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FINLAND HIGHLIGHTS 2008
7 days / 6 nights, Helsinki - Porvoo - Imatra - Saimaa Lakeland
- Savonlinna -
Joensuu - Kuhmo - Kuusamo - Rovaniemi
- Helsinki
Departure Dates: June 07, 21, 28 /
July 05, 12, 19, 26 / August 02, 09, 16, 23 |
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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 - PORVOO - RUOTSINPYHTÄÄ - IMATRA
(L, D)
Traces of the Past (coach, 270 km / 168 mi)
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.
Accommodation: Rantisipi Hotel Valtionhotelli
Day 2 IMATRA - PUNKAHARJU - SAVONLINNA - VALAMO -
KOLI (B, L, D)
Finnish Countryside (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.
Accommodation: Hotel Koli
in Lieksa
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Day 3 KOLI - JOENSUU - KIIHTELYSVAARA - TUUPOVAARA - KOLI
(B, L, D)
Karelian Heritage (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.
Accommodation: Hotel Koli in Lieksa
Day 4 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.
Accommodation: Hotel Kalevala in Kuhmo
Day 5 KUHMO - KUUSAMO (B, L, D)
Impressive Landscapes (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.
Accommodation: Spa Hotel Kuusamon
Tropiikki
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Day 6 KUUSAMO - ROVANIEMI (B, L, D)
Santa's Home (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.
Accommodation: Hotel Rantasipi Pohjanhovi
Day 7 ROVANIEMI - HELSINKI (B)
(coach, flight)
After breakfast, transfer to the Rovaniemi Airport
for morning flight to Helsinki.
FTB
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Departure Dates 2008 |
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June 07, 21, 28
July 05, 12, 19, 26
August 02, 09, 16, 23 |
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Prices in
US Dollar |
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Finland Highlights, 7 days |
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Per person in double room |
2,815 |
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Single Supplement |
510 |
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Child under 12 years
in extra bed sharing with two adults |
2,250 |
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Extra bed for 3rd adult |
2,815 |
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Included |
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6 nights hotel accommodations -
Scandinavian breakfast buffet daily -
6 x Lunches -
6 x Dinners -
Transportation by private coach -
Sightseeing and excursions with guide as per
itinerary -
Entrance fees as per itinerary -
Luggage assistance at all hotels (1 piece per person) -
Multilingual tour leader throughout -
Taxes & services
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Not Included |
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International airfare & Airport
taxes -
Domestic flight Rovaniemi -
Helsinki
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Gratuities -
Personal insurance / personal items -
Alcoholic beverages -
$ 25 Service fee
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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 08.50
Sokos Hotel Presidentti at 09.00
It is possible to join the North Cape
Tour in
Rovaniemi.
Combine the
Finland Highlights & North
Cape
tour (12
days) and
save! |
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List of Hotels |
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Night 1
Rantisipi Hotel Valtionhotell
Imatra / Finland |
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Night 2 & 3
Hotel Koli
Lieksa / Finland |
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Night 4
Hotel Kalevala
Kuhmo / Finland |
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Night 5
Spa Hotel Kuusamon Tropiikki
Kuusamo / Finland |
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Night 6
Rantasipi Pohjanhovi Hotel
Rovaniemi / Finland
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