Kimkim Trip Reviews for Finland

We had the best experience planning our trip with Moonika. She was helpful and even when we had to push out the trip by 6 weeks because of passport delays it was seamless. During our trip the guides and activities booked were perfect. We enjoyed our northern light tour, dog sledding with bear hill, reindeer sleigh ride with beyond arctic and ice fishing/orienteering with Nordic odyssey. Our accommodations were super nice, at great locations to city center for restaurants and shopping. I am thankful for the lifetime of memories that were made. Thank you KimKim for a memorable adventure. Will definitely use this company on our next adventure!

Hotel Reviews

Arctic Light Hotel

Rovaniemi

Lovely hotel, fabulous location and great rooms!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nova Skyland Hotel

Rovaniemi

Lovely hotel, great accommodation and great location!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Family Husky Safari

Rovaniemi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Flexible Northern Lights Hunting

Rovaniemi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Reindeer Safari in the Nature of Lapland

Rovaniemi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Snowshoeing and Ice Fishing Adventure

Rovaniemi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We did several things during our time in Finland. Just enough to keep busy but not burn out First, our trip organizer, Emerson is 10 stars. His attention to detail and organization ensured a stress free trip. THANK YOU!!

Of the 4 organized tours, two really stood out: the northern lights tour and visiting Tallinn. The northern lights tour with Beyond Arctic in Rovaniemi was excellent. Our guide (Leevi) was great and the gear provided was very much needed for the cold elements of the arctic. We were fortunate to see a great show!
The tour of old town in Tallinn with guide, Christopher, was AMAZING! Full of knowledge and funny! We did a day trip to Tallinn, but it deserves a couple of days to explore both old town and the new town! We grabbed a quick bite from The Third Dragon Medieval Tavern that is located in the old courtroom of Tallinn Town Hall. It was fun, the staff in character and the Elk soup broth was the perfect belly warmer on a cold day. Be sure to wonder off on side streets to find crafts off the beaten path. We visited Puupank. They have beautiful wood crafts.
I highly recommend using KimKim and will again in the future. Thank you!

What an incredible adventure we had in Lapland with kimkim! From the start, dealing with kimkim was responsive, pleasant, informative and uncomplicated. We were grateful to have Emerson assigned to us for our Aurora Borealis adventure. We wanted luxury accommodations, private transfers, private/small group activities, and plenty of opportunities for daily exercise, including swimming, gyms, and lots of cross-country skiing. The website portal made it simple to stay in touch with chats and virtual calls. Emerson went above and beyond to provide support and was always available for insights or to smooth out any snags throughout the trip.

While Hotel Kamp was under renovation, they put us in an incredible suite! The hotel is terrifically located, and we loved the access to the community outdoor pool which was just a few blocks away. Our tour guides in Helsinki and Tallinn were great!

The overnight train to Rovaniemi was less than ideal but certainly memorable. We suggest future guests consider renting an extra cabin for personal belongings, as carrying baggage up to the crowded second floor was very difficult and room very cramped. Quite unexpectedly, all the bathrooms in our train car were malfunctioning for the entire train ride, which was very unfortunate. We believe it was just that the train company provided us with a 50% refund.

Emerson’s excellent transfers once again were on time and super friendly once off in Rovaniemi. We met our tour guide with Johka who picked us up at the station and brought us straight to Jaakkola Reindeer Farm. We had such a delightful, unique, and private experience! The third-generation farm and its history added a fascinating charm for us. Our story – Jaakkolan Porotila

Next, the Arctic Treehouse provided superior and truly breathtaking accommodations, kind staff and great restaurant. Tired from the day, we pushed on. Quickly we were jump started by witnessing a rare red Aurora during our Arctic Tree Float. It was truly spectacular and a once in a lifetime experience!

The next day, we had a playful adventure with the huskies. We returned to the Arctic Treehouse for another fabulous dinner with the entire restaurant lit by candles for Earth Day, creating a magical atmosphere.

Emerson again book us the top igloo at the Levin Iglut Glass Igloos. Our snow house offered spectacular vistas and the restaurant had fantastic and truly artistic food. All the staff there are so lovely and kind!

Kinos Safaris provided us a great snowmobiling experience, but what was memorable was the rest stop for salmon soup and possibly the best blueberry dessert that I have ever had at this small outpost with the most delightful overseer.
That evening, James from Green Track Wooden Shoe Adventures led a special and private hike on fresh snow,. He is well versed and delightful sharing his vast knowledge for nature and the environment.

Next day we spent an afternoon in town, exploring the Sami Cultural Heritage Museum, petting reindeer, and dining at the King Crab Restaurant - all that we recommend highly.

Switching gears as our witnessing no more auroras, but amazing snowfall that night allowed for a wonderful hike at Saana the next day, and Cahkal Hotel was really super; staff and guide great and has a terrific restaurant!

Our journey then took us to Tromsø. Emerson, once again research extensively to find us this time accommodations that had a pool and found Saint Elizabeth Suites. Unfortunately, access to the pool wasn't always available (and not even open before 9AM?!?), but they did have a well-equipped health club. Please note that the front desk staff were not very accommodating or friendly. (Our Wondering Owl guide mentioned that the tourism industry in Norway isn't particularly welcoming, and we found this to be true, especially when compared to the more hospitable atmosphere in Finland.)

BTW, there was a mix-up with Wandering Owl's booking communication. We were picked up at 9:10 AM and dropped off at the Scandic Ishavshotel. At 9:30, we received a call from Wondering Owl informing us that due to recent flooding, they would be delayed picking us up at Brescia Harbor. We clarified that we were not at the harbor, but at the hotel. Thankfully, the tour did not begin till 10AM and they then confirmed that we would then be picked up on schedule at 9:50AM as there are other guests there waiting there. The tour went well, and the fresh snow made it beautiful.

Overall, our trip was brimming with unique experiences and unforgettable moments! We are deeply grateful for the adventure Emerson crafted for us – he is truly a tremendous asset to kimkim!

With appreciation and regards,
J & J

Our KimKim Guide, Emerson did a great our vacation plans. We gave him the general guidelines, and he put it all together. The people he selected were all top-notch. The drivers for the various events all arrived on time and were unfailingly professional. The Aurora Hunting guide from Beyond Artic did a wonderful job and found what seemed to be the only clear patch of sky in Levi, allowing us to see a wonderful view of the Aurora and take many wonderful pictures that will last a lifetime. Highest Recommendations

I plan many of my trips on my own. But to get the experience that I wanted in Finland, I used the services of Kimkim. I could not have been happier!! I was able to express what I wanted and they put a package together that surpassed my expectations. The resort and excursions were top notch. Moonika checked in with me along the way and had excellent communication. I will definitely use this service again. Thanks for being a part of this once in a lifetime trip!

Hotel Review

Northern Lights Ranch

Köngäs

If you are looking for a Northen Lights experience, this is the place! The cabins were perfect for seeing the lights. The food was excellent!

Authenticity & Character

Location

15 min outside of Levi with limited light pollution

Staff

The staff were super friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Levi Fell Snowmobile Adventure

Levi

Great experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Reindeer Adventure

Levi

Janita is a 2nd generation reindeer rancher and she cares about these animals. This was a genuine experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Husky Safari (10km)

Levi

This was a magical ride through the Finland Forest. I could not have been happier with this experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was my 1st trip booked through KimKim and I could not recommend it more highly ! Our local specialist, Emerson (based in Estonia) was extremely knowledgeable about Finnish Lapland, and incredibly helpful. He listened to our every concern and adjusted the itinerary accordingly - and he even anticipated things like late night trips which meant avoiding early morning tours the next day. He was unbelievably responsive, always getting back to me within 24 hrs of my every question. When our flight on a Saturday was cancelled, he immediately stepped in to rearranged transport, even though it was a weekend. And then he kept checking in on us to see if everything was OK. My travel companions joked that we are going to miss his friendly messages now that we are home! I honestly can't think of a single thing I would change about the final itinerary - it was perfect. The local companies he booked were all fantastic - on our 2 snowshoe trips we even had just the 3 of us plus a guide, which made it SO personal. And Emerson was clearly genuinely pleased to hear that we were having such a good time.
I am going to recommend both Finnish Lapland and KimKim to all my friends! My only complaint? Typing this review on the App doesn't allow me to go to the top and check for any spelling mistakes, so forgive me if there are any!🤣

Moonika planned an amazing trip that my family will never forget. She knew our overall goal was to try and see the northern lights so she selected locations and experiences that would help give us the best chances and we did see it!!! My parents bucket list item was fulfilled. All the other experiences just further enhanced the trip. My dad’s favorite experience was arctic crabbing in Norway. My sisters favorite was husky sleigh ride. My mom’s favorite was of course the northern lights. While my favorite experience was the reindeer farm and Sami experience.

All the accommodations were perfect. My mom didn’t want to leave the boutique hotel. I love that Moonika chose local guides and experiences. They were all fantastic. I’ve already recommended Moonika to several extended family members!

Hotel Reviews

Holiday Village Inari

Inari

The place is beautiful and cozy. The breakfast spread was delicious. We loved the ceiling view. The one suggestion we have is if there’s an option to be alerted to the northern lights.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Haawe Boutique Apart Hotel

Rovaniemi

One of the best hotel experiences! The room is beautiful and luxurious. The breakfast food provided was perfect. My parents never wanted to leave the hotel. The location is also in a perfect location, close to many things.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Reindeer Park Visit

Inari

Such a fun experience feeding the reindeer! Our Sami guide was very knowledgeable and open to sharing her experiences.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Emerson arranged the trip and everything went as planned. Every detail was as described. The drivers arrived on time, the activities were varied and wonderful. Specifically: cross country skiing in Akaslompolo was spectacular...there is nothing like the vast network of trails here, in the USA. We went on a daytime snowshoe trip and two Northern Lights van trips with Beyond Artic. On the first Northern Lights trip, the driver drove an hour and and half trying to get the group to a good viewing area...we saw the Lights, but the sky was cloudy. The next night was beyond spectacular. Standing on a frozen lake, we saw the Aurora 360 degrees around us and above.
Two other trips were wonderful: a nighttime snow shoe trek on wood skis with a nature guide. James from Green Trek showed us animal tracks, vegetation and trees. The trip to the Reindeer Farm was alot of fun. We spent alot of time feeding the reindeer, learning about them and each of us got in a sled alone to "drive" a reindeer on a short trip.
Oh--the Northern Lights Ranch in Levi was also outstanding. Alk three of us were thrilled with the whole trip.

Moonika did a wonderful job planning this trip for us. Hotels were perfectly located and all the tour operators were friendly and courteous. Tours were fabulous. Overall great experience.

My husband and I had an amazing honeymoon! Emerson had everything planned perfectly, and we never ran into any issues. Emerson was also very responsive throughout the trip and more than willing to help out when needed. Our tour guides were very kind, knowledgeable, and fun to be around. Thanks to Kimkim we had the honeymoon of our dreams! We’re already looking forward to our next trip coordinated by them. We highly recommend kimkim!!!

Every transport person, every guide was incredible.

Hotel Review

Hotel Fabian

Helsinki

Hotel Fabian was probably the most modern among our accommodations. We did face a minor issue with a pipe under the sink that fell out and caused some water to spill everywhere. However, the staff was prompt in fixing it immediately. This dedication to customer service was impressive. Overall, the room was immaculate, just like I require, and it was a pleasant stay.

Activity Reviews

Husky Safari

Finland

The husky safari experience was fabulous! It was a beautifully serene and gorgeous experience. We got to pet the huskies and saw sixty eager dogs ready for their sledding run. Even though there was a little mishap with my daughter-in-law falling off the sled, and her mom breaking her pinky, it was an unforgettable experience.

Reindeer Adventure

Levi

The reindeer adventure was amazing. The host shared so much knowledge about the reindeer and treated us to a wonderful experience. We even got to feed the reindeer, which was a delightful experience, something I can't do back home in New York. This was truly an astonishing experience, and it broadened my understanding of these majestic creatures.

Northern Lights Tour with Professional Photos

Finland

The Northern Lights Tour was absolutely wonderful. Our guide, whom we called the 'Lights Hunter,' went above and beyond to ensure we had a memorable experience. We stayed out late into the night and saw the beautiful auroras with shooting stars that added a personal touch to the experience. This tour left a lasting impression on me.

We had a lot of diverse activities and got to explore beautiful locations in Finland. We made lots of memories and were lucky to see a bit of the northern lights even though weather conditions were not ideal.

Hotel Reviews

Glass resort

Rovaniemi

Absolutely wonderful. Great location and amazing amenities in the lodge.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Levin Iglut Glass Igloos

Kitilä

The Northern Lights House was not to our liking. The pictures sent were of the igloos so it seemed a little misleading. The decor on the house in one suite is gold and very out there. The showers for the second room are not very private. We were not satisfied with this option.

Authenticity & Character

Very out there decoration, lights on the ceiling, gold chandeleirs, hand painted ceiling. Just very tacky.

Location

Staff

Particularly one staff that was there for the afternoons was very moody and unpleasant.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Found hair in the bathroom when I first came into the shower.

Activity Reviews

Private Northern Lights Photography Tour

Finland

Private Husky Farm Visit and Safari

Rovaniemi

Absolutely AMAZING! Just very memorable, beautiful backdrop nad super coool to self-drive.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Reindeer Herder Day Experience

Rovaniemi

Informative tour, but a bit of a long drive. Wonder if there wer herding experiences that were a bit closer.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Riisitunturi Private Photography Expedition

Rovaniemi

SUCH A BEAUTIFUL LOCATION. Hard to describe in words. The 2h drive is a bit tiring. Would have been good to have had more information regarding the long drive, but it was worth it.

Quality of Experience

Food

Very nice to have a sausage and cook it in a campfire in the middle of the tour.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Levi Fell Snowmobile Adventure

Levi

Such an amazing ride over 35km on flat grounds. Super fun.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Northern Lights Hunting

Rovaniemi

Poor light show because of weather conditions.

This is my first time using a service line this for booking my trip, all I have to say is amazing. Emerson was a joy to work with he customized our trip to our budget and still gave us the important things we wanted to do while we were In Finland. Services ranged from arranging transportation to all the events he had planned for us to booking all our hotels. This was truly the easiest trip to go on. Didn’t have to worry about a thing and he was always available and quick to respond if we needed him. I will definitely be using this service for all our future trips. Couldn’t have been a better experience !!!!

Hotel Reviews

Haawe Boutique Apart Hotel

Rovaniemi

Amazing hotel! Very clean, right in the middle of rovaniemi. One of our favorite hotels we have stayed at.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Center of everything. Walking distance to lots of shopping and restaurants

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Northern Lights Ranch

Köngäs

Beautiful accommodations. Baby reindeer to feed. Sauna with cold water plunge and hot tub available while roaring fire was prepared. Heated floors as well. Truly once in a lifetime experience

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Break Sokos Hotel Levi

Levi

This is one of the more basic hotels we stayed In. Nothing too special but the staff was exceptional and you are in the middle of everything in Levi from skiing, shops, and restaurants for sure you don’t have to go to far

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Family Husky Safari

Rovaniemi

Amazing activity this was our first husky sleigh ride and it was everything we expected and then some. The dogs were wonderful and so friendly. staff was very friendly and informative. We had a wonderful time

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sauna Experience at the Northern Lights Ranch

Levi

One of our favorite activities it was relaxing and and an unforgettable experience. They had a fire for us already going. The sauna was hot, basically everything you needed they already have prepared for you.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wooden Snowshoe Trek in Levi

Levi

Very informative guide. He had authentic wooden snowshoes which when you experience something like this and for the first time you want authenticity. Couldn’t have been more pleased.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Auroras With Snowmobiles

Finland

It was cold but an amazing experience my husband loved driving the snowmobile it was probably his favorite part of our trip. Unfortunately we didn’t get to see the northern lights but that didn’t take away from the experience at all

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Emerson did a wonderful job of planning my holiday in Finland and Norway. He booked the best tours, specifically catering to my interests: husky ride, dinner at an ice hotel, reindeer farm, ice floating, ice fishing, snowmobiling, Northern Lights tour and an Arctic fjord cruise. The guides were helpful and knowledgeable. The hotel accommodations were great and all of the breakfasts were plentiful and delicious.

Emerson was quick to respond when I contacted him and he stayed in touch with me during the entire trip to make sure everything was going as planned. I highly recommend Kim Kim.

Having traveled to Norway and Sweden in winter, I was looking for a winter excursion this year in Finland, hoping to see the Northern Lights. I often plan my own travel itineraries, but I was intrigued by the Kim Kim approach to planning a bespoke itinerary. My local specialist, Emerson, presented me with an itinerary proposal that was detailed and tailored to what I wanted to see and do. So, I let him do the work for me! It was a good investment.

Flying into Kittilä, I was met by a driver (all my transfers to hotels and activities were included) and taken to The Northern Lights Ranch about 10 KM north of Levi. This was my favorite hotel (though all accommodations were great), with a glass cabin to myself and amazing dinners and a breakfast buffet with real scrambled eggs (other hotels "scrambled" eggs were powdered eggs). The hotel also features a reindeer corral, a skating rink, and a snowshoe trail (with free skates and snowshoes to use). Because the forecast was for clouds on the second night, when I was scheduled to go for an aurora hunt, the excursion was changed to my first night. No time for jet lag! And we did see the lights! I was the only one on the excursion, which was nice and appreciated . . . and atypical. As a solo traveler, I was at the mercy of having enough other folks sign up in order for the other excursions to take place. Fortunately, with one exception, that happened. You have to be flexible when traveling alone!

A couple nights in another glass cabin outside of Äkäslompolo at the Arctic Skylight Lodge gave me a chance to see a bit of the Northern Lights again from the comfort of my bed. Other highlights: Snowmobiling to a cabin beside a frozen lake, a reindeer sleigh ride (alas, no flying), an evening snowshoeing through a forest to Bear Stone followed by a traditional Finnish dinner (reindeer stew and squeaky cheese) prepared in a lavuu by our guide, Susanne.

Then on to the big city of the north, Rovaniemi, where I spent two nights at the Arctic Light Hotel and had the chance to drive a husky team, look for the aurora again (unsuccessfully), float in a frozen lake, and tromp through the snow at Riisitunturi National Park.

To finish my trip, I took the overnight train to Helsinki (the private sleeper car was nice!). I had a good tour of the city with a private guide, which got me oriented and helped me plan for my own wandering around the city time. Emerson arranged for a day trip to Tallinn the following day, which was a real high point! The "ferry" from/to Helsinki is essentially a cruise ship . . . it just cruises for 2 hours at a time. Another private tour guide introduced me to the history of Tallinn and then an unexpected but much appreciated bonus was getting to meet Emerson and his wife for coffee and conversation.

Emerson did a great job filling up my agenda with activities that I enjoyed. Again, it was an investment well worthwhile to have a plan built by someone who knows the territory. It was also nice to know that Emerson was available if needed during the trip. If you're thinking of visiting Finland (and/or Estonia), I encourage you to let Emerson help make your trip as memorable as mine!

Hotel Review

Arctic Skylight Lodge

Äkäslompolo

I stayed at the Arctic Skylight Hotel for a couple of nights. The room was nice and comfortable, though the facility wasn't quite as upscale as another hotel I stayed at initially. However, the food was good, and the staff was very accommodating and helpful. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.

Activity Review

Evening Snowmobile Tour to Wilderness Hut

Finland

I was scheduled for an Evening Snowmobile Tour to a Wilderness Hut, but due to lack of participants, it was changed to a daytime trip. Despite this change, I had a great time. It was an enjoyable day with nice activities, and I appreciated the flexibility offered by the organizers to make sure I could still enjoy the snowmobiling experience.

Emerson was very organized. He responded promptly to questions even on his day off. He was very patient and reassuring. There were no surprises. We would go with Emerson again

Hotel Reviews

Northern Lights Village Pyhä

Pyhä

Loved the cabins. Toasty warm! Beautiful sightings of the Northern lights right from your bed. Gaze upon the beautiful stars from the comfort of a warm cabin as well. The breakfast and dinner were included and was absolutely amazing- great choice of entrees, salads, cheese with jams and breads. The staff were friendly and helpful and the place was very clean.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Far away from the city lights and so chances of seeing the northern lights are greatly.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Haawe Boutique Apart Hotel

Rovaniemi

Very cute apartment.it was spacious, modern and located right in the center of the city center. The kitchen was stocked with dishes, cutlery and crockery. The fridge was stocked with an eggs, cold cuts, cheese, jam and butter, yoghurt, assorted fruits, oatmeal, chocolate and candy bars. There were condiments for cooking a quick meal. Cereal, milk and berry juice was also stocked and yummy breads. There was a toaster, a dishwasher and a microwave. Laundry is free and the pods for the dishwasher and laundry were also free. The highlight was the deep white soaking tub!!!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Riisitunturi National Park Expedition

Rovaniemi

Just tracked through the snow. Nothing to do- the trees were bare of the snow as the snow had all meted due to the high temps. Very uneventful- there was no historical detail or narrative offered by the guide- we all walked in silence for about 2 miles. Took a couple of photos- very underwhelmed and a waste of time.

Quality of Experience

Food

Smoked sausages and marshmallows.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Be ready with a narrative or educational activities if the weather does not cooperate.

Transport

The van could be a bit more spacious. We were 7 people cramped like sardines.

Reindeer Farm Visit (No Safari)

Rovaniemi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ice-Climbing Experience

Pyhä

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guides were fantastic. Max was very encouraging and his colleague from Mexico were both patient and gave very clear instructions.

Transport

Aurora Hunting by Snowmobile

Pyhä

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Oscar and Ari were great guides.

Transport

Northern Lights Tour

Rovaniemi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My trip was amazing! I gave Moonika a list of activities that I wanted to do and she made it happen! There were a few changes from my original itinerary because of my flight changes and some changes with tour companies. I did not realize how touristy the area was, nor did I know about the multiple companies who offered the tours. She selected amazing tour companies and I was not disappointed. However, I had a free evening and booked something on my own the last minute and that particular tour was the only night I saw the Aurora. It was not for lack of trying on Moonika’s part, she selected excellent tours providing the opportunity, it just never came. I highly recommend Moonika and KimKim travel. If I ever have the opportunity to travel to Finland again, I would definitely seek their expertise, I will also review some of the other counties they offer.

Hotel Reviews

Overnight Train

The accommodations were perfect to get me to Lapland and make the most of my time there.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arctic City Hotel

Rovaniemi

It was a nice boutique hotel in the city center, within walking distance of all of my activities. They even took my clothes for donation.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos

Rovaniemi

This was my bucket list item. I did not see the Northern Lights in the night that I stayed, but it was not for lack of a beautiful view. I saw a beautiful sunset and sunrise, though. It also has heated floors, and adjustable bed to watch the show (if it appears), and an Aurora alarm

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

GLO Hotel Art

Helsinki

This was a cute boutique hotel near the center of Helsinki. I did a city walking tour from here and afterwards found my way back. There is a lot of shopping nearby and it’s close to the train station

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Northern Lights Tour

Rovaniemi

Niko was our Aurora hunter (as well as my transfer driver to and from the train.) The tour was very long, we were out for 8 hours searching for the elusive Aurora, not for lack of Niko’s efforts. This was the first night I crossed the Arctic Circle. Niko provided some juice and snacks. It was my first taste of the hot berry juice and I was hooked. I will learn how to make it.

Quality of Experience

It was a bit of a long, uneventful night.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Family Husky Safari

Rovaniemi

This was so much fun. I have had dogs and I know how much they like to play. I had my own sled and 4 dogs who wanted to do nothing but pull and play. They were having as much fun as I was. Afterwards, I gave them some loving and my lead girl was very affectionate.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Korouoma Canyon & Frozen Waterfalls Adventure

Finland

This was a very active tour as well. You know they mean business when they hand out spikes for your shoes before you get started. It was very scenic and COLD. But you are going to see frozen waterfalls. I had an “influencer” or “Instagramer” in my group and we were always waiting for them to finish their pictures.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dinner at Ice Restaurant

Sinettä

This was an interesting experience. It was not as cold as I expected or as cold as some of my other activities. They had a vegan option, which I had. I could not eat all of my food because I had a sausage on the previous tour. It’s really interesting how the snow hotel and ice restaurant are built.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Snowshoeing Adventure at Night (Aurora Tour)

Rovaniemi

This was also an Aurora hunting experience, but no Aurora. Still, the snowshoeing was great. It had been a long time since I was on snowshoes. The snowshoeing was fresh, so it made the trek much better. Of course there was excellent hot berry juice. This was the “gloggi” version with the extra spices.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Northern Lights Safari by Electric Snowmobiles

Finland

I paid extra for the single supplement, so I had my own sled. I had never driven an electric snowmobile, but have experience with a gas powered one. It was hard getting used to the lack of noise. The tour itself was great, partially on the frozen lake and a good path through the woods. We stopped at a cabin for a fire, sausages, hot juice and dessert pastry. We did not have to cook our own sausages this time, however by this time I was a sausage cooking pro!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Helsinki City Walking Tour

Helsinki

This was a private tour and a bit pricey for what we did. Ainhoa (sp) did a really good job telling me about the city and country even though she is not Finnish or a native. Since it was a private tour, I asked all the questions, we got sidetracked on multiple conversations, but it was still informative. The second part of the tour was on Suomenlinna, which I took the ferry to get there. The ride was cold, but the view was amazing. The tour of the fort was a bit short because the sun was going down and there was no lighting. The tour started late in the day, 1:30 pm (1330 hrs), if it would have started earlier, we could have seen more, especially at the fort.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Group Reindeer Safari and Farm Visit

Rovaniemi

I learned a lot about reindeer on this tour. They are very docile creatures. Also, the females have antlers, albeit not as large as the males, just like certain bovine breeds. They need to keep their numbers at a certain level, so some are used as meat. I did not try any because I am a non-meat eater.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

All reservations Emerson made were exactly as promised. Every guide showed up on time, and they were all friendly and very helpful. Activities were wonderful, with well-planned times and downtime in between. Overall fantastic experience and will be using this platform for our next trip!

Emerson planned a fantastic itinerary for our family - it was the perfect amount of discovery, exploration, adventure, relaxation and fun, he really nailed it with what was offered and made the area special in Finland. We asked for a winter wonderland filled with lots of activity for my 10 and 7 year old girls and he really delivered. He did a beautiful job piecing the trip together with the perfect location and hotel choices. My girls loved all our accommodations (Snow & Ice Hotel, Glass Igloo, , the transfers and transportation services were always on time and in excellent condition and Emerson's expertise of the area shines through with his offerings of excursions that were so unique that we had not even thought of but enjoyed thoroughly! This trip was fantastic, could not have been better, and planning with Emerson was easy, straightforward and delightful - I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone wanting to experience all the magic that Finland in Winter time has to offer!

Hotel Reviews

Posti Boutique Hotel Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi

A wonderful hotel with helpful, courteous staff. The room was spacious and clean, with all the conveniences one could want, especially with the kitchenette. The complimentary morning breakfasts were very nice and it is conveniently located within 5 minutes walking distance to the train/bus station and across the street from some grocery stories and restaurants.

Authenticity & Character

A more rustic design with an old-timey elevator but with some modern touches like the automatic lights for hallways. The rooms were well designed and very comfortable.

Location

5 minutes away from the train/bus station and a convenient market and shopping plaza was across the street, though it was a bit further from the main downtown area.

Staff

Helpful staff that was kind and able to offer good information to all the questions we had.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and comfortable - the rooms were warm and well furnished.

Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos

Rovaniemi

The experience of staying in the SnowHotel was unique and amazing. The facilities were very clean and everything was carefully maintained. The sauna was very nice to have, though the shower facilities could have been a bit more private. The sculpted ice hotel was so beautiful to walk around and discover and the warm room with the fireplace was a great place to spend time in to warm up. I do wish there were more private places to spend down-time, for example, somewhere comfortable, private and warm to lay down and take a nap since we are not allowed to enter our ice rooms until pretty late in the evening. The buffet breakfast was a very nice spread and we enjoyed our stay here very much - one night is more than enough time to enjoy and take in all offerings of this accommodation if staying in the ice hotel. The ice restaurant was also well done and the ice bar was very fun to visit as well.

Authenticity & Character

An incredibly unique experience!

Location

Great area and setting

Staff

Very helpful folks

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean spaces, could have some warmer private spaces to feel more comfortable and relaxed

Kurula's Resort

Pyhätunturi

This resort was one of my family's favorite places to stay while moving around Finland. It was a cosy cabin atmosphere where the rooms were spacious, inviting and surprisingly warm given that the only heat provided is from the flooring. Our favorite feature of the rooms was the private sauna in the bathroom. We found that we used the sauna every day, sometimes twice a day to warm up from the cold outside. Also, conveniently, the clothing warmer was a very nice feature of the room so that we could dry our clothing quickly. The food was very well done at the restaurant and we enjoyed the complimentary breakfasts. It was also very convenient to have the winter overalls and boots provided so that we were well equipped for excursions nearby. It is not particularly close to anything walkable so plan accordingly but the site itself is magical. My children had such fun riding the complimentary sleds down the hills and playing in the plentiful snow around the property. The room was clean, spacious and modern with all the conveniences, including a full sized refrigerator, water kettle, coffee maker and stovetop/microwave. The staff is also incredibly

Authenticity & Character

Absolutely charming cosy cabin vibes.

Location

It is not walkable or nearby to a lot of conveniences like stores or restaurants so plan accordingly or work with hotel staff to get around or leave the premise.

Staff

Very helpful, very nice.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms and property was clean and very comfortable, we had very restful sleeps.

Northern Lights Village

Saariselkä

This hotel was spectacular, it runs like a well oiled machine and made for a very comfortable stay. The room was very comfortable, though it may take some time to warm up. The convenience of looking up to see the Northern Lights was by far the most valuable aspect of staying here - not having to be cold outside when the lights come to dance in front of you is perfection. The views are picturesque everywhere you look and walk. There are also a plentiful amount of activities on-site to keep everyone entertained. The meal times are organized and there are good diverse offerings.

Authenticity & Character

The rooms here are so special, the layout is also very nice.

Location

Staff

Very helpful and available staff members

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Flexible Northern Lights Hunting

Rovaniemi

We had Antii as our guide and he was very good! The vehicle is very comfortable and the most valuable aspect of this excursion is that there is no time limit. He will literally hunt around all over the place and at all hours of the night to assure that guests will see the lights. Additionally, he provides beautiful photography of your party with the Northern Lights and that is invaluable! As a mom who is always taking photos of her kids, it's nice to be on a tour with someone else taking photos of you and your family with the unforgettable backdrop of the Northern lights! We enjoyed the hot juice and gingersnap cookies that our guide brought and when our toes were too cold, he was quick to offer toe warmers.

Quality of Experience

Antii, the guide, went through great lengths to chase down the lights so we would see them.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He was a great driver and photographer!

Transport

Safe, timely and safe driver

Family Husky Safari

Rovaniemi

This operation was very well organized. The huskies were very easy to work with and the environment was immaculate and just magical.

Quality of Experience

Excellent experience, I felt safe and had a magical time - amazing backdrop

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Well educated staff

Transport

Dinner at Ice Restaurant

Sinettä

The food was good and it was a very beautiful and unique experience. It is expected to be a cold dining experience but perhaps a bit too long and uncomfortable for younger children.

Quality of Experience

Good food and service

Food

Everything was very tasty

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Friendly, good staff

Transport

Reindeer Safari with Wilderness Lunch

Finland

This was a beautiful experience, super family friendly and enjoyable throughout. We loved feeding the reindeer, taking a very scenic ride with them and then spending some time with lunch in the tent to warm up.

Quality of Experience

Excellent tour guide! He was entertaining and educational. Great activities with the reindeer :)

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Excellent guide

Transport

Searching For Santa

Saariselkä

This was a tour that was so special - I thought it would just be more for younger kids but I think everyone really enjoyed it, my older child and myself as well. The elves really brought the energy and it was amazing how so many different activities were able to be included in the hours of the tour. We enjoyed so much of it and the pacing was very good, from the skipping, cookie making and decorating, reindeer rides, elf camp activities (my kids' favorite was the trivia games), the singing of songs to find Santa and then actually sitting and talking with Santa - it was a very touching experience to watch Santa talk with the kids.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Amethyst Mine Tour with the Pendolino - Snow Train

Pyhä

Easily one of my kids' favorite activities. It was extremely cold but they still enjoyed the tour. It was fun to experience the short ride on the Pendolino but the real star is the part where the kids could dig. They really could've stayed for much longer doing just the digging part of the excursion. It was thrilling for them to find the amethyst and the guides were so helpful and uplifting in their efforts.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ice-Climbing Experience

Pyhä

The guides were absolutely phenomenal and really made the experience! Sampo was professional and a great driver. Inessa was a superstar guide, and absolutely magnificent with children, she really made the experience a standout for us. We always felt safe and encouraged, also very proud of our ability to climb the wall with our very capable guides.

Quality of Experience

An amazing experience with expert guides!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Inessa was amazing! She was helpful and so supportive, phenomenal with children! Highly recommend her.

Transport

Aurora Camp by the Lake

Saariselkä

Although we didn't get to see the lights this evening due to a snow storm, our guide still made it incredibly fun despite the weather. Katie was excellent with children and was so good at sharing such good interesting facts. My kids enjoyed roasting marshmallows with her.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Moonika was super. She listened to our requirements and set out to plan a great trip for our group of 4 adults. The excursions she planned were fantastic and so memorable. The hotels were quaint and unique for their destinations which is exactly how we like to travel. Our guides and drivers in Estonia and Finland were all excellent, flexible and offered different perspectives to our experiences. Moonika was available when we needed her and proactively checked in on us as well. We never would have had the smooth experience we had without her careful planning.