Finnish Winter Wonderland: Helsinki & Rovaniemi - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Helsinki

Welcome to Finland! Upon arrival at Helsinki airport, a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Once checked in, you're free to explore the town. Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a vibrant seaside city of beautiful islands and wonderful green parks. The city's rhythm is laid back yet, at the same time, refreshingly active in terms of the number and quality of restaurants and nightclubs. The best thing to do to recover from a long journey is to take a traditional Finnish sauna in one of the many establishments in the center. As the sauna is an integral part of Finnish culture, you'll fit in like a local.

Day 2: Helsinki City Walking Tour, Explore Suomenlinna 

Discover Helsinki's city center on a walking tour and learn about Finnish culture, history, and the local's lifestyle. Helsinki is compact, so the best way to explore is on foot. Meet your guide and set off to important landmarks such as the sprawling Senate Square and Russian-influenced Uspenski Cathedral. Visit Temppeliaukio Church which is a modern building carved out of natural bedrock.

After your tour, you'll have some free time. Head to Suomenlinna, one of the main tourist attractions in Helsinki. Suomenlinna is easily accessible by a 20-minute ferry ride from Market Square, across from the Presidential Palace. Enjoy the island's natural beauty or explore the tunnels of the fortress and the Suomenlinna Museum. Discover the military architecture, museums, parks, churches, cafés, and restaurants. Establishments are dotted all around this group of islands, making up Suomenlinna. There is even a brewery to do a beer tasting.

Day 3: Day Trip to Tallinn (Estonia), Overnight Train to Rovaniemi

Leave Finland briefly today and take a day trip to Tallinn, Estonia. Tallinn is a lively, photogenic, and charming city with wonderful sights and rich culture. Just a two-hour ferry ride south, this town combines the modern world with ancient churches, medieval streetscapes, and noble merchants' houses. The UNESCO-listed Old Town is one of the best-preserved Hanseatic (formed in the 14th century to protect trade) town centers in the world. Cobblestone streets, narrow alleyways, and lovely courtyards can be seen as you wander during your day trip.

This evening, have your bags ready for the journey to the Arctic Circle tonight as you board an overnight train to Finland's far northern region of Lapland. Settle into your cabin on the sleeper train for the memorable (and environmentally-friendly) 12-hour trip to Rovaniemi. 

Day 4: Visit Santa's Village, Northern Lights Tour

This morning your train will pull into Rovaniemi, where a driver will meet you and take you to your accommodation. As you'll arrive early in the morning, check-in won't be possible yet, but you can leave your bags at the hotel and explore the magical capital of Lapland. This region makes up one-third of Finland's total area and is home to the rich culture and history of its Indigenous Sámi people. Rovaniemi is also the home of Santa Claus Village, where you can send letters from its official post office, receive an Arctic Circle certificate, meet Santa's reindeer, and visit the resident huskies. 

Finland's winter revolves around the northern lights. In the evening, leave the city with your guide on a 4.5-hour excursion into the wilderness. It's in these dark outskirts, free of light pollution, where you'll have the opportunity to see the aurora borealis. Your professional guide knows the best spots to stop and view this unique phenomenon exclusive to this part of the world. You can also upgrade to a tour with a professional photographer, where you'll learn how to take great wilderness shots.

Day 5: Reindeer & Husky Safaris

Today's adventure starts with a visit to a local reindeer farm, where you'll meet a family of herders. Experience everyday life on the farm, help feed the reindeer, and hear great stories and facts about reindeer herding as you learn about its integral part in the environment and culture of northern Finland. Then it's time to set off on the longest reindeer sleigh safari in Rovaniemi and southern Lapland. If the snow permits, you can try your hand at steering and drive along the 4-mile (7 km) route through the forests. Halfway through, stop and break around the fire to enjoy some typical Finnish barbecue snacks. 

Afterward, you will continue to Husky Park, where you will meet these photogenic dogs for selfies and cuddles. Alaskan huskies are born to run and will be happy to take you on a little safari. Learn about these dogs and how they are trained before gliding through the snowfields of Lapland on a husky-pulled sled. Sit back and bundle up with blankets as you snap excellent photos. When the safari is finished, spend more time with the dogs, as they can't get enough love and hugs!

Day 6: Korouoma Canyon & Frozen Waterfalls Adventure

Visit the beautiful Korouoma Canyon today and hike to the best spots to admire the frozen waterfalls. This protected reserve offers beautiful wildlife, picturesque snowy landscapes, and adventure. Meet your guide in Rovaniemi and drive an hour and a half to the nature reserve. Along this 3-mile (5 km) hike, your guide will tell you about survival in the Arctic wilderness. Learn survival tips and how to use your surroundings for medicinal purposes or to start a fire. Before returning to Rovaniemi, enjoy an open fire that your guide will start without matches and eat a yummy Finnish barbecue lunch.

Day 7: Depart Rovaniemi

Enjoy a final morning in Rovaniemi's winter wonderland before saying goodbye. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport, just 10 minutes away, for your departing flight. Safe travels!

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