Finland & Iceland With optional extension trip to Greenland

July 13 - 27, 2016 Tour leader: Robert Veel & Iceland

Overview This 15-day tour captures the essence of two remarkable Nordic countries, Finland and Iceland. Each is highly distinctive and very different from mainstream European culture. Both offer a compelling amalgam of mythology, history, outstanding natural scenery, art, architecture and design.

First and foremost, it is the natural beauty of Finland and Iceland that attracts visitors – forests, lakes, thousands of kilometres of pristine coastline in Finland, and the wild landscape of Iceland, with lava fields, long stretches of remote coastline, glaciers and many active volcanoes.

Nature is ever present in Nordic culture: in Norse and Finnish myths and legends, in the painting of the Finnish school, in the music of Jean Sibelius, in the decorative flourishes of Art Nouveau architecture, in the natural timbers of Scandinavian design and in the spectacular northern school of modern and contemporary architecture.

History, myth and nature are also used to create national identity in both countries. For the Finns it is the image of the independent, practical Karelian peasant, celebrated in the literature of the Kalavela and through painting, architecture and music. For Icelanders, it is the Viking sagas, documenting the occupation of Iceland since the tenth century that provide ongoing inspiration for Icelanders and a unique sense of place for visitors.

In Finland we explore the history, architecture and design of the capital, , before travelling north to the lakes to enjoy an opera at Savonlinna, a 15th-century castle. Our nine days in Iceland include excursions in and around the vibrant capital Reykjavík, the fjords of Akureyri in the north and the outstanding scenery of the Snaefells peninsula.

For those wishing to see more, we are offering an adventurous post-tour extension to Greenland.

Tour Highlights  Walking tours of the striking 19th-century, Art Nouveau and contemporary architecture of Helsinki  Private visits to both historic houses and modern residences designed by Finland’s greatest architect, Alvar Aalto  A performance of Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni in the 15th-century Olavinlinna Castle in Finland’s Lakeland region  The frontier atmosphere of Reykjavík, the world’s most northerly capital city  Iceland’s ‘Golden Circle’ of waterfalls, geysers and historic sites  The fjords, bird and animal life of Iceland’s remote north  Two days in a remote boutique hotel on the Snaefells Peninsula, where Jules Verne set his Journey to the Centre of the Earth  A snowcat trip to the ice-capped summit of the Snaefells volcano

Images left: the striking design of the Chapel, Helsinki, also known as the Chapel of Silence; and inside Helsinki University Library, photo by Pekka Nikrus, Flickr

Tour Price Tour Leader For 25 years, Robert Veel has The tour price is $10,750 per person, twin share (land content only). The led tours and taught courses in supplement for a single room is $2,230 per person. A non-refundable cultural and art history. In deposit of $500 per person is required to secure a place on the tour. 2004 he co-founded Academy Travel. Robert’s knowledge Included in the tour price ranges from the middle ages to the 20th century. He has led  All accommodation in selected four star hotels tours to Italy, Turkey, the USA, Asia and  All breakfasts, 13 lunches/dinners Scandinavia, including Academy Travel’s two  Wine with dinners Scandinavian tours in 2015. On tour Robert will  Land travel by air-conditioned coach work with local guides and museum lecturers.  One-way economy class air flights Helsinki to Reykjavik and Reykjavik to Akureyri  Background talks, extensive notes and on-site commentary  Services of Australian tour leader throughout tour  All entrance fees to sites mentioned on itinerary  Qualified local guides and museum lecturers

Not included  International airfares (competitive quotes available)  Travel insurance  Meals and activities not stated as included in this itinerary  Personal expenses

Air travel OPTIONS

The tour price does not include the international flights to join the tour in Olavinlinna castle (above), where the Savonlinna Opera Helsinki or return from Reykjavik. We strongly suggest Festival performances take place; and Grundarfjordur, Qantas/Finnair codeshare flights to and from Helsinki, which offer good Iceland (below) quality and competitive prices. Finnair also flies on to most major European capitals if you wish to extend your trip. Please contact us for a quote.

Airport transfers Transfers between Helsinki airport and our hotel are included for all passengers booking their flights through Academy Travel. Transfers can also be arranged at additional cost for anyone booking their own flights. Please contact Erin Laffin for further details regarding transfers.

Enquiries and bookings For further information or to secure a place on this tour please contact Erin Laffin at Academy Travel, on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email [email protected]

Finland & Iceland

Detailed Itinerary All breakfasts included. Included lunches and dinners are indicated by the letters (L) and (D).

Begin Your tour relaxed

In order to get the most out of your tour, we suggest a few days in

Copenhagen or Stockholm to recover from the long flight and adjust to

the time change. Please contact us to make arrangements.

Wednesday July 13 Helsinki orientation Qantas/Finnair codeshare flights arrive in the early morning. Your tour leader will meet you at the airport for the coach transfer to our hotel. Rooms will most likely not be available until the afternoon, so after freshening up we take an architectural and historical walking tour of central Helsinki. We visit Senate Square and the Uspenski Orthodox cathedral, both from the time of the Russian Grand Duchy. We then stroll down the tree-lined , the city’s grand boulevard, lined with National Romantic buildings, cafes and high-end shops. Our last stop is Helsinki railway station, the 1919 masterpiece of Eliel Saarinen. Lunch is in an elegant restaurant in Helsinki’s ‘design district’. (L)

Thursday July 14 Finnish architectural traditions After a morning talk, we spend a few hours at the outdoor museum, located on a picturesque island in Helsinki harbour. Here in 1906 a professor of architecture assembled a collection of traditional Finnish buildings from around the country, mainly from the 16th-18th centuries. An expert guide will take us inside a number of structures and we will learn much about Finnish history and society along the way. This afternoon we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Islands, a massive fortress complex overlooking the Baltic, built by the Swedish in the 18th century and later taken over by the Russians. (B)

Friday July 15 Finnish Moderne This morning we travel via the 1952 Olympic Stadium and the 1971 to architect Alvar Aalto’s home and first studio, where we take a private tour. Built in the 1930s but strikingly modern, the home gives us some insight into the man and his contribution to world architecture. Nearby is the Didrichsen Art Museum, housed in the 1950s international modernist house designed by one of Aalto’s pupils. The collection includes works by Picasso, Kandinsky, Miro and Henry Moore. We then travel by coach to Hvritträsk, about 45 minutes out of Helsinki. Built in 1902 Hvritträsk was the home of Saarinen and is the epitome of the National Romantic style. We have lunch at a local restaurant and tour

Images left: a detail of Saarinen’s 1919 Helsinki Railway Station; Helsinki’s neo- classical cathedral; and Pekka Halonen’s Mowers men, 1891. Halonen was a student of Gaugin’s in Paris. His images helped define the finish national identity

the site. On our return to Helsinki we call in at the Rock Church, built in 1969 and the Chapel of Silence, opened in 2012. Both are fine examples of modern Finnish architecture. This evening we hope to catch a concert or recital in Helsinki. (B, L)

Saturday July 16 Villas, lakes and artists This morning we stop in at the monument to the composer Jean Sibelius before heading to Lake Tuusala, where an important community of artists and musicians lived in the early 20th century, and whose houses reflect the nature-loving traditions of Finland. We visit Ainola, the villa of composer Jean Sibelius and learn a little more about his life. Our next stop is Halosenniemi, the lakefront residence and studio of artist Pekka Halonen (1865-1933). Finally, we make an extended stop at the Villa Kokkonen, designed by Alvar Aalto for his composer friend Juliuus Kokkonen. The current occupants of the villa will host us to lunch and demonstrate the beautiful music room within the villa. This afternoon, back in Helsinki, there is time to visit the Atheneum art museum or the recently re-opened city art gallery. (B, L)

Sunday July 17 To the Lakes – Optional Performance An express train takes us north east towards the Lakeland region. We meet our coach to complete the journey to Savonlinna. Picturesquely located on an island between two lakes, the town is famous for the annual Above: Hallgrímskirkja church can be seen from almost opera festival, featuring artists from the Helsinki Opera. Performances are everywhere in Reykjavík held in the courtyard of the Olavinlinna castle, founded in 1475. Tonight, after an early dinner, there is the option of attending an orchestral concert Below: Harpa Hall is a thrilling contemporary building, with led by the internationally-renowned conductor Riccardo Muti. (B,D) complex steel and glass architecture and vast interior spaces

Monday July 18

Opera on the lake This morning we travel to the town of Kerimäki to visit the wooden church built in 1844-47, at the height of the Russian period. It is the largest wooden church in the world. In the middle of the day we take a relaxing cruise on Lake Haapavesi, reputed to have the clearest water on the planet. This evening, after an early dinner, we enjoy a performance of Mozart’s ‘playful drama’ Don Giovanni, a classic of the operatic repertoire. (B,D)

Tuesday July 19 To Iceland In the mid-morning we transfer to Helsinki airport for the four-hour flight to Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. We arrive in the mid-afternoon, in time to check in and take an orientation walking tour of the old town. (B)

Wednesday July 20 Explore Reykjavik Reykjavik is one of the world’s smallest capital cities, but there is no shortage of interesting sites. After a talk, we visit the settlement museum, right under our hotel. After a panoramic coach tour we also visit the Finland & Iceland

excellent National Museum, containing many Viking-era finds. This afternoon we tour the Harpa Hall, a thrilling contemporary performing arts centre, with elaborate steel and glass architecture and vast interior spaces. This performing arts complex is inspired by Iceland’s glaciers and volcanoes, and is another outstanding example of the region’s contemporary architecture. (If we are lucky, we may also get to attend a performance here). Later on there is the option of taking a harbour tour to see arctic puffins in their natural habitat. (B)

Thursday July 21 Geysers and waterfalls Today’s day/evening coach tour takes us first to Iceland’s most historic site, Pingvellir. Here the world’s oldest known parliament convened in 930AD and our visit is a window on Iceland’s unique history and culture. Pingvellir is located in a beautiful national park, and the drive to the site takes us through a singular landscape of lava flows, volcanoes and thermal springs. After a picnic lunch we continue the Gullfoss waterfalls, following the line of the meeting point of two of the Earth’s tectonic plates. Our next stop is Geysir. The impressive thermal springs here have lent their name to the same phenomenon all over the world. Finally, we call in at a horse farm on the south coast for dinner and a show featuring Icelandic horses. (B, L, D)

Friday July 22 The north This morning we take a domestic flight north to Akureyri, Iceland’s second city, located on the north coast, notable for its deep fjord landscape. In the afternoon we visit the Arctic Botanical Garden and the Old Farmhouse at Laufas, a collection of traditional ‘turf roof’ buildings. There will also be time to stroll Akureyri town before dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D)

Saturday July 23 Lake MyVatn Our full-day excursion is designed to showcase some of the natural attractions of northern Iceland, congregated around Lake Myvatn, and area of wetlands, volcanoes and fish-rich rovers. We visit the Dimmuborgir lava Above: the original geyser; and traditional ‘turf roof’ formations, Namaskard geothermal area and pseudo craters at Skutustadir. buildings of the Old Farmhouse at Laufas Our last stop is the short, steep hike to the summit of Hverfjall crater to enjoy fine views over the entire region. We return to Akureyri in the evening. (B) Below: the Gullfoss waterfalls Sunday July 24 Inspirational scenery A long day’s drive today, but our reward is some of the best coastal scenery in Iceland. We travel south west along a number of fjords to some of Iceland’s most remote regions. After a stretch of dirt road we arrive on the Snaefells peninsula, stopping at villages and some beautiful scenic points on the northern side of the peninsula. Our base for the next two nights is the idyllic boutique Hotel Budir. Occupying a stunning seaside location with views to the volcano, the hotel is famed for its restaurant, showcasing ‘new Nordic’ cuisine. We get to eat two evening meals here. Dinner and overnight Hotel Budir. (B,D)

Monday July 25 Journey to the Centre of the earth The Snaefells Peninsula is dominated by a conical volcano, Snaefellsjökull. Here amid a setting of sea and wild terrain, is where Professor Lidenbrock begins his descent in Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth. This morning we ascend the volcano on a snowcat to peer into the snow-covered cone and enjoy a seemingly limitless 360- degree panorama of Iceland’s coastline. In the afternoon we tour the beautiful rocky shores and birdlife of Arnarstapi at the foot of the volcano before returning the Hotel Budir. (Please note: A good level of physical agility is required to undertake the ascent of Snaefellsjökull. You will be required to climb up on the back of a snowcat and walk through snow. Waterproof cold weather clothing will be required.) (B, D)

Tuesday July 26 Return to Reykjavik/Keflavik We return to the Reykjavik region, visiting hot springs and waterfalls en route. This countryside is associated with Snorri Sturluson, the medieval chieftain who was among the greatest writers of sagas, recording the history of Iceland under the Vikings. In the afternoon we visit the Settlement Centre, documenting the arrival and settlement of the Vikings in Iceland. This evening we spend the night at hotel adjacent to Iceland’s domestic airport, convenient for those travelling on to Greenland and also internationally. (B, L, D)

Wednesday July 27 Departure We transfer to Keflavik airport today for onward flights or the Greenland extension. (B)

Additional travel Plans? We are more than happy to arrange additional travel either before or after the tour dates. Stopovers are also possible for those wishing to break their journey. Please contact Erin Laffin on (02) 9235 0023 to discuss your requirements.

Images right: walking through Pingvellir national park; a canyon filled with hot water at Pingvellir; and scenery at Arnastapi

Finland & Iceland

Greenland extension We are pleased to offer a three-night, four day extension to Greenland, well north of the Arctic Circle.

Accommodation is in the village of Ilulissat, on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and beautifully situated at the mouth of a 40-kilometre ice fjord filled with large icebergs which are formed from the most productive glacier in the northern hemisphere – Sermeq Kujalleq. It's one of few glaciers within the Greenland ice cap which reaches the sea.

Depending of flight schedules to Greenland it will be necessary to spend one or two extra nights in Reykjavik. Flight details will be known in late November 2015.

Cost of extension The extension will cost approximately $US2,800 per person, to be confirmed in early 2016. The exact cost will depend on the excursion that you choose to take on the second day.

Included in the price  Transfers and return flights Reykjavik-Ilulissat  Two nights’ accommodation at the four-star Arctic Hotel  One or two nights’ accommodation in Reykjavik,  Breakfasts and welcome dinner  Guided walking tour of Ilulissat and midnight sailing cruise among the icebergs Itinerary Tour dates for the Greenland extension are dependent on flight times from Reykjavik to Ilulissat, with flights departing every 2-3 days.

Day 1 Greenland’s icebergs, glaciers and sheer remoteness are its Air Iceland flight from Reykjavik Domestic Airport to Ilulissat. The flight is key attractions. Photos taken by Haydn Deere on the Scandinavia Iceland Greenland extension, June 2015 about 3 hours and the time difference is 2 hours. Arrive mid-afternoon ant take a cultural walking tour of Ilulissat, with dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

Day 2 This morning choose from a range of optional excursions, including:  Hiking to the old settlement at the Icefjord (2 hours)  Icefjord and Icebergs by boat (2.5 hours)  Whale Safari in the Disco Bay (4 hours)  Helicopter ride to remote glacier and icebergs (90 min) Late this evening we take cruise among the icebergs of Ilulissat. (B)

Day 3 Return to Ilulissat airport for return flight to Reykjavik. Overnight Reykjavik airport. (B)

Day 4 Onward flights from Reykjavik depart in the morning.

Hotels

Helsinki, Radisson Blu Plaza (4 nights) A well-regarded and well positioned five-star hotel in the heart of Helsinki, and a favourite among Academy Travellers. A short walk to many of the sites we visit on tour. www.radissonblu.com/plazahotel-helsinki

Suomenlinna, Spahotel Casino (2 nights) We have booked superior rooms in this hotel, part of the Best Western chain and the best available in the small town. It is the most modest hotel of the trip. www.spahotelcasino.fi/en/ reykjavik, Hotel Borg (3 nights) This four-star superior hotel is one of the best in Reykjavik. It has an excellent position in the heart of the old town and is located in a historic building. http://en.hotelborg.is/

Akureyri, Hotel Kea (2 nights) The Hotel Kea is a four-star property, located in the town centre. It is the best hotel in Akureyri. www.keahotels.is

Snaefells, Hotel Budir (2 nights) This wonderful 28-room lodge is in a remote, beautiful stretch of Iceland’s coast, with views in all directions. It features one of the country’s better restaurants. There is no lift and rooms are simple, but full of character. A certain highlight of the trip (Note that single travellers will have comfortable attic rooms at this hotel.) www.hotelbudir.is

Reykjavik, Icelandair hotel Natura (1 night) A four-star hotel located adjacent to Reykjavik domestic airport for those taking the Greenland Extension. It is also convenient for those taking flights from Keflavik the next morning. www.icelandairhotels.com/en/hotels/natura

Weather on Tour The weather in Finland in July should be very pleasant with long days and mild-to-warm temperatures. Daytime maxima range between 16 and 25 degrees with an average 12 hours of sunshine. Evenings are cooler dropping to 8-9 degrees. Iceland is noticeably cooler. Temperatures range from 7 degrees in the evening to 15 or 16 degrees in the daytime. Please remember that the weather in these northern latitudes can be highly changeable, so a weather-proof jacket, some warm clothing and an umbrella are recommended. Top to bottom: A room in the Radisson Blu, Helsinki; a simple room at the Spahotel Casino, Savonlinna; an elegant room at the Borg Hotel, Reykjavik; and the salon of the Hotel Budir, Iceland

Finland & Iceland

Physical Requirements of THIS tour

Physical rating

It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness required to participate on our tours, we have given them a star grading. Academy Travel’s tours tend to feature extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater fitness than coach touring. We ask you instead to consider carefully your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour.

Participation criteria for this tour This Grade Three tour is among our most physically demanding. To participate on this tour, you should be able to comfortably undertake up to seven hours per day, over several days. Activities may include travelling long distances, walking on difficult terrain, climbing stairs, embarking and disembarking trains and/or boats, exposure to high altitudes and long days of touring. These tours may include one night stops and early starts. You should be able to:  keep up with the group at all times  walk for 5-7 kilometres at a moderate pace with only short breaks  stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and museums  tolerate varying climatic conditions such as humidity and heat  a reasonable level of physical and respiratory fitness  tolerate a diet that can be significantly different from a typical Australian diet, and where some dietary requirements cannot be met  walk up and down slopes  negotiate steps and slopes on archaeological sites or mountain paths, which are often uneven and unstable  get on and off a large coach with steep steps, train or boat unassisted, possibly with luggage  move your luggage a short distance if required

A note for older travellers We regret that we are not able to accept bookings on a Grade Three tour from people more than 80 years old, or with restricted mobility.

Images right: snow cat on the Saefells volcano; the beautiful landscape of Iceland; and the black sand beach of Reynisfjara

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C Your travel plans I/we plan to undertake additional travel before/after the tour and would like Academy Travel to organise this (please describe destinations and length of stay required below). I/we wish Academy Travel to arrange air travel from Australia. Economy Class. Business Class. I/we will organize our own air travel. I/we are undecided about air travel. Please contact us to discuss the available options. I plan to leave Australia before the tour commences. Planned departure date: To discuss your travel arrangements please contact the travel consultant for your tour. I intend to take part in the extension tour offered in the itinerary (if applicable). You can also email enquiries to [email protected].

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