Like to see more of Scandinavia and complete the triangle? Then add a cruise down the coast of Norway from Kirkenes to Bergen with Hurtigruten. Hurtigruten’s 11 ships sailing along the Norwegian coast vary in size and age. Built on a long tradition of transporting people and cargo, these are working vessels operating a regularly scheduled service carrying goods and vehicles. Operating by night and day, they are an integral part of coastal Norwegian way of life. Ships differ from one to the other but each has something which uniquely theirs. But informality and a great experience is what they all have in common.
Price from: $8,425.00 per person sharing
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ITINERARY
DAY 1 – ARRIVE HELSINKI
Arrive Helsinki and transfer to your central hotel. Downtown Helsinki simply sparkles at this time of the year with myriads of Christmas lights illuminating the streets and store windows decorated with nativity scenes.
DAY 2 – EXPLORE HELSINKI AND OVERNIGHT TRAIN ADVENTURE
This is a beautiful city – compact and easy to move around. This morning you have a guided sightseeing tour past the most interesting pars of Helsinki – the historical centre, City Hall, The Parliament buildings, Finlandia Hall and the Opera House. See the Sibelius Monuments and the Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church).
Evening departure on the overnight train to Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. Before heading for bed in your en -suite sleeper compartment, we recommend trying the meatballs and mash in the on board restaurant and end a wonderful day with a night cap at the bar.
Suggestion: How about an overnight stay in the Arctic Snowhotel near Rovaniemi? Adding this overnight stay to your itinerary will require arriving in Helsinki a day earlier i.e. 18th December. Arctic Snowhotel package includes transfers to the hotel, accommodation, dinner in Ice restaurant, breakfast and outdoor clothing and boots. Price: $395 per person sharing.
DAYS 3 to 7 – PYHATUNTURI, LAPLAND
Arrive Rovaniemi where you will be met and transferred to your accommodation in Pyhätunturi for days of fun and magic with the unique experiences Lapland have to offer.
Experience the exhilaration of gliding across the snow though forests and across lakes on your ‘motorcycle on skis’; meet the hardworking huskies who pull up to five times their weight without any effort. Drive your own husky team with a passenger seated in the sleigh; see reindeers in their natural environment and relax on a sedate sleigh ride through the forest; dig for your own lucky Amethyst in the amazing Amethyst Mine on the top of a fell providing a breath taking view of the surrounding countryside. Even the transfer to the Mine is unique – in a carriage behind a snow tractor! Grill a sausage over the fire, wiz down the slope on your toboggan, drink lots of hot chocolate and to burn off those calories and take a walk with snowshoes. During your free time, relax or try downhill or cross country skiing.
Christmas dinner will be a sumptuous affair with tables laden with of hot and cold fish and meat dishes and finished off with traditional pastries.
DAY 8 – SCENIC DRIVE THROUGH FINLAND TO KIRKENES, NORWAY
Time to say goodbye to Pyhätunturi and travel* further North to Kirkenes in Norway. *Transfer to Kirkenes is not included. This will be quoted on once it is determined how many clients will be transferring.
DAY 9 – EXPERIENCE KIRKENES
Day at leisure for optional activities of choice. How about a catching a King Crab spend the night in the Snowhotel snug in your down sleeping bag and on an insulated surface.
DAYS 10 to 15 – ABOARD YOUR HURTIGRUTEN CRUISE
Let the adventure begin!
Over the next five days cruise southwards from Kirkenes to Bergen calling in at small ports along the way, sometimes dropping off passengers and supplies and on other occasions, for a length of time allowing you to sightseeing. With the short daylight hours during this time of the year, cruising away out at sea and away from city light pollution, is a great setting to view the Northern Lights – should they oblige! And on New Years Eve, your arrival will be in the port of Tromso in time to see the fireworks at midnight.
DAY 15 – BERGEN
Disembark in Bergen and transfer to your hotel.
DAY 16 – BERGEN
Day at leisure to explore the picturesque city of Bergen. Founded in 1070, Bergen has gained a place on UNESCO’S World Heritage List and the old architecturally unique Hanseatic wharf is a delight to explore.
DAY 17 – TRAIN TO OSLO
Travel to Oslo, the capital of Norway, by train. The route takes you through picturesque countryside and over glaciers.
DAY 18 – OSLO
Day at leisure to explore on your own. Optional sightseeing tour available on request.
DAY 19 – DEPART NORWAY
Check out from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your return flight.
PRICING & INCLUSIONS
- Airport transfers in Helsinki
- Overnight accommodation in hotel in Helsinki inclusive of breakfast
- Sightseeing tour in Helsinki
- Seven nights’ selected accommodation in Lapland
- Return overnight train Helsinki to Rovaniemi with sleeper compartments
- Resort transfers in Lapland
- Breakfasts in Lapland¹
- Four dinners in Lapland inclusive of *Christmas and special venue dinners
- Meeting Santa
- Christmas present from Santa
- Visit to Amethyst Mine
- Search for the Northern Lights with guide
- Snowmobile Safari
- Husky presentation and safari
- Reindeer presentation and safari
- Snowshoe walk
- Tobogganing
- Outdoor clothing and boots
- Two nights hotel accommodation in Kirkenes inclusive of breakfast
- Five night Hurtigruten Cruise in Arctic Superior or Polar Outside Cabin²
- Two nights hotel accommodation in Bergen inclusive of breakfast
- Train Bergen to Oslo
- Two nights hotel accommodation in Oslo inclusive of breakfast
Stay at Pyhå Ski Resort
View this video and take a quick look at the incredible Pyhå Ski Resort, where you will stay on your tour!
OUR RESORT
Situated one and a half hours north east of Rovaniemi the capital of Finnish Lapland, is the ski resort of Pyhätunturi (meaning ‘Holy Fell’ and pronounced ‘Poo-ha’). With less than 1,000 inhabitants, it is not overrun with foreign visitors and is popular ski resort for the Finns and not overly crowded with visitors during high seasons.
The village has a hotel, a large number of cottages, supermarket, post office, restaurants, souvenir shops and an impressive Nature Centre. housing an informative display and digital presentation on the local geology and environment. And being situated out in the countryside, the Polar Night skies are less exposed to light pollution making it easier to observe the Northern Lights – when they choose to reveal themselves.
ACTIVITIES
Pyhätunturi has activities to suit everyone – husky and reindeer safaris, snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross country skiing, snowshoe walking, fatbiking, tobogganing and more.
SKIING
Skiing in Lapland is probably not the first activity which comes to mind. It may then come as a surprise that Pyhä rates amongst the best ski resorts in Finland. Although the Fell (Scottish word meaning small mountain) is just 500m high, being that far north virtually guarantees snow. Ski slopes are floodlit as are the well-groomed cross country ski tracks. Ski equipment is available for hire from a well-equipped ski shop and lessons can be arranged with qualified English speaking ski instructors. A ski bus runs between Pyhä and its sister resort Luosto, twenty kilometres away.
ACCOMMODATION
HOTEL
The location of Hotel Pyhätunturi on the side of the mountain provides a spectacular view of the surrounding area and, being situated right beside the ski slope, makes this a perfect ski-in-ski-out location. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, sauna and a gym.
APARTMENTS
Set to the back of the hotel, the 43 and 55 sqm Pyhä Suites have all you need for a comfortable stay. With two or three bedrooms, these apartments come with a fully equipped kitchen, lounge, bathroom and sauna. And for more convenience, easy access to an on site laundromat. Access to the gym in the hotel is also possible. Breakfast at the hotel can be arranged on request.
COTTAGES
These cottages are situated at the ski slopes which makes them the ideal location for skiers – whether downhill or cross country. Cottages vary in size and furnishings as they are privately owned. Most cottages have one bedroom downstairs and a loft room.
*Example only, actual cottages may vary.
PRICING TABLE – SCANDINAVIAN TRIANGLEPRICE PER PERSON SHARING |
|||||||
|
|
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
Solo |
CU12 sharing |
|
Hotel |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
$8,429.00 |
$9,659.00 |
$12,679.00 |
$5,999.00 |
|
Apartment |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
$8,425.00 |
$9,649.00 |
N/A |
$5,999.00 |
|
Apartment2 |
N/A |
N/A |
$9,345.00 |
$8,489.00 |
$10,125.00 |
N/A |
$5,999.00 |
|
Apartment3 |
$9,260.00 |
$9,040.004 |
$9,538.00 |
$8,755.00 |
$10,450.00 |
N/A |
$5,999.00 |
|
1Breakfast not included for apartments but can be arranged at the hotel at a supplement. Alternatively, supplies can be purchased from the local supermarket to self cater. 2Two-Bedroom apartment minimum three persons sharing. 3Three-Bedroom apartment minimum four persons sharing. |
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View each day on the map below!
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