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Chill like a Finn group influencer trip 31.5-5.6.2026

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Visit Karelia & Artic Lakeland, Finland

This June, you can get the chance to experience where and how the world's happiest people spend their summer holidays. You may find your state of happiness this June in Finnish Lakeland, the coolest lake region in the world. This trip is part of Visit Finland's Chill like a Finn campaign

Finnish Lakeland is Europe’s largest lake district – the ultimate summer escape for the world’s happiest nation. This is where Finns slow down, recharge, and reconnect with nature by the water. 

The trip will include two regions in Lakeland. In Visit Karelia you can immerse yourself in a authentic Karelian experience - hospitality here is a way of life with warm welcomes and traditional food as Karelian Pie (karjalanpiirakka). Its home to Finland's most loved National Park Koli. Artic Lakeland is situated at the point where Lapland and Lakeland meet, and you will experience versatile landscapes, and animals such as brown bear and reindeer.

 

 

Quick facts

Flights

Arrival 31.5

LONDON: Finnair AY1334, London-Helsinki at 13.35-18.25

MADRID: Finnair AY1662, Madrid-Helsinki at 10.15-15.25

BERLIN: Finnair AY, Berlin-Helsinki 13.25-16.45

PARIS: Finnair AY1572 Paris-Helsinki 10.50-14.40 

 

Departure 5.6

LONDON: AY1311 Helsinki-London 8.00-9.10 or 16-17.05 or  19.30-20.4

MADRID: AY1661 Helsinki-Madrid 16.40-20.05

BERLIN: AY1431 Helsinki-Berlin 07.05-08.05  or 12.05-13.05 or 16.20-17.20 or 18.20-19.20

PARIS: AY1571 Helsinki-Paris 07.35-09.40  or 12.15-14.20 or 20.30-22.35

 

Accommodation

Helsinki
31 May -1 June
Scandic Grand Central
 

Visit Karelia
1.-3. June
Tarina-Aho

Artic Lakeland
3.-4. June
Artic Giant

Helsinki
4.-5. June
Scandic Grand Central

 

Bring along

Comfortable & waterproof shoes

Layers

Waterproof jacket

Swimwear

Preliminary program

Credits : North Karelia, Harri Tarvainen
Credits: Ömer Acar

Sunday 31 May, 2026

Arrival to Finland with Finnair flights @ourfinland #visitfinland

Independent train transfer to Helsinki city center from the airport

Welcome dinner in Helsinki with Visit Finland's host 

Overnight in Helsinki

 

 

 

 

 

Monday 1 June, 2026

Breakfast served at the hotel

9.45 Check-out and short walk to the train

10.14 Take a train from Helsinki to Joensuu at 10.14-14.51 (4 h 37 min). Free time and lunch together. @vrmatkalla #vrmatkalla

15.51 Arrival to Joensuu - Welcome to Visit Karelia, Instagram: @visitkarelia_finland  #visitkarelia_finland 

15.15 Departure to Koli National Park, @showyourkoli

Koli National Park is one of Finland’s most iconic national landscapes, renowned for its breathtaking views over Lake Pielinen. The park’s rugged hills, dramatic cliffs, and vast forested scenery create a truly majestic setting in every season. Visitors can enjoy year-round activities, from hiking and cycling in summer to snowshoeing and skiing in winter, making Koli a captivating destination throughout the year.

16.15 Visit Koli National Park & embrace the iconic Finnish view Helena Karhu who guides you through a shamanic meditation. @karhuntalo

17.45 Departure to Koli harbor 

18.00 Arrival to Koli Harbor, and boat transfer to Tarina-Aho, @tarina.aho

Tarina-Aho is a unique island resort in Lake Pielinen, in the middle of Koli National Park. The yard consists of three traditional log buildings. The place combines nature, lake and peace of mind, the simplicity of things, and the Northern Karelian tradition. Arriving here, is taking a trip back in time. 

Dinner 

Overnight in Tarina-Aho 

 
 

 

 

Tuesday 2 June, 2026

Breakfast at Tarina-aho  

Self-guided program Chill like a Finn: rowing, fishing or relaxing (in a hammock) etc. Spending an easy day at the summer cottage on the island without any tight schedules.

Lunch ​

Guided smoke sauna and swimming in the lake Pielinen

A traditional Finnish smoke sauna, or savusauna, is one of the oldest forms of sauna in Finland. It is heated by a large wood-burning stove without a chimney, allowing smoke to fill the room before it is ventilated out prior to bathing. The result is a soft, gentle heat and a distinctive smoky aroma that create a deeply relaxing and authentic sauna experience rooted in Finnish heritage.

Dinner

Overnight and sleep tight at Tarina-Aho 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 3 June, 2026

 08.00 Departure from the island 

08.30 Departure from Koli harbour to Bomba

09.45 Karelian Pie workshop in Bomba House, @breaksokoshotelbomba

Traditional Karelian pies, or karjalanpiirakat, are a beloved Finnish pastry originating from the Karelia region. They feature a thin rye crust filled with creamy rice porridge and are typically served warm with egg butter spread on top. Simple yet flavorful, Karelian pies are a cherished part of Finnish culinary heritage and everyday celebrations alike.

11.15 Departure to Kuhmo, Welcome to @arcticlakelandkainuu #articlakelandkainuu

A unique travel destination, Arctic Lakeland invites visitors to experience both the southern and northern landscapes of Finland in one unforgettable trip. Located in the northernmost part of Lakeland Finland — the largest lake district in Europe — the region combines vast lakes, rocky hillsides, and pristine boreal forests. Situated at the same latitude as Reykjavik, Arctic Lakeland offers pure air and magical summer nights.

At its cultural heart lies Kuhmo, a UNESCO City of Literature known for its deep connection to forest nature and vibrant arts scene. The surrounding forests continue to inspire artists and skilled wood craftspeople, creating a destination where nature, creativity, and northern traditions come together in a truly distinctive Arctic experience.

12.30 Exciting floating down the Pajakkakoski rapid

With the help of your guide, you’ll dress in thermal underwear and a rescue suit before getting used to floating in calm river water. After a thorough safety briefing and instructions for navigating the rapid, you’ll set off on an unforgettable floating adventure — an exhilarating Arctic experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

Short drive (10 min) to Pohjolan talo.

14.45 Lunch at Pohjolan talo. @pohjolantalo

15.45 Departure to Bear Center (45min drive). @bearcentrefin
In the heart of wild corner of Finland, Bear Centre offers an unforgettable experience dedicated to photographing and observing bears, wolverines, and wolves in their natural habitat. With 29 carefully positioned hides, creators have the chance to document these magnificent predators up close. From dense forests to open landscapes, the varied scenery creates stunning backdrops for powerful wildlife storytelling.

17.00 Guided bear watching evening at Bear Centre (Bear watching house) @bearcentrefin

Bear Watching House offers one of the most extraordinary opportunities in the world to observe wild brown bears in their natural habitat. With an impressive 80–95% chance of sightings (depending on the season), your chances of witnessing these magnificent animals are exceptionally high.

On most evenings, several bears appear at once — and sometimes they approach incredibly close to the viewing house, just a few feet away. 

Located only 400 meters from the Bear Centre, the Bear Watching House is built into a hillside, overlooking gentle slopes, lakes, and small forest ponds. The panoramic views create a serene and atmospheric setting, perfect for capturing unforgettable wildlife moments under the Nordic sky.

21.00 Departure to Arctic Giant (2 hrs). 

23.00 Arrival to Arctic Giant. Midnight Sun dinner by an open fire in a traditional Finnish (kota) hut. @arcticgiantresort

Overnight at Arctic Giant’s Birdhouse. Feel yourself free like a bird and step high on the hilltop into the birdhouse built by giants!

 

 

Thursday 4 June, 2026

9.00 Breakfast at Restaurant Makuhelmi @arcticgiantresort

10.00 Forest biking excursion.@arcticgiantresort

12.30 Lunch at Restaurant Makuhelmi @arcticgiantresort

13.30 Forest Sauna experience @arcticgiantresort

The Forest sauna offers a peaceful retreat where you can unwind in the heart of the woods. Its panoramic mirror windows open onto the surrounding forest landscape and the northern sky, creating a serene connection with nature. Enhance your sauna experience with refreshing cooling rituals: step under a cool summer forest shower and plunge into the cold Arctic pool.

Check-out.

17.00 Departure from Arctic Giant to Kajaani airport. (1 h)
Flight to Helsinki (19.25-20.40)

21.00 Transport to Scandic Grand Central & light snack in the room

Overnight in Helsinki

 

Friday June, 2026

9.00 Breakfast at the hotel

Independent transfer with a train to the airport

Flight back

 

 

Finnish AKKE Funding

This action is part of Eastern Finland Sustainable Tourism Growth Program and is funded by South Savo Regional Council from Appropriation for Sustainable Growth and Vitality in Regions (Finnish AKKE funding).

 

 

Visit Finland contact

Eevakaisa Mölsä

Eevakaisa.molsa@businessfinland.fi

+358 46 923 4745
 

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