This 14-day driver-guided journey has been crafted to deliver the best of Finland, from coastal design hubs to the remote Arctic wilderness. Blending culture, nature, and local traditions, the route is designed for travelers who want to go beyond the obvious.
Begin in the capital with a mix of modern architecture and heritage districts, continue through the serene forests and lakes of Lakeland and Eastern Finland, and finish above the Arctic Circle—where reindeer, huskies, and the Northern Lights await.
Each day is curated with immersive private experiences, exceptional scenery, and authentic Finnish hospitality.
Destinations on Our 14-Day Finland Tour
Days 1–3: Helsinki
Explore Finland’s stylish capital through its neoclassical architecture, innovative design districts, UNESCO-listed sea fortress, and lively food markets.
Days 4–6: Finnish Lakeland (Tampere Region)
Discover Finland’s peaceful inland heart—land of thousands of lakes, traditional saunas, forest cooking, and unspoiled national parks.
Days 7–10: Eastern Finland (Koli National Park)
Immerse yourself in Finland’s most iconic wilderness. Enjoy panoramic hikes, bear watching, lake kayaking, and deep Sámi cultural storytelling.
Days 11–14: Lapland (Rovaniemi)
Cross into the Arctic Circle for reindeer sleigh rides, Northern Lights safaris, and festive moments in Santa Claus Village. Stay in Aurora-view suites and connect with local Sámi artisans and traditions.
Day 1: Arrival & Helsinki Highlights
Ease into Finnish culture with a relaxed day of architectural icons, historic quarters, and a warm culinary welcome by the sea.
Private Airport Pickup & Orientation Drive
Upon arrival, your private driver-guide will greet you and escort you through Helsinki’s core districts on a comfortable orientation drive.
Get an early sense of the capital’s elegant neoclassical layout, seaside charm, and modern flair as you pass by landmarks like the Opera House, Finlandia Hall, and Töölö Bay.
Guided Walking Tour of Senate Square, Rock Church & Sibelius Monument
Set off on foot with your local guide to discover the layers of Helsinki’s history.
At Senate Square, admire the stately Lutheran Cathedral and university buildings. Continue to Temppeliaukio—the iconic Rock Church carved into solid granite—then visit the striking Sibelius Monument in honor of Finland’s national composer.
Welcome Dinner with Finnish Tasting Menu
Settle in for a curated welcome dinner at a locally loved waterfront restaurant.
Your guide will walk you through each dish—perhaps reindeer tartare, wild mushroom soup, or arctic char—while introducing the traditions behind Finnish seasonal cuisine—a perfect way to begin your journey.
Day 2: Design & Coastal Culture
Celebrate Helsinki’s global design reputation with private studio visits, coastal fortresses, and Nordic wellness.
Private Design District Tour – Aalto Studio, Design Museum & Marimekko Showroom
Meet your design-savvy guide for a curated walk through Helsinki’s creative core.
Step inside the minimalist studio of Alvar Aalto, explore Finnish design history at the Design Museum, and browse contemporary fashion at Marimekko’s flagship. Hear how Finnish modernism, functionality, and sustainability shaped both daily life and global trends.
Private Guided Visit to Suomenlinna Fortress (UNESCO Site)
Board a short ferry to the UNESCO-listed Suomenlinna sea fortress for a privately guided walk through 18th-century tunnels, ramparts, and military buildings.
Learn how this “Gibraltar of the North” protected the capital for centuries. Your guide will share stories of wartime strategy, civilian life on the islands, and today’s artist community.
Market Hall Tasting Tour & Traditional Sauna by the Sea
Return to the mainland for a guided tasting tour of Helsinki’s historic Market Hall.
Sample cheeses, cured salmon, rye pastries, and sweet cloudberry preserves while chatting with local vendors. Then, cap off your day with a traditional wood-heated sauna session right by the water—Finnish relaxation at its finest.
Day 3: Nature or History Day Trip
Today offers a choice: the timeworn charm of Porvoo or a peaceful escape into Finland’s quiet forests.
Day Trip to Porvoo – Private Walking Tour & Chocolate Workshop
Travel east to Porvoo, one of Finland’s oldest towns, for a private tour through cobbled lanes, red riverside warehouses, and the 15th-century cathedral.
Visit a local artisanal chocolatier for a hands-on workshop (and, of course, samples). Hear stories of Swedish kings, Finnish poets, and Porvoo’s role in shaping national identity.
Alternative: Nuuksio National Park & Reindeer Visit
Prefer a nature escape? Head west to Nuuksio National Park for a guided forest walk among spruce-covered hills and glassy lakes.
Stop by a small reindeer park where you’ll feed the gentle animals and hear about Sámi reindeer traditions. Your guide will adjust the pace according to your interests and the terrain.
Artisan Studio or Foraging Workshop
In Porvoo, stop by a craft studio to meet a local potter or woodworker and discover Finland’s rich folk art heritage.
In Nuuksio, join a foraging expert for a seasonal walk focused on wild herbs, berries, and mushrooms—an introduction to the foraged flavors of Finnish cuisine.
Day 4: Travel to Finnish Lakeland via Hämeenlinna & Mänttä
Depart the capital for inland Finland, where you’ll find cultural landmarks, art, and lakeside views along the way.
Scenic Drive with Cultural Stop at Hämeenlinna Castle
Begin your journey north with your driver-guide, pausing in Hämeenlinna for a private tour of Finland’s oldest brick castle.
Explore medieval halls and towers while learning about knights, nobility, and the town’s ties to Finland’s military and literary history.
Guided Visit to Serlachius Museums in Mänttä
Continue through the forest and farmland to Mänttä, where the Serlachius Museums blend Nordic contemporary art with historic architecture and wooded trails.
Visit both the Gösta pavilion and the manor house with a local guide, and enjoy a lunch of locally sourced ingredients in the museum’s acclaimed restaurant.
Arrival in Tampere with Lakeside Walk & Check-In
Arrive in the Lakeland city of Tampere—nestled between two vast lakes—and check into your lakeside boutique hotel or cabin. Enjoy a leisurely evening stroll along the shoreline or through the charming old Finlayson factory area.
Day 5: Lakeside Leisure & Sauna Traditions
Embrace Finland’s quintessential lake lifestyle with private water excursions, smoke sauna rituals, and fireside flavors in the forest.
Private Guided Canoe or Boat Tour on Lake Näsijärvi
Start your day on the water with a private guided canoe or boat tour across Lake Näsijärvi.
In the summer, paddle past small islands, quiet coves, and towering pine forests with your local guide, who offers stories of Finnish lake traditions. In winter, your experience adapts to a snowshoe trek across the frozen lakeshore, with warming stops and hot berry juice in the snow.
Smoke Sauna & Ice Swimming Experience
Next, head to a secluded lakeside smoke sauna—a timeless Finnish tradition that’s as restorative as it is invigorating.
Your sauna host will prepare the wood-fired chamber to perfection, and for those feeling adventurous, an optional dip in the icy lake awaits. Afterward, enjoy warming herbal drinks and gentle conversation as you relax in candlelit coziness.
Forest Cooking Workshop & Dinner in a Kota
As evening sets in, enter a traditional Lappish-style kota (timber hut) for a hands-on forest cooking session.
Together with a local chef, you’ll prepare a rustic meal using seasonal ingredients—think root vegetables, mushrooms, freshwater fish, and wild herbs. As the fire crackles, gather for dinner by lantern light and listen to tales of forest folklore and sauna etiquette.
Day 6: National Park Adventure in Helvetinjärvi
Discover Finland’s wilder side on a full-day national park adventure through canyons, ancient spruce forests, and remote trails.
Private Day Trip to Helvetinjärvi National Park with Hiking Guide
Meet your guide for a private excursion into Helvetinjärvi National Park—known for its dramatic ravines, mossy cliffs, and untouched wilderness.
Hike through towering pines and along narrow ridges with views into the park’s iconic cleft, Helvetinkolu.
Forest Picnic Lunch & Outdoor Skills Demo
Take a midday pause for a peaceful picnic lunch in a scenic clearing or shelter.
Your guide may demonstrate bushcraft techniques such as fire lighting without matches, carving tools from wood, or brewing pine needle tea. It’s a slow, sensory moment that connects you to Finland’s deep respect for nature.
Visit to a Local Craft Studio or Lifestyle Farm
On your return to Tampere, stop at a countryside workshop or farm that reflects Finnish lifestyle traditions.
Depending on your interests, meet a local woodcarver, herbalist, or sheep farmer for a private visit. Learn how age-old techniques are still used today, blending modern life with timeless values of simplicity and sustainability.
Day 7: Travel to Koli – Lakes, Architecture & Monastic Calm
Today’s journey delivers both natural beauty and cultural depth, from Finnish modernism to monastic vineyards.
Drive from Tampere to Koli with Stop in Jyväskylä
Set off with your driver-guide through central Finland, stopping in Jyväskylä—the heartland of Alvar Aalto’s architectural legacy.
Visit the Alvar Aalto Museum for a curated private tour highlighting his iconic furniture, buildings, and design ethos. Enjoy lunch at a stylish local café featuring regional produce before continuing eastward.
Optional Detour to Valamo Monastery
For those curious about Finland’s Orthodox Christian traditions, take a tranquil detour to the New Valamo Monastery.
Nestled in forested surroundings, the monastery is renowned for its tranquil grounds, small museum, and surprisingly refined wine production. Enjoy a tasting and a brief walk through the gardens, accompanied by commentary from a local guide.
Evening Arrival at Eco-Lodge or Glass Cabin in Koli
Reach your serene base in Koli—perhaps a glass-roofed cabin, lakeside lodge, or eco-resort tucked beneath pine trees. Settle in with views of Lake Pielinen and the soft sounds of the forest, preparing for your wilderness immersion ahead.
Day 8: National Park Wilderness & Sámi-Inspired Evening
Immerse yourself in one of Finland’s most beloved landscapes, followed by a fireside experience of forest cuisine and cultural storytelling.
Guided Snowshoeing or Hiking Tour in Koli National Park
Explore the pristine ridgelines and glacial hills of Koli National Park.
In summer, panoramic views stretch over a mosaic of lakes and islands. In winter, snow-covered trees and frosted cliffs turn the terrain into a silent wonderland. Your guide will adjust the pace and path to match your preferences and share legends tied to these sacred hills.
Lakeside Lunch with Smoked Fish & Local Specialties
Enjoy a relaxed, hearty lunch at a lakeside tavern or lodge.
Dishes may include smoked vendace, lingonberry sauces, rye flatbreads, and seasonal vegetables. Whether seated by a fireplace or beside a sun-drenched window, it’s a taste of Finland’s culinary simplicity and purity.
Evening in a Sámi-Style Kota for Forest Dinner & Storytelling
End the day with an immersive dinner in a traditional Kota tent.
You’ll enjoy a rustic forest meal cooked over an open flame, served with regional brews or birch sap juices. Your host will share stories inspired by Sámi culture, nature mythology, and Finnish seasonal rhythms—a soulful close to your wilderness day.
Day 9: Wildlife & Silence
Spend the day immersed in the serenity of Finland’s eastern wilderness, with a focus on wildlife, creativity, and stargazing.
Wildlife Tracking or Bear Watching (Seasonal)
Begin your morning with a private wildlife tracking excursion led by a local nature guide.
Depending on the season, this may include signs of moose, lynx, or brown bears. In spring and summer, opt for an exclusive bear-watching experience in a hideout—where patient observation is rewarded with unforgettable encounters in the wild.
Nature Photography or Artist Studio Visit
Later, enjoy a private session focused on visual storytelling.
Either take part in a nature photography workshop—learning techniques for capturing forests and light—or visit a secluded artist studio, where you’ll engage with Finnish painters, ceramicists, or woodworkers whose work is inspired by the silence and vastness of the region.
Private Lakeside Sauna & Star-Viewing Experience
In the evening, settle into a serene, private lakeside sauna experience.
After your steam, wrap up in a blanket and step outside to admire the night sky. With little light pollution in the region, stargazing here is exceptional. In autumn and winter, there’s also a chance to glimpse the Northern Lights dancing silently overhead.
Day 10: Ice & Fire
Today is about elemental contrasts—between frozen lakes and warm fires, between active outdoor fun and rustic comfort food.
Private Ice Fishing or Midsummer Lake Cruise
Begin with a seasonal lakeside excursion. In winter, your guide will drill through thick ice and teach traditional Finnish ice fishing techniques. In summer, take a quiet boat tour on a secluded lake, surrounded by nothing but trees, birdsong, and the distant ripple of water.
Either way, it’s a tranquil and immersive way to connect with Finland’s aquatic rhythms.
Family Forest Games or Survival Skills Workshop
Try your hand at classic Finnish forest games or learn essential survival skills, including fire-making, shelter-building, and compass use.
This activity is adaptable for all ages and is a great way to bond with nature—and each other—amid the wild.
Rustic Dinner with Live Music or Storytelling
As the sun begins to dip, head to a private Kota or lakeside cabin for a rustic dinner cooked over an open flame.
Your hosts will serve local fish, root vegetables, and foraged flavors, accompanied by live folk music or storytelling that sets the mood. It’s an unforgettable evening that blends culture, cuisine, and camaraderie.
Day 11: Travel to Lapland (Rovaniemi)
Journey northward into Finland’s Arctic zone, with thoughtful cultural stops en route to prepare you for the days ahead.
Scenic Drive & Cultural Stop in Kajaani
Depart Koli with your private driver-guide and head north through the lake-dotted landscapes of central Finland.
Stop in Kajaani to visit the atmospheric ruins of its 17th-century castle and enjoy lunch at a cozy café near the river.
Ranua Wildlife Park Visit
En route to Rovaniemi, stop for a private guided visit to Ranua Wildlife Park—home to Finland’s most iconic Arctic animals.
You’ll see polar bears, wolverines, lynx, and more, with your guide sharing insights into conservation efforts and the behavior of these animals in the far north.
Evening Aurora Orientation & Check-In
Arrive in Rovaniemi and check in to your Arctic accommodation—our travel designers will help you choose the option best suited to you, whether it’s a glass-roofed suite or a cozy log chalet.
In the evening, your guide will provide an introduction to the Northern Lights, including tips for spotting them and an explanation of the local science and mythology behind their phenomenon.
Day 12: Arctic Culture & Santa Magic
Spend a joyful and educational day discovering the unique blend of traditions and experiences that define Lapland’s capital.
VIP Visit to Santa Claus Village & Arctic Circle Crossing
Begin with a magical private visit to Santa Claus Village.
Your guide will escort you through the snowy site, past elves and reindeer, to meet Santa himself in an intimate setting. You’ll also officially cross the Arctic Circle and receive a certificate to commemorate the moment.
Arktikum Museum Tour with Private Guide
After lunch, explore the Arktikum Museum on a private tour.
This stunning glass-domed building houses fascinating exhibits about Arctic nature, Sámi culture, and climate science. Your guide will help interpret the highlights from the museum, providing context for your surroundings in Lapland.
Cookie Baking & Crafts with Local Elves
Wrap up your day with a family-friendly hands-on session in a cozy cabin setting. Bake traditional Finnish cookies, make festive crafts, and hear local tales from Lapland’s folklore.
It’s a heartwarming way to engage with Lapland’s creative traditions before relaxing back at your hotel.
Day 13: Arctic Adventures
A full day of quintessential Lapland experiences—where snow-covered forests, reindeer traditions, and the magical aurora come together in unforgettable ways.
Reindeer Sleigh Ride & Farm Visit with Storytelling
Begin your day with a visit to a traditional reindeer farm on the outskirts of Rovaniemi.
Your Sámi hosts will welcome you into their snow-covered homestead, where you’ll learn about reindeer herding traditions that date back centuries.
Then, bundled under warm blankets, you’ll glide silently through the winter forest on a reindeer-drawn sleigh. Afterward, gather around the fire in a wooden kota to hear legends and personal stories of life in the Arctic.
Husky Safari Through Snowy Forest
In the afternoon, it’s time to meet Lapland’s most enthusiastic residents: the huskies!
After a brief introduction and safety overview, you’ll set off on a private sled ride through snow-laden pine forests and across frozen lakes.
Your guide will tailor the route and pace to suit your comfort, whether you’re after a shorter scenic loop or a more extended adventure. Along the way, take in the Arctic silence and the rhythmic breath of your team as they run through the snow.
Evening Northern Lights Safari by Snowmobile
As night falls, embark on a thrilling private snowmobile safari into the wilderness. Your expert guide will lead you deep into the forest and across frozen terrain, stopping at a secluded wooden cabin far from city lights.
Warm up by the fire with hot berry juice and snacks as you await the aurora. With luck and clear skies, you’ll witness the Northern Lights ripple across the Arctic sky—an unforgettable finale to your time in Lapland.
Day 14: Farewell Lapland
Your final day offers a gentle wind-down after two weeks of adventure, nature, and culture.
Leisurely Breakfast & Snow Play or Shopping
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel, perhaps watching the sunrise over a snowy landscape. Depending on your flight time, there may be time for one last snowball fight, a walk through the pine forest, or browsing boutiques for Lapland souvenirs.
Visit to Sámi Handicraft Boutique
Before your transfer to the airport, stop at a local shop specializing in Sámi handicrafts.
From hand-tanned leather pouches and traditional silver jewelry to antler-carved keepsakes, these items offer a meaningful way to bring a piece of Lapland home with you—while supporting local artisans and preserving Indigenous traditions.
Private Transfer & Departure Assistance
Your driver-guide will escort you to Rovaniemi Airport, assisting with check-in and luggage. If you’re returning to Helsinki, we’ll coordinate your scenic domestic flight to connect with international departures. Safe travels, and kiitos for exploring Finland with us!
