Best of Lapland, Helsinki and Tallinn

Upon arrival at Helsinki airport, meet your private driver, who will take you to your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own. Helsinki is the vibrant capital of Finland,  on the shores of the Baltic Sea, with many beautiful urban areas, architecture, green parks, and many islands. The atmosphere is laid back, yet exciting, with many good restaurants and nightclubs. A good way to recover from your flight is to visit a traditional Finnish sauna in the city.

Overnight in Helsinki

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you will take a ferry to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.

A private driver will pick you up from the port, and you will spend the day exploring Tallinn with our knowledgeable and enthusiastic local guide. You will begin with a scenic drive to the beautiful Kadriorg Park and Palace, built by Russian Czar Peter the Great. The lush green 300-year-old park also offers seasonal treats like a rose garden (in summer), a picturesque Swan Pond, and an insight into the modern-day Estonian administration by the Presidential Chancellery.

Leave the colorful wooden houses of Kadriorg and continue to the Song Festival Grounds, the most important symbol of the Estonian people. Listed by UNESCO as one of the world's most outstanding choral events, the venue effortlessly combines tradition with modern times. Before returning to the Old Town, we will stop to see the 1980 Olympic Yachting Center complex, offering beautiful views over the medieval and modern city.

Walking through the Old Town, you see many turrets, old walls, and houses that take us back to when merchants met in this 800-year-old city for the Hansa. Today, these charming cobbled streets make up one of the best-preserved medieval environments in the world, with many lovely coffee shops, local design shops, and handicraft boutiques in quaint courtyards. You will see the lively Town Hall Square, home to a fairytale-like Christmas market, and tour the upper Old Town viewing platforms for the most breathtaking views of the medieval Town Wall and coastline.

You will have some free time for shopping before catching the ferry back. After the tour ends, your private tour guide will give you tips on how to enjoy the best shopping and discoveries in Tallinn on your own. Finally, the guide will instruct you on how to return to the port. Passenger terminals are located within walking distance of the medieval Old Town or, should the weather not allow, a quick and affordable taxi ride away.

Overnight in Helsinki (B)

Check out after breakfast and leave your luggage with the concierge. Today you will go on a 5-hour group tour of Helsinki and Suomenlinna Fortress.
The tour starts around 10:00 am after pickup from your choice of designated meeting point in Helsinki. The designed meeting points are within walking distance of many hotels and apartments. On tour, you will see important cultural landmarks and historical monuments, including Olympic Stadium, Sibelius Monument, Esplanade Park, Old Market Hall, Market square, Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral, Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, etc. You will make frequent photo stops, and your guide will tell you about Finland and Helsinki.

After a short break for lunch, you will take a ferry to Suomenlinna from Market Square. Suomenlinna is enlisted in a UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the world's largest sea fortresses. On your tour walking tour, learn about its history and explore its main attractions like Suomenlinna Church, Jetty Barracks, Great Courtyard, Dry Dock, and others.

In the evening, begin your journey to the Arctic Circle tonight as you board an overnight Santa Claus Express train to Lapland. Settle in your cabin on the sleeper train for a memorable 12-hour trip to Rovaniemi.

Overnight onboard train to Rovaniemi (B)

On arrival at Rovaniemi train station, a driver will meet you and escort you by coach to your accommodation. Since you arrive early in the morning, and hotel check-in starts at 2:00 pm, you can leave your bags with the concierge and explore the magical capital of Lapland. Today you will cross the Arctic Circle and get a famous crossing certificate. Furthermore, your postcards can be stamped at the Santa Claus Post Office. In addition, several shops and cafes sell local articles and souvenirs.
The day's highlight is a private visit from Santa Claus to meet you in your cottage, like a traditional Finish Christmas eve celebration. Santa will have a little present for everyone.

Aurora Borealis Search Tour
Finland's winter revolves around the northern lights. In the evening, we will chase the elusive Northern Lights on a 4-hour excursion into the wilderness. It's in these dark outskirts, free of light and pollution, where you'll have the opportunity to see the aurora borealis. Your professional guide knows where to stop and view this unique phenomenon.

Overnight in Rovaniemi (B)

Experience the huskies and the reindeer in the Finnish Lapland! Ride a reindeer sleigh and take a husky sleigh ride through winter landscapes. You will get an exclusive chance to become a certified reindeer driver at the reindeer safari! A professional tour guide will provide you with a safety briefing, after which you will go on a 500m self-driving trip. A reindeer driving license will be awarded to everyone after a reindeer safari.

Your next stop is our husky park. Huskies are born to run and are happy to take you on a safari. After a safety briefing, you can sit back and glide through the snowfields of Lapland on a husky-pulled sleigh! The husky ride is 2 km long, giving you enough time to snap some excellent photos. After the ride, you will warm up with some hot berry juice and get cozy around the campfire at the park. When the safari is finished, spend more time with the dogs, waiting for your hugs and cuddles.

Overnight in Rovaniemi (B)

Take a guided hike through winter Finnish landscapes to the frozen waterfalls in Korouoma National Park. The hike is moderate but cold. You will need warm clothes and sturdy shoes, and be ready for a unique adventure. Korouoma Canyon in winter looks fantastic. Remember to bring your camera! The hike follows the park trail and is 2.5 km (1.5 miles) long. We will make a stop midway to rest at the camp, where you will learn some fundamental Finnish survival skills, including how to make a fire in the snow, chop firewood, and light up a fire for lunch! We will have some tea and lunch before we continue to the finish line.

Overnight in Rovaniemi (B, L)

Buffet breakfast at the hotel and check out. Your driver will pick you up and take you to the airport for your departing flight. Safe travels! (B)