Itinerary Details
Festive Polar Escape
Day 1ARRIVE IN OULU, FINLAND Welcome to Oulu! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)
Day 2OULU–EXCURSION TO HAILOUTO The Creative Edge Enjoy an orientation tour to introduce you to Oulu, the 2026 European Capital of Culture. Then board a ferry for a ride to Hailouto, the largest island in the Bothnian Bay. Take a guided visit of the Marjaniemi fishing village, before getting a real taste of the island with lunch and a guided visit to an organic brewery, including a tasting. Later, return to Oulu for an evening at leisure. (B,L)
68 mi/ 110 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS The island of Hailouto started to rise from the sea approximately 2,000 years ago and continues to do so. Eventually the island will adjoin the mainland as the rising shoreline is constantly changing to form a living conservation area. The manmade environment in Hailuoto, characterized by well-preserved traditional buildings, together with its unique natural features, has earned Hailuoto the designation as one of Finland’s national landscapes—and the only national landscape covering the entire municipality.
Day 3OULU–TORNIO Reindeer Games Enjoy free time this morning to explore more of Oulu; browse the Market Square, taste some local specialties at the Market Hall, take a selfie with the famous Policeman statue, or head over to Piksaari Island to stroll around the wooden district, once a center of local industry and now home to a thriving artists’ community. This afternoon, a real treat awaits with a visit to a reindeer farm, connect with the local culture and learn all about these gentle animals. Enjoy an evening at leisure in Tornio and start getting acquainted with the city that sits on Finland’s border with Sweden or join an optional excursion. (B)
84 mi/ 135 km
ENHANCED FREE TIME
NATURAL WONDERS Consider an optional excursion to witness the spectacular Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) one of nature’s most dazzling phenomena, visible in just a few places in the world. Join your guide in one of the best locations to witness this incredible sight in the skies over Lapland.
Day 4TORNIO-EXCURSION TO ROVANIEMIHo, Ho, Ho! Today, get into the festive spirit as you drive to Rovaniemi to visit Santa Claus’s village. Keep an eye out for the elves and Santa Claus, himself. This enchanting village sits directly on the Arctic Circle. Step across the latitudinal line and receive your Arctic Circle Certificate. (B)
155 mi / 250 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE About a hundred years ago, a passer-by started spreading the word about the true location of Santa’s real home. Since then, Santa has traveled to the Arctic Circle to meet with kids from 1 to 92 to hear Christmas wishes in his remote Santa’s Village in Rovaniemi. Enjoy a visit with Old St. Nick and receive your official Arctic Circle Certificate documenting your crossing this hemispheric line.
Day 5TORNIO–HAPARANDA, SWEDEN–KEMI, FINLAND–OULU Let it Snow! This morning, enjoy an orientation drive of Tornio that includes a border crossing into Sweden to visit the neighboring town of Haparanda. Later, stop in Kemi to visit the Ice Experience. This evening, join your travel companions for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
93 mi / 150 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
WINTER WONDERLAND Step into a winter wonderland any day of the year in Kemi. Walk on the snowy floors and admire the amazing ice sculptures as their themes and colors change before your eyes. Slip down the ice slide, sit by the ice tables, and snap selfies in this snowy scene.
Day 6OULUSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
