Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
5% Ponant Bonus
20 m²
2
Experience a magical New Year in the presence of the violinist and conductor Augustin Dumay, an outstanding line-up of musicians and Alain Duault, in partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE.
“It’s raining stars in our bed.” This sensitive evocation of the Arctic night, which is the title of Scandinavian poetry collection, invites you to the best seats in the house to watch the union between the vault of heaven and the earth’s crust, beneath a multitude of stars. In an enchanting setting in tune with this trip to the Gulf of Bothnia, the violinist and conductor Augustin Dumay, along with a line-up of virtuoso artists and Alain Duault, in partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE, invites you to spend the festive season enjoying some memorable concerts. This cruise has been specially designed for a French-speaking audience and lectures will be given in French only.*
This cruise, in partnership with the Maud Fontenoy Foundation, will cultivate the art of peaceful travel as well as a family spirit, thanks to its customised activities on board and on shore for youngsters*, with the Kid Explorers Club.
Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, a refined and warm cocoon, experience winter at the gateway to the Arctic, and discover a magical world in half-light. In the same way as the day, fleeting at this time, enhances the beauty of nature, the night awakens the poetry of this region.
From the uninterrupted outside promenade deck and the Blue Lagoon pool, marvel at the unique spectacle of the Gulf of Bothnia in winter. Celebrate the holiday season in the heart of enchanting landscapes, illuminated Scandinavian cities, little-known archipelagos, snow-capped peaks or boreal forests in Lapland. Enjoy your sensorial discovery of these festive traditions, between the bracing freshness of the season and the warmth of Scandinavian culture.
You will set sail towards the Stockholm archipelago. Hundreds of rocky islets will reveal themselves as you sail across the water, beneath the subtle glow of the winter skies. The holiday period is perfect for family gatherings and exudes a magical atmosphere, creating joyous moments aboard, in the Scandinavian towns that are illuminated in the precocious night or in the Santa Claus Village of Rovaniemi. Among the woody scents and traditional singing, the lively Christmas market stalls offer artisanal creations, delicious cinnamon and ginger biscuits, and the famous glögg, a spicy mulled wine, in a convivial atmosphere.
From the sumptuous panoramic lounge of your ship and on shore, the Gulf of Bothnia reveals itself with each port of call chosen. Between cultural heritage and urban planning suited to the climate, the wild panoramas give way to charming cities beneath the timid daylight. Take the time to observe the natural splendours of the High Coast, as you sail in this archipelago located in northern Sweden. Observe the snow-covered scenery of Lapland and Finland, from their untamed shores to the northern forest. You will be amazed by these preserved territories and experience the intense pleasure of hiking among immaculate expanses; enjoy, from a child’s eye view, merry moments in the midst of winter and feel the exhilaration of an outing on a snowmobile, dog sled or reindeer sled. And if luck is on your side, you will be able to admire the fleeting splendour of the Northern Lights, an unexpected gift from the sky.
“Christmas isn’t a season, it’s a state of mind.” Like this saying, experience a fairytale epic for children and adults alike, and celebrate the wonders of winter together.
*for children aged 4 to 13 years old
The itinerary is subject to modifications. On board, the sailing programme, outings and activities cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather conditions.
**The land-based activities and excursions can be conducted in English with a translator if required.
Ref : KH044 - CC281224
In partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE, with an exceptional musical line-up and Alain Duault. Kid Explorers Club in partnership with MAUD FONTENOY FOUNDATION. A brand-new PONANT journey in the Gulf of Bothnia in...
Our guests
Choose your stateroom
Complete your trip
Included in your cruise
For more peace of mind, PONANT organizes your trip before or after the cruise. This package is included in the price of your cruise.
Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
You may also like...
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
Select your stateroom category
Augustin Dumay
International critics have compared Augustin Dumay to the great violinists of the 20th century, describing him as a "great classical stylist", a reputation underscored by his outstanding recordings for Deutsche Grammophon: Beethoven’s complete sonatas with Maria João Pires, a set that "surely ranks with Grumiaux/Haskil, Menuhin/Kempff, or Perlman/Ashkenazy" (International Piano), Brahms’ trios in which "the Milstein legacy in Dumay’s playing is wonderfully apparent" (Gramophone), and Mozart’s concertos with the Camerata Salzburg, "without exaggeration one of the finest Mozart violin concerto discs ever made" (Classic CD), in which he "confirms that he is an exceptional interpreter of Mozart as were Stern or Grumiaux before him" (Classica).
Augustin Dumay was first discovered by the public thanks to his meeting with Herbert von Karajan, his concerts with the Berliner Philharmoniker and his recordings for Warner (Concertos by Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saëns and Lalo). Since then, he has gone on to perform with Europe’s best orchestras – Philharmonia, London Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Mahler Chamber, Camerata Salzburg, Tonhalle Zürich, Alte Oper Frankfurt – and with the Orpheus Chamber, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Montreal Symphony, under the direction of Seiji Ozawa, Sir Colin Davis, Christoph von Dohnányi, Charles Dutoit, Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, Andrew Davis, David Zinman, Yuri Temirkanov, Kurt Masur, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Kurt Sanderling, Iván Fischer, as well as with the leading conductors of a new generation such as Daniel Harding, Alan Gilbert, Robin Ticciati and Maxim Emelyanychev.
In parallel to his international career as a violinist, Augustin Dumay has also become very active as a conductor, both on stage and on disc. He is regularly invited to conduct orchestras such as the English Chamber Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia and New Japan Philharmonic. Since 2011 he has been Musical director of the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra (Osaka, Japan).
Since 2004 he has been a Master in Residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel (Brussels) where he teaches highly talented young violinists, most of them laureates of prestigious international competitions.
The film-maker Gérard Corbiau (Le Maître de musique, Farinelli) made a documentary film about him: Augustin Dumay, laisser une trace dans le cœur.
His discography – some forty recordings of which most have received prestigious awards (Gramophone Awards, Audiophile Audition, Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik, Grand Prix du Disque, The Record Academy Award) – is available under the Warner, Deutsche Grammophon and Onyx Classics labels.
For Onyx, after two recordings conducting the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra and two CDs with the pianist Louis Lortie – Franck & Strauss violin sonatas by "one of today’s great violinists" (The Strad) and of Brahms Sonatas, "a disc to treasure" (The Guardian) – Augustin Dumay has returned to the concerto repertory: Beethoven’s Concerto with the Sinfonia Varsovia and Bartók's Concerto no.2 with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and Kent Nagano. His new recording is devoted to Mendelssohn: Sonata, Songs without words with Jonathan Fournel and Concerto with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
His next recordings will be devoted to Johann Sebastian Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas.
Augustin Dumay plays a 1743 Guarnerius del Gesù, which was the violin of Leonid Kogan.
Languages spoken: French,nglish
Photo credit: Elian Bachini
Clothing tips:
INSULATING BASE LAYER AND WATERPROOF OUTER LAYER :
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
For men :
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
For men:
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry-cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
INSULATED BASE LAYER:
WATERPROOF OUTER LAYER:
HEALTH CARE:
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
ACCESSORIES:
PONANT activities
Kid Explorers
During your cruise PONANT offers an activity programme for children aged 4 to 13 years on all our ships, and from 6 to 13 years on board Le Commandant Charcot.
Every day a team of activity leaders organises creative activities (crafts, painting, etc.), fun educational workshops, board games, introduction to meditation sessions and more, as well as activities specific to the cruise itinerary and number of participants.
There are also activities ashore to prolong the experience for your Kid Explorers such as walks and treasure hunts.
The activity programme is available every day.(The precise times will be provided by animators).To best meet your needs, the schedule is adapted to fit in with your cruise programme. For more information, contact the team organising the activities.
Activity schedules are posted daily in the logbook.
Every child receives a welcome kit with gifts enclosed.
-------------------------------
Activities will depend on the number and age of the children who register and the weather conditions.
Parents or guardians must read the ‘General information on the PONANT Kid Explorers Club’ and sign a form authorising the Kid Explorers Club to look after their child on board and for outings ashore.
Radio Classique
France's leading classical music radio station and a recognized reference for general, economic and cultural information. RADIO CLASSIQUE offers a unique musical experience: sharing the emotion of the finest works of the classical repertoire by the best performers in a friendly, peaceful atmosphere.
Maud Fontenoy Foundation
Since 2008, the Maud Fontenoy Foundation has been operating in France and internationally to protect our oceans. We organise educational activities focused on the environment for the younger generation and general public, with support from scientific partners and the French Ministry of National Education. The latter has made us responsible for its Sea Education programme and relaunch of the Sea Classes initiative. Our aim is both ecological and social: to protect the ocean and save people. We start from a strong principle that protecting the environment, particularly the ocean, is a humanitarian issue that affects all mankind, without exception. For us, the oceans are a powerful force, a potential for the future. Every year, 700,000 children benefit from our programmes.
Spending New Year’s Day on PONANT’s sumptuous and luxurious ship, Le Commandant Charcot, amongst magically shimmering winter landscapes and in the company of some of contemporary music’s greatest artistic talents: what a beautiful and unique way to start the New Year! With the violin legend that is Augustin Dumay; the new cello star Camille Thomas, the first French cellist to sign with the prestigious Deutsche Grammophon label; the virtuoso clarinettist Florent Héau for, among other pieces, a “strip-tease” based on Carmen; the pianist, soloist and chamber musician, Tanguy de Williencourt; and without forgetting the very talented coloratura soprano Amélie Robins who will dazzle with the arias of Strauss or Lehar: we really are going to finish 2024 in style and start 2025 in glory!
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
*Optional activities, please refer to the itinerary tab.
Embarkation 28/12/2024 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 29/12/2024 at 6:00 pm
Kemi reveals itself in the Gulf of Bothnia as, from the snow-covered shores of Finnish Lapland, you enjoy the pleasures of winter. The ephemeral snow castle will welcome you in an enchanted icy setting, and the bracing air will take hold of you during a snowmobile outing or a sled trip, pulled by huskies or reindeer – your choice. Around a hundred kilometres (60 miles) towards the North, on the mythical line of the Arctic Circle, the Santa Claus Village of Rovaniemi offers a magical discovery from a child’s eye view. In the heart of these preserved landscapes, the Scandinavian culture has been forged since the Stone Age, between the History and the traditions of the people of the Far North.
Arrival 30/12/2024
Departure 30/12/2024
The bells are ringing, the snowflakes are whirling around in the air and the lights are illuminating the charming city of Oulu - the largest town in the north of Scandinavia, located 150 km (93 miles) from the Arctic Circle. On the edge of the Oulujoki River, the market square (Kauppatori) will tempt you with its stalls. The wooden houses that are home to cafés and restaurants make for reassuring refuges. Around you, the white kingdom awaits, with its snow-covered beaches and the promise of fabulous sunsets. Choose to go snowshoeing or on a nature excursion and become aware that you are breathing the purest air in Europe. Enter the tranquillity of the forest and familiarise yourself with Scandinavia’s emblematic animal, the reindeer, of course, during a visit to a farm.
Arrival 31/12/2024
Departure 31/12/2024
Tucked away at the back of the Gulf of Bothnia, Lulea is the perfect departure point for exploring Swedish Lapland. Among the excursion opportunities, you will be able to go deep into the forest on a snowmobile or on snowshoes to attempt to glimpse a moose or a black grouse. Unless, of course, you would prefer to enjoy some ice fishing on a frozen lake. The Lappish night often offers an unforgettable spectacle of stars. In Gammelstad, discover the best-preserved example of a unique type of settlement found in northern Scandinavia, the church-town. Wander through the alleyways of the old town by lantern light and observe its 424 brick-red houses constructed around the stone church, which dates back to the beginning of the 15th century. Used in the past on days of worship and on religious holidays by the faithful arriving from the surrounding countryside, they are still used today as pieds-à-terre by families during ecclesiastical events.
Arrival 1/1/2025
Departure 1/1/2025
The unrivalled comfort of Le Commandant Charcot makes it an ideal cocoon for your winter cruise. The interior spaces, opening wide out onto the exterior, were designed to let you easily reconnect with the surrounding landscapes. In the spa, you will be able to relax during long winter evenings. The Blue Lagoon, an outdoor pool heated thanks to an energy recovery system, the snow room, the detox bar and the uninterrupted outside promenade deck will enable you to make the most of the pure air, at every opportunity. Finally, you will have the opportunity to take part in more educational moments during conferences.
Arrival 2/1/2025
Departure 2/1/2025
Stretching for 500 km (310 miles), the western coast of Finland is dotted with historic towns founded at the height of the Swedish Empire. Rauma, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, tells part of this exciting history. The old town is built around a Franciscan monastery, the remains of which are the Church of The Holy Cross dating back to the middle of the 15th century. Stroll the streets and alleyways of this medieval city and discover an exceptionally well-preserved example of traditional Nordic wood construction techniques. At the Marela Museum, a fine ship-owner’s home, you will dive into the town’s maritime and industrial history and be able to immerse yourselves in the day-to-day life of a wealthy 19th-century merchant.
Arrival 3/1/2025
Departure 3/1/2025
Anchored opposite the old town, which shines brightly during this Advent period, you will be immersed in the unrivalled wonderland of Stockholm as it prepares for Christmas - Jul in Swedish. Singing and music resonate from the narrow and lit-up streets of the historic centre Gamla Stan. Share the Swedish enthusiasm for this time of the year and indulge in a hot glögg spicy mulled wine at the stalls of a Christmas market, amidst the aromas of cinnamon and ginger. In daylight hours, you will sail through the hushed decor of the Stockholm archipelago. A constellation of skerries – islets and reefs that rise to the surface of the water - stretches over fifty or so kilometres (30 miles) in the Baltic Sea. On the inhabited lands, bright red facades punctuate the blue-tinged landscape formed by the water and the sky.
Arrival 4/1/2025
Departure 4/1/2025
The unrivalled comfort of Le Commandant Charcot makes it an ideal cocoon for your winter cruise. The interior spaces, opening wide out onto the exterior, were designed to let you easily reconnect with the surrounding landscapes. In the spa, you will be able to relax during long winter evenings. The Blue Lagoon, an outdoor pool heated thanks to an energy recovery system, the snow room, the detox bar and the uninterrupted outside promenade deck will enable you to make the most of the pure air, at every opportunity. Finally, you will have the opportunity to take part in more educational moments during conferences.
Arrival 5/1/2025 early morning
Disembarkation 5/1/2025 at 8:00 am
Seated in the southern peninsula of Finland, Helsinki offers the buzz of a cosmopolitan city that has opted for both elegance and beauty. In the historic centre, softly coloured neoclassical buildings mix with spectacular modern structures. The lively district of Kallio is home to many boutiques and restaurants offering local specialities such as graavilohi, pickled, sweetened and flavoured salmon. And the large Christmas craft market is the ideal place to unearth Finnish design items.
Treat yourself to a nature walk in the taiga and try your hand at ice fishing - a very popular activity in Finland, practised like a kind of meditation.
Put on your snowshoes and follow your guide deep into the boreal forest. Soon all you will hear will be the snow crunching beneath your feet. Open your eyes and listen carefully: perhaps you will notice a trace or hear a sound from the fauna that lives here in winter.
Once you arrive on the shores of the sea, you will dig a hole in the ice and wait for a catch. It is said that the Finnish have nearly all sat down at least once near a hole dug in the ice to fish perch, the national fish, and that when the fish bites at the end of the line, the emotion is such that they catch the bug for fishing for life!
After the ice fishing session, you will be served a hot drink and a small snack before your return to the pier.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Take part in an evening dedicated to the Northern Lights… At twilight, sat around a campfire, you will listen to the myths connected to this magical yet very real phenomenon and will perhaps be lucky enough to see them.
You will be taken in a bus to a spot far from the lights of town, offering a magnificent view over the starry sky. After a short walk, accompanied by your guide, you will take your place around a campfire and enjoy sausages grilled on the fire accompanied by a warm fruit juice. You will let yourself be lulled by the voice of the guide recounting the real facts and the myths associated with the Northern Lights. With a little luck, you will be able to see them sparkling in the night-blue sky.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Welcome to the Lappish coast! In Kukkolaforsen, you will discover a region whose authentic culture is based on fishing, and the sauna experience.
Kukkola is made up of two villages bearing the same name, located on either side of the powerful River Torne — one on the Finnish side and the other on the Swedish side. This is proof in a way that the Torne Valley is a world in its own right, bursting with flavours and experiences.
The region, divided between two countries, has its own culture and its own language, called Meänkieli. The Kukkola region also has its own net fishing method for catching the whitefish, a cold-water fish that is similar to salmon.
You will discover the Swedish shore. This is where the Swedish Sauna Academy association has its home. You will be initiated into sauna culture and will be able to try several types, for example wood-fired sauna, smoke sauna and dry sauna. Admire the unique landscape of the river, which never completely freezes over, as you take a seat in an open-air jacuzzi.
To finish on a high note, you will be served a lunch based on the region’s typical produce in a restaurant.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Visit Rovaniemi, Lapland’s largest city, famous for the “official” village of Santa Claus. You will dive into the heart of Sámi culture, have lunch in an igloo restaurant and visit a reindeer farm.
The city of Rovaniemi is located near the Arctic Circle, at the spot where the Ounasjoki and Kemijoki Rivers meet. The city has long been a place of trade for the Sámi. You will begin your discovery in the company of a Lappish guide, who will tell you all about their people and the way they live in Lapland.
You will visit Arktikum, the Arctic Centre, which is both a scientific centre and a museum focused on the Arctic regions. It presents the lifestyle, natural habitats, history, traditions and cultures of the peoples living north of the polar circle. You will follow the guide through the various exhibitions.
Then, you will discover the Santa Claus Village, where you will have free time to explore the site at leisure, before going for lunch in a unique restaurant where all the tables and chairs are sculpted out of snow and ice.
You will then visit a reindeer farm; these animals are emblematic of Lapland. You will find out how the breeding works and about its impact on the development of Lappish culture. After a cup of coffee, you will return to Kemi where your ship awaits you.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Discover sledging and speeding sensations during this snowmobile safari in the protected natural area of snow-covered forest and enjoy the magnificent landscapes of Finnish maritime Lapland that will reveal themselves to you.
After donning your equipment and listening to the security briefing, you will climb onto the snowmobile. The safari may begin! Depending on weather conditions and whether the ice is good enough, you will leave from the safari house on snowmobile travelling along the frozen sea.
Keep your eyes open to try to spot traces of animals, or indeed cross paths with some of them. Midway, you will stop for a snack and to make the most of the tranquillity of the natural surroundings.
Total : €380
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Only 100 kilometres (62 miles) south of the Arctic Circle, the town of Oulu appears like an inaccessible and sleepy end of the world. However, this does not take into account the dynamism and kindness of its inhabitants, as you will discover during a guided tour around the streets of the largest town in northern Scandinavia.
Oulu may well be swept by polar cold for long months of the year, but the town still retains an eminently warm atmosphere. Emanating from the cafés and small squares which invite you to stop for a coffee and to warm up, this Scandinavian friendliness is also embodied in the “Toripolliisi”, the statue of a policeman erected by the inhabitants in memory of the village policeman, who watched over the market square and whom the town remembers with much tenderness.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Fall under the spell of the enchanted nature of the Koiteli region, along the River Kiiminkijoki.
The Koiteli region transforms into a living painting in winter. The boreal forests covered in a thick layer of snow stand majestically, while their weighed-down branches create ephemeral natural sculptures. As for the frozen rivers and lakes, they sparkle beneath the pale light of the winter sun, their smooth surfaces inviting contemplation.
In this enchanted setting, only the soft rustling of the trees and the cracking of the ice interrupt the silence. The snow-covered paths wind their way through magical landscapes, like invitations to explore this immaculate environment. Here, every step reveals hidden treasures: the tracks of a reindeer, a bird species... In this sumptuous setting, you will have the opportunity to try out certain winter activities such as luge, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
During this excursion, listen to accounts of the history and ancient legends of the region, and discover Lapp traditions. Then, share a friendly moment around a coffee, tea, or warm fruit juice accompanied by traditional Finnish cakes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
You will be welcomed at an authentic reindeer breeding farm, Poro-Panuma - poro means “reindeer” in Finnish.
The family of breeders will show you its herd and tell you all about their way of life, which evolves depending on the season. The breeder will show you how to feed the animals. Then, you will head off for a ride in the forest on a sled pulled by reindeer. Finally, you will share a friendly moment around a cup of coffee or tea and a homemade cake.
On your journey in the bus taking you back to your ship, you will listen to the guide talking about life in the Arctic.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Oulu is world-famous for winter cycling, and its trails are open and well-maintained all year round. Ride through the city and its surroundings on a fat bike, just like the locals do.
Try your hand at winter cycling on these fat-tyred mountain bikes. The route takes you from the town centre to the small islands of Pikisaari and Hietasaari, linked by a bridge, and on to Nallikari beach. During this ride, you can admire the string of colourful wooden houses on Pikisaari and enjoy this haven of peace.
The frozen sea and river areas close to the city give you a good idea of the nature and fresh air of Oulu and the surrounding area, and you will have a coffee break in a local café.
The tour ends at the market square, where a shuttle bus will pick you up and take you back to the ship. Weather permitting, you can stay and explore the city on your own.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Start your tour with a transfer to the small family farm where the huskies are treated like members of the family. The family will welcome you and introduce you to the life of the huskies, who are eager to meet you!
After visiting the husky farm, it's time to start cooking like a Finn! Today's lunch is prepared over an open fire, and you will learn how to prepare smoked salmon and potatoes in the traditional Finnish way. For dessert, you will have the chance to make traditional pancakes. Everything you cook will be served in a hut or, weather permitting, outside by the fire in the middle of winter nature.
Total : €200
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Set off on a two-hour snowmobile excursion through the snow-covered forests of Luleå and on the frozen sea and lakes. You will enjoy superb views and be able to observe fauna and flora.
Snowmobile is a natural way for locals to travel through the forest and over frozen lakes as they attend to their day-to-day business. You will slide along established tracks so have a safe experience and leave a minimal impact on the environment.
The guide will tell you all about nature, the local inhabitants, their history and their lifestyle. You will stop regularly to make the most of the tranquillity of the Arctic nature. The guide will show you some of their favourite places. Along the narrow paths, stops are scheduled to have a tea or coffee accompanied by a local brioche.
Total : €335
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Set off in the company of a guide for an ice fishing trip! An open-air experience typical of the Lappish lifestyle, during which you will discover Arctic nature and life.
Once you arrive on site, you will meet your fishing instructor. Fishing on the ice floe is an integral part of the local lifestyle and has been a means of supplementing everyday food for generations. First,the guide will explain the nature of the frozen sea, then they will list the different ice conditions and specify how to safely navigate this ice-covered world.
Then, you will pierce a hole in the ice and start fishing for “the big one”. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to catch a perch or a pike?
During this excursion, you will enjoy a fika break with a hot drink and sweet bread.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Set off on a day of adventure in deep snow! With the right equipment to protect yourself from the cold, and with snowshoes on your feet, you will move through Lapland’s majestic winter landscape.
You will be driven to the picturesque Råne Valley, where you will be welcomed by your guide. Before setting off, you will put on thermal equipment and attach snowshoes. Your excursion will lead you into the forest in search of traces of animals. You will also learn more about the boreal forest in Lapland. In total, the protected wilderness covers almost 1.4 million hectares of forest, peat bogs and treeless Arctic mountain pastures in the country’s northernmost part.
Halfway through the excursion, you will make a stop for a "fika" (Swedish-style coffee break) in the open air. This is a perfect opportunity for spotting moose and black grouse. This bird is emblematic of the taiga and it shelters from the wind and the cold by digging holes in the snow when it is not looking for food. Birch buds are their main source of food in winter.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Experience an enchanted moment in the heart of Swedish Lapland during a dog sled ride through immaculate, wild and preserved nature.
Your dog sled adventure will begin in Luleå, taking you into a world where nature reigns supreme and the sky is lit by boreal glimmers. Each turn will reveal breathtaking new landscapes: from majestic pine forests to shimmering frozen lakes beneath the winter sun. The dogs move forwards with contagious determination, making every moment memorable. The soft sounds of the runners on the snow and the running of the dogs create a natural symphony, plunging you into a rarely-felt serenity. This excursion will offer you a profound communion with nature, leaving you to marvel at the wild splendour of Lapland, a simultaneously humbling and thrilling experience.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Explore the beauty of Swedish Lapland on this Fatbike adventure around the charming town of Luleå.
Set off on a 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) guided tour on these all-terrain bikes with enormous tyres, which are designed to endure all kinds of paths and weather conditions, from thick snow to mud to icy trails. This winter excursion will let you discover the enchanting landscapes of Luleå, a perfect playground for such an adventure.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Dive into the history of Rauma, one of Finland’s oldest ports.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, Old Rauma is a unique example of an old Nordic city constructed in wood. The winding streets and alleyways follow medieval roads. The asymmetrical plots, with their impressive portals and fences in wood, are also characteristic. Rauma’s wooden houses represent the best preserved area in the Nordic countries. The oldest buildings, constructed after a large fire, date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. For all that, this historic district remains full of life — people live there and work there every day.
During this visit, you will discover the historic importance of the region and its significance today. The excursion includes visits of the Church of the Holy Cross (if there is no service in the church), the Marela Museum and the Pits-Priia lacemakers’ shop.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Dive into the city’s maritime history during this guided tour of the museum, which will take you into a universe of old sailing boats and the life of sailors.
In the Middle Ages, Rauma was one of the most important ports in the Gulf of Bothnia. At the end of the 19th century, Rauma had the largest fleet of sailing boats in Finland. This era is now just a distant memory, yet the city continues to honour maritime traditions through sailing, port activities and maritime education.
Following the museum visit, you will go to the Rauma Water Tower, which has the best viewpoint over the city. From there, you can see the entire city centre and Old Rauma. The guide will tell you all about the city during a coffee break.
You will then have free time to walk around Old Rauma, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its district of wooden houses, which is the best-preserved in Nordic countries. The oldest buildings were constructed after a large fire in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In the rich Swedish culture, saunas and swimming in natural waters have been deep-rooted rituals for centuries. This unique combination of the restorative heat of the sauna and the invigorating effect of the icy waters is renowned for its therapeutic virtues, for body and mind alike. Immerse yourself in this age-old tradition and let yourself enjoy the soothing benefits of this revitalising experience.
Set off to discover the authenticity of these secular traditions during a unique experience in Puusaun, a charming sauna nestling next to Lake Narvijärvi. This idyllic setting surrounded by the splendours of Finnish nature and the peaceful shores of the lake will offer you an interlude of relaxation and serenity.
During this private excursion, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the soothing heat of the traditional sauna, then to enjoy a cool dip in the crystal-clear waters of the lake. An outdoor jacuzzi will also be available for those who like more temperate bathing.
After this regenerative experience, you will be able to enjoy a cup of glögi, the traditional Finnish Christmas drink, accompanied by a snack, before heading back to the pier during a comfortable transfer.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Explore the small streets of Old Rauma and soak in the unique atmosphere of this medieval town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A perfect example of a Nordic old town, with its narrow cobbled streets, traditional wooden buildings and historic edifices, Old Rauma is one of Finland’s rare medieval cities, earning a UNESCO World Heritage Site listing in 1991. During a walk, set off to discover its ancient treasures, including the Lutheran Church of the Holy Cross, constructed in the 16th century for the Franciscan monastery, or the Marela house/museum, a former shipowner's house, and the Pits-Priia lacemakers.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In Rauma, a natural wonderland, explore the splendours of Finnish nature and immerse yourself in the local traditions closely linked to walking.
Imagine a northern land where nature remains untouched, unspoilt and untouched by the ravages of time. Rauma, a boreal land of majestic wilderness, invites you to enjoy an extraordinary hiking experience. Let yourself be guided along snow-covered trails through winter landscapes. Your guide, a connoisseur of the area, will lead you through the immaculate undergrowth, along forest paths dotted with climbs and sometimes icy stretches. Surrender to the tranquillity of these unspoilt regions, where, weather permitting, only the crunch of your snowshoes in the powdery snow will break the soothing silence.
There will be time for a comforting break around a campfire, in the traditional Finnish way. Enjoy a steaming cup of coffee, accompanied by delicious local sweet and savoury pastries, testimony to a rich culinary heritage. A unique sensory experience, where authentic flavours combine with the raw beauty of the snowy landscape.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Covering the city districts of Södermalm, Gamla Stan, Norrmalm, Östermalm and Djurgården, this tour offers an excellent introduction to Stockholm from land and from the water.
Drive through the enchanting medieval Old Town, the Gamla Stan, with the Royal Palace dating from the 18th century, overlooking Stockholm's inner harbor. It is surrounded by many other magnificent old houses and palaces.
Continue past the Royal Opera House and through the modern shopping and business areas at Hamngatan and Sergels Torg.
Leave the coach and board a motor launch for a 50-minute Royal Canal tour into the Stockholm's National City Park.
Cruise along Strandvägen, one of the most exclusive areas in Stockholm, and through the green and lush park areas of Djurgården. Once a Royal hunting area, today Djurgården functions as Stockholm's amusement and recreation center. It is home to great parklands, beautiful gardens, cafés and restaurants, the Gröna Lund Tivoli, the Skansen Open-Air Museum and the well-known Vasa Museum, which houses the 17th-century warship Vasa.
Out on more open water, you will pass Fjäderholmarna, the Feather Islands. Continue past Prince Eugen's Waldemarsudde.
After the visit, reboard your coach for the panoramic return drive to the pier and your ship.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
ABBA remains the most popular Swedish band of all time, with 378 million albums sold worldwide. ABBA The Museum will trace the group's career from its beginnings in 1970, through the breakthrough of ‘Waterloo’ in 1974, major world tours and, finally, the break-up in 1983. Since then, ABBA has survived thanks to a number of musical projects led by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, whose musical Mamma Mia! has rekindled public interest in ABBA's music.
The new museum will not only give you an overall picture of the band, its music and the unlikely success it enjoyed in the 70s and 80s, but you'll also enter an interactive music documentary that invites you backstage, onstage and in front of the stage. Although only one member of ABBA was born in Stockholm, the city can be considered their hometown, as this is where they worked and lived for many years.
After leaving the quay, you will see the town hall where Benny first performed. The tour continues past the Royal Opera House, scene of ABBA's legendary royal wedding gala in 1976, and where Benny and Anni-Frid once lived in the Old Town. As you make your way through the city's districts and past most of the sights, you won't miss any of the city's highlights!
Total : €90
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Artipelag is a meeting place for art, culture and design, beautifully located on Värmdö in the Stockholm archipelago. Immerse yourself in the current exhibitions.
You'll also have the chance to sample a traditional Christmas speciality, saffron brioche, ‘saffransbullar’.
Total : €115
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For your serenity, PONANT selects a flight and organises the transfer between the airport and the port. This package is included in your cruise fare.
Embarkation day Paris/Kemi
Flight Paris/Rovaniemi selected by PONANT.
Approximate flight duration: 4 h 00.
We highly recommend you arrive in Paris the day before this flight.
We suggest you to be at the check-in counter 2 hours before departure.
Meet & greet at the airport by our local English-speaking representative.
Transfer to the pier for embarkation.
- Cruise aboard your cruise ship -
This programme includes:
This programme does not include:
Please note:
Kid Explorers
Welcome to all our young explorers! Thanks to the Kid Explorers Club children aged 4 on all our ships, and children aged 6 on board Le Commandant Charcotland up can take advantage of a wide variety of activities orchestrated by a team of activity leaders: creative activities, board games, DVD evenings, finding out what the crew do, or supervised outings and walks ashore for the 4+ age group. Helping children to learn about the oceans and the need to protect them is at the heart of our approach. So why not savour the magic of your destination in peace and quiet knowing your child is busy with an activity programme, specially designed for them and posted each day in the daily program.
Music
Set sail on a musical journey! If you have a passion for classical instrumental music or opera, if you love Celtic melodies or jazz, treat yourself to a different and exclusive experience aboard a PONANT ship. On board or ashore, our guests of honour, including renowned artists, talented musicians and brilliant virtuosos, share their knowledge and their passion in an intimate and accessible manner during concerts or talks.
Polar Expedition
Make your dreams of adventure come true, explore the boundaries of the world, and discover wild and legendary territories. The icy immensity of Antarctica, the constantly changing glaciers and icebergs of the North Pole, the mysterious mists of the North European coastlines, the most remote fjords on the planet… Every destination unveils unrivalled landscapes, home to increasingly varied fauna. Our team of naturalist-guides will share their knowledge with you during varied lectures about the history of the great explorations, geology and climatology, the fauna and flora, and will invite you to share special moments with the local populations.
New Year's Cruise
Spend an unforgettable New Year’s Eve with PONANT!
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
27/12/2024 - COMFORT PACKAGE: NIGHT IN PARIS CDG AIRPORT + TRANSFER HOTEL/AIRPORT
€260
Find out more5/1/2025 - FLIGHT TO PARIS IN BUSINESS CLASS + WINTER GETAWAY IN HELSINKI 1N (POST)
€2,190
Find out moreEnhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Enjoy an exclusive stay at Le Meurice in Paris, prior your cruise onboard Le Commandant Charcot.
Day 1 - Paris
Meet at Paris airport in the arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
You will be transferred to the hotel Le Meurice – Dorchester Collection.
Check-in your room.
Diner is at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Days 2 and 3 – Paris
Breakfast at the hotel.
Days are at leisure.
Option: Artist walking tour
As the hotel of astrists and thinkers, you can book in addition a series of walking tours with Le Meurice following in the footsteps of legendary artist in Paris.
Ponant has selected for you three differents paths of artists to choose: Picasso, Monet and Rodin. Theses experiences are proposed with a private guide.
Option: The Chef's Table
You will also have the option to step into a world of surprise through a private entrance and delve into the secrets of the Michelin-starred kitchen at this exclusive table.
Here, Executive Chef Amaury Bouhours will personally guide you through his exquisite menu in an intimate atmosphere, while the kitchen gracefully performs its culinary ballet before your eyes.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 – Paris
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check-out from your room.
You will be transferred from your hotel to Paris airport terminal, in time for check-in of flight selected by PONANT prior your cruise onboard Le Commandant Charcot
Your hotel:
Discover the luxury and elegance of Le Meurice hotel, an iconic establishment nestled in the heart of Paris. Immerse yourself in a refined ambiance while staying in sumptuous rooms, featuring exquisite furnishings for optimal comfort. Indulge in exceptional cuisine at the Michelin-starred restaurant, where talented chefs create delicious dishes. Located near renowned sites such as the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Gardens, Le Meurice is the perfect place to explore the vibrant city. Enjoy a moment of relaxation in its exclusive spa, where the therapists will provide you with high-quality treatments for a soothing experience. From your first steps in relaxed and luxurious atmosphere of the lobby to the cosy design of your room, you will spend an outstanding stay there.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
Your programme does not include:
Please note:
Contact of your hotel:
Le Meurice – Dorchester Collection
28 Rue de Rivoli,
75001 Paris
FRANCE
Telephone number: +33 1 44 58 10 10
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : €2,500
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.For your serenity, PONANT selects for you an ideally located hotel and organises your transfer to the airport.
Day 1 - Roissy CDG
Check-in in Pullman Roissy CDG hotel, from 4:00 pm.
The rest of the day and the evening are at leisure.
Dinner is at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - PONANT selected flight for embarkation
Breakfast is at leisure.
Group transfer from the hotel to the airport terminal, in time for check-in of flight selected by PONANT.
Your hotel:
The Pullman Roissy CDG hotel is a four stars property located in Roissy. Located at 2 minutes walking from Roissypole, RER and CDGVal station, you will easily be able to join it.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
This programme includes:
This programme does not include:
Please note:
Contact of your hotel:
Hôtel Pullman Roissy CDG 4*
3 Bis Rue de la Haye
93290 Roissy-en-France
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : €260
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
Treat yourself to a nature walk in the taiga and try your hand at ice fishing - a very popular activity in Finland, practised like a kind of meditation.
Put on your snowshoes and follow your guide deep into the boreal forest. Soon all you will hear will be the snow crunching beneath your feet. Open your eyes and listen carefully: perhaps you will notice a trace or hear a sound from the fauna that lives here in winter.
Once you arrive on the shores of the sea, you will dig a hole in the ice and wait for a catch. It is said that the Finnish have nearly all sat down at least once near a hole dug in the ice to fish perch, the national fish, and that when the fish bites at the end of the line, the emotion is such that they catch the bug for fishing for life!
After the ice fishing session, you will be served a hot drink and a small snack before your return to the pier.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Take part in an evening dedicated to the Northern Lights… At twilight, sat around a campfire, you will listen to the myths connected to this magical yet very real phenomenon and will perhaps be lucky enough to see them.
You will be taken in a bus to a spot far from the lights of town, offering a magnificent view over the starry sky. After a short walk, accompanied by your guide, you will take your place around a campfire and enjoy sausages grilled on the fire accompanied by a warm fruit juice. You will let yourself be lulled by the voice of the guide recounting the real facts and the myths associated with the Northern Lights. With a little luck, you will be able to see them sparkling in the night-blue sky.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Welcome to the Lappish coast! In Kukkolaforsen, you will discover a region whose authentic culture is based on fishing, and the sauna experience.
Kukkola is made up of two villages bearing the same name, located on either side of the powerful River Torne — one on the Finnish side and the other on the Swedish side. This is proof in a way that the Torne Valley is a world in its own right, bursting with flavours and experiences.
The region, divided between two countries, has its own culture and its own language, called Meänkieli. The Kukkola region also has its own net fishing method for catching the whitefish, a cold-water fish that is similar to salmon.
You will discover the Swedish shore. This is where the Swedish Sauna Academy association has its home. You will be initiated into sauna culture and will be able to try several types, for example wood-fired sauna, smoke sauna and dry sauna. Admire the unique landscape of the river, which never completely freezes over, as you take a seat in an open-air jacuzzi.
To finish on a high note, you will be served a lunch based on the region’s typical produce in a restaurant.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Visit Rovaniemi, Lapland’s largest city, famous for the “official” village of Santa Claus. You will dive into the heart of Sámi culture, have lunch in an igloo restaurant and visit a reindeer farm.
The city of Rovaniemi is located near the Arctic Circle, at the spot where the Ounasjoki and Kemijoki Rivers meet. The city has long been a place of trade for the Sámi. You will begin your discovery in the company of a Lappish guide, who will tell you all about their people and the way they live in Lapland.
You will visit Arktikum, the Arctic Centre, which is both a scientific centre and a museum focused on the Arctic regions. It presents the lifestyle, natural habitats, history, traditions and cultures of the peoples living north of the polar circle. You will follow the guide through the various exhibitions.
Then, you will discover the Santa Claus Village, where you will have free time to explore the site at leisure, before going for lunch in a unique restaurant where all the tables and chairs are sculpted out of snow and ice.
You will then visit a reindeer farm; these animals are emblematic of Lapland. You will find out how the breeding works and about its impact on the development of Lappish culture. After a cup of coffee, you will return to Kemi where your ship awaits you.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Discover sledging and speeding sensations during this snowmobile safari in the protected natural area of snow-covered forest and enjoy the magnificent landscapes of Finnish maritime Lapland that will reveal themselves to you.
After donning your equipment and listening to the security briefing, you will climb onto the snowmobile. The safari may begin! Depending on weather conditions and whether the ice is good enough, you will leave from the safari house on snowmobile travelling along the frozen sea.
Keep your eyes open to try to spot traces of animals, or indeed cross paths with some of them. Midway, you will stop for a snack and to make the most of the tranquillity of the natural surroundings.
Total : €380
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Only 100 kilometres (62 miles) south of the Arctic Circle, the town of Oulu appears like an inaccessible and sleepy end of the world. However, this does not take into account the dynamism and kindness of its inhabitants, as you will discover during a guided tour around the streets of the largest town in northern Scandinavia.
Oulu may well be swept by polar cold for long months of the year, but the town still retains an eminently warm atmosphere. Emanating from the cafés and small squares which invite you to stop for a coffee and to warm up, this Scandinavian friendliness is also embodied in the “Toripolliisi”, the statue of a policeman erected by the inhabitants in memory of the village policeman, who watched over the market square and whom the town remembers with much tenderness.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Fall under the spell of the enchanted nature of the Koiteli region, along the River Kiiminkijoki.
The Koiteli region transforms into a living painting in winter. The boreal forests covered in a thick layer of snow stand majestically, while their weighed-down branches create ephemeral natural sculptures. As for the frozen rivers and lakes, they sparkle beneath the pale light of the winter sun, their smooth surfaces inviting contemplation.
In this enchanted setting, only the soft rustling of the trees and the cracking of the ice interrupt the silence. The snow-covered paths wind their way through magical landscapes, like invitations to explore this immaculate environment. Here, every step reveals hidden treasures: the tracks of a reindeer, a bird species... In this sumptuous setting, you will have the opportunity to try out certain winter activities such as luge, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
During this excursion, listen to accounts of the history and ancient legends of the region, and discover Lapp traditions. Then, share a friendly moment around a coffee, tea, or warm fruit juice accompanied by traditional Finnish cakes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
You will be welcomed at an authentic reindeer breeding farm, Poro-Panuma - poro means “reindeer” in Finnish.
The family of breeders will show you its herd and tell you all about their way of life, which evolves depending on the season. The breeder will show you how to feed the animals. Then, you will head off for a ride in the forest on a sled pulled by reindeer. Finally, you will share a friendly moment around a cup of coffee or tea and a homemade cake.
On your journey in the bus taking you back to your ship, you will listen to the guide talking about life in the Arctic.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Oulu is world-famous for winter cycling, and its trails are open and well-maintained all year round. Ride through the city and its surroundings on a fat bike, just like the locals do.
Try your hand at winter cycling on these fat-tyred mountain bikes. The route takes you from the town centre to the small islands of Pikisaari and Hietasaari, linked by a bridge, and on to Nallikari beach. During this ride, you can admire the string of colourful wooden houses on Pikisaari and enjoy this haven of peace.
The frozen sea and river areas close to the city give you a good idea of the nature and fresh air of Oulu and the surrounding area, and you will have a coffee break in a local café.
The tour ends at the market square, where a shuttle bus will pick you up and take you back to the ship. Weather permitting, you can stay and explore the city on your own.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Start your tour with a transfer to the small family farm where the huskies are treated like members of the family. The family will welcome you and introduce you to the life of the huskies, who are eager to meet you!
After visiting the husky farm, it's time to start cooking like a Finn! Today's lunch is prepared over an open fire, and you will learn how to prepare smoked salmon and potatoes in the traditional Finnish way. For dessert, you will have the chance to make traditional pancakes. Everything you cook will be served in a hut or, weather permitting, outside by the fire in the middle of winter nature.
Total : €200
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Set off on a two-hour snowmobile excursion through the snow-covered forests of Luleå and on the frozen sea and lakes. You will enjoy superb views and be able to observe fauna and flora.
Snowmobile is a natural way for locals to travel through the forest and over frozen lakes as they attend to their day-to-day business. You will slide along established tracks so have a safe experience and leave a minimal impact on the environment.
The guide will tell you all about nature, the local inhabitants, their history and their lifestyle. You will stop regularly to make the most of the tranquillity of the Arctic nature. The guide will show you some of their favourite places. Along the narrow paths, stops are scheduled to have a tea or coffee accompanied by a local brioche.
Total : €335
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Set off in the company of a guide for an ice fishing trip! An open-air experience typical of the Lappish lifestyle, during which you will discover Arctic nature and life.
Once you arrive on site, you will meet your fishing instructor. Fishing on the ice floe is an integral part of the local lifestyle and has been a means of supplementing everyday food for generations. First,the guide will explain the nature of the frozen sea, then they will list the different ice conditions and specify how to safely navigate this ice-covered world.
Then, you will pierce a hole in the ice and start fishing for “the big one”. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to catch a perch or a pike?
During this excursion, you will enjoy a fika break with a hot drink and sweet bread.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Set off on a day of adventure in deep snow! With the right equipment to protect yourself from the cold, and with snowshoes on your feet, you will move through Lapland’s majestic winter landscape.
You will be driven to the picturesque Råne Valley, where you will be welcomed by your guide. Before setting off, you will put on thermal equipment and attach snowshoes. Your excursion will lead you into the forest in search of traces of animals. You will also learn more about the boreal forest in Lapland. In total, the protected wilderness covers almost 1.4 million hectares of forest, peat bogs and treeless Arctic mountain pastures in the country’s northernmost part.
Halfway through the excursion, you will make a stop for a "fika" (Swedish-style coffee break) in the open air. This is a perfect opportunity for spotting moose and black grouse. This bird is emblematic of the taiga and it shelters from the wind and the cold by digging holes in the snow when it is not looking for food. Birch buds are their main source of food in winter.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Experience an enchanted moment in the heart of Swedish Lapland during a dog sled ride through immaculate, wild and preserved nature.
Your dog sled adventure will begin in Luleå, taking you into a world where nature reigns supreme and the sky is lit by boreal glimmers. Each turn will reveal breathtaking new landscapes: from majestic pine forests to shimmering frozen lakes beneath the winter sun. The dogs move forwards with contagious determination, making every moment memorable. The soft sounds of the runners on the snow and the running of the dogs create a natural symphony, plunging you into a rarely-felt serenity. This excursion will offer you a profound communion with nature, leaving you to marvel at the wild splendour of Lapland, a simultaneously humbling and thrilling experience.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Explore the beauty of Swedish Lapland on this Fatbike adventure around the charming town of Luleå.
Set off on a 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) guided tour on these all-terrain bikes with enormous tyres, which are designed to endure all kinds of paths and weather conditions, from thick snow to mud to icy trails. This winter excursion will let you discover the enchanting landscapes of Luleå, a perfect playground for such an adventure.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Dive into the history of Rauma, one of Finland’s oldest ports.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, Old Rauma is a unique example of an old Nordic city constructed in wood. The winding streets and alleyways follow medieval roads. The asymmetrical plots, with their impressive portals and fences in wood, are also characteristic. Rauma’s wooden houses represent the best preserved area in the Nordic countries. The oldest buildings, constructed after a large fire, date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. For all that, this historic district remains full of life — people live there and work there every day.
During this visit, you will discover the historic importance of the region and its significance today. The excursion includes visits of the Church of the Holy Cross (if there is no service in the church), the Marela Museum and the Pits-Priia lacemakers’ shop.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Dive into the city’s maritime history during this guided tour of the museum, which will take you into a universe of old sailing boats and the life of sailors.
In the Middle Ages, Rauma was one of the most important ports in the Gulf of Bothnia. At the end of the 19th century, Rauma had the largest fleet of sailing boats in Finland. This era is now just a distant memory, yet the city continues to honour maritime traditions through sailing, port activities and maritime education.
Following the museum visit, you will go to the Rauma Water Tower, which has the best viewpoint over the city. From there, you can see the entire city centre and Old Rauma. The guide will tell you all about the city during a coffee break.
You will then have free time to walk around Old Rauma, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its district of wooden houses, which is the best-preserved in Nordic countries. The oldest buildings were constructed after a large fire in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In the rich Swedish culture, saunas and swimming in natural waters have been deep-rooted rituals for centuries. This unique combination of the restorative heat of the sauna and the invigorating effect of the icy waters is renowned for its therapeutic virtues, for body and mind alike. Immerse yourself in this age-old tradition and let yourself enjoy the soothing benefits of this revitalising experience.
Set off to discover the authenticity of these secular traditions during a unique experience in Puusaun, a charming sauna nestling next to Lake Narvijärvi. This idyllic setting surrounded by the splendours of Finnish nature and the peaceful shores of the lake will offer you an interlude of relaxation and serenity.
During this private excursion, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the soothing heat of the traditional sauna, then to enjoy a cool dip in the crystal-clear waters of the lake. An outdoor jacuzzi will also be available for those who like more temperate bathing.
After this regenerative experience, you will be able to enjoy a cup of glögi, the traditional Finnish Christmas drink, accompanied by a snack, before heading back to the pier during a comfortable transfer.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Explore the small streets of Old Rauma and soak in the unique atmosphere of this medieval town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A perfect example of a Nordic old town, with its narrow cobbled streets, traditional wooden buildings and historic edifices, Old Rauma is one of Finland’s rare medieval cities, earning a UNESCO World Heritage Site listing in 1991. During a walk, set off to discover its ancient treasures, including the Lutheran Church of the Holy Cross, constructed in the 16th century for the Franciscan monastery, or the Marela house/museum, a former shipowner's house, and the Pits-Priia lacemakers.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In Rauma, a natural wonderland, explore the splendours of Finnish nature and immerse yourself in the local traditions closely linked to walking.
Imagine a northern land where nature remains untouched, unspoilt and untouched by the ravages of time. Rauma, a boreal land of majestic wilderness, invites you to enjoy an extraordinary hiking experience. Let yourself be guided along snow-covered trails through winter landscapes. Your guide, a connoisseur of the area, will lead you through the immaculate undergrowth, along forest paths dotted with climbs and sometimes icy stretches. Surrender to the tranquillity of these unspoilt regions, where, weather permitting, only the crunch of your snowshoes in the powdery snow will break the soothing silence.
There will be time for a comforting break around a campfire, in the traditional Finnish way. Enjoy a steaming cup of coffee, accompanied by delicious local sweet and savoury pastries, testimony to a rich culinary heritage. A unique sensory experience, where authentic flavours combine with the raw beauty of the snowy landscape.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Covering the city districts of Södermalm, Gamla Stan, Norrmalm, Östermalm and Djurgården, this tour offers an excellent introduction to Stockholm from land and from the water.
Drive through the enchanting medieval Old Town, the Gamla Stan, with the Royal Palace dating from the 18th century, overlooking Stockholm's inner harbor. It is surrounded by many other magnificent old houses and palaces.
Continue past the Royal Opera House and through the modern shopping and business areas at Hamngatan and Sergels Torg.
Leave the coach and board a motor launch for a 50-minute Royal Canal tour into the Stockholm's National City Park.
Cruise along Strandvägen, one of the most exclusive areas in Stockholm, and through the green and lush park areas of Djurgården. Once a Royal hunting area, today Djurgården functions as Stockholm's amusement and recreation center. It is home to great parklands, beautiful gardens, cafés and restaurants, the Gröna Lund Tivoli, the Skansen Open-Air Museum and the well-known Vasa Museum, which houses the 17th-century warship Vasa.
Out on more open water, you will pass Fjäderholmarna, the Feather Islands. Continue past Prince Eugen's Waldemarsudde.
After the visit, reboard your coach for the panoramic return drive to the pier and your ship.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
ABBA remains the most popular Swedish band of all time, with 378 million albums sold worldwide. ABBA The Museum will trace the group's career from its beginnings in 1970, through the breakthrough of ‘Waterloo’ in 1974, major world tours and, finally, the break-up in 1983. Since then, ABBA has survived thanks to a number of musical projects led by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, whose musical Mamma Mia! has rekindled public interest in ABBA's music.
The new museum will not only give you an overall picture of the band, its music and the unlikely success it enjoyed in the 70s and 80s, but you'll also enter an interactive music documentary that invites you backstage, onstage and in front of the stage. Although only one member of ABBA was born in Stockholm, the city can be considered their hometown, as this is where they worked and lived for many years.
After leaving the quay, you will see the town hall where Benny first performed. The tour continues past the Royal Opera House, scene of ABBA's legendary royal wedding gala in 1976, and where Benny and Anni-Frid once lived in the Old Town. As you make your way through the city's districts and past most of the sights, you won't miss any of the city's highlights!
Total : €90
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Artipelag is a meeting place for art, culture and design, beautifully located on Värmdö in the Stockholm archipelago. Immerse yourself in the current exhibitions.
You'll also have the chance to sample a traditional Christmas speciality, saffron brioche, ‘saffransbullar’.
Total : €115
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 – Helsinki
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local representative.
You will be transferred directly to the Kalkkiranta pier, where you will embark on board a steel boat (if the sea is clear) or a hovercraft (if there is ice).
After a 40-minute ride, you will reach a private island where you can experience a true feeling of winter and see what the archipelago looks like during colder months.
Your morning programme on the island includes a hike along a nature trail, as well as learning about cold water and survival skills in the water.
Then, a local buffet lunch will be served.
During the afternoon, a sauna experience will be possible. For guests who don’t want to do the sauna activity, they can just do the Jacuzzi if they wish to (showers available) or enjoy the calmness of the nature – the hosts are also on the island the whole time and the guests can hear about the archipelago living from them.
Transfer back to the mainland and drive to Helsinki. Chek-in to your hotel in the city center (around 4 pm).
End of the day and dinner at leisure.
Day 2 – Helsinki
After breakfast and check-out, time at leisure depending on your flight schedule.
You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
Your hotel:
Immerse yourself in a chic, urban atmosphere rooted in Nordic culture at the 4-star Lapland Hotel Bulevardi, situated in Helsinki's vibrant Design District. Rooms equipped with all the modern comforts reveal a harmonious decor that pays tribute to nature. The restaurant offers cuisine with local influences, inspired by the Lappish forests.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
Your programme does not include:
Please note:
Contact of your hotel:
Lapland Hotels Bulevardi
Bulevardi 28
00120 Helsinki
Telephone: +358 9 25251111
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : €1,430
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 – Helsinki - Porvoo
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local representative.
You will be drive through the Finnish countryside to the medieval town of Porvoo for a one hour drive.
The City of Porvoo originated as a trading hub for Porvoo Parish inhabitants at the point where the sea meets the Porvoonjoki River. The town was named after the ancient fortress Borgå, the Swedish name for Porvoo, and was granted town rights by the Swedish King Magnus Eriksson in 1346. Old Porvoo is one of the treasures of Finnish architectural history, and the town looks the same today as it did during the Middle Ages.
During your visit, you will see the red riverside storehouses that formed a medieval harbour, where salt and other products were imported. Today, they have come to symbolise Porvoo, and are among Finland’s most photographed attractions. Porvoo is a beautiful winter city with a very cozy atmosphere, with old wooden houses in the Old Town. Porvoo has traditionally attracted a host of artists, who have lived and worked in the town: Finnish poet J.L Runeberg, painter Albert Edelfeldt and sculptor Ville Vallgren have all been inspired by its unique charm.
After your visit, you will drive from Porvoo to the unique Haikko Manor, situated near the city centre. Haikko was the former home of the Romanov family during the Russian Revolution; the family lived there for almost 3 years before moving to Paris.
Your visit to Haikko Manor concludes with a 3 -course lunch in a relaxing atmosphere, before re-joining your coach for the return drive to Helsinki.
In Helsinki you'll visit the unique Rock Church, hewn out of solid rock, as well as the Senate Square area where you will taste a gin & tonic made of local ingredients.
Chek-in to your hotel in the city center (around 5: 30 pm).
End of the day at leisure.
Around 18: 45, meet and greet at the lobby with your local assistance and walk until the restaurant for dinner.
Back to the hotel and night.
Day 2 – Helsinki - Tallinn
After breakfast, you will be picked up by your driver in your hotel lobby in Helsinki, where you will transfer to the ferry terminal.
You will depart from Helsinki by ferry and arrive 2 hours later in the city centre of Tallinn. The beautiful city of Tallinn, an important historic port, has become a bridge between East and West due to its geographic position. Estonia is a nation with a long history. The first human settlements recorded are from 3,500 years ago. Tallinn was first mentioned in a written source in 1154, on the world map of an Arabian geographer, Al-Idrisi. Tallinn gained its rights as a city in 1248. The beautiful Old Town, with its fascinating medieval architecture and slender church spires, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Adjacent to the Old Town, the modern city is developing, connecting the historical past with the 21st century.
During the 2-hour sightseeing tour, you will see Tallinn’s most important sights, which are undoubtedly in the Old Town. Your guide will meet you inside the terminal in Tallinn and you will take a short transfer up to Toompea (the Upper Town) and officially start your tour there.
During the short transfer, the guide will be able to give you good recommendations for shopping in Tallinn. The guide will tell you also about life in Tallinn and Estonia today, while sharing some interesting facts with you.
The walking tour around the pretty Old Town starts in Toompea, the ancient centre of Tallinn, with the Tall Hermann tower in Toompea Castle, home to the Estonian Parliament. You will also see many other sites and gain an overview of Tallinn’s thousand years of colourful history.
The tour includes approximately 2 hours of walking around the Old Town with a guide. No entrance fees are included.
You will have free time for a late lunch and for shopping before your coach takes you back to the harbour for your return to Helsinki. You will enjoy a 3-course dinner aboard the ferry.
Transfer from the harbour to your hotel in Helsinki city centre.
Day 3 – Helsinki
Day at leisure to discover the city by your own and enjoy a break in your luxury hotel.
Lunch at leisure.
Around 18: 45, meet and greet at your lobby with your local assistance and walk until the gastonomic table booked for dinner. Back to the hotel and night.
Day 4 – Helsinki
After breakfast and check-out, time at leisure depending on your flight schedule.
You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
Your hotel:
The Hotel Kämp (member of The Leading Hotels of the World) is an iconic location in the heart of Helsinki where you can enjoy the atmosphere of a historic grand hotel. Since its opening in 1887, the Kämp is the place to be in town.
A central location, elegant rooms, and excellent service guarantee a memorable stay. Brasserie Kämp, Kämp Bar and Kämp Spa are open every day and offer the best services.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
Your programme does not include:
Please note:
Contact of your hotel:
Kämp Hotel
Pohjoisesplanadi 29, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Telephone: +358 9 576111
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : €2,540
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.Total : €1,740
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.Total : €2,930
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.Total : €2,190
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.