NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS AND THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

Tour Code - 6900

14 days Rovaniemi to Helsinki 
Finland, Norway, Sweden

Price starting at: $2119

This extraordinary holiday visits some of the most fascinating places on earth. Begin in Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland, land of the reindeer and midnight sun. Visit the Arctic Circle; Santa's workshop and Lapland's 17 century wooden church. On to the pristine landscapes of Norway. Highlights include North Cape, Europe's last northern outpost on a 1,000 feet cliff; a spectacular coastal cruise; and Trondheim with its beautiful fjord and famous cathedral. Arrive in Sweden to enjoy grand mountain scenery and rural countryside. Continue to the beautiful Swedish capital, Stockholm with its canals, lakes, palaces, castles, and parks.  Embark on the Silja Line ferry to Helsinki. Your holiday ends in Helsinki, Finland with guided sightseeing of City Hall, the Parliament House, and the Lutheran Cathedral.

Meals
Breakfast - 13
Lunch - 0
Dinner - 6

Standard Features
Sightseeing: Visits to Rovaniemi, Sodankyla, Tankavaara, Karasjok, North Cape, Narvik, Mo, Trondheim, Mora, Uppsala.
Scenic Highlights: Arctic Circle crossing, Lapland and Santa Claus Workshop, Lake Siljan.

Guides: Local Guides for city sightseeing in Stockholm and Helsinki. Services of a professional Tour Director while touring.

Transportation: Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Coastal cruise; overnight ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki will be in shared (same gender) four-berth cabins with private facilities;

Hotels:Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges.

Meals: Buffet breakfasts (B); 6 dinners (D).

01

ROVANIEMI, FINLAND.
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring Rovaniemi. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

02

ROVANIEMI
A whole day to enjoy the capital of Finnish Lapland. For hundreds of years it was famous for exporting furs and salmon to the world's rich and powerful. Unfortunately, the town was totally destroyed during World War II. The new town, which you'll visit during this morning's orientation drive, was designed by Alvar Aalto in the shape of reindeer antlers. Sights include Lappia Hall, the Town Hall, the new modern church with its intriguing frescoes, and the Arctic Centre. Afternoon at leisure or join an optional excursion to find out more about Lapland. (B)

03

ROVANIEMI-TANKAVAARA-SAARISELKA
As you cross the Arctic Circle (66 degrees-31 degrees), you are in incomparable, unspoiled Lapland, land of reindeer and the midnight sun. Stop at the Santa Claus Workshop with a chance to meet Father Christmas himself. North to Sodankyla, where you see the charming Vanha Kirkko, Lapland's oldest wooden church dating back to the 17th century. At Tankavaara, visit the Gold Museum and try panning for gold if you wish. Overnight in Saariselka, on the edge of the virgin wilderness and part of Finland's major national park. It is the largest winter sport centre in Finland and a paradise for hikers and mountain bike lovers in summer. (B,D)

04

SAARISELKA-HONNINGSVAG, NORWAY. 
Via Ivalo you cross into Norway for a visit to the fascinating Sapmi Park. Further into Norway and across the beautiful Porsangen Fjord to Honningsvag on the island of Mageroya, home to 4,000 people and 5,000 reindeer. Tonight, one of the highlights of this tour is the included drive to the North Cape, Europe's last northern outpost, on a sheer cliff rising 304.8 metres (1,000 feet) from the Atlantic Ocean. From May 11 to July 31, if the sky is clear, you'll see the midnight sun rolling just above the horizon! (B,D)

05

HONNINGSVAG-COASTAL CRUISE-HAMMERFEST-ALTA.
One of the highlights of this tour is today's fjord cruise from Honningsvag to Hammerfest. You will enjoy some of Norway's most beautiful coastal and mountain scenery as you cruise southwards. Disembark at Hammerfest and drive to Alta, situated at the mouth of the world's richest salmon river, for an overnight. (B,D)

06

ALTA-MALSELVFOSSEN-NARVIK.
Continue your unforgettable journey south along the stunning shoreline of Norway. The road meanders along Kvaenangenfjord and Lyngenfjord. You are now in the Troms Province, still way beyond the Arctic Circle but with a climate mild enough to allow very successful farming. Stop for pictures at the thundering Malselvfossen Waterfall. Hear about fierce World War II battles as you approach Narvik, rebuilt after near total destruction. (B)

07

NARVIK-MO.
Visit Narvik's War Museum and relive how Norwegian troops, with the help of their allies, showed the world that the Nazi war machine was not invulnerable. Enter Nordland; not far from Mo you cross the Arctic Circle again and are back in a world where the sun rises and sets every day of the year. Overnight in the little town of Mo I Rana. (B)

08

MO-MOSJOEN-TRONDHEIM.
On the agenda today: the ancient octagonal church of Mosjoen; the spectacular Laksforsen Waterfall; the forests and rivers of Namdalen Valley; and vistas of Trondheimsfjord, the World War II hideout of the German battleship Tirpitz. (B,D)

09

TRONDHEIM-ROROS
Spend this morning getting to know something about Norway's third largest city, also known as the "Gateway to the North." The main sight in town is the Nidarosdomen, the most famous cathedral in Norway. In the afternoon, travel southeast through some fine alpine scenery to Roros, not far from the Swedish border, for an overnight. (B,D)

10

ROROS-LAKE FEMUND-MORA AREA, SWEDEN.
Grand mountain scenery and beautiful Lake Femund are part of today's journey south on the way to Falun. In the heart of the Dalarna region, the most typical and unspoiled countryside in Sweden. (B,D)

11

MORA AREA-UPPSALA-STOCKHOLM.
Continue your scenic drive through typical Dalarnian shoreside villages. A short stop in the university city of Uppsala, then just a few more kilometres before reaching Sweden's capital, Stockholm, for an overnight. (B)

12

STOCKHOLM-OVERNIGHT BALTIC SEA CROSSING TO HELSINKI,FINLAND.
Stockholm is perhaps the most beautiful of the Scandinavian capitals. The effect of its crystalline waters flowing through the city's intersecting canals gives a luminous appearance to palaces, castles, and parks. Sightseeing includes the City Hall and other landmarks. The afternoon is free for your own exploration. In the evening, embark on the Silja Line ferry to Helsinki. On board you can enjoy music, dancing, and shopping. (B)

13

HELSINKI.
After breakfast on board, disembark for your city sightseeing tour with a Local Guide. Highlights will include the City Hall and Parliament House, the Presidential Palace, the monumental railway station, and the great Lutheran Cathedral. An afternoon of leisure or for some individual exploring. (B)

14

HELSINKI. 
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Dates and Prices. Rates are per head in US$:

 Optional Gratuity :  US$108

WHERE TO GET YOUR U.K & SCHENGEN VISA