THE BALTICS: chasing northern lights, Christmas markets + winter wonderland

This once-in-a-lifetime small group trip to Finland and Estonia is filled with pinch me moments - from chasing the Northern Lights dancing across the sky (in a year with the best chances for better visibility) to experiencing the glittering magic of one of the best in Europe Christmas markets. From bundling up by the fire in the Arctic Circle to heating up in a traditional Finnish sauna to meeting real life Santa Claus in real life Santa's Village.

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Rovaniemi, Helsinki, Tallinn

Rovaniemi

Helsinki

Tallinn

Experience the winter wonderland magic and remotely beautiful landscapes of this once-in-a-lifetime trip in Lapland. This small group trip is curated for solo travellers in their 30s (ish) who are curious, adventurous, open-minded and like a trip with a balance of nature and culture.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

Be in awe of remotely beautiful landscapes and catch the Northern Lights dancing across the sky (this is the best visibility year which means our odds of getting a good sight of them are high)
Sleep in a glass igloo
Get in touch with your inner child at Santa's village - it's a must to visit the jolly fella in his hometown
Experience real Christmas magic in the traditional market of Tallinn

the plan

DAY 1 | Arctic welcome! Arrive in Rovaniemi airport (arrival airport code: (RVN). Your driver will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. Free evening to meet your new friends and explore the charming city centre and traditional Finnish homes.

Enjoy a welcome dinner and then head to bed in your igloo home, with glass ceilings to watch the night sky from the cozy comfort of your bed.

Note: there are easy flights from many European cities to get here - we can help you find a flight.

Accommodation: Santa's Igloo Arctic Circle or similar

DAY 2 | Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a magical guided tour to the Santa Claus village where you get to meet Santa in person! Free time to discover the village on your own, send post cards from the official Santa's post and shop for handicrafts. Our local guide will give you info on the area and stories about Santa!

Bonus: you'll be crossing the Arctic Circle today and will receive a diploma as a souvenir.

In the afternoon, drive to your next hotel and have free time to relax before an Aurora evening by the fire. Meet your guide to drive out of the city to a nice viewing spot for optimal sky gazing. While our guide gets the fire going to make hot juice and grilled sausages, enjoy the sky views (fingers crossed for Aurora putting on a spectacular show!)

There will be snowshoes to use at your leisure! The guide will share stories about Lapland and Lappish culture and we'll enjoy icebreaker games and good conversation by the warm fire.

Accommodation: Scandic Pohjanhovi or similar

DAY 3 | Breakfast at the hotel and free time to relax, explore the city or opt for one of the optional excursions (or "safaris" - ie. snowmobiling, visit reindeer, husky safari)

In the evening, warm up in an incredible sauna experience and traditional Finnish dinner. Enjoy the gentle heat of a traditional wood heated log sauna. Afterwards, dinner is served - a Finnish home made meal with beverages by the fireplace in a luxurious cottage.

DAY 4 | After breakfast, head to the airport and fly to Helsinki. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and enjoy a free evening.

Suggestion to go for a yummy dinner and enjoy a night on the town (recommendations will be provided in your OT Things You Should Know guidebook)

OT adventurous moment: try sautéed reindeer with mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam and pickled Karelian stew, known as the national dish of Finland.

Accomodation: Scandic Grand Marina or similar

DAY 5 | After breakfast, set off on a guided walking tour to soak in the history and architecture of Helsinki, a city known for its innovative art and culture. Free evening to relax at the hotel or check out the underground dance parties Helsinki loves.

DAY 6 | After breakfast, head to the ferry terminal. Say goodbye to Finland as you cruise over (2 hours) to Tallinn, Estonia. Check into the hotel and enjoy a free afternoon and evening. This is your chance to check out the festive Christmas market - held every year during the season in the heart of the city. Its old world charm will make you feel like you stepped back in time to a fairytale. A giant Christmas tree (the oldest in Europe) dominates the square, twinkling lights cover the centuries old buildings and vendors sell everything from local crafts to mulled wine. This is one of the best off the beaten path Christmas markets in all of Europe.

Accomodation: Tallink Express Hotel or similar

DAY 7 | In the morning, set off on a guided walking tour of Old Town Tallinn. See why it made it has made its way onto the UNESCO World Heritage list. We'll discover how kings, queens and czars have walked the streets of the charming two-tiered city, exploring the winding alleyways, ornate doorways and medieval courtyards. Expect intriguing insights, fun facts and stories from the locals who call this city home (and expect tidbits from our local guide that other visitors often miss).

DAY 8 | DEPARTURE DAY | Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to airport (departure airport code: TLL). Sad goodbyes!

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accommodations

In Finland, we're staying in 4 star, highly rated Scandinavian hotels in idyllic locations. In Estonia, our home is a 3-star clean, comfortable and colourful hotel near the Old Town.

Accommodation experience: we're spending one night in an Igloo Hotel. With glass-roofed igloos, get excited by the magic of the Lapland sky. You can fall asleep under the northern starry sky, snowfall or the colorful northern lights! The nature of the North will leave a mark on your heart.