Gay Adventure in Finland 2021 – June 23rd to June 30th
Join us on an adventure in Finland celebrating midsummer and nightless nights in Kuhmo and great and iconic artist Touko Laaksonen aka Tom of Finland and Pride Festival in Helsinki. Welcome to Finland.
On this amazing journey you will experience the beautiful white nights, take part in ancient Finnish midsummer and sauna traditions. You will participate in activities you will never forget: canoeing on the lake and enjoying the nightless night on water and bear watching in the Wild Taiga.
After five days in Lakeland you will explore Helsinki, the beautiful capital of Finland. First walking in the footsteps of Touko Laaksonen (aka Tom of Finland) and later enjoying Helsinki from the sea aboard the beautiful sailing ship Ingeborg. The Helsinki experience will end on the island of Lonna. You can also feel the Pride atmosphere in Helsinki.
All the hotels and service providers are educated on LGBTQ travel as Gay Travel Finland partners or certified We Speak Gay companies.
Lifeof2men Hannu and Raúl Medina as your hosts
This Gay holiday is created by Hannu and Raúl Medina together with hotel Kalevala. Hannu and Raúl are lifeof2men bloggers and your local hosts and guides to the Finnish LGBTQ community. Hannu Medina is the pioneer in LGBTQ Tourism in Finland and founder of Gay Travel Finland and LGBTQ Friendly Community in Finland.
Itinerary of the Gay Midsummer Holiday in Finland
Wednesday 23rd of June
Welcome to Finland and Kuhmo. Transfer from Kajaani airport. Welcome dinner at “kota” teepee on the beach
Thursday 24th of June
After breakfast it’s time to start husky trekking day tour. Every hiker will get an own dog to get familiar with. You will be provided with special husky trekking gear.
When the dogs have their harnesses on we are ready to go and explore the nature.
Sauna time, dinner. Just before midnight 2 hour canoeing tour on lake. Enjoy the nightless night on water.
Friday 25th of June / Midsummer Eve with sauna traditions and bonfire
In Finland the Midsummer celebration starts on Midsummer Eve. First you build a bonfire for the night together with a guide. Afterwards you will seek and pick wild herbs and birch branches together with our sauna therapist. From the branches tie a birch whisk for the traditional cleansing ritual. After Midsummer dinner the bonfire is lit. Evening continues with DJ Tero through the nightless night.
Saturday 26th of June / Midsummer Day with bear watching
Brunch. Time to rest or book optional activities.
In the afternoon transfer close to Russian borderline for bear watching evening. On the arrival to the main lodge, information about the hides and bears and also other animals which are possible to observe. Short walk from bear centre to a brand new Bear House. Please notice that smoking, alcohol and making noise are not allowed during the night. Back to the hotel, late dinner
Sunday 27th of June – activities on your own
After breakfast it is time for optional activities or resting. We recommend rafting down the rapids tour or hiking tours beautiful Finnish forests. Sauna time, possibility to try Finnish smoke sauna.
Monday 28th of June – Goodbye Hotel Kalevala
Breakfast, transfer to Kajaani airport. Arriving to Helsinki and Hotel Klaus K.
Afternoon is free for relaxation and we will have a welcoming drink at the Hotel Klaus K Sky Terrace in the evening.
Tuesday 29th of June / Tom of Finland day
After breakfast we will walk the streets in Helsinki once wandered by Touko Laaksonen, better known for his artist name Tom of Finland. During the walk we show you his city and tell about the change of society in Finland after the days of Tom of Finland. In the afternoon we will eperience the Helsinki Archipelago aboard a old ship with Tom of Finland drinks. The evening will end on the island of Lonna with a dinner enjoying locally sourced, organic tasty delicacies.
Wednesday 30th of June
Breakfast and transfer to Helsinki Airport. Goodbye Helsinki and Finland.
ITINERARY IN SHORT
In Kuhmo
- Return transfer from to Hotel Kalevala
- Full board
- Evening saunas, indoor and outdoor jacuzzi daily
- Guided activities: midnight canoeing tour, bear watching, husky trekking
- Midsummer celebration and traditions
- Free use of summer games, wifi
In Helsinki
- Return transfer from Helsinki airport to Hotel Klaus K
- Breakfast
- Guided activities: Tom of Finland walking tour and cruise on the sea
- Drinks and snack on the ship and dinner on Tuesday
- wifi in hotel Klaus K
Extra charge
Hotel Kalevala
– Optional activities: exciting rapid swimming, rafting down rapids, bike and hike tours, smoke sauna.
– Wellbeing treatments: relaxing massage, Finnish bone setting, infrared sauna, herbal bubble baths, peat treatments
Good to know:
– Possibility to arrive earlier/depart later. Extra night starting from 59 €/p.p. incl.breakfast.
– Package price does not include personal travel insurance or flights. Arrival airport is Kajaani (KAJ).
– Equipment recommended: weather permitted outdoor clothing
We reserve all the rights to change the order of the activities if necessary due to the weather or the conditions.
For more information and reservations contact hotel Kalevala.
Here are descriptions for the hotels in Kuhmo and Kalevala.
HOTEL KALEVALA
Hotel Kalevala is situated in Kuhmo, a small town in north east Finland. Surrounded by ancient forests and crystal clear lakes, this is a wonderland with nothing but unspoilt nature as far as the eye can see, Kuhmo is perfect for wilderness and activity adventures. Hotel Kalevala provides a unique experience from beginning to end for any holiday. Hotel Kalevala is gay friendly and part of the We Speak Gay Community welcoming all guests with respect. As soon as you arrive you are invited into a mythical world and the adventures of the Wild Taiga.
HOTEL KLAUS K
Hotel Klaus K is also one of the first design hotels in Finland and works in close cooperation with Tom of Finland foundation. You can experience the design in the rooms as well as in the public areas. The hotel is located in the heart of Helsinki. The beat of Helsinki is right here. If you want to visit some of the gay bars or clubs in Helsinki, they are all within a walking distance. From the Sky Terrace you have a nice view over the Helsinki skyline.