Snow and Ice Experiences in Kemi and Rovaniemi

Preliminary program

Thursday 13.1.2022

Individual arrivals at John F Kennedy International, New York
23:50 Finnair flight AY016 from New York to Helsinki

Friday 14.1.2022

14:55 Arrival in Helsinki, Finland
Early dinner at Helsinki Airport
17:50-18:55 AY455 from Helsinki to Oulu
Transfer by private bus from the airport to Kemi (about 1,5 h)
Check-in at Seaside Glass Villas

Saturday 15.1.2022

Breakfast at the hotel
Check-out
Transfer to reindeer farm
You will get close to reindeers and get feeding them and get some pictures. You will get to try the most traditional way to travel in Lapland - a reindeer sleigh, as the reindeer slowly travels through the wintry landscape, you can experience the feeling of eternity and being a part of nature. You also can test your skills in the reindeer lasso throwing and maybe you will also get a reindeer driver licence. Afterwards enjoy the hot drinks by the open fire and learn facts about this unique animal, traditional reindeer husbandry and their life
Transfer to the city for lunch
13:00-16:30 Icebreaker Sampo Cruise
Best sea, snow & ice adventure in the Nordics! Icebreaker Sampo offers the most exciting, memorable moments in the Arctic nature. This incredible experience includes the thrilling and unique experience of floating amongst the ice wearing a special survival suite. This historical former government Icebreaker Sampo is like a moving museum retaining its original form from the 1960's as closely as possible. This historical beauty enables the most amazing winter adventure even to the most experienced travellers
16:30 Bus to Rovaniemi
Welcome to Rovaniemi!
Check-in at Arctic Light Hotel
Dinner at Arctic Restaurant
On the menu of Arctic Boulevard you will find game from the Northern forests and fells as well as fish and seafood from lakes of Lapland and the Arctic Ocean. Wild berries, herbs and vegetables also play an important role. We use seasonal ingredients, so our menu changes according to the season. Menu: Lappish tasting menu

Sunday 16.1.2022

Breakfast at the hotel
09:30 Transfer to Home and Atelier Kangasniemi. Let's Meet Local Couple Living Out of Lappish Nature
There are long traditions of making arts and handicrafts out of local materials like wood and reindeer antler in Lapland. We are invited to visit the artisan workshop and home of Mrs. Irene & Mr. Ari Kangasniemi to have deeper understanding on local way of living and having a chance to make our own souvenirs
Coffee, tea and home-made blueberry juice served during the visit
12:30 Transfer to Museum and Science Center Arktikum Guided Visit to Arktikum – Museum and Science Center
Arktikum exhibitions lead guests on an adventure to Finnish Lapland and the Arctic region. The exhibitions provide a comprehensive section of the history and culture of Lapland as well as of Arctic knowledge
14:00 Transfer to Santa Claus Village
Christmas magic can be experienced year-round Santa Claus Village. This magical latitude has attracted travelers since 1950's and since that crossing the Arctic Circle, 66°33′45.9′′, has been on the bucket list
Lunch in Santa Claus Village
Santa Claus Office is the official place to meet Santa in the Santa Claus every day of the year
Hotel inspections:
Glass Resort
Premium glass apartment hotel at the Arctic Circle. Modern design and comfort inspired by Lapland tradition. All 24 glass apartments feature: private sauna and jacuzzi
Santa's Igloos Arctic Circle
Santa's Igloos Arctic Circle, 71 luxurious, spacious glass igloos, reception and Restaurant Arctic Eye are located at the Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi
17:30 Transfer to Arctic Light Hotel
Dinner at restaurant Roka
Roka Kitchen & Winebar is a new hotspot for gastronomic experiences, great wines and cocktails. The culinary cornerstone of Roka Kitchen & Wine Bar is in relaxed Northern Finnish cuisine with a twist of European flavours

Monday 17.1.2022

Breakfast at the hotel
09:00 Check-out & Transfer to Beana Laponia
10:00 Arrival & Check-in Beana Laponia
Beana Laponia is a wilderness boutique hotel in a small Lappish village approx. 50 km from Rovaniemi. As the first adults only -hotel in Lapland they offer personal service and unforgettable activities in small groups
Morning Husky Experience
With 30 years of organizing husky safaris in Lapland, there is confidence on saying that you are in the best hands ... or paws, when in Beana's safaris. Husky safari along the beautiful forest trails. You will share the dog team, sled and driving time with your partner. After the break you can take turns for mushing
Lunch in restaurant Sulokuono (Cutie Snout)
Breakfast, lunch and dinners are served at restaurant Sulokuono. It has the same cozy and laid pack atmosphere as the rest of the hotel Beana Laponia
Afternoon Snowshoeing in the wilderness
Hiking in snowshoes lets you experience the wintry nature in complete silence. You can hear the snow falling off branches as you make your way through the forest. You can go on your own adventure on marked trails that leave straight from our yard or participate in our guided snowshoe hike
18:00 Possibility to enjoy relaxing sauna experience
19:00 Dinner in restaurant Sulokuono
The chef prepares delicious meals favoring locally produced ingredients. Most of the fish comes from nearby lake Unari, reindeer meat from the next village. Locally produced ice- cream from Arctic Ice cream, chocolate from Choco Deli and beers from Tornion Panimo, all from nearby region, are on the menu as well as homemade bread, cakes, and berry jams from berries of Lapland
Sleep well!

Tuesday 18.1.2022

Breakfast at Beana Laponia & Check-out
TBC Departure
Possible location inspection on the way to Rovaniemi airport/ TBC
12:15 Arrival at Rovaniemi Airport
14:05 Finnair flight to Helsinki
15:25 Arrival at Helsinki Airport
Transfer by bus to Helsinki city
Check-in at Hotel St George
St. George is an elegant and unique hotel, which challenges the world of hospitality when it comes to the very idea of luxury, presenting an innovative synergy of holistic care for mind, heart, and body
Free time
A short walk to Hotel Kämp
Dinner at Kämp Brasserie together with Visit Finland India group, hosted by Ms Janina Taittinger, Director of Sales, Kämp Collection Hotels

OFFICIAL PROGRAM OF MATKA 2022 STARTS, ENJOY!

Wednesday 19.1.2022

MATKA 2022 Workshop Day

Breakfast at the hotel
07:45 Transfer by bus to Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Centre
08:30 Check-in
08:55 Matka 2022 Workshop Day Opening words
09:10-11:30 Meetings: 7 x 15 min meeting with 5 min break in between
11:30-13:00 Lunch
13:00-15:00 Meetings: 6 x 15 min meeting with 5 min break in between
15:00-15:30 Coffee break
15:30-17:30 Meetings: 6 x 15 min meeting with 5 min break in between
Transfer bus to your hotel
Dinner

Thursday 20.1.2022

MATKA Nordic Travel Fair Trade Day

Breakfast at the hotel
08:30 Transfer by bus to Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Centre
09:00 Matka Nordic Travel Fair Trade Day
Lunch at Messukeskus
Coronavirus testing at Messukeskus (for those leaving on Friday)
14:30 Helsinki sights and site inspections
A short walk to restaurant
Hotel inspection
Dinner

Friday 21.1.2022

Breakfast at the hotel
Check-out
Free time
13:30 Transfer by bus to Helsinki Airport
Check-in
17:00 AY015 from Helsinki to New York