Option 1: Estonia, St. Petersburg, Lahti
February 16 - March 1, 2010
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| Tues 2/16/2010 |
Depart the US for Helsinki and Tallinn
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| Wed 2/17 |
Upon arriving in Helsinki we transfer to the Silva Line “quay” to board the ship for our trip to Tallinn. Hotel accommodations w/breakfast in Tallinn.
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| Thurs 2/18 |
Transfer to Otepää. We are staying at hotel Bernhard, located about 1.5K from the village center and ski stadium - start of the 63K race. A ski trail from the hotel connects with the trail system.
Breakfasts and group dinners at the hotel.
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Thurs 2/18 -
Mon 2/22 |
Ski Otepää.
Otepää, the winter capital of Estonia has hosted many Nordic World Cup Events. Otepää was a training venue for the Soviet National Team and the champion ship for the entire Soviet Union was held there in 1958.
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| Sat 2/20 |
Half day tour by private motor coach to Tartu for the “Worldloppet Masters” reception, bib pick-up and a stroll around this old beautiful city.
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| Sun 2/21 |
Optional participation in the 31K or 63K classic Tartu Maraton www.tartumaraton.ee
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| Mon 2/22 |
Early AM departure by private motor coach to St. Petersburg, Russia.
Sit back and relax while traveling through the rural areas of Estonia and Russia. Contrast between the two countries is striking.
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| Tue 2/23 |
This morning we will have a guided bus tour of St. Petersburg. The rest of the day you are free to go back and explore some of the many museums, galleries, churches and other sights that are of most interest to you. In the evenings you may want to take in a performance at the Mariinsky Theater, a concert at one of the many churches or checking out some typical Russian night spots. Dinner on your own.
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| Wed 2/24 |
More sightseeing – by now you will have discovered there is too much to see in too short a time. However, we are on a ski trip and if a small group of you would like to ski at Toksovo (located 20K north of St. Petersburg) we will organize transport. Dinner on your own.
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| Thurs 2/25 |
On to Lahti, Finland. We will join up with the “Finland Group” at Alex Park Hotel for dinner.
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| Fri 2/26 |
Ski the Lahti trails, pick up your bibs and check out the town. Dinner on your own.
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| Sat 2/27 |
Optional participation in the 32K or 50K CLASSIC Finlandia- hiihto http://finlandiahiihto.fi
Group dinner and celebration at the hotel.
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| Sun 2/28 |
Optional participation in the 20K (ladies and juniors) or 50K Free Style Races http://finlandiahiihto.fi
Group dinner and more celebrations at the hotel.
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| Mon 3/1 |
Transfer by private motor coach to Helsinki Airport and return to the US OR continue to Lapland (see details below).
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Option 2: Lahti Only, February 22 - March 1, 2010
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| Sun 2/21 |
Depart the US for Helsinki, Finland |
| Mon 2/22 |
Arrive Helsinki Airport and board the Airport bus (departing every hour) or train for the 1-1.5 hour ride to Lahti. Accommodations w/breakfast is at the Alex Park Hotel – the closest hotel to the Ski Stadium and start of the Finlandia Hiitho.
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Mon 2/22 -
Sun 2/28 |
Ski your heart out on the famous Lahti trails.
Lahti has hosted no less than six Nordic World Championships and numerous other world events. A visit to Sibelius Hall, home of the world renowned Lahti Symphony Orchestra, is highly recommended. The city is very “walk able” and you will find a good selection of restaurants and shops within walking distance from the hotel. Lahti is a University town and has several interesting museums.
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| Fri 2/26 |
Join the group arriving from St Petersburg for group dinner at the hotel.
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| Sat 2/27 |
Optional participation in the 32K or 50K CLASSIC Worldloppet Races.
Group dinner and celebration at the hotel.
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| Sun 2/28 |
Optional participation in the 20K or 50K FREE Style Worldloppet Races
Group dinner and celebration at the hotel.
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| Mon 3/1 |
Transfer to Helsinki Airport and return to the US OR continue to Lapland (see details below).
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Option 3: Lapland Extension, March 1 - 6, 2010
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| Mon 3/1 |
Fly to Ivalo in Northern Finland – 250 km north of the Arctic Circle - and transfer to the “fell” village of Saariselka. www.saariselka.fi
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Mon 3/1 -
Fri 3/5 |
Hotel accommodations with breakfast and dinner is in the village of Saariselka and a short walk from a network of 200K of beautiful ski trails of which 35K are lighted. Some of the trails will take you through sparsely wooded areas where you may have to share the trail with a few reindeer. Other trails go to the “fells” where you will experience some great above timberline skiing. The “fells” are rounded mountains of no more than 1500 feet, but this far north they are above timberline. Don’t forget to watch the northern skies in the evenings; you may be lucky enough to experience some fabulous Aurora Borealis shows. Other optional activities you may enjoy while in Sami Country includes: Reindeer Safari or Dog Sledding. What about spending a night in a glass igloo? How Romantic! And what a place to see the Northern Lights!
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| Fri 3/5 |
We fly back to Helsinki where we spend the night in a hotel near the airport. After parking all the gear at the hotel you may want to take the train in to the city for dinner and/or to check out the downtown area and its night life.
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| Sat 3/6 |
Return to the US |
