Highlights of Finland

A city of historic and modern architectural marvels, Helsinki a visually exciting place. Its position on the Gulf of Finland gives the city a relaxed, maritime feel and an abundance of green space and forests makes it wonderful for those that love the outdoors. After a fire in 1808, much of the city was rebuilt with wide avenues and neoclassical brick buildings the order of the day. You may have spotted some of its architecture doubling as Soviet Union locations in films from the 1970s and 80s.

Although in many ways Helsinki is a thoroughly modern city, there is an incredible sense of history that you can get to grips with that at its many museums. And of course, like any good Scandinavian city, the foodie scene is something to write home about. Dip in and out of its cafes and bars and set aside some time to simply sit and watch the world go by.

Discover the highlights of Helsinki on this private tour. You will be driven through the city and will see places like Senate Square which was designed in the neoclassical style by Carl Ludvig Engel in the mid-1800s. It is surrounded by the Government Palace, the main building of the University; the enormous Helsinki Cathedral and Sederholm House, the oldest stone building in Helsinki. See the Presidential Palace, the Parliament building and the modern City Hall and Finlandia Hall. You will also visit the monument to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, and tour Temppeliaukio Church, which was quarried out of the natural bedrock with a design that gives it excellent acoustics.

You will be transferred to West Harbour and then take a cruise across to Estonia to go on a privately guided walking tour inside the walls of Tallinn Old Town. Pass the central square of Raekoja Plats where The Tallinn Town Hall is located. The square hosts many concerts during the summer time. You will continue up the cobble stone streets of Old Town to the Kiek in de Kok tower. From the artillery tower, you can literally peep into the kitchens of surrounding houses. Carry on up to Toompea hill where you will have amazing views over Tallinn. At Toompea hill, you will see the Aleksander Nevski Orthodox Cathedral and Estonia's rose-coloured parliament building. At the end of the tour you will cruise back to Helsinki.

Travel by private transfer to Inari - the heart of the Sami area in Finland. There you'll discover the unique wild nature and rich culture that make the area and its people so special. A local guide will show you around the Siida Museum which is dedicated to the Samu people, their history and traditions. The interactive exhibitions that introduce guests to culture, art and nature change regularly. The museum will also give a valuable insight into what you need to survive in the extreme Arctic weather and conditions.

Today is all about winter fun as you go snowmobiling on the frozen Lake Inari. Your private guide will teach you how to handle the powerful machines, and after a full safety briefing and driving lesson, you will head out to explore the frozen lake and its surroundings. Snowmobiling through the white winter scenery is bound to be memorable. During the day there will be a spot of ice fishing, and lunch beside an open fire.

You will be driven to a local reindeer farm where you'll meet with a local reindeer herder and his charges. You'll get to learn all about the peaceful animals and the life of a reindeer herder.

Embark on a snowmobile safari with a break for an ice fishing experience. Before the adventure begins, your guide will give you a safety briefing and driving instructions. Then you will head out on snowmobiles through the beautiful fells and wilderness. At a private lake, you'll be given all of the equipment you need for ice fishing, and with some helpful advice and pointers you can test out your new skills. After a lunch prepared by your guide you will either carry on fishing for a while, if there's time, or start to head back to Saariselkä on your snowmobiles.

Head out into a wintery forest on a sleigh pulled by reindeers. This is a traditional and peaceful way of moving through snowscapes where the only sound you will hear is the light ringing of reindeer bells. The starry northern sky is already a magical experience and hopefully you will be lucky enough to see the northern lights. Tuck into a special open-fire Lappish dinner in a kota (log hut) at a reindeer farm. Your guide will tell you about Sámi culture and reindeer herding, and a Sámi woman will sing traditional Sámi songs, “Joiku”.

Mush along beautiful forest trails and enjoy lunch around a campfire on this husky safari. Each participant will have their own team of four dogs to handle. The distance driven will depend on the weather conditions and the skill of guests. However, no prior experience is needed and beginners are welcome. You will need to be able to run short distances with ease, and it's not recommended for people with back, hip or knee problems.

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the safari house where you will change into appropriate safari gear. Then your journey to the Sampo, waiting for you in the middle of the frozen Gulf of Bothnia, will begin. The Icebreaker Sampo operates on the Gulf of Bothnia outside the city of Kemi. Once you reach the spectacular vessel, you will leave your snowmobile on the ice, and climb on board the Icebreaker, to enjoy the full cruise with lunch, a tour of the vessel and swimming in survival suits. While the huge vessel breaks through the surrounding ice, you can admire the beauty of vast open ice fields all around, and the ever-changing sky above. After the swimming event, you will get off the vessel and drive the snowmobiles back to the safari house.

The Luxurious Cruise Package offers a uniquely indulgent experience. In addition to a private guide, you will have either the Captain Saloon or the Jaala Cabinet for your private use. In the Captain Saloon you may enjoy Champagne, Lappish cocktail snacks and local berry juices and sweets. In Jaala Cabinet a special menu is offered.