Compare Great Cities of Eastern Europe by SmarTours vs Finnish Wilderness Week by Exodus Travels
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 15 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 3,199 | $ 3,450 |
| Price Per Day | $ 213 | $ 431 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
13 Breakfasts and 5 Dinners |
All breakfasts, five lunches and seven evening meals are included. The food at Basecamp is a delicious range of locally sourced (Finnish food) prepared by the in-house chef. Starters consist of a salad buffet with three to four different choices. The main courses consist of wild game such as elk, chicken and salmon. Vegetarian options are also available. Dessert consists of lingonberries, blueberries and cloudberries, which have often been picked by the chefs. These berries are served with a selection of quark kurd, cream, ice cream, cakes and pancakes. Lunch is normally a hot soup with elk, salmon or a vegetarian option. If you have any dietary requirements (including the ones mentioned below), please inform your customer operations executive at the time of booking, so Basecamp can prepare for this. Vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free diets are easily catered for on this trip. |
| Description |
Great Cities of Eastern Europe tour offers one of the most comprehensive glances into this amazing region! Visit extraordinary cathedrals, beautiful castles, and incredible citadels, among many other highlights during your trip. This six city tour takes you to the famous Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the historic Auschwitz Concentration Camp, the Matthias Coronation Church, the Cathedral of St. Stephen’s, among many other main attractions. |
In the heart of Oulanka National Park sits Basecamp Oulanka, a self-sustained complex of wooden buildings overlooking Juuma Lake. From here, you can enjoy a variety of winter activities, exploring one of the most sparsely populated areas in Europe by snowshoe, ski and dogsled. Carving your own path through the snow-caked forests of Finland, you couldn’t feel more removed from the hustle of city life. So get back to nature this winter and head to Basecamp. This trip includes a few of our Citizen Science Departures. These special departures offer you the opportunity to be involved in the collection of freshwater samples during the trip. The environmental DNA information derived from this sample will contribute directly to the eBioAtlas; the world’s largest repository of flora and fauna species data, contributing to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity both locally and globally. To book onto one of these special departures, see the Dates & Prices tab. For more information on these departures and the eBioAtlas, click here.Relax in unspoiled wilderness |
Day 1: Depart USA.
Your fascinating Eastern European tours begin this evening with an overnight flight to Warsaw.
Day 2: Arrive Warsaw (Poland).
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Sofitel Victoria Hotel
Arrive in Warsaw, Poland’s capital and cultural center. You’ll be met and escorted to your centrally located deluxe hotel. This evening your Tour Director hosts a welcome dinner and briefing.
Day 3:
Meals: Breakfast
Learn about Warsaw’s rich history on a morning tour. Visit both banks of the Vistula River as well as the Old Town with its colorful market square. Drive along the Royal Route lined with beautiful palaces, famous statues and historic churches. See historical sights including the Monument of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Day 4: Warsaw/Auschwitz/Krakow.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Mercure Krakow Old Town Hotel or similar
Drive southbound to Czestochowa where you’ll visit the magnificent 14th century monastery at Jasna Gora, known as the home of the Black Madonna icon. This afternoon, a somber visit to the concentration camp at Auschwitz, now a museum honoring the victims of the Holocaust. Later, arrive in ancient Krakow, former Royal capital. Tonight, enjoy a sumptuous dinner.
Day 5:
Meals: Breakfast
Krakow, the residence of Polish kings for centuries, boasts fine medieval architecture, virtually untouched by war. On this morning’s tour, see the Royal Wawel Castle and visit St. Mary’s Church and splendid Market Square. Balance of the day is at leisure to explore this charming and colorful town on your own.
Day 6: Krakow/Budapest (Hungary).
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Beke or similar
Today enjoy a scenic drive through the wooded mountains of Slovakia, down the Danube River Valley to Budapest, the delightful Hungarian capital. Dinner tonight at your hotel, located in the heart of the city.
Day 7:
Meals: Breakfast
Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s most lively cities. On your morning tour, your guide will introduce you to the history and sights of the city. Enjoy a panoramic view from Fishermen’s Bastion located on Castle Hill. You’ll also see the 13th century Matthias Coronation Church and the Citadel on Mount Gellert. Afternoon at leisure. Perhaps take a leisurely cruise on the romantic Danube River.
Day 8: Danube Bend Excursion.
Meals: Breakfast
Embark on a morning excursion to the scenic Hungarian countryside. Voyage to the charming artist’s town of Szentendre, a real gem at the gateway to the picturesque Danube Bend region. Free time to explore before returning to Budapest where you may revel in the fine arts and architecture at your own pace
Day 9: Budapest/Vienna (Austria).
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Park Royal Palace Hotel or Parkhotel Schönbrunn or similar
Cross the border into Austria and drive to splendid Vienna, the center of the Hapsburg Empire. Experience the city’s glorious past on a panoramic tour taking you along the Ring Boulevard, past Emperor Franz Josef’s Hofburg Palace and the ornate State Opera to a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the Cathedral of St. Stephen’s.
Day 10:
Meals: Breakfast
A full day at leisure to explore on your own and relax in a charming Viennese cafe. A must see is the magnificent Schonbrunn Palace, the baroque summer residence built for the Hapsburgs.
Day 11: Vienna/Prague (Czech Republic).
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Occidental Praha Five or similar
Journey across the Czech border through rich farmlands to Moravia. Visit the quaint towns of Duernstein and Telc en route to Prague, one of Europe’s most vibrant and colorful cities.
Day 12:
Meals: Breakfast
The beautiful city of Prague was built on seven hills and served as a former capital of the Roman Empire. On this morning’s tour, visit the impressive Hradcany Castle and the Old Royal Palace, former residence of Bohemian kings. See the 14th-century Charles Bridge and explore the charming Old Town.
Day 13:
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
A day at leisure to relax at an outdoor cafe, shop the bustling markets or explore the fascinating Jewish Quarter on your own. Tonight, celebrate with your fellow travelers at a festive dinner.
Day 14: Prague/Helsinki (Finland).
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Scandic Grand Marina Hotel
After breakfast, bid farewell to the glorious cities of Eastern Europe and board a short flight to Helsinki, the charming capital of Finland, situated on the Baltic Sea. Orientation tour is included on arrival.
Day 15: Helsinki/New York.
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy your leisure morning in Helsinki to explore on your own or try a real Finnish sauna! Later, transfer to the airport for your non-stop flight back to the USA. Your exciting Eastern European tours end as you touch down in New York.
Day 1 Start Basecamp Oulanka
Our trip starts at Basecamp Oulanka, a complex of cosy wooden buildings in a remote, unspoiled location overlooking Juuma Lake and backing into Oulanka National Park. There will be a welcome briefing this evening, in which you can meet the group and ask any questions you might have.
Day 2 Snowshoe hike in Oulanka National park walking through snow-caked trees and by the Kitka River
In the morning, we are provided with all the equipment needed for a week of activities in Arctic conditions. Strapping on a pair of snowshoes, we head straight into Oulanka National Park where we are taught the necessary skills for this activity. Our route (approximately 2hr 30min) takes us through forests and along the Kitka River, passing an old flour mill adjacent to the dramatic Myllykoski rapids. After lunch, we can do some further exploration on snowshoes (self-guided) of the surrounding area or relax in the sauna or hot tub.
Day 3 Cross-country skiing in the morning heading down to Juuma Lake; free afternoon
Today we experience the Scandinavian-born sport of cross-country skiing. By the lake, our instructor will literally walk us through the basics. There may be a few tumbles to begin, but this is half the fun in the soft snow. After becoming more confident, we head onto the lake, gliding through the untouched snow. During your stay at Basecamp, there is the option of further unguided skiing in the area during your free time. Alternatively, you might wish to try kick sledging; a metal-frame sled you can use on your own and venture out around Basecamp.
Day 4 Dogsledding instruction and tour in Riisitunturi National Park; evening Northern Lights snowshoe excursion
After breakfast, we take a bus transfer to a husky farm on the edge of Riisitunturi National Park, where we meet our dogsledding guide. The day begins with learning how to ride the sled and the importance of caring for the huskies correctly. We then head into the woods where our dog teams are ready to take us on our 6mi (10km) mushing adventure. Our route follows a gently undulating forest trail into the wilderness. Travelling two per sled, you can really appreciate the serenity of this snow-laden landscape. We have lunch at the husky farm and the afternoon is free to experience some of the optional activities Basecamp has to offer. This evening, we head out for nighttime snowshoeing, in search of the Northern Lights.
Day 5 Free day in Ruka for optional activities
We spend the day at the popular ski resort of Ruka. Your guide will take care of transfers and can book activities for you. Group transfers are included only to the designated areas and are scheduled at specific times, it is advisable to check at reception before making your activities booking. Downhill skiing and snowmobile safaris are available. See the 'Optional excursions' for more. Due to operational reasons, the bookings for activities in Ruka need to be made by Tuesday.
Day 6 Wilderness skills including quinzee building and fire-making; optional night in the quinzee
Today we are taught the ancient art of quinzee building. Provided shovels and spades, we create a mound of snow, which is later hollowed out to make sleeping quarters (two to three per quinzee). You have the option of sleeping in your construction, but the lodge is just a short walk away if you prefer the warmth of your room.
Day 7 Optional activities including cross-country skiing and dogsledding; farewell dinner
Today we have a free day with several options to make the most of the magical wilderness of Finland. Available activities include unguided cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, dogsledding or snowmobile safaris. As a farewell celebration, we have a wonderful four-course dinner back at Basecamp.
Day 8 End Basecamp Oulanka
The trip ends after breakfast and we begin our return journey home.
