Meals: B

During your first two days, you’ll have ample time to enjoy Stockholm, the capital of Sweden and its largest city.  

With nearly a million inhabitants, Stockholm was founded in 1252 and this vibrant city is built on 14 islands that are linked by over 50 bridges. The medieval city center, Gamla Stan, is incredibly beautiful with its narrow cobblestone streets and quaint cafes that contrast with grand buildings. 

Highlights include the main Cathedral (Storkyrkan), the Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet), the Nobel Museum, and countless palaces, such as the Bonde Palace (Bondeska Palatset), the House of Knights (Riddarhuset) and the Chancellery House (Kanslihuset). 

A guided walking tour lasting from 2 - 3 hours will take you through the main sights of this wonderful place, after which you can explore on your own. The main square, Stortorget, is the beating heart of Gamla Stan, and you’ll certainly find yourself gazing at some of the picturesque houses, or simply people-watching while you sip a cup of strong Swedish coffee. 

Other areas worth exploring on foot are Norrmalm, Östermalm, and Södermalm. Each of these has a particular feeling, and you may just end up preferring one or the other, according to your taste. 

Another option is the incredible Vasa Museum which is open M - Su from 10 am - 5 pm (Weds. till 8 pm) and costs approximately US$30. This is a truly incredible site to see and shouldn't be missed on any trip to Stockholm.  

And those of you who are fans of the Swedish super-group ABBA may enjoy a visit to see its interactive displays (no joke!).

Other than breakfasts and your Welcome Dinner, meals are not included during these two days in Stockholm although there are countless dining options near your hotel, as well as in the Old Town.

Meals: B, D

After breakfast, you'll take a train back to Arlanda airport where you check in for your flight to the Luleå airport in Swedish Lapland. You’ll be welcomed at the airport by one of our representatives and then transferred by private vehicle (about 1h30m) to Kukkola, on the shore of the River Torne.

During the tour, you’ll stay in recently built mini apartments in a typical rural environment at the Kukkolankoski river resort, run with passion and the most positive energy by the amazing Risto who was recently a part of Gordon Ramsey's TV show UNCHARTED when he visited Lapland. Each apartment at Risto's place is equipped with an independent entrance, living room with kitchenette and at least two twin beds, private WC, and shower. You can choose between 2, 3, and 6-bed apartments.

The resort includes two restaurants: the former is located on a beautiful, artfully recovered farm from the early twentieth century, and the latter has a breathtaking view of the River Torne, which in the winter season is almost entirely frozen over. 

Upon arrival, you’ll try on the Arctic gear (shoes and overalls) which are included and at your disposal for this whole part of the trip. 

You’ll be served a typical dinner, and then, with the right conditions, we’ll guide you to try and observe the Northern Lights. Low light pollution in this area lets us avoid lengthy night transfers.

Meals: B, D

After breakfast, those who are interested can mount snowmobiles, taking an optional tour in the area around the village lasting about 2 - 3 hours (cost for a Double ride where you can share the snowmobile with another rider is US$275 per person and the cost for a Single rider is US$400 and this includes helmet rental and insurance with a €1,000 deductible).

During the ride, you can admire beautiful frozen landscapes and your expert guides ensure the safety of the ride, which can be in part on the frozen river surface. Every snowmobile is driven by one of you, with a passenger that sits at the back (if double). We take a break around halfway in order to take some pictures and switch drivers. The snowmobile ride requires a valid driver’s license from your home country and average physical shape.

After the snowmobile ride, we take a short sled ride to the fishermen’s village in Kukkola, on the Swedish shore of the Torne River. The village is expertly preserved and still inhabited by families who've lived here since antiquity (one of which runs the nearby resort, overlooking the spectacular river rapids, the largest in this part of the world at over 3,500 m in length). 

Here we’ll guide you to the small but very interesting fish museum where you'll learn how people thrived in this area before technology. We’ll see old buildings, like the two mills, the old sawmill, and the miller’s house. 

Right after, we show you how to make bread in the traditional Lappish way and taste it while seated around an open fire – a very special way to have lunch! You'll then have some free time after baking in order to take pictures and enjoy the landscape made of snow, ice, wooden houses, and amazing colors. 

In the evening you can enjoy a traditional sauna, equipped with a hot tub (a barrel filled with wood-heated water) – a very special experience of arctic wellness! Be sure to bring along your swimsuit and enjoy the heat.

A typical dinner is served at the hotel’s restaurant and will be followed by a northern lights viewing session if conditions allow.

Meals: B, LL, D

After breakfast, we’ll search for some scenic spots in this beautiful land. 

After that, we reach Juoksenki, a small village crossed by the Arctic Circle: a great place to take memorable pictures! We continue our journey to Övertorneå.  Here, one step away from the border between Sweden and Finland, we visit Forest Jewel, an artisan lab, which specializes in the production of wooden objects such as caps, knives, and kitchen utensils. Here you can buy beautiful and authentic souvenirs and have a light lunch of hearty soup.

In the evening, we get closer to the ancient shamanic culture of Lapland. As we gather around the fire, the shaman reads the message that transmits over the energy that springs from our bodies. However you perceive this type of experience it's exciting, intense, and all positive! 

Then, a typical dinner will be served in the wonderful restaurant of Hulkoffgården, one of the best in the area. This is followed by a short transfer back to your hotel, where, once you arrive you'll have time for a northern lights viewing, weather permitting.

Meals: B, D

After a buffet breakfast, we’ll reach a suitable spot in the Torne River, close to our resort. Here we'll spend some time on the ice, learning the traditional ice fishing methods and trying to catch some fish. In case we have good luck, we can enjoy the freshest fish of our lives, but a snack will be served in any case as the local prey is not guaranteed. 

For those of you who wish, you can also try dipping in the river water: we dig a triangular hole in the ice and dip inside the ice-cold water. This activity is optional, of course, and is suitable for everyone who has good health and an adventurous spirit. Right after the ice dipping, you can go inside and warm up.  Needless to say, this might be considered the ultimate polar plunge!

Next, we'll meet a local fisherman, who’ll show us the technique for catching burbot, the local winter delicacy, which will also be served for dinner as a traditional soup. The type of trap that is used guarantees that the fish stay alive for a long time even after being captured. The fisherman will talk about the traditional netting techniques that are found in Kukkola village where an application for inscription in the UNESCO World Heritage List is underway. 

We close the day with a visit to the river rapids, where countless interesting photographic spots can be found. 

Dinner is then served in the restaurant, followed by a Northern Lights hunting session, conditions permitting.

Meals: B, D

After a buffet breakfast, we leave for Keminmaa (~ 1-hour transfer), where we can enjoy a safari with sleds pulled by Siberian huskies. This is a wonderful experience as we'll be in close contact with beautiful animals and untouched nature. 

Upon arrival, we’ll meet Simona and Massimiliano, the owners, who came here from Rome. The dogs howl and bark at your arrival, but don't be threatened, it's a sign of their willingness to start the ride.  These animals live to work and can't wait to pull you through this winter wonderland!

Check out Ralph's video on this experience on his YouTube channel: 

                             How to Have Fun Dogsledding in Lapland, Finland 

After a thorough explanation of the driving technique and safety procedures, we'll start a wonderful trip through the snowy forest, for about 30 minutes (duration can vary depending on the weather). At the end of this arctic safari, we gather in the Pirtti (a typical old wooden building) where we can sip a hot juice. 

If this experience made you hungry lunch can then be ordered from the restaurant (not included).

In the afternoon we can enjoy an arctic trek. The trekking can have variable duration and locations, according to weather conditions. The guide decides whether to use snowshoes or walk. In any case, you have the chance to explore an area completely devoid of human presence. 

Dinner will be served in Kemi, after which we go back to the hotel and try and observe the northern lights for the last time.

Meals: B

Breakfast. Transfer (~45 minutes) to the Kemi-Tornio airport, where you’ll board your flight to Helsinki. 

The capital of Finland, also nicknamed the Daughter of the Baltic, awaits in all its majesty. The city center was built in the late 1700s and 1800s, and the metropolitan area is home to nearly a million people, or a fifth of the total population of Finland. 

After collecting your luggage you’ll take a train with the group (included) to the Central Railway Station, inside which is your hotel (Holiday Inn Helsinki City Center). You’ll then have free time to relax and explore the central areas of this fascinating city.

Meals other than breakfast are not included for this day. 

Meals: B, D

Breakfast on your own. 

During the day you can enjoy a 2-3 hour guided tour where you can learn all about this amazing Baltic capital. 

In the afternoon, we'll take time to visit the Temppeliaukio church, a mesmerizing place built under a rocky hill along with other highlights. The rest of the time is free for you to explore the many sights, including the massive Lutheran Cathedral, the imposing Orthodox Cathedral, the art nouveau quarters of Eira and Ullanlinna, the working-class district of Kallio with its thriving evening life, and the many parks that make Helsinki one of the greenest capitals of Europe.

A farewell dinner will be served in a typical restaurant.