Moonika Apart

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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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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.

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Food

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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.

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Food

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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.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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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!

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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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.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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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

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.

Our trip to Finland was amazing. Moonika planned the most special trip for us, taking care of every detail. From our arrival to departure, it was seem less.

We had an absolutely fantastic experience with Moonika from Kimkim! The trip exceeded all our expectations—every detail was thoughtfully planned and perfectly organized. A highlight of our journey was witnessing the breathtaking Northern Lights on New Year's Eve, an unforgettable moment that made the trip truly magical.

Moonika was incredibly responsive throughout the process, always quick to answer our questions and accommodate our needs. Her professionalism and meticulous planning ensured a smooth and stress-free vacation for us.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Moonika and Kimkim to friends and family. This was a trip we’ll cherish forever, thanks to her expert guidance and care.

Moonika was very detailed and communicative. She reached out to us before the trip to confirm all the tour activities. She also reached out to us throughout the trip to ensure everything went as planned. I really enjoy the vendors where she booked for our husky and reindeer sled rides. I could tell they actually do care about the animals, and not just a business. Even when the train was delayed, she made sure we were updated and received any possible refunds. Overall, I had an amazing time in Finland.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Haven

Helsinki

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Overnight Train

Arctic City Hotel

Rovaniemi

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Helsinki City Walking Tour

Helsinki

The tour guide is awesome with such great details and information. She really understands Helsinki and really she made me wished that I would have more time exploring the city with her.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Tallinn Day Trip

Helsinki

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Flexible Northern Lights Hunting

Rovaniemi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Korouoma Canyon & Frozen Waterfalls Adventure

Finland

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Early Winter Husky Tour

Rovaniemi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Group Reindeer Safari and Farm Visit

Rovaniemi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Finland was a lifetime dream of mine. I dreamed of seeing the aurora perform and for my 2 kids to experience the “real” Santa Claus and where he lives and everything that are associated with Christmas the Arctic way. This company fulfilled all our dreams and more. Everything was well organized, the drivers for our transport and transfers were ALWAYS on time, and the accomodations were cute and perfect which gave us a real intimate family time for 10 days. We went to different cities and had an excursion every single day where each ran 3-4 hours which was just enough to not exhaust everyone for we love to ski and go out and explore the cities by ourselves as well. The companies who facilitated the excutions were very nice, polite and professional. I cried so many times just being overjoyed of the experience and seeing my kids having a great great great time without their devices and we did not even watch TV for everytime we got home we fondly talk about how our excursions went. I LOVED every bit of the experience. Because of this company Finland did not disappoint us! Everything was well thought.. I realized that on our last day where we had our accomodation in the glass igloo at Levi where it had the coldest weather where we had frost on our eyebrows, lashes and hair everytime we made that walk from our igloo to the Elves village— coming from Florida this was even so much fun and funny for us!!’. We had the aurora dancing around us all night from 9:30 pm to 4:30 am on our last night!!!!…

Monika personally greeted us at the hotel on our very first night and this was a huge relief, just having a face to the voice and the goody bag was really thoughtful. She gave us a gnome which is now sitting on our souvenir console at home.

If we had to change something, it would have been combining the reindeer and husky sledding in one day. Then we could have had one more day to ski that had good amount of light. By the time we got home from our excurions about 1:30-2pm the sun has already set and the resorts close by 6pm (not enough time) and skiing can be a challenge especially during those days that the sun does not even show up and worse the temps go down and the winds are get strong later the day to a point that lifts are closed down. Though we had a couple of night excursions and this really gave us a good amount of time to skiunder some natural light and great conditions!

Overall, we genuinelt had an EPIC experience. It was worth every penny; gave my hubby and I convenience; travelling with family of small kid and young adult can be a challenge. Having a company organize everything takes away so much stress.

Thank you for this unforgettable experience!

Hotel Reviews

Lapland Hotels Ounasvaara Chalets

Rovaniemi

accommodation was great… Breakfast was really good… The room was spacious enough for a family of 4 but there was no way to control the heating system… We understand that the weather outside was really cold, but the room was super heated to a point where we had to open a window because it got really hot and sweaty for us and unfortunately, no window can be opened on the first floor…I literally was on my undies and mu hubby shirtless the entire time we were in the chalet.. There was no help in carrying our luggage from reception to our chalets on very thick snow. Thiugh the sign sats 200 meters, I know its not just 200 meters… having a sauna was a good feature.. wall was sound proof

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Pyhä Igloos

Pyhä

Cute and did not disappoint our aurora experience

Authenticity & Character

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super friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lapland Hotels Riekonlinna

Saariselkä

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Ylläsrinne

Ylläsjärvi

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Activity Reviews

Aurora Hunt by Car

Finland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Authentic Siberian Husky Experience

Saariselkä

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Reindeer Experience with Lunch

Saariselkä

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Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Aurora Snowshoeing Adventure

Finland

Quality of Experience

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Ice Fishing Experience

Finland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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SnowHotel & Ice Dinner Experience

Rovaniemi

Quality of Experience

Food

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Transport

Moonika was super helpful and responsive the entire trip and would definitely use her services again in the future.

The trip to Provoo was a great day trip from Helsinki and our guide was great. Taking the train up to Lapland was a great experience. Loved the reindeer and husky tours, especially driving the sled myself for the husky tour.

I booked with Moonika and kimkim so that I didn't have to worry about coordinating anything and know that I was getting a quality experience and I was definitely not disappointed.

Hotel Reviews

Overnight Train

Had a room with bunk beds and bathroom. Small quarters so you have to take turns getting ready and work around you luggage but a great experience. I would definitely do this trip again

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Everyone was nice and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Small but very clean

Hotel Fabian

Helsinki

Great location and within walking distance to a lot points of interest

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arctic Light Hotel

Rovaniemi

Lovely hotel and in a good location

Authenticity & Character

The sauna onsite is a great amenity

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Porvoo Private Day Tour

Helsinki

The tour was customizable and the tour guide was super knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend this trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Having the tour guide meet us at our hotel and get us to the bus station was super helpful. Enjoyed taking the bus fun experience

Premium Husky & Reindeer Safari

Rovaniemi

Learning about the reindeer was fun and enjoyed the lunch that was provided. I didn't expect to drive the sled for the husky tour but it was definitely a highlight

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everyone was super friendly

Transport

Korouoma Canyon & Frozen Waterfalls Adventure

Finland

Fun hike that is accessible for all levels

Quality of Experience

Food

Fun experience cooking our food within the park

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Tour guide was knowledgeable

Transport

Wow, what can I say about our magical trip in Finland?!? Moonika did an absolutely stellar job of planning the most epic trip around Rovaniemi and Levi. Throughout the planning process, she was quick to respond and catered the itinerary to meet every "wish list" activity. Our hotels were 5 stars and all the excursions were perfect. I truly feel that Moonika booked us with the "best of the best" tour guides. On our arrival to Rovaniemi, Moonika met us at our hotel with a welcome bag full of local goodies to start our trip off right. 

The Arctic Lights Hotel is beautiful, the staff are warm and friendly, and I can not rave more about the restaurant. It was on par with a Michelin rated restaurant with the best food we've had! 

Our aurora hunting tour guide, Antti-Emil was possibly the best in the business! He searched out the perfect spots to view the northern lights and an absolute professional at capturing the best photographs. He knew how to light us perfectly against the beautiful aurora backdrop and his editing skills are exceptional, a true master! 

Our reindeer adventure with Eanan was amazing! It's an indigenous, reindeer herder female owner business and her story of building and running it was fascinating. The reindeer ride and feeding the smaller reindeer will be something I'll always remember. While telling us stories inside the hut, Janita shared her delicious homemade cake with fresh picked berries that she had made that day and hot cocoa. What a dream! 

We stayed in a glass cabin at the Northern Lights Ranch and on our last night, the northern lights danced above us for one last show and a perfect end to an amazing adventure! 

Hotel Review

Arctic Light Hotel

Rovaniemi

The Arctic Lights Hotel is beautiful, the staff are warm and friendly, and I can not rave more about the restaurant. It was on par with a Michelin rated restaurant with the best food we've had! The sauna is free to use as a guest, just book a time spot with the front desk. Perfect location to walk around Rovaniemi.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

So friendly and welcoming!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Flexible Northern Lights Hunting

Rovaniemi

Our aurora hunting tour guide, Antti-Emil was possibly the best in the business! He searched out the perfect spots to view the northern lights and an absolute professional at capturing the best photographs. He knew how to light us perfectly against the beautiful aurora backdrop and his editing skills are exceptional, a true master! 

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Antti-Emil was absoultely amazing!

Transport

Reindeer Adventure

Levi

Our reindeer adventure with Eanan was amazing! It's an indigenous, reindeer herder female owner business and her story of building and running it was fascinating. The reindeer ride and feeding the smaller reindeer will be something I'll always remember. While telling us stories inside the hut, Janita shared her delicious homemade cake with fresh picked berries that she had made that day and hot cocoa. What a dream!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Husky Sledding Safari

Rovaniemi

Such a fun experience! After the ride, we warmed up in the hut with sausage and cider!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Levi Fell Snowmobile Adventure

Levi

So much fun! The warm donuts and hot coca hit the spot after a cold ride through the wilderness!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Aurora Tour by Van

Levi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The primary reason for visiting Finland was to attend the 2024 NHL Global Series games in Tampere. Naturally, we wanted to make the most out of traveling such a long distance from Miami and pack as much fun into the trip as possible. It was such a relief to know that the hassle of setting up transportation and convenient lodging would be taken care of, as it was one of our biggest concerns when considering a trip in an unknown region. Our vacation would’ve been drastically different and wouldn’t have gone so smoothly if it weren’t for the expertise provided by Moonika and the kimkim team.

Moonika was extremely accommodating to our travel needs and was able to provide frequent and timely communication with us both before and throughout our trip. She also exceeded our expectations by keeping an eye out for a better-suited hotel in Tampere months after we had booked our trip.

Our itinerary was not only well-thought out, leaving a perfect balance of leisure time without seeming like time was being wasted, but the amount of detail provided to us left us very little room for questions and concerns. All of our drivers were on time, personable, and professional.

In Helsinki, Nadia from Green Cap Tours was a fantastic guide and provided us with so much information about both the city and Finland in general. It was the perfect way to officially begin our trip and left us feeling more confident when we were left to explore the city on our own once the tour had concluded.

Visiting Tallinn in Estonia wasn’t something we wouldn’t have considered without Moonika’s suggestion and we were so grateful that she had! The massive size of the ferry was a pleasant surprise to us as we were expecting a significantly smaller boat. Tallinn was such a beautiful city and we enjoyed our walking tour with Jorge. We appreciated that he didn’t let the rainfall that occurred throughout the afternoon and evening put a damper on our travels to many key destinations within Old Town Tallinn.

Immediately after our return to Helsinki the next morning we were driven to Tampere. Now, we’d been warned that snow was an unlikely possibility at that time of year, but we held out hope regardless…To our complete surprise we were welcomed with the first snow of the winter! Prior to both hockey games we spent most of the day exploring the city in awe of how gorgeous everything looked covered in fresh sheets of snow. Thanks to a suggestion by another traveler we made the trek to the Pyynikki Observation Tower and it was absolutely worth the walk! We could’ve spent so much more time exploring all that Tampere had to offer, but next on our itinerary was our overnight train to Rovaniemi. That too was an exciting experience as we had never traveled in a sleeper cabin like that before.

Upon our early arrival to Rovaniemi we met Joona. He happened to be both our driver and our guide for the Northern Lights Hunting excursion. He was extremely friendly and so passionate about his craft. The pictures he was able to capture of us on that phenomenal night are almost unbelievable!

We also had an exhilarating time on our Quad Bike tour with Pure Lapland. Our time was filled with laughter from start to finish and we even had a bonus drive-by look at many of the huskies they had on site! However, getting to make a face-first snow angel in the middle of nowhere was my personal favorite part of that adventure.

One of our final destinations of our trip was the Korouoma Canyon. It was one of the most scenic and breathtaking experiences we’d had! The hike was a bit more strenuous than anticipated given the icy surface, but we managed to make it through and got to enjoy a nice snack around the fire.

Without getting into any more detail than I already have I also wanted to mention just how fantastic each of the accommodations were! We really wish we had more time in the Glass Resort to fully appreciate all the amenities and gorgeous views, but we made sure to make the most of it by using the outdoor hot tub before rushing to the indoor sauna!

This trip wouldn’t have been nearly as incredible and unforgettable without all of Moonika’s hard work! We were genuinely surprised by just how smoothly everything had gone and we could not have asked for a better experience. Our expectations were very much exceeded and look forward to planning our next trip in the near future.

Moonika and the KimKim team made our trip an incredible experience. Moonika was fast and responsive creating a trip itinerary to Finland that was amazing and allowed us to see some incredible sights in such a condensed amount of time. We especially enjoyed the Northern Lights Ranch and the Northern Lights Tour that we were able to attend!

I would not hesitate to recommend Moonika and rebook with her in the future!