native animals during this tour. Explore the world's northernmost zoo, home to 50 arctic species & 200 animals represented in the park. 

The world's northernmost zoo is home to animals such as snow-dwelling birds, foxes, enormous polar bears & brown bears and tiny, hardy snow-loving mice. During your walk in the park, you might also see lynxes, moose etc.

After you've finished your visit at the zoo, stop at Fazer's sweet shop for a buffet lunch. Taste some traditional Finnish chocolates before returning to Rovaniemi

In time, proceed to the railway Station to board the overnight train for Helsinki.

Morning, arrive at Helsinki. You will be met on arrival by a Journeys Rep who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure (we will be happy to suggest “optional” programs & arrange).  We recommend an optional full day excursion to Tallinn.

Morning at leisure.

Later in the afternoon, you will be transferred to the Pier to board Silja Lines Ferry for Stockholm.

Altogether, the trip takes a little over 20 hours. The first part of the voyage, from Helsinki to Mariehamn, will last about 11 hours, docking at Stockholm the following morning.

Onboard the vessel, a number of facilities are provided to make the passenger’s journey as comfortable, relaxing and entertaining as possible. Offering an enticing array of food, cabaret shows, a lively nightclub, sauna and many other amenities, the onboard journey is almost a getaway in itself.

Morning, enjoy the scenic archipelago as you sail into Stockholm.

Arrive in Stockholm & disembark after breakfast on board.

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is spread across 14 islands, connected by 57 bridges, on an extensive Baltic Sea archipelago, surrounded by pristine forests.

Stockholm’s good looks & fashion sense could almost be intimidating but it is an accessible beauty, as easy to explore as it is to love. Compact &  walkable, the cobblestone streets & ochre-colored buildings are home to the 13^th century Storkyrkan Cathedral, the Kungliga Slottet Royal Palace and the Nobel Museum, which focuses on the Nobel Prize. Ferries and sightseeing boats shuttle passengers between the islands.

The old town, Gamla Stan, is one of Europe’s most arresting historic hubs, all storybook buildings, imposing palaces & razor-thin cobblestone streets. Each neighbourhood has a distinct character, yet they are so close together you can easily spend time in several areas. In each, you will find trend-setting design, inventive cuisine, unbeatable museums, great shopping, pretty parks & loads of atmosphere.

Just a few metres from this time capsule, the modern city centre shines like the pages of a magazine. Downtown is a catwalk, showroom & test kitchen. Everything here is the very latest thing.

On arrival, you will be met by the Tour-guide & straightaway proceed for a 3 hour sightseeing tour of Stockholm, directly from the pier.

Climb aboard a comfortable, climate-controlled coach for a sightseeing tour that includes all of the city's best-known attractions.

The viewpoint at Fjällgatan gives you a beautiful panorama of Stockholm, which is spread out on 14 islands. We will visit Gamla Stan, the old city with its narrow cobbled-stoned lanes, charming small squares, medieval buildings in happy colours, the Cathedral and the Royal Palace.

While listening to informative commentary about the history & culture of the city, see Stadshuset (City Hall), Kungliga Slottet (the Royal Palace), the Vasa Museum, Fjällgatan and the lush island of Djurgarden.

The tour ends with Transfer to the hotel.

Check-in & relax. 

Morning at leisure for independent exploration (we will be happy to offer suggestions for “optional” activities & arrange) & / or to prepare for New Year’s Eve celebration.

Evening, embark on an experience out of the ordinary. You will proceed for a visit to the famous Stockholm Ice Bar - planet’s first permanent ice bar, made of ice from the Ice hotel in Swedish Lapland.

From the moment the staff there helps you into a warm poncho & thick gloves and you get to step into the glimmering sculpted interior, magic strikes.

Welcome to the coolest bar in town and the world’s first permanent bar made of ice. The crisp air, the drink we serve you in a glass made of ice, the artistry and the contrast between the cold temperature & the warm atmosphere create a unique experience and a memory for life. Temperature is kept at a constant 23 degrees Fahrenheit & everything except the liquids in the drinks is made of ice, including the glasses you drink out of (1 Drink is included).

Return to the hotel (on your own).

Later in the evening, explore the New Year festivities around the city (on your own, we would be happy to offer suggestions & assist).

Finally, it is time to say good-bye.

Check-out of the hotel by 12:00 noon (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow the use of the hotel facilities & leave the luggage at the Bell Desk if you have the time to walk out). 

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? -   Stockholm Arlanda Airport, for your onward journey.  B

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