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Media trip to discover summer in Finnish Lapland

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Welcome to Finland, the happiest country in the world

During this media trip you will visit Ruka-Kuusamo & Rovaniemi, by invitation only, 17.-21.7.

Quick facts

Flights to/from Finland

17.7. Munchen-Kuusamo 12.10-21.35
21.7. Rovaniemi-Munchen 14.15-17.50 

17.7. Frankfurt-Kuusamo 11.30-21.35 
21.7. Rovaniemi-Frankfurt 14.15-18.30 

17.7. Düsseldorf-Kuusamo 11.55-21.35 
21.7. Rovaniemi-Vienna 14.15-18.30  

17.7. Zürich-Kuusamo 10.50-21.35 
21.7. Rovaniemi-Zürich 14.15-18.20 

17.7. Vienna-Kuusamo 11.35-21.35 
21.7. Rovaniemi-Vienna 14.15-18.30

Accommodation

Ruka-Kuusamo
17.-18.7.
The House of Northern Senses

18.-19.7.
Iisakki Glass Village

Rovaniemi
19.-21.7.
Arctic Light Hotel

Bring along

Good shoes for walking outdoors and offroad pathways

Weatherproof clothing: rain jacket, warming/cooling layers (normally between 10-25 degrees), long sleeves and pants for our friendly mosquitoes

Bathing suit for sauna

Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses: it is summer after all

Water bottle, non-breakable: all tap water in Finland is drinkable!

Wednesday 17.7.

21.35 Arrival at Kuusamo from Germany 

You are warmly welcome to Ruka-Kuusamo!
@rukakuusamo #rukakuusamo

Transfer to The House of Northern Senses

22.35 Evening snack and serene midnight sauna experience followed by peaceful night’s sleep

The House of Northern Senses is a beautiful 6-hectare lakeside villa & hotel by a national forest in Virkkula, an idyllic small village near the famous Ruka Village and Kuusamo town. Premium accommodation for up to 22 people in the cozy manor with a sauna, pool area and two lakeside saunas.

Overnight in the House of Northern Senses

Thursday 18.7.

8.00 Breakfast at the accommodation

8.45 Guided tour around the property

Unveil the stories behind the hotel's hospitality and discover the charm of the hotel.

Before transfer, take all your luggage with you.

9.30 Transfer to reindeer farm

10.00 Reindeer yoga by MunPolku/MyTrail at Kujala reindeer farm
@mytrail_munpolku @kujalanporotilasince1860
#reindeeryoga #mytrailfinland #kujalanporotilasince1860

Enjoy well-being in nature and learn reindeer asanas. Reindeer yoga combines the benefits of nature and yoga. Northern nature as our yoga studio and calm reindeers around us teach us how to immerse in nature and find the connection with it.

Kujala Reindeer Farm is one of the oldest and biggest reindeer farms in Kuusamo. You might even meet Vesku - the local influencer reindeer.

11.30 Cozy coffee break in a traditional kota with the reindeer herder

Experience warm hospitality and fascinating stories in a unique setting.

12.30 Transfer to Mataraniemi 

13.15 Canoeing in Oulanka National Park with Oulangan Taika

Memorable canoeing adventure through the stunning landscapes of the national park. A delicious lunch will be enjoyed along the way.

Oulangan Taika is specialized especially for different kinds of hiking programs in surrounding nature. The mission is to make the most enchanting nature wonders available for all people. The aim is to offer an easy and safe way to experience the beautiful nature.

16.30 Transfer to Pyhäpiilo

17.00 Relaxing smoke sauna experience in Pyhäpiilo

There’s a reason why true enthusiasts consider a smoke sauna to be the king of saunas, one of the best in Finland. The authentic smoke sauna in Pyhäpiilo provides a relaxing experience for small and big groups alike. Lake Pyhäjarvi tops off the experience, as you can dip in the lake all year round. 

18.45 Transfer to dinner

19.00 Dinner at Riipisen Riistaravintola

21.15 Transfer to Iisakki Village

21.30 Experience sweet dreams in Iisakki Glass Village

Spend the night in a modern glass igloo. Be enchanted by the views from the villa’s large windows every day of the year. Marvel at natural phenomena in the sky, such as the Northern Lights or the nightless night through the large skylights.

Friday 19.7.

8.00 Transfer to breakfast

8.30 Breakfast at French Café 
@kahvilathefrenchcafe

Immerse yourself in a culinary adventure where French flavors take center stage without forgetting local ingredients. Let the warm atmosphere and the carefully prepared delicacies of our confectioners take you away. Enjoy the great customer service at the table, quality coffee and delicious homemade pastries.

10.00 Transfer to Kelanranta

10.00 Finnish Summer Tradition: Lakeside Rug Washing Experience with Adventure Apes

Get a glimpse of everyday Finnish life as we wash rugs by the serene lakeside, a beloved summer activity in Finland.

Adventure Apes is a destination management company helping people connect with the local community, Finland's unspoiled nature and each other through adventure.

Adventure Apes has grown out of a passion for helping adventurers make genuine connections with the local community. We believe that culturally authentic adventures allow our visitors from around the world to experience a new perspective on life and help our local community thrive in a sustainable way. Each of our adventures is thoughtfully designed to show you the best, most authentic Finland. If you are looking for a different kind of adventure, you've found it

Taste of Finnish nature: Berry picking session followed by outdoor cooking with Adventure Apes 

Emphasizing the shift to July and including seasonal activities like berry picking. Step outside and find your vitamins next to your doorstep.

Eating outdoors is something you will remember for the rest of your life. Did you know that spending only 15 minutes in the nature not only make you feel better emotionally but also contributes to your physical wellbeing and reduces your blood pressure and production of stress hormones?   

We’re pretty sure that by the end of the tour you’ll be feeling calm, relaxed and connected to   the nature that plays such a big role in Finnish life and culture.

14.00 Departure to Rovaniemi (2.5 hours drive)

Enjoy a picturesque bus journey from Kuusamo to Rovaniemi.

App. 17.00 Arrival to Rovaniemi

You are warmly welcome to the Arctic Circle (66°33′45.9″). There are many reasons to love Rovaniemi –spellbinding nature and phenomena, Lappish traditions and culture, urban life and wild activities make the Official Hometown of Santa Claus a unique place to visit all year round.
@visitrovaniemi

Check-in Arctic Light Hotel

The hotel is an essential part of Rovaniemi’s history –it used to be the city hall of Rovaniemi after the war times. Nowadays the building features little hints and tips from the past but provides the most comfort of modern way of accommodate in the heart of Rovaniemi.
@arctic_light_hotel

19.30 Dinner at Roka Kitchen & Winebar

The restaurants' culinary cornerstone is in relaxed Northern Finnish cuisine with a twist of European flavours.Our respect for ingredients shows on the plate: all dishes highlight the natural flavourand appearance of each ingredient.
@rokawinebar

Summer in Lapland is time to live in the nighttime because the sun doesn’t set at all. Staying up through white summer nights, listening to black throated divers singing on still lakes and enjoying the peacefulness are the elements of Finnish happiness.After the dinner we will be taken to the best locations around Rovaniemi to experience and photograph the Midnight Sun,the unique natural phenomenon visible on and above the Arctic Circle. Departure after the dinner app. 21.30.
@beyondarctic

Return to hotel app. 01.00

Saturday 20.7.

Breakfast at the hotel

9.00 Transfer from hotel & visit to Bearhill Husky Kennel

A guided tour of the modern kennel facilities and a fascinating view into the daily life of huskies and their mushers. Huskies love attention and you willget a chance to interact with them. There will be time to get to know the dogs and their unique characters, as well as a chance to see the workings of the kennel.
@bearhillhusky

11.30 Return to city centre

12.00 Lunch at CafeBar21

Cafe & Bar 21 is best known for it's famous waffles, salad bowls, hand made ice creams and patries. You are welcome to have a break and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere in the cutest café & cab in Rovaniemi.
@cafebar21

As Lapland’s capital city, Rovaniemi is a fantastic hub for the arts, science, and culture. To get a grasp of local and regional history and culture, the definite places to start is the museum and arctic science centreArktikum. We will continue the day at 14.00 with the guided tour in museum and science center Arktikum, which highlights the most important facts about Lapland and the Arctic area.
@arktikumofficial

Lapland has a vibrant art scene, and Korundi The house of culture houses the inspiring collection of the most influential Finnish contemporary art in the old post bus deposit building. Korundi is home to Rovaniemi Art Museum and world-class Lapland Chamber Orchestra. Guided tour (30min) in @korundihouse will lead us to Northern stories told by various methods of art.

Free time

18.30 Meet in hotel lobby & Transfer to Summer restaurant at Kotisaari island

Kotisaari island is deep in the history of Rovaniemi, the legendary lumberjack town. The Ounasjokiand Kemijoki rivers were used as floating channels for the log industry from the late 1800 century until end of 1980. In the good old days the KotisaariIsland was a traditional stronghold of the Lumberjacks in Kemijoki river, just a boat ride away from the city centre.

The old boathouse in KotisaariIsland has been renovated to a SavuraflaKotisaari-Island Restaurant with a high respect for BBQ traditions adding a Lappish twist. Dinner service at 19.00.
@savuraflakotisaari

App. 21.30 Return to city centre

Evening: TBC according to your interest and weather

Sunday 21.7.

9.00 Check-out & Transfer to Santa Claus Village

Christmas magic can be experienced year-round Santa Claus Village. This magical latitude of Arctic Circle has attracted travelers since 1950’s and since that crossing the line, 66°33′45.9″, has been on the bucket lists.

TIPS for Santa Claus Village experience:

* 12.00 Meet Santa Claus @santaclausoffice
* Send your post cards from Santa Claus’ Main Post Office
* Cross the Arctic Circle on your own style
* Meet reindeer in Santa Claus Reindeer Park
* Meet mrsSanta Claus in hers Christmas Cottage
* Meet huskies at Arctic Circle Husky Park
* Shop at Pentik, Iittalaand Marimekko brand stores
* and have a cup of coffee in some of the restaurants

12.45 Transfer to Rovaniemi Airport
14.15 Finnair flight to Helsinki

Credits : Kota Collective
Credits: Ruka-Kuusamo

Regional contacts

Ruka-Kuusamo
Eevakaisa Mölsä
email: eevakaisa.molsa@rukakuusamo.fi
tel: +358 44 901 5687

Visit Rovaniemi
Annukka Jarkko
email: annukka@visitrovaniemi.fi
tel: +358 40 702 9931

Visit Finland contacts

Meri Sipilä
email: meri.sipila@businessfinland.fi
tel: +358 44 331 0594

Useful links

Sustainable Travel Finland

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