Christmas in Finland - 6 Days
Christmas in Finland - 6 Days
Christmas in Finland - 6 Days
6 Days Starting and ending in Kuhmo, Finland
Visiting: Kuhmo
Tour operator:
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 38
Age range:
4-12
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Experience the magic of Christmas in Finland with a 6-day adventure in the enchanting winter wonderland of Kuhmo. This small group tour offers a unique opportunity to meet Santa Claus, the real Finnish Joulupokki, and partake in a variety of winter activities. Enjoy a snowshoe tour through the snowy Taiga forest, and spend your free time tobogganing and sledding with your family. Stay at the cozy Hotel Kalevala, where you'll indulge in festive meals, including a traditional Christmas Eve Gala Dinner. Delight in daily evening saunas and jacuzzis, and create cherished memories as you collect and decorate a Christmas tree. With a mix of guided activities and leisure time, this tour promises a magical holiday experience for all ages.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Kuhmo
Location: Kuhmo
Accommodation Name: Hotel Kalevala
Meals Included: Dinner
22nd December 2024. Upon your arrival at Kajaani Airport, you will be met and transferred to Hotel Kalevala. The scenic drive, spanning about an hour, will treat you to the breathtaking snowy landscapes of the Finnish countryside. Upon reaching the hotel, a refreshing Welcome Drink will be served before you check in.
As the evening unfolds, we come together for our first dinner, marking the beginning of our adventures in this winter wonderland.
Day 2: Kuhmo
Location: Kuhmo
Accommodation Name: Hotel Kalevala
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start your day with breakfast, followed by a leisurely one-hour snowshoe tour through the enchanting snowy taiga forest. Accompanied by knowledgeable wilderness guides, immerse yourself in the beauty of the winter landscape. Families with small children can join in the fun with toboggans, ensuring everyone can be part of this snowy adventure.
Following the snowshoe tour, the area becomes your playground. Explore with kick sledges and toboggans at your disposal, offering endless opportunities for winter fun. Why not opt to create snow angels or visit and feed the hotel's resident reindeers?
Later in the afternoon, an eagerly awaited encounter awaits as we meet Santa Claus, known as Joulupukki in Finnish tradition. Children can share their Christmas wishes and secrets with Santa during this magical visit. As the day winds down, we return to our hotel for dinner and the chance to unwind in the onsite saunas and jacuzzis.
Day 3: Kuhmo
Location: Kuhmo
Accommodation Name: Hotel Kalevala
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we journey across the picturesque snowy landscape of Kuhmo. The day takes a festive turn as we embark on a special experience: venturing out to fetch our Christmas tree. Once back at the restaurant, we'll join together to decorate it, a cherished tradition where children play a significant role in bringing the tree to life.
In Finland, decorating the Christmas tree is a momentous duty, and today, our group will continue this heartwarming tradition. Lunch will feature Christmas rice porridge, a beloved and traditional dish across Scandinavia during this joyous season. In Finland, the rice porridge holds a special place, especially for the children, as finding the hidden almond promises a prize.
This afternoon, we visit the churchyard at Kuhmo. Here, you'll have the opportunity to light a candle for your loved ones, both near and far. As the day progresses, we gather for an authentic Finnish buffet dinner.
Day 4: Kuhmo
Location: Kuhmo
Accommodation Name: Hotel Kalevala
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Merry Christmas! Immerse yourself in the festive spirit with a Christmas breakfast, followed by special Christmas day drives. Take your pick from exciting options: embark on a short husky sleigh ride, enjoy the charm of a reindeer sleigh adventure, or feel the thrill of a snowmobile sleigh drive. Afterwards, enjoy a magical Christmas lunch.
This evening, relax in the traditional Finnish smoke sauna or jacuzzi before feasting on a Christmas dinner with live music.
Day 5: Kuhmo
Location: Kuhmo
Accommodation Name: Hotel Kalevala
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace or engage in optional activities. Enjoy lunch and consider unwinding in the hotel's traditional Finnish smoke sauna or rejuvenating jacuzzi.
As the day concludes, join us for a special farewell dinner at none other than Santa's residence, creating a magical and memorable ending to your time here. Enjoy the festivities and create lasting memories at our enchanting atmosphere Christmas retreat.
Day 6: Kuhmo
Location: Kuhmo
Meals Included: Breakfast
27th December 2024. Our amazing Christmas in Finland comes to an end today after breakfast and hotel check out. There is a transfer included back to Kajaani airport.
What's Included
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Accommodation
3 star -
5 nights at the Hotel Kalevala (3 star)
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5 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 5 dinners (inclusive of a Christmas Eve Traditional Gala Dinner)
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Welcome drink
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Arrival and departure transfer from Kajaani airport on days 1 and 6
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Visit to Santa Claus at his local home
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Journey to collect the Christmas tree to bring to the restaurant for the children to decorate
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Leisure Snowshoe tour with wilderness guide (approx. 1 hour)
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Free use of kick-sledges, toboggans, DVDs, Playstation2 and Nintendo WII games, Wi-Fi and board games
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Daily evening saunas and jacuzzis
What's Not Included
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Items of a personal nature and additional meals
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International flights to/from our tour start/end points and visas
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Tipping - An entirely personal gesture
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Optional excursions
Age Policy
Children can travel at the child price if between 4 – 12 years old. Children are charged at 50% of the adult rate.0 – 3 years old are FoC and will be baby cot, baby bed or extra bedIf there is one child travelling with 2adults then they can share the room with an extra roll-away bed. If there are 2children then you can either ask if any of the family rooms are available or upgrade to a suite – make sure with the suite that you ask for the extra bedotherwise they will put the children on one sofa bed which isn’t acceptable. If there is one child with one adult travelling then the normal 2 adult rate per room applies, there is no discount applicable for the child.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes arrival and departure transfers from Kajaani airport on days 1 and 6. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Finnish countryside to reach your accommodation, setting the tone for a magical winter experience.
Accommodation
Enjoy a cozy stay at the 3-star Hotel Kalevala in Kuhmo, Finland, for 5 nights. The hotel offers a warm and inviting atmosphere with daily evening saunas and jacuzzis, ensuring a relaxing retreat after a day of winter activities.
Check out our Q&As
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What activities are available for families with small children during the tour?
Families with small children can enjoy tobogganing, creating snow angels, and visiting the hotel's resident reindeers. There are also opportunities to meet Santa Claus, known as Joulupukki, where children can share their Christmas wishes.
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What special experiences are included on Christmas Day?
On Christmas Day, you can enjoy a Christmas breakfast followed by special Christmas day drives, including options for a husky sleigh ride, a reindeer sleigh adventure, or a snowmobile sleigh drive. The day also includes a magical Christmas lunch and a Christmas dinner with live music.
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What is the significance of the Christmas tree activity during the tour?
The Christmas tree activity involves venturing out to fetch a Christmas tree, which is then decorated by the group, especially the children. This is a cherished tradition in Finland, and decorating the tree is considered a momentous duty.
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Are there any traditional Finnish experiences included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes traditional Finnish experiences such as enjoying a Finnish buffet dinner, participating in a Christmas tree decoration, and relaxing in a traditional Finnish smoke sauna or jacuzzi.
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What is included in the meals during the tour?
The tour includes 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 5 dinners, which feature a Christmas Eve Traditional Gala Dinner. Meals also include a Christmas lunch and dinner with live music.
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Is there any leisure time during the tour for personal activities?
Yes, on Day 5, after breakfast, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace or engage in optional activities. You can also unwind in the hotel's traditional Finnish smoke sauna or rejuvenating jacuzzi.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.