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Begin your journey in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, also known as the daughter of the Baltic and beautifully located in the Baltic archipelago. Make your way to the southern part of Karelia, where lakes and forests will enchant you and caress your soul.

The steam from the Finnish sauna tradition will refresh your body and mind and the ice water dipping will energize your senses.

Itinerary

Arrival to Helsinki Airport. Transfer to your hotel by own arrangements. Check-in. Please consult the Via Hansa & Borealis welcome letter, which you will receive upon check-in to your hotel, and kindly note where and when to meet your Tour Director. Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy one of the many great restaurants the city has to offer.

Overnight at Sokos Hotel Presidentti or similar

Breakfast at your hotel. We kindly ask you to be ready at the hotel lobby at 11.00am for departure at approximately 11.30am for a short panoramic city tour. Along the way you will admire the Senate Square, the University and the Lutheran Cathedral – all displaying neoclassical architecture of the 1840’s, the colourful Market Square by the sea in the South Harbour, Kaivopuisto Park and diplomatic residences, the imposing statue of Marshall Mannerheim, the Parliament Building, Finlandia Hall, the Orthodox Russian Church Uspenski and the Sibelius Monument.

Some free time before heading East via Kouvola to Lappeenranta. You will enjoy incredible views of South Finland area, called Karelia. Arrival to a hotel, check-in and free time to explore and enjoy the many possibilities this hotel offers (Spa and swimming pools area open until 8.00pm.) Dinner at the hotel is included.

Breakfast at the hotel and meet up at the hotel reception to depart by private coach towards Punkaharju. We drive along the Road of the century, through one of the most beautiful natural scenarios in Finland always bordering the spectacular lakes, surrounded by old snow-covered forests and at some points, you will see the frozen lake on both sides of the road, no more than 10 meters from the shore of Lake Puruvesi to the shore of Lake Pihlajavesi. We arrive to Savonnlinna, an enchanting small city founded in 1639 and dominated by the impressive Olavinlinna castle, the northernmost medieval stone fortress still standing. Here, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a local dish for lunch, “Muikku” consisting of small white fish caught from the nearby lake Saimaa, fried with rye flour and butter and served with fresh creamed potatoes (lunch not included).

Later, we drive on towards Rantasalmi until we reach the spectacular Hotel & Spa Resort Jarvisydan, a place that will mesmerize you. This beautiful resort was founded in 1658 by direct orders of Karl X Gustavs, king of Sweden. After the war between Russia and Sweden, the Swedish king and the Russian tsar agreed that travelers should have a place to rest and eat every 30 Km. The actual owners are direct descendants of the first Heiskanen family member that received a 600-hectare in the Porosalmi peninsula, thanks to a good military service.

Check-in and prepare yourself to relax and enjoy all the different wellness experience this beautiful place has to offer. We will have 3 nights’ accommodation in spectacular Scenery Suites – newly developed cottages, with glass ceiling. NOTE that Scenery Suites have only double beds, -- for guests, who chose twin beds – three nights’ accommodation in Jarvisydan hotel, instead of Scenery Suites. Dinner at the hotel in the medieval restaurant Piikatytto is included.

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart from the hotel by private coach.

Short drive to Sahanlahti Resort for a day in the snow where you will enjoy the peace of the frozen white landscape around the resort including lunch in the warms of the restaurant. We will start this group activity by warming up the body with the guidance of our local guide, walking in the snow with snowshoes is good exercise and fun, but it demands concentration and physical effort.

We will follow the guide and if the ice on the lake is strong enough to support walking on it (the local guide will decide if this is the case) the group will move into the frozen lake and walk still following the guide’s instructions. You will have an amazing time doing this activity.

After lunch we begin the drive back to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy all the different wellness experience this beautiful place has to offer. The Scenery Suites are located close to the lake shore of the resort, so you can enjoy the beautiful lake views and the scenery of Linnansaari National Park. With a big roof windows, you can enjoy the beautiful dark sky with the stars, and maybe even the Nordic Lights. Dinner at the hotel is included.

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure to enjoy the Spa or to take one or two of the optional safaris offered around this area. The Spa of the hotel offers a great recreative area with different types of saunas, ice swimming, treatments etc.

Dinner at the hotel after long day, full of optional activities.

OPTIONAL: Beginners snowmobile trip

PRICE: $115/PERSON

DURATION: approximately 1,5 hours, route 25km (10:30 – 12:00)

MEETING TIME: Your Tour Director will inform the time of pick-up

INCLUDES: Transportation, guide, winter overall, shoes, gloves, helmet, coffee/break

Min 2 persons

During this guided tour you will learn the basics about snowmobiling and visit our lovely reindeer. Your Guide will pick you up from Jarvisydan and we head of to Porokyla the Reindeer village. Safari starts with outfitting in Porokyla’s safari house and the basic safety training for the safari. Safari route goes through the old forests of Porosalmi in varying terrain. This safari is suitable for beginners and the guide regulates the pace according to the group. At the end of the safari you can meet our reindeer and feed them. A warm drink is served during the program.

REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING

Rules on our snowmobile safaris

1. All drivers need to hold a valid driver’s license. 2. Do not drink any alcohol before or during the trip. 3. Always wear a helmet, also in the sledge. 4. Listen to the guide and do as the guide says 5. In case of damage the self-risk is max 900 €

OPTIONAL: Ice Floating in Oravi channel

PRICE: $60/PERSON

Min 2 persons

DURATION: approximately 1 hour

MEETING TIME: Your Tour Director will inform the time of pick-up

INCLUDES: Transportation, guide & gear

Put on a dry suit and jump into the freezing water. No worries, floating among ice is very comfortable and peaceful when you stay warm and dry. In the evening you can admire stars on the sky and listen to the quietness. During the day enjoy the shining winter sun. You can also practice how it is to be a Saimaa ringed seal and crawl up on the ice. During the tour we put on warm clothes, dry-suits and safety vests. Everyone over 12 years can participate and no swimming skills are required.

REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING

OPTIONAL: Visit to a Reindeer farm and sleigh safari

PRICE: $100/PERSON

Min 2 persons

DURATION: approximately 1,5 hours

MEETING TIME: Your Tour Director will inform the time of pick-up

INCLUDES: Transportation, guide, safari gear, warm drink

The reindeer village is located in Porosalme, whose name dates back to the area's littoral roots. In this case, there were also many reindeer or forest reindeer in the area, and their effect is still visible in many areas of the region. Later, the wild reindeer disappeared from the area and the locals moved north. However, the names of the area and the traditions remained alive. Hunting and fishing are still strongly present in the region's traditions. We start the safari from the Jarvisydan reception where our guide will meet you and take you to Porokyla. In Porokyla we will gear up warmly for the safari. During this guided sleigh safari, you can enjoy the beautiful wintery forests while sitting cozy and warm under the blankets. Your guide will take you around the old forests of Porosalmi and to the reindeer pen to feed the reindeer. After the safari outdoors, we'll enjoy a warm drink by the fire place. Minibus transport back to Jarvisydan. This tour is suitable for everyone. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING

Breakfast at the hotel and meet up at the hotel reception to drive back to Helsinki via the cities of Mikkeli and Lahti. On arrival to Helsinki you will have the time to enjoy the city, visit the interesting boutiques with the famous Finnish design and enjoy a nice dinner in many of the excellent restaurants the city has to offer.

Breakfast at the hotel and end of tour. Transfer to the airport by your own arrangement.