Midsummer Special: Evening Riverboat Cruise, Dinner and Midnight Sun Experience from Rovaniemi

After pickup from select Rovaniemi hotels, travel by coach or minivan to the nearby Kemijoki River, Finland’s longest river, which snakes through the lush fields and woodlands that make up the beautiful countryside scenery.

When you arrive at the river, listen to a safety briefing and put on your provided life vest before boarding your jokivene, an open, motorized, wooden boat that seats up to 12 passengers, along with your driver-guide. As you cruise along the river, admire the shoreline and forests, all illuminated by the bright evening light of the Arctic in summertime. Learn about the summer polar phenomenon of the midnight sun, when the sun doesn't set below the horizon, and hear about the area's former timber-rafting days, when raftsmen would build rafts from logs to float them downriver to timber mills.

Dock at the island of Kotisaari, a former lumberjack outpost, and head inside a wooden hut to view a photography exhibit that tells the story of Finland's timber industry, from lumberjacks to the log rafts. Then sit down to a 2-course dinner of classic Finnish dishes prepared by your guide and accompanied by berry juice or water.

After dinner, return to your boat and make your way back along the river to your starting point, from where you'll be transported to the top of nearby Ounasvaara Fell as midnight approaches. Hop out of the vehicle and sip on a glass of sparkling wine while you experience the full wonder of the midnight sun.

Your tour then ends with hotel drop-off.

Sample dinner menu (subject to change):
Main course: Fried salmon with potatoes and seasonal vegetables
Dessert: Berry pie
Tea and coffee
Drinks: Berry juice, Water