Witness the gorgeous northern lights and the surreal midnight sun, ski on powdery slopes and stay in an igloo village, experience traditional sauna culture and festivals that range from crowd-pleasing to bizarre. Welcome to Finland. Once a part of Sweden and then of the Russian empire, Finland’s geographical location and history have given rise to a distinctive culture that harbours Nordic sensibilities, as well as Russian and European influences. Delve right in with Finland tour packages customised to your exact preferences by Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours.
The best of Helsinki in a one-day tour From museum hopping – the Kiasma for contemporary art, Kaapeli for emerging artists and craftsmen, and the Ateneum Art Museum for classic Nordic works – to shopping in the Design District’s eclectic boutiques for unique pieces by Finnish designers, there’s a heap to do in Finnish capital, Helsinki.
In summer especially, take a 15-minute ferry ride to UNESCO World Heritage site Suomenlinna, which has one of the largest sea fortresses in the world. The sparsely populated island is popular for picnics and also has restaurants, cafes and museums.
When it comes to matters of the stomach, grab or download the “Food Helsinki? HEL YEAH!” brochure for the best culinary finds in the city. You’ll find not just restaurants and cafes but also foodie havens like Hakaniemi Market Hall and even kitchenware shops, neatly categorised in five districts, such as hipster and historical.
The Finns are reputed to be excellent drinkers. That may explain how the Spårakoff pub tram came along. Hop on the vintage tram for a fun 40-minute “pub crawl”. Finish with a dip and sauna at the Roman bath-esque Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall or the new seafront Kulttuurisauna. Note that swimsuits are optional!
From summer’s midnight sun to winter’s northern lights
If you’ve ever wished for more hours in a day, Finland’s midnight sun might be your answer. The sun stays above the horizon around the summer solstice in the northern Lapland – for as long as 70 consecutive days – even deep into the night. You can make use of the extended daylight for activities like hiking, sailing, horse riding, whale watching and wildlife watching.
In winter, the converse is true. During these months, there’s precious little sunlight. This may be depressing for the Finns but for northern light chasers, it’s a boon. Nothing will ever prepare you for the spellbinding sight of aurora borealis dancing and swirling across the sky. In Finnish Lapland, the northern lights can be seen on up to 200 nights a year. Plus, this being Finland’s wilderness, there is very little artificial light pollution, which means stronger aurora colours and better visibility.
Glass igloos at Hotel Kakslauttanen by night, cross country skiing in Saariselkä by day
Another way to increase the odds of a northern lights sighting is to stay several nights in accommodation with a good aurora record. For that, Hotel Kakslauttanen’s glass igloos are unrivalled. Lie back under cosy bedcovers, watch the magnificently starry skies – clear skies are vital for northern lights sightings – through thermal glass that won’t fog over and just wait for the bewitching sight.
Situated in the gorgeous Urho Kekkonen National Park, Hotel Kakslauttanen is also excellent for skiing. The nearby ski village of Saariselkä has more than 200km of skiing trails, ranging from family to competition, technique and nature trails. For those who simply cannot get enough of the lush powder, there are also illuminated trails for once the sun goes down.
Looking for other Nordic adventures? Try:
Experience Finland’s northern lights, one-of-a-kind igloo village and the quirkiness of its modern-yet-quaint capital city, Helsinki. Customise your dream Finland tour package with Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours today. Call 6212 9935 or email privatetours@chanbrothers.com.sg for more information.
Highlights
Every itinerary can be personalised according to your needs, special interests, personal preferences and defining style. Contact Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours, the bespoke travel line that caters to the well-heeled, discerning professionals or just about anyone who wants to travel exclusively and privately. Call 6212 9935 or email privatetours@chanbrothers.com.sg.
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