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 Finland – a Northern European country known for charming small towns, unspoiled nature, numerous lakes and islands. Inspired design, technology and epicurean scenes meet epic stretches of wilderness here in Europe's deep north, where summer's endless light balances winter’s eerie frozen magic. The Finland you encounter will depend on the season of your visit, but whatever the month, there’s something pure in the Finnish air and spirit that’s vital and exciting.
• Individual & Small Group suggested tour
• Featuring: Helsinki - Turku - Oulu - Rovaniemi - Lapland
• Learn more about Tom of Finland, the ‘most influential creator of gay pornographic images
• Visit Helsinki, the capital of Finland, with its beautiful islands and great green parks
• Take a walk in Turku, vibrant modern city with many events and the European Capital of Culture in 2011
• Explore the sweet little city of Oulu, one of largest northerly cities in the world
• Go on the hunt for the Northern Lights from Rovaniemi
• Participate to one on the many winter activities in Finnish Lapland
• Enter Santa Claus Village and write your letter
• LGBT Friendly Tour Guide for Gaily Tours and Excursions
Day 1 -
• Arrival transfer from airport to your hotel.
• Accommodation and free time for shopping and dinner.
• Overnight at your hotel in Helsinki.
One of the most progressive and liberal cities in Europe, Gay Helsinki is a leading gay city with a rich history, beautiful design and a thriving nightlife scene.
The former hometown of Tom of Finland – the ‘most influential creator of gay pornographic images’ – Gay Helsinki really does have something for everyone if you are willing to explore and look beneath the surface. Internationally renown art galleries, picturesque nature, creative design stores, plenty of cute coffee shops (frequented by even cuter Finnish guys and girls) and of course vibrant club parties.
Hotel: Klaus K Hotel, Helsinki, 4* (or similar)
Day 2 -
• Buffet Breakfast and welcome to Helsinki, better known as the “Daughter of the Baltic”. • Enjoy a special tour which will give you an overview of this amazing city.
• Be ready for our walking tour visiting the Senate Square, with the outstanding Helsinki Cathedral (Lutheran), continue to the Uspenski Cathedral (Orthodox) via the colourful Market Square, which hosts numerous tents hawking everything from freshly foraged local produce to reindeer pelts and salmon feasts.
• Enjoy a short walk in the Esplanade Park on our way to the Temppeliaukio Church (also known as the "Rock Church") after we make a stop to admire the different architectural styles sourrounding the Central Railway Station.
• Finish the tour in Mannerheimintie, a central point from which you can start enjoying your free time in Helsinki.
• Lunch on your own.
• Free time in the afternoon.
• Dinner on your own . • Overnight at your hotel in Helsinki.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Hotel: Klaus K Hotel, Helsinki, 4* (or similar)
Day 3 -
• Buffet Breakfast and be ready for a very special LGBT Tour of Helsinki, one of Europe's top gay friendly destinations.
• Learn more about Touko Valio Laaksonen, much better known for his artist name, Tom of Finland.
• Tom held residency in Helsinki for the major part of his life and during this time many important happenings took place in the capital of Finland.
• He was not only a genius of erotic art but also talented pianist. Enjoy a music-driven audiovisual presentation showing a retrospective of his career with interview clips where Tom talks about his inspiration and meaning of his art. This takes places at Klaus K hotel premises where you will learn a whole meaning of Tom's story and enjoy drinks, Tom-style!
• Lunch on your own.
• Free time in the afternoon.
• Dinner on your own.
Overnight at your hotel in Helsinki.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Hotel: Klaus K Hotel, Helsinki, 4* (or similar)
Day 4 -
• Buffet Breakfast and excursion by Car or Minibus to the fantastic city of >Turku.
Turku is Finland's second city – or first, by some accounts, as it was the capital until 1812. The majestic Turun Linna (Turku Castle) and ancient Tuomiokirkko (cathedral) – both dating from the 13th century – are testament to the city's long and storied past. • Together with your LGBT Friendly Tour Guide, walk through Turku's Vähätori Square, passing by Turku City Library, Turku Cathedral and Turku Castle. • The town was founded most likely at the end of the 13th century, making it the oldest city in Finland. It quickly became the most important city in Finland, a status it retained for hundreds of years. • Lunch on your own. • Free time in the afternoon. • Back to Helsinki. • Dinner on your own. • Overnight stay at your hotel in Helsinki.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Hotel: Klaus K Hotel, Helsinki, 4* (or similar)
Day 5 -
• Buffet Breakfast and departure by train to Oulu. • Lunch on your own on board.
Prosperous Oulu is one of Finland's most enjoyable cities to visit. In summer angled sunshine bathes the kauppatori (market square) in light and all seems well with the world. Locals, who appreciate daylight when they get it, crowd the terraces, and market stalls groan under the weight of Arctic berries. • Accommodation and free time in the afternoon. • Dinner on your own and overnight at your hotel in Oulu.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Hotel: Lapland Hotels Oulu, Oulu, 4* (or similar)
Day 6 -
• Buffet Breakfast and departure by train to Rovaniemi. • Lunch on your own on board.
Situated right by the Arctic Circle, the ‘official’ terrestrial residence of Santa Claus is the capital of Finnish Lapland and a tourism boom town.
• Its wonderful Arktikum museum is the perfect introduction to these latitudes, and Rovaniemi is a fantastic base from which to organise activities. • Accommodation and free time in the afternoon. • Dinner on your own. • Overnight at your hotel in Rovaniemi.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Hotel: Lapland Hotels Ounasvaara Chalets, Rovaniemi, 4* (or similar)
Day 7 -
• Buffet Breakfast and be ready to visit Santa Claus Village. • This is the home of beloved Santa Claus, but the area has a whole another dimension, too. For those hundreds of thousands people who come here annually to meet Santa Claus, there’s plenty to do and see! • In the afternoon enjoy and relax at a local typical Finnish Spa. • Dinner on your own. • Overnight at your hotel in Rovaniemi.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Hotel: Lapland Hotels Ounasvaara Chalets, Rovaniemi, 4* (or similar)
Day 8 -
• Buffet Breakfast and a free day to enjoy special optional activities like: hop on a snowmobile, a husky sled or a reindeer sleigh for a taste of northern rides, or, try snowshoeing or ice fishing. • Lunch on your own.
Finnish Lapland is as close as reality gets to those who dream of a winter wonderland. Contrasts are a key factor in the allure of Lapland where 24-hour sunlight in the summer replaces the dark winter days. The hustle and bustle of towns and ski resorts is just minutes away from the peace and quiet of the wild wilderness. • In the afternoon free time.
• Dinner on your own. • Overnight at your hotel in Rovaniemi.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Hotel: Lapland Hotels Ounasvaara Chalets, Rovaniemi, 4* (or similar)
Day 9 -
• Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to the Rovaniemi airport.
Meals Included: Breakfast
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