Autumn is the best time to observe the northern lights – great temperature for outdoor activities and nature exploring. Nature delights with its splendor of color as the leaves of the trees change color. The air is fresh and you are filled with energy and ready for the hikes and adventures. In the dark and chilly autumn evenings it feels great to gather in the warmth of a café or restaurant, sit by the candle light and enjoy good company and food.
DAY 1:
Checking into the Hotel Olof in Tornio city center by the river. Shopping tour takes you to Rajalla shopping mall on the border of Sweden and Finland. Take your picture in the heart of the border. Tour continues to IKEA and from there to a local country house with interior design boutique. Lunch is served in atmospheric and historical Gulash Baronen in Haparanda City. Explore our twin city by joining the haunted city walk in the evening. This is truly a different kind of a way to learn the city you are visiting. Dinner in the modern, Scandinavian Restaurant Olof.
DAY 2:
After the breakfast a day out of the city begins. It is time to meet the people and animals in the country side. First stop is in the cutest shop&café with Finnish design in a small village out of the city by the river. Paperivalo introduces white light from Lapland – translucent images on paper. Next, we head to a small farm and get to know the animals in a totally different kind of a way. Problem solving skills are needed as we are headed to the Farm Escape. You will be playing room escape with real animals! Lunch is served in a Lappish hut by the open fire. Journey continues with fat bikes up the hills of Nivavaara. Beautiful landscape opens to the forests and Torne valley on the way. Enjoy the outdoors as the locals do and also relax the way they do. Next in the programme is the world´s largest sauna in Cape East Hotel & Spa in Haparanda. Relaxed and happy you can enjoy dinner in the hotel’s restaurant before heading back to Finnish side and Hotel Olof.
DAY 3:
Day by the river in a local Swedish fisherman’s village Kukkola. Live like local is the theme for the day. Learning about the food culture together with the chef of the rustic restaurant. How do we use the ingredients from our nature, the berries, fish, mushrooms, vegetables? In Kukkolaforsen fish museum you hear about the traditional ways of fishing in the river. Depending on the time of the visit, you might be able to observe the fishermen in their duty. Kukkolaforsen Sauna academy teaches you the proper ways to enjoy the sauna, big part of our culture in Torne Valley. When the night falls it is time to get outdoors and hunt for the Northern Lights. Our guide will teach you how to capture them on your camera. Overnight in Kukkolaforsen cottages.
DAY 4:
Breakfast in Kukkolaforsen and time to say good bye. Good to continue to Luleå, Kemi, Rovaniemi or Oulu where nearest airports are located also. Train connection from Haparanda.
Package includes:
Overnights: 2 nights in Hotel Olof, 1 night in Kukkolaforsen
Food: 3 x Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Snack and / or drink in outdoor activities
Activities: Shopping tour, haunted walking tour, tour to Finnish countryside with Farm Escape, hut experience and biking tour. Learning of food culture, sauna experience in cape east and Kukkolaforsen, fish museum, Hunting for Northern Lights tour.
How to reach HaparandaTornio:
By plane to Kemi-Tornio (25 min), Luleå (1,5 h), Rovaniemi (1,5 h), Oulu (2 h) and arrive by taxi/bus to HaparandaTornio.
By train to Haparanda or Kemi (25 min)
By bus to HaparandaTornio