Kajaani Holidays

Hotel Kalevala – 6 nights - full board

Location: Kuhmo in Northern Finland

New Year is about saying goodbye to one year and welcoming in a new one. And what better setting any where in the world for welcoming the New Year than Finland and Hotel Kalevala in Kuhmo. The beautiful scenery covered with a mantle of dazzling white snow, the crackling frost and the magical winter darkness create a special atmosphere for the New Year’s celebrations. Northern Finland is known as wild taiga and is dominated by evergreen forests and dazzlingly clear-watered lakes and its misty blue hills. Kainuu is one of Finland's best known regions for guaranteed snow fall throughout the winter season.

A New Year break in Finland is perfect for a family holiday or a romantic getaway. Those who are children at heart can meet Father Christmas before he sets off for a well deserved holiday. On the New Year’s Eve, we will celebrate with a special Gala dinner before watching fireworks and raising a toast for the New Year in Ice Bar.

Your holiday price includes: Scheduled flights with Finnair via Helsinki. Accommodation in a hotel room on a full board basis. All activities and transfers as per itinerary. Thermal clothing for the duration of the holiday.

Itinerary

• Day 1: 28 Dec
  Fly from London Heathrow via Helsinki at 13:35 and arrive to Kajaani at 20:20 local time. Guided transfer to the hotel. Welcome drink and dinner at the hotel.
• Day 2: 29 Dec
  After breakfast, programme briefing. Morning is free for snowbound activities such as tobogganing and kick-sledding. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon is free for optional activities. Evening sauna and dinner.

• Day 3: 30 Dec
  After breakfast we have a fun day out by the lake: enjoy a little taster of horse-sleigh ride, short husky dog sleigh ride, reindeer sledge, or a snowmobile sleigh drive. Hot juice will be served by an open fire. Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon we’ll make New Year decorations with a guide; optional activities such as snowshoeing, ice sculpting, ice fishing and ice skating are available. Evening sauna and dinner. After dinner we gather to the toboggan run for a fun midnight sledding competition to see who’s the king or queen of the slopes! Every participant will get a diploma.

• Day 4: 31 Dec
  Leisure time when you can refine your skills on tobogganing, take an optional excursion such as snowmobiling or husky safari or relax in hotel’s Wellness Centre. Light lunch is served in the outdoor winter garden. Afternoon is free for leisure. Those who wish to meet Father Christmas, can take an optional Fairytale Christmas tour to Santa’s cottage in the forest where elves are baking gingerbread cookies and making Christmas decorations. Children will get a small present. In the evening we gather by the fireplace in the lobby to cast tin; fortune teller will tell you your future. New Year Gala Dinner in hotel’s restaurant. Although most of Father Christmas’ work is completed, he will pay us a visit during the dinner. Just before the midnight, we go to the winter garden for the countdown and fireworks. Enjoy cool drinks in the Ice bar. The party continues inside in the bar with dancing until the early hours.
  
  
• Day 5: 1 Jan
  After breakfast, the morning is free for relaxing and for optional activities. Lunch at the hotel. In the evening you have a chance to take part to New Year’s Concert in the Kuhmo Arts Centre before dinner at the hotel. Late in the evening we gather around the fireplace to listen to a story of Sampo. During this fascinating ritual, you’ll hear stories of ancient folklore which bring a lot of happiness and richness to the people of Northland. The story is based on Finnish National Epic Kalevala and is told by a shaman. Dancing and midnight-karaoke in the restaurant.
  
  
• Day 6: 2 Jan
  Today is for leisure when you can take an optional excursion such as snow shoeing or ice fishing. We also recommend hotel’s Wellness Centre; why not to try refreshing herb bubble bath or a cleansing sauna? After the evening sauna we enjoy dinner with folklore program of the traditional Helka group. The group performs traditional Finnish dances and songs; you are more than welcome to join in!
  
  
• Day 7: 3 Jan
  Transfer to Kajaani airport and return flights to London Heathrow via Helsinki departing at 07:45 and arriving at 15:10.

Accommodation description

Hotel Kalevala is high-standard, peaceful hotel at the beautiful lake Lammasjärvi in Kuhmo, northern Finland. Cosy atmosphere, friendly staff, the kitchen which serves both traditional and international foods and unique program services guarantee a nice stay in Hotel Kalevala. The hotel also has a Wellness centre which has 2 Finnish saunas, peat and infrared sauna, herb bubble bath, Jacuzzi, acu massage bed, massage mattress and antistress-chairs with sound therapy headphones. The bravest guests can have a dip in the clear-watered lake Lammasjärvi after sauna.

Hotel facilities

44 standard rooms

Gym, spa

Bar & entertainment

Restaurant

Room facilities

Maximum occupancy of 4 (2 adults and 2 children)

Ensuite/bathroom

TV with satellite channels

Minibar, safe, telephone

Full board includes

• Breakfast buffet
• Lunch
• Dinner

Kid’s facilities

A toboggan slope is located just outside the hotel as is the lake where ice skating is possible. Skates are available for hire at the hotel. Indoor activities with the Christmas host, such as making Christmas decorations. Restaurant offers kids menu.

In our opinion

‘...in the middle of nature by a lake - choice of activities and indoor facilities ensure a relaxing or active holiday…’

Useful information

• Currency: Euro
• Language: Finnish
• Visa: Not required for British or Irish passport holders
• Time difference: GMT +2

Single supplement: £136

Infants: Not available (adult and children sharing only)

Please note

• Child prices are available when sharing with 1 adult.
• The following extra charges will apply when booked by credit card: Visa/Mastercard - 3%, Amex - 3%, Diners - 3%.

  Ticketing information: You will be contacted by the tour operator after making your booking.

  Optional tours/activities

  • Snowmobile safaris
  • Husky safaris
  • Horse & sleigh ride
  • Snowshoeing
  • Ice fishing
  • Wellness treatments