Paddle through spectacular Finnish nature from Pieksämäki to Lahti.

This popular international canoe event takes place for the 24^th time this coming June. This unique event is the longest canoe / kayak relay event in the world and lasts for 6 continuous days.

100 teams and 1000 paddlers are expected to take part in the event. The teams are made up of club, company and family teams. The route is safe and well marshalled so the event is also ideal for beginners.

Each team is made up of between 6 and 12 paddlers. The 532 km route is broken down into 29 stages of between 6 and 30 km.

The paddler’s journey at an approximate speed of 6 km per hour through stunning Finnish countryside making the most of the long, long summer days.

Click here to go to the official event website.

An open invitation for teams to join the event on 06 June 2008.

Twitchers / birders, experienced and beginners are being encouraged to sign up now for the popular Kuusamo Bird Marathon taking place in eastern Finland.

This successful, Kuusamo Open event is taking place for the 25^th time. The aim of the event is for teams to see as many species as possible, while avoiding disturbing the birds and nature. It also allows the locals to compile a good record of the birds in their region.

There are two competitions, the 18 and 24 hour race. This is made possible by the midnight sun with the event starting at 00.00 on Friday 6 June. The teams are made up of 2-5 people of any age.

The event will be rounded of at the closing ceremony at the Congress centre during the afternoon of Saturday 7^th June 2008.

For entry details click here.

An amazing week of activities for everyone in Finnish Lapland.

New for 2009 is a wonderful activity week in one of Finnish Laplands most spectacular and unspoilt locations, Hotel Jeris. The hotel and cabins are set deep in the forest in western Lapland, 45 minutes from Kittila airport and 20 minutes from the small village of Muonio.

For those wanting to truly get away from it all and relax doing, fun, new activities as a couple or family this is the ideal place.

Accommodation is in cosy cabins set in the forest. All have a private sauna and fireplace.

At the heart of the location is the main hotel building, where meals are taken in a restaurant offering panoramic view across the frozen lake. You can also relax after a busy day with drinks by the fire in the bar.

During the week your guides will show you how to cross country ski so you can set off in your free time to explore the miles of silent trails through the national park. They will take you out on a snowshoe walk through the spectacular surrounding forests pointing out the local nature.

You will visit a local reindeer museum to learn more about reindeer husbandry and feed the reindeers.  On another day, following tuition from your guide, you will set off on an adventure on snowmobiles (children travel in sleighs) across the frozen lake and through the forest stopping to take in the beautiful views across the fells and for a picnic lunch. For many the highlight of the week will be the visit to the small friendly husky farm where you can meet the dogs and will be whisked off on a 2 hour husky safari.

While all the activity is great fun what many will remember from their visit to Jeris will be the smaller things. Such as the silence, taking a crazy dip in the lake ice pool, the fun evenings tobogganing through the forest or standing on the huge frozen lake mesmerised by the Aurora Borealis.

Jeris allows you to combine some much needed quality private family time with once in a life time experiences.

For the full itinerary and prices click here.

A busy start to the season at Wild Brown Bear.

As the popularity of Baltic and Scandinavian cruise continues to grow.

The Port of Helsinki is already predicting a record number of cruise visitors this summer. They have seen a steady increase over recent years and already have 275 cruise ships booked in to visit between May and September 2008. They will bring an estimated 300,000 visitors to this beautiful city.

The ships will vary from the 3000 passenger plus super cruise ships and at the other end of the scale a 95 passenger sailing vessel. Itinenraries will vary but the vast majority of the visitors will spend just one day in the city.

Early Booking Discounts for Summer 2009 sailings.

Book your summer 2009 cruise to Scandinavia and Russia by 31 May 2008 with Emagine UK Ltd and receive additional £100 per person off web prices (Maximum £200 per state room).

For further details on this special offer click here.

The 12 night cruises are from Harwich on Royal Caribbean's impressive ship, Jewel of the Seas. This Radiance class ship offers 13 desks of activity, entertainment and spacious staterooms. Once on board you will have a choice of 5 dining venues, an array of bars, state of the art fitness facilities and outstanding entertainment including the casino and stage productions.

The cruises take in the Baltic and Scandinavian capitals; Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki and Tallinn. For many the highlight of their cruise will be two days in the stunning city of St.Petersburg.

For the full itinerary and prices click here.

Modern Finnish food at its best.

The Michelin Guide for 2008 saw the awarding of stars to four restaurants in Helsinki. This includes two newcomers.

The new comers;

Restaurant Carma  - One Michelin Star

This small restaurant with just 24 seats is located in the centre of Helsinki. Its décor is themed around international design objects. It’s modern food has an emphasis on using local produce. Expect relaxed, professional, friendly service.

Ludviginkatu 3-5
00130 Helsinki
phone: +358(0)9 67 32 36

www.carma.fi

Restaurant Postres - One Michelin Star

This young team offer innovative and exciting modern food at the centrally located Helsinki restaurant.  They have a real passion for desserts, which will become clear when you see their exciting menu.

Eteläesplanadi 8
FI-00130 Helsinki

Tel: + 358-(09)-663 300

www.postres.fi

Retaining their Michelin stars:

Restaurant Demo – One Michelin Star

Demo’s chefs and owners Tommi Tuominen & Teemu Aura have retained their Michelin star that they were awarded for the first time in 2006. The restaurants emphasis is on high standard home cooked food served in a relaxed and cosy environment.

Uudenmaankatu 9-11
00120 Helsinki

Tel.: +358-(0)9 2289 0840
www.restaurantdemo.fi

Chez Dominique – Two Michelin stars

Chez Dominique opened its doors in Helsinki in 1998 and first gained two Michelin stars in 2003 with its cuisine influenced by Nordic and French flavours. Its chef and owner Hans Välimäki who believes -Our job is to surprise, offer experiences not to be found at home nor at any other restaurant. First element in our cuisine has always been the taste. I love to experiment but not on the expense of our customers.

Rikhardinkatu 4,

00130 Helsinki,

Tel. + 358 9 612 73 93

www.chezdominique.fi

Three fabulous locations in Finnish Lapland – which one is for you?

At Emagine we have chosen three very different locations and itineraries for our New Year holidays but whichever you choose we promise you will return special memories that will last a life time. After a hectic Christmas there is nothing better than escaping to clean air, exhilarating activities and a chance for some quality time away from the TV and daily stress.

Come and recharge your batteries in Finnish Lapland.

Hotel Jeris, near Muonio, Finnish Lapland.

For all ages.                           

6 days.

Our New Year guests at Hotel Jeris in Lapland last year never stopped talking about the setting, the scenery and the silence. It is a wonderful location, set deep in the forest, by a huge frozen lake and with a National Park on its boundary.

The holiday is a balance of activity and free time. It includes a snowmobile safari to a reindeer farm and a husky safari but on the other days you get to set the pace. Some guests chose to book on additional safaris, some collected cross country skis and explored the trails through the National park, others relaxed in the spa pools or curled up and read a book. It is fair to say that everyone tobogganed!

Following dinner on New Years Eve everyone had their fortune told and then headed onto the lake, a drink in hand, to see in the New Year and admire the fireworks.

Jeris is ideal for those wishing to get away from the crowds, have some activity but still have free time as a couple or family enjoying the cabins with their private saunas and fireplaces.

For further details click here.

Hotel Harriniva, Muonio Finnish Lapland.

For teens and adults only.     

6 days.

At Harriniva for New Year our safaris are longer so not recommended for younger visitors. When you head off on snowmobiles it will be across the fells, taking in the most spectacular views and with a stop for lunch in a lakeside chalet along the way.  Your husky safari will take you though the forest, with simple lunch served in a traditional kota.

Even though the group will not include children it doesn’t mean you have to hide the child in you, especially when we head off to the local ski slopes for some tobogganing!

There is also an opportunity to learn more about the region, its animals and the indigenous Sami people during a visit to the village of Hetta. Lunch will be served in the amazing Hetta Snow Castle.

Life at Harriniva are quite relaxed with evenings spent relaxing over dinner, a drink in the bar or maybe soaking in the lakeside hot tubs.

On New Years Eve following dinner and some fortune telling head outside onto the ice, not once but twice to celebrate the Finnish and then the Swedish New Year with drinks and fireworks before hitting the disco in the bar.

For further details click here.

Hotel Riekonlinna, Saariselka, Finnish Lapland.

For all ages.               

7 days.

Hotel Riekonlinna is located in the lovely northern Lapland resort of Saariseka. We have planned the holiday so you have a mixture of organised and free time so you can design your holiday to meet your family’s needs. It includes a long snowmobile safari and a long husky safari, both with lunch served along the way. On other days you can choose from an exciting range of additional optional safaris. You may decide to head off to the nearby ski slopes, spa swimming pool or try the resorts 2km toboggan run. We have included some dinners in the hotel so you can make new friends and other evenings are free so you can try the resorts excellent restaurants whether in search of pizza or some local delicacies!

On New Years Eve enjoy dinner in the hotel before stepping outside to take in the fireworks that are set off around the resort.

Emagine staff will be on hand throughout your stay to help you make the most of the amazing location.

For further details click here.