Luxury Travel Blog

Ideas to inspire your world: luxury, culture, food, travel, style

December 17, 2017

Just Back: Helsinki & Finnish Lapland

We just returned from a private tour of Finland, including Finnish Lapland and Helsinki. What a beautiful winter wonderland it was!

We began our trip in Lapland where we stayed at the renowned Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, a great arctic resort for a winter holiday vacation.

private Finland tours

With so many wonderful outdoor and holiday activities, Finnish Lapland is a great destination for families.

private Finland tours

Everyone loves meeting the real Santa Claus.

private Finland tours

Millions of letters to Santa Claus are sent every year from kids from around the world.

private Finland tours

Another favorite highlight of private touring is a husky sledding adventure. Bonding with these dogs was one of our favorite experiences in Lapland!

private Finland tours

Snowmobiles are also a great way to venture through the Lappish landscapes of forests and lakes.

private Finland tours

With the sparse population in Lapland, it’s easy to feel as if you have the wilderness to yourself.

private Finland tours

Delicious reindeer stew is a hearty and warming meal during wintertime. Reindeer is a staple in Finnish cuisine.

private Finland tours

Refreshing rosemary panna cotta topped with lingonberries made a wonderful dessert after reindeer stew.

private Finland tours

The rustic Kelo-Glass Igloo at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is a cozy accommodation that combines the comforts of a log cabin with the convenience of viewing the Aurora Borealis from the cabin’s glass igloo.

private Finland tours

Artisans of Leisure clients can enjoy a private cooking lesson to learn about Lappish cuisine. Food in Lapland is about foraging and using the freshest ingredients such as fresh trout caught straight from the stream.

private Finland tours

We used a smoking technique to cook the fish in the traditional Finnish way.

private Finland tours

Traditional Lappish food is typically made in a tall smokehouse and fresh fish is usually smoked over the fire with fresh vegetables found in the surrounding forest.

private Finland tours

Lapland architecture incorporates natural materials wherever possible.

private Finland tours

This is a typical winter scene in Finnish Lapland.

private Finland tours

This cozy room is furnished with reindeer hides.

private Finland tours

This reindeer herder is preparing sleighs for a ride through the forest!

private Finland tours

A reindeer sleigh ride is a must in Finnish Lapland…

private Finland tours

…as is a sauna experience, which is an important part of Finnish culture. Our sauna guide explained the tradition of Finnish sauna and we toasted with a tar drink.

private Finland tours

Tree tar syrup is a common ingredient in many Lapland dishes. It’s certainly an acquired taste!

private Finland tours

Private saunas are common in Finnish households.

private Finland tours

Hiking is an important part of the Finnish lifestyle.

private Finland tours

Our snowshoe hike took us through conifers and across a wooden bridge.

private Finland tours

After our hike, lunch consisted of fresh salmon, reindeer snacks and champagne.

private Finland tours

We loved having lunch in the forest by a warm fire. The reindeer pelts ensured we were kept warm.

private Finland tours

And after a day of winter activities…

…, it’s nice to come back and relax with a glass of wine in a one-of-a-kind accommodation!

private Finland tours

Our private tours that include Finnish Lapland also feature touring in Finland’s capital, Helsinki.

private Finland tours

It’s a small and picturesque city surrounded by the sea.

private Finland tours

Artisans of Leisure arranges private touring of the city’s interesting history…

private Finland tours

…delicious cuisine…

private Finland tours

…architectural landmarks and more.

private Finland tours

We enjoyed our stay at the iconic Hotel Kamp.

Centrally located, Hotel Kamp is the perfect hotel from which to explore the city and walk to dinner in the evening.

This is a view of beautiful Helsinki architecture from the Hotel Kamp.

private Finland tours

Fish is a staple of the Finnish diet. At Old Market Hall, a must visit in Helsinki, different varieties of fish fill the stalls.

private Finland tours

Old Market Hall has beautiful wood-paneled stalls overflowing with local delicacies.

private Finland tours

Helsinki is full of great local restaurants and cafes…

private Finland tours

…and local shops filled with bright and colorful Finnish textiles.

private Finland tours

The famed Temppeliaukion Kirkko (Rock Church) is an impressive structure carved from solid rock.

private Finland tours

Helsinki and Finnish Lapland are a great combination. Contact an Artisans of Leisure Finland specialist to start planning your private luxury tour of Finland.

private Finland tours

Destinations:  Europe, Finland

Tags:  active tours, architecture, Christmas, Finland, Finland culinary tours, Finland tours, Finnish Lapland, Helsinki, Helsinki tours, igloo hotels, Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Lapland, Northern Lights, Santa, Santa Claus, Santaland, snow