After arriving in Helsinki and checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is free for relaxing or independent sightseeing. Take advantage of your Helsinki Card which allows you to experience the city's attractions with unlimited travel on public transport, and the ferry boat to/from Suomenlinna. You'll have access to many of the major museums as well as a guidebook with maps.

(Accommodations, Helsinki)

After breakfast, meet your guide for your private walking tour. Some of the highlights include the new "old town" Tori Quarters (Torikorttelit) and the historical center around it, Market Square and Old Market Hall, the Design District and the architectural points of interest, and the Temppeliaukio Rock Church, just to name a few. But do your research and if there is a specific attraction you would like to include, your guide will do their best to accommodate your request. Your guide will also entertain you with stories of local life, Finnish culture, current trends, and can even pass along a few recommendations for dinner.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Helsinki)

Today is at your leisure for further exploration of this city with a plethora of options. On the beautiful Canal Route Sightseeing Cruise, you'll get to see the most beautiful shorelines in Helsinki and many fabulous sights, including the Helsinki Zoo on Korkeasaari Island, the impressive fleet of icebreakers and of course, Degero Canal. Along the way you will also hear about Helsinki's fascinating history. For sightseeing on your own, the Kiasma and Ateneum museums with their fine collections of Finnish art should not be missed. You can also take the ferry to Suomenlinna, an 18th-century sea fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later in the day, stop at the Loyly Sauna for a true Finnish experience. It's guaranteed to give your body a renewed sense of energy after such an invigorating day. Both the canal cruise and sauna can be booked through Avanti before departing the US. Dinner will be on your own this evening, and afterwards, perhaps take in a concert at Temppeliaukio, where you can appreciate amazing acoustics in an underground church hewn from solid rock. If you're lucky enough to be in Helsinki during its gloriously long summer days, make sure to spend some time relaxing in the late evening sun on one of the city's many excellent beer terraces.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Helsinki)

After breakfast, you'll journey to the Ruka-Kuusamo region; one of Finland's major holiday destinations. This area is renowned for its natural beauty and untouched wilderness. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

(Breakfast, Helsinki, Accommodations, Ruka-Kuusamo)

Today, you will have the option of two tours. After a hearty breakfast, meet your English speaking guide at the appointed location at 10am for an invigorating hiking tour in Oulanka National Park.* This is a guided hike on one of the most popular hiking trails in Finland. These clearly marked selections of trails provides even a budding hiker with a safe way to enjoy the magnificent scenery of a real wilderness and the "almost" Siberian vibe to it. On the way you will experience the varied landscapes of the area; well known for its rapids, steep gorges, and rare plants. Hear the roar of the great rapids of river Kitkajoki, and the stunning waterfall of Taivalköngäs, listen to the silence of rugged wilderness and breathe clean air. During the hike you will also cross over suspension bridges, providing you with the chance to admire and listen to the rapid turmoil of the water right from above. In addition, you may have the opportunity to pick some wild berries. Hiking options include a 7.5 miles and a 2.5 miles route.

*Good hiking shoes are highly recommended for this tour

Or...

Is seeing bears in the wild on your bucket list? If the untouched habitats of truly wild nature lie close to your heart, then we recommend getting to know the national animal of Finland; the mighty bear. With Karhu-Kuusamo (Karhu means Bear in Finnish) you will be able to get close enough to these magnificent animals to take photographs and see wild bears in their own habitat. You can relax and wait for the king of the forest to appear close to the hide-out. The experienced, professional guides of Karhu-Kuusamo will bring you an unforgettable bear watch. Snug inside a custom-made wooden hut (built specifically for bear watching), you will sense the silence and stillness. The bears appear in their own time, so you might have to wait for a while before seeing any. The impressive sight of a full grown bear at close range is something that will stay with you forever. It is truly magical to see bears in their natural habitat and to see cubs playing and climbing in trees. Karhu-Kuusamo has both love and respect for the bears and wish to share the magnificent experience of seeing them in the wild with other nature lovers.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Ruka-Kuusamo)

(Accommodations, Rovaniemi)

(Breakfast, Rovaniemi, Accommodations, Kemi)

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Kemi)

(Breakfast, Kemi)