This morning we packed our bags and headed off for Peter and Paul Fortress which stands on Hare Island and is one of the most historic parts of the area. This fortress was commissioned by Peter the Great and built in 1703 as a protection against the Swedes. The Fortress became a notorious prison for people such as Dostoevky, Trotsky and Lenin's oldest brother as well as many revolutionaries. In the centre of the complex is a beautiful Cathedral with a golden sp...

Today we crossed the Arctic Circle 66?31'N, and we are in Lapland, land of reindeer and the midnight sun. We stopped at the Santa Claus Workshop and met Santa. We spent a few hours here shopping and goofing around. Back on the coach we headed North to Sodankyla where we saw the charming Vanha Kirkko, Laplands' oldest Wooden Church, dating back to the 17th Century. It was restored in 1926, and the shingles and the boarding were re-done between 1991 an...

We were up early today and had an orientation tour of Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. For hundreds of years, it was famous for exporting furs and salmon to the world's rich and powerful. Unfortunately the town was totally destroyed during WW2. The new town, was designed by Alvar Aalto in the shape of reindeer antlers. Sights included Lappia Hall, the Town Hall, the new modern church and its intriguing frescoes. The church was designed by archite...

We left Kuopio and stopped in the university town of Oulu, situation on Bothnian Bay. Oulo has the liveliest market square in Finland and its position on the waterfront is very appealing. The square is bordered by old wooden storehouses which have been renovated into cafes' and restuarants. We strolled around the markets and the waterfront and had a lovely lunch at a bar on the edge of the square. We sat outside in the sun and enjoyed a few ales and the Fi...

Our Northern Highlights and the Arctic Circle Tour Begins We were up at 6am for breakfast at 7am. We departed the Scandic Hotel at 8am for a city sightseeing tour of Helsinki with our group. First stop was the Olympic Stadium, then onto Sibileus Park and finishing at Senate Square. We had a few hours free time so Pete and I walked around the city past the "Three Smiths Statue" unveiled in 1932 depicting three naked smiths hammering on an anvil. Legend has...