WELCOME TO FINLAND AND ARCTIC LAKELAND

Program 

Sunday, January 15

Arrivals with Finnair at Helsinki Airport
16:25 AY415 to Kajaani
17:45 Arrival at Kajaani Airport
Meet your local host Ms Jaana Keränen at arrival hall
Welcome to Arctic Lakeland!
Arctic Lakeland is the northernmost part of Lakeland Finland, situated at the point where Lakeland and Lapland meet. A guest arriving in Arctic Lakeland will get to experience both the southern and northern landscapes of Finland – large lakes and rocky hillsides can be seen during one trip. During the winter months Arctic Lakeland is a snowy winter wonderland with frozen lakes and snow-covered forests.
18:00 Transfer by bus to Kuhmo
The deepest roots of Finnish culture go back to the national epic of Kalevala. The tradition of Kalevala lives and thrives today with a cultural offering consisting of the world-renowned chamber music festival, charming locally arranged events, activities and places to visit, especially in Kuhmo, the UNESCO City of Literature.
19:15 Check-in at Hotel Kalevala
Surrounded by ancient forests and crystal clear lakes, Hotel Kalevala is nestled in a true nature wonderland. With nothing but unspoilt nature as far as the eye can see, Kuhmo is perfect for wilderness and activity adventures.
Hotel Kalevala is a unique, small, private lakeside hotel only 3 km from Kuhmo centre. The idea for the building originates from an eagle spreading its wings to rise into the air. The special silhouette and concrete casting technique are distinctive. Building work was completed in 1989 and is a protected building by The Finnish National Board of Antiquities. The complex is designed to look like a huge wooden fortress in ancient times and includes old and new elements.
20:00 Dinner at Restaurant Kantele
After dinner possibility to relax at hotel's spa 

Monday, January 16

Breakfast at the hotel, check out
10:00 Ice floating at Rapid Paljakkakoski near Kuhmo city Centre
13:00 Lunch at the restaurant Juttua enjoying Kuhmo chamber music 
After lunch short site inspection of Kuhmo Arts Centre.
The Kuhmo Arts Centre offers a great variety of high quality congress space right in the city centre of Kuhmo. The Lentua hall and Pajakka hall also offer facilities for 99 – 668 people. The woodworks of the uniquely beautiful Lentua hall were crafted by local carpenters.
14:30 Visit at Juminkeko, the cultural Centre dedicated to the Kalevala and the Karelian Culture. Juminkeko has an extensive folklore archive. The building is also the headquarter of Kuhmo UNESCO City of Literature-office.
Transfer to Vuokatti
Vuokatti offers an excellent selection of sports and activities together with unforgettable all-year-round holiday experiences in the middle of clean Finnish nature. Vuokatti is also known as all-year-round-winter destination
In Vuokatti, inspection tour of Holiday Club Katinkulta area and spa time including experience of local smoke sauna
Top-class Spa hotel Holiday Club Katinkulta is the most versatile resort and
conference centre in Northern Europe. It offers various services, including homey
accommodation, group bookings, playing fields and courts, as well as different
restaurant for stylish dining or quick snack.
Check-in to Sokos Hotel Vuokatti
Break Sokos Hotel Vuokatti is part of the Finnish cooperative S Group, which aims to be a pioneer in responsibility in all its industry sectors. The hotel works extensively with local partners for the benefit of the nearby region. We also aim to reduce food waste and consider energy efficiency aspects, also included in the Green Key environmental programme. Our work towards responsibility has been noted, and our Finnish customers have for the tenth time (3/2022) selected us as Finland's most responsible hotel brand in the Europe-wide Sustainable Brand Index survey. For several consecutive years, Sokos Hotels has also been chosen as the most trustworthy and respected hotel chain. For this, we wish to thank both our staff and our customers.
20:00 Dinner at Restaurant Kippo
Restaurant Kippo is  specializing in local cuisine. Chefs are trained in the use of wild herbs in cooking and also for the preparation of traditional game dishes.

Tuesday, January 17

Breakfast at the hotel
10:00 Transfer to Vuokatti Husky
Vuokatti Safaris' husky kennel invites you to come and join in the magic of sled dog driving and introduction to our huskies day to day lives. Program includes tour around the husky kennel so you'll get to meet all of our nearly 100 wonderful husky personalities.
12:00 Lunch at Haapala brewery and brewery tour
H A A P A L A is named after the Haapala Farm which has been on the same site since 1868, continuing the long line of family businesses at the farm. At Haapala we want to produce beautiful, rustic, clean honest food, drink and other experiences that enriches your senses, telling the story of classic, nostalgic flavours of Haapala, Arctic Lakeland Kainuu and Finland, with our eyes and taste-buds in the past present and future. This is Finland, with a twist.
Vuokatti site inspection tour (incl. Vuokatti hills, ski tunnel etc.)
16:00 Transfer from Vuokatti to airport
17:00 Check-in at Kajaani Airport
18:05 AY416 to Helsinki
19:25 Arrival in Helsinki Airport
Transfer to Helsinki
Check-in at partner hotels in Helsinki
Dinner  

Wednesday, January 18 

MATKA 2023 Workshop Day 

Breakfast at the hotel

Transfer by bus to Messukeskus, the bus collects buyers from following hotels, please note times are approx.
07:45 First stop at Lapland Hotels Bulevardi, Bulevardi 28
07:50 Next stop at Scandic Helsinki Hub, Annankatu 18
08:00 Last stop at Hotel Mestari, Fredrikinkatu 51-53
08:30 Arrival at Messukeskus

Program of the MATKA 2023 Workshop Day

20:30/20:45 approx. Bus to all hotels after "Party like a Finn"

Thursday, January 19

MATKA 2023 Trade Day

Breakfast at the hotel
Check-out

Transfer by bus number 1 from the partner hotels to Messukeskus, please note times are approx.
08:15 First stop at Hotel AX, Välimerenkatu 18
08:25 Next stop at Lapland Hotels Bulevardi, Bulevardi 28
08:35 Last stop at Scandic Helsinki Hub, Annankatu 18
09:00 Arrival at Messukeskus

Transfer by bus number 2 from the partner hotels to Messukeskus, please note times are approx.
08:15 First stop at St George, Yrjönkatu 13
08:25 Second stop at Hotelli Mestari, Fredrikinkatu 51-53
08:35 Next stop at Radisson Blu Royal, Runeberginkatu 2
08:40 Last stop at Original Sokos Hotel Presidentti, Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 4
09:00 Arrival at Messukeskus

MATKA 2023 Trade Day

Lunch (lunch coupons are given to you on Wednesday by your Visit Finland host)

13:30/14:30/15:30/16:30/17:30
Transfer by bus to Helsinki Airport, one bus each hour until 17:30
No seat reservations, please leave on time for the bus transfers

Flights with Finnair to home destinations

Thank you for visiting Finland!