The Kalevala is the Finnish national epic, the epic is based principally on poems collected from the Finnish-Karelian border zone. In Finland the impact of the Kalevala, as an example of the heroic past of the people, was far deeper than in any other country. The Kalevala begins with an account of the creation -fro nds with an interpretation of the virgin birth. A unique attraction - the Kalevala village - has been created in scenic eastern Finland, where the folk traditions behind the epic have been kept alive.
Travel dates are as follows:
Sep
13 20 27
Oct
04 11 18 25
Nov
01 08 15 22 29
Jan
10 17 24 31
Feb
07 14 21 29
Mar
07 14 21 28
Prices from (GBP)
Well-being Daily departure £632
Description
Spend 5 days relaxing in the middle of the Finnish country side with an abundance of pure, fresh air and nature. During the day, enjoy a varied outdoor programme and in the evenings a feast of treats await! Saunas, herbal bath, jacuzzi and massage are on the programme as well as an abundance of local healthy food.
Description of your chosen tour
Day 1. Fly with scheduled airline Finnair, via Helsinki, to Kajaani in eastern Finland.
Transfer to Hotel Kalevala which has been built in the area of the 'Kalevala village'.
A unique attraction where folk traditions behind Finlands great epic Kalevala have been kept alive.
Day 2- 4. The programme includes a 2 hour guided Nordic walking tour, a tour of the Kalevala village
(15 June-15 July + 1- 1 August- 06 only),
a classical massage, a herb bubble bath, peat sauna and of course the traditional smoke sauna
In the evenings you will be served a 4 course wellness dinner filled with local delicacies.
For a small charge you can rent rowing boats, canoes, bicycles and fishing equipment.
Equipment for table-tennis, badminton, petangue, beach-volley and scooters are free to use as much as you like.
Day 5. Transfer back to Kajaani for the flights back home.
.
Alternatives
Well-being Daily departure Itinerary
11Oct06 London Heathrow-Helsinki dep 1020 arr 1515 2 seats AY832
11Oct06 Helsinki-Kajaani dep 1925 arr 2030 2 seats AY837
11Oct06 Hotel Kalevala 4 nights 1 x Double / twin room HB
15Oct06 Kajaani-Helsinki dep 1435 arr 1535 2 seats AY386
15Oct06 Helsinki-London Heathrow dep 1930 arr 2040 2 seats AY835
Optional extras, excursions, and bookable events
2 x Wild Brown Bear Adventure
12Oct06 £139 per person
15Oct06 £139 per person
Country notes
The land with the thousand lakes, where east meets west, the home of sauna and of course the home of Santa Claus. So why Finland?
- the immense choice of activities both in summer and winter, as well as the unspoilt nature, the mix of eastern and western cultures…… and if that's not enough then how about a visit to the refreshing and stylish capital - Helsinki?
Also known as the 'Daughter of the Baltic' where shopping along the Esplanade for some of the famous designer labels from Finland - Marimekko, Iittala, Pentik and Aarikka is good value. Helsinki also offers a lively nightlife in all the bars, clubs and restaurants.
For culture visit one of the many galleries, the opera house or perhaps 'Kiasma' the Museum of Contemporary Art or the Finnish National Gallery. Other sights well worth visiting are the Market Square, the 'Church in the Rock' - Temppeliaukio and of course the orthodox Uspenski Cathedral.
A short journey along the coast you will find the picturesque and charming town of Porvoo with its clapboard houses, narrow lanes and waterside. Venture further inland to Hämeenlinna and visit the birthplace museum of Jean Sibelius and the castle.
Finland is a land of festivals - Savonlinna Opera Festival, the Kuhmo chamber music festival, the wine festival in Kuopio are but just a few of the many festivals that take place mainly during the long summer days and nights.
Travel further north to Lapland and you will come to the land of the Midnight Sun, the Northern Lights and of course its most famous inhabitant - Santa Claus. Finnish Lapland is mostly known to the UK travellers for short day trips or weekends to go and see Father Christmas but there is so much more to see and enjoy.
Or how does a day of exciting activities such as snowmobiling, husky excursion and skiing sound? You can stay in comfortable hotels or cosy log cabins in the middle of nowhere very often with roaring log fires and your very own sauna to warm up in.
We have put together a selection of holidays for the independent traveller wanting flexibility on duration, location and on what activities to choose. As well as a selection of escorted tours with experienced and knowledgeable guides who will be able to help enhance your travel experience. All our itinerary's can be extended with extra nights.
