Overview:
This self drive tour covers the varied landscapes and cultures of Finland. Visit the lake district, the deep forests, habitat to the brown bear, and venture to the plateaus of Lapland. Experience the unique Russian culture of Karelia, the trendy, modern Finnish culture around Helsinki and the peaceful life of Lapland. BBC's 'The hairy Bikers Northern Exposure' has shown you some of the incredible highlights of Finland - let us show you the rest!
Package price is £1,695 per person based on availability and sharing a twin or double room. Single supplement is upon request.
Departure Dates:
| Season |
Departures |
1 May - 30 Sep
|
Daily |
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Helsinki
Arrival in Helsinki according to your own itinerary. Helsinki, the capital of Finland, was founded in 1550 by the Swedish king. In 1917, Finland gained its independence and Helsinki became the capital of the new republic. Helsinki is a vibrant and modern city, surrounded by water. Accommodation at a 3* hotel
Day 2: Helsinki - Hämeenlinna - Tampere (175 km/108 miles)
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy sightseeing to discover Helsinki, we recommend the Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral and the Temppeliaukio Church. Start your self-drive vacation in direction of Hämeenlinna, birthplace of the composer Jean Sibelius, to visit its beautiful Medieval castle. Continue north passing by the Aulanko’s park until you reach Tampere, the third largest city in Finland. There are 200 lakes and ponds in Tampere and a total of 450 in the entire region. We recommend visiting the Tammerkoski rapids that run through the city. Accommodation at a 3* hotel
Day 3: Tampere - Vaasa (240 km/149 miles)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start your journey visiting the village of Stundars in Korsholm, a large open-air museum and a living centre of culture and art. In the afternoon, arrival in Vaasa, located at the narrowest point of the Gulf of Bothnia, only 80 km from Umeå in Sweden. Vaasa is known to be Finland's sunniest town. The sea with its countless islands make it a perfect place for boating, fishing and exploring the archipelago. Accommodation at a 3* hotel
Day 4: Gulf of Bothnia - Oulu (315 km/195 miles)
Breakfast at the hotel. Time to discover the region including Jakobstad with its famous ‘School Gardens’, located in the centre of town. The park is an architectural masterpiece and an outdoor stage for summer events. Pass by Kalajoki, a well-known tourist attraction due to long sandy beaches, before arriving in Oulu. Visiting the Rotuaari pedestrian street and Market Square will immerse you in the city’s atmosphere. Don’t miss the City Park’s Hupisaaret islands and the Tietomaa Science Centre. Accommodation at a 3* hotel
Day 5: Lapland: Oulu - Rovaniemi (225 km/139 miles)
Breakfast at the hotel and enjoy your trip through Finnish Lapland until you arrive in its capital, Rovaniemi, situated close to the Arctic Circle. Rovaniemi is the hometown of Santa Claus who can be met on any day of the year at the Santa Claus Office in the Arctic Circle. Accommodation at a 3* hotel
Day 6: Rovaniemi - Kuusamo (205 km)
Breakast at the hotel. Today you will continue your journey crossing a beautiful landscape of hills, rivers and lakes. Ranua is located 80km south of Rovaniemi; here you can visit the Rauna Wildlife Park where you will have the chance of seeing Nordic and Arctic animals. Arrival in Kuusamo located in the east of Finland in Oulu Province on the border with Russia. Accommodation at a 3* hotel
Day 7: Kuusamo - Kajaani (250 km/155 miles)
Breakast at the hotel. Leave Kuusamo in southern direction passing by the Kajaani region in the centre of Finland. Summer days in Kajaani are very long, thanks to the Midnight Sun. Here you can enjoy a wildlife watching safari. Visit the Kajaani Castle ruins; the castle played an important role in the early history of the town. Kajaani offers excellent opportunities to those interested in culture, for example theatre and concerts arranged in Kaukametsä's concert hall. Accommodation at a 3* hotel
Day 8: Kajaani - Kuopio (170 km/105 miles)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will be back in the Lake’s region; you can pass by Koli located along the banks of the Pielinen Lake where you can enjoy an extraordinary view. On your arrival in Kuopio we recommend a visit to the Orthodox Church Museum of Finland with its beautiful icon collection. Boating, hiking and other forms of outdoor recreation are all found here. Accommodation at a 3* hotel
Day 9: Kuopio - Savonlinna - Lappeenranta (270 km/167 miles)
Breakfast at the hotel. On your way south you can visit the Orthodox Monastery of New Valamo in Heinävesi, established in 1940 that has developed into a significant centre of Orthodox culture in Finland in recent decades. The monks live the communal spiritual life of a monastery which includes the principle that the monastery should earn its own living. Its principal source of livelihood nowadays is tourism. Continue your trip in order to admire the breathtaking scenery in Savonlinna, which is famous for its annual opera festival. Accommodation at a 3* hotel
Day 10: Lappeenranta – Porvoo – Helsinki (225 km/137 miles)
Breakfast at the hotel and enjoy your day driving on the King’s Road, an old postal route dating back to the 14th century by which Swedish kings plundered eastward into Russia, and by which Russian tsars plundered back. Continue to Helsinki along the beautiful Gulf of Finland passing by Kotka and Porvoo, cities marked by Russian influence. Enjoy your evening in Helsinki. Accommodation at a 3* hotel
Day 11: Farewell Finland
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Return your rental car at the airport prior to your return flight to the UK.
The itinerary is a guide for you. We can customise this further, based on your interests. If you would like to make any changes to your itinerary, just let us know and we will work with you to tailor the holiday to match your requirements.
* Accommodation at good tourist class hotels (3-4 stars). If any of the quoted hotels are fully booked we will find alternatives of equal standard.
Package Includes:
- Direct return flights from London or Manchester to Helsinki (we can arrange flights from other UK airports upon request)
- 10 days rental car (VW Polo or similar) incl. unlimited mileage
- 10 nights' accommodation in 3*- 4* hotels
- Breakfast daily
- 24 hour emergency service
- ATOL protection
- All taxes
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