See the Finnish Lapland from a different angle

Day 1:

Arrival to Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. Transfer from the airport or train station to your accommodation by your private guide.

Day 2:

Today you will get a concise impression of Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland on the intersection of Ounas and Kemi rivers.

Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation at 9:40, and we start the day at Arktikum. In the museum you will find historical objects, Sami crafts and dresses, and (stuffed) local animals. Your guide contextualizes the visit with many stories about Lapland and the Arctic. During the insightful and fun guided tour in this landmark building, you will learn about the nature culture of Lapland and the Arctic, for example about traditional livelihoods in Lapland, about Sami people, and we will try to figure out what has happened in Lapland during the second world war. The visit of Arktikum is a good starting point to discover Lapland further, but not before we relax In the Polarium and watch a colourful northern lights movie.

After lunch in Arktikum we will visit Korundi, the modern art museum, which houses changing exhibitions by artists both local and from other northern and peripheral areas.

The library, town hall and theatre form the cultural and administrative center of Aalto’s plan for Rovaniemi. Through considering the shape of the buildings, the design of light and furniture we will consider why Aalto is such a well appreciated and important architect, and an icon representing Finland.

The last stop on our day will be the main church of Rovaniemi, where your guide will point out some specific and interesting details.

Around 16:30 o’clock the first day of the program will be over.

Day 3:

The second day starts at 08:30, in which we will visit the Reidar Särestöniemi near the town of Kaukonen.

On the way to Kaukonen we will make a visit the workshop of the Kangasniemi family. Irene and Ari are crafters from Lapland, using ancient traditions and local materials in their arts and crafts. Together with Irene, you can make your own souvenir out of traditional materials such as reindeer horn, and she will serve us cookies and self made berry juice.

We will have lunch near Kaukonen.

Reidar Särestöniemi (1925 – 1981) was an interesting and important modern artist from Lapland.

Inspired by Western European and Russian modernists, nature and Lappish myths, and primitivism and spiritualism, Särestöniemi developed his own powerful and melancholic style of painting. Särestöniemi was able to capture the amazing colours of the Northern skies in his art.

Särestöniemi’s former home and workshop are currently a truly unique museum in the middle of the forests of Lapland.

Särestöniemi museum lies deep in a forest, and the drive from Rovaniemi to Särestöniemi takes about 2 hours one way.

The program ends around 17:30 o’clock.

Day 3: Nature activity day by your choice, f.e. a visit to a reindeer or a husky farm, or a visit to Ranua zoo, and then a visit to the Santa Claus Village at Napapiiri (Marimekko and Iittala shops).

Your personal guide for this program is Frank. He is interested in many things, and likes to study history, architecture, art, design and the local intersections of nature and culture. He enjoys to meet people, and to make you experience various perspectives about Lapland. Frank likes to tailor guided tours to specific needs.

The tour includes:
– return transfers to hotel
– accommodation at hotel Pohjanhovi in twin rooms including buffet breakfast
– tour programme indicated in the itinerary
– services of your private guide during the tour
– car transportation in the program
– entrance fees
– private tour at Arktikum, Korundi and Särestöniemi museum, and architecture walk.
– taxes of the services
Other hotels of your choice also possible

Availability: all year 2023/2024 year round except in April.

Price starting per person in twin room 2 persons in group 1292€
3 persons in group 1179€
4 persons in group 1128€
5 persons in group 1092€
6 persons in group 1072€
7 persons in group 1062€
8 persons in group 1052€