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Stanford Alumni AssociationTravel/Study
Travel/Study
Sami culture and winter holiday magic for the whole family

Finland Family Adventure

Discover an Arctic wonderland as you travel to north of the Arctic Circle, enjoy a sleigh ride, and get the ideal view of the aurora borealis.

Overview

Icy, epic adventures and breathtaking sights

Our eight-day journey begins with a visit to stunning Helsinki before we fly north, above the Arctic Circle, to meet native Sámi in Finnish Lapland. Our time in Lapland includes three nights in Rovaniemi, followed by two nights in Kemi, where we stay at the cozy Seaside Glass Villas, located on the Bay of Bothnia. While there, we enjoy a sleigh ride (pulled by actual reindeer), husky sledding, a traditional Finnish sauna, and dinner at a private igloo restaurant.

And we take advantage of the opportunity to witness one of nature’s most impressive displays: the aurora borealis. A late-December trip would not be complete without a New Year’s family celebration. We ring in 2027 at the Arctic Snow Hotel: complete with an ice bar, dancing, fortune telling, elf school, and fireworks at midnight.

Dates

December 27, 2026–January 3, 2027

Duration

8 days

Price

From $11,695 per person

Trip size

30 participants

Minimum age

6 years
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Faculty leader

A different kind of classroom

With renowned Stanford faculty and scholars leading the way, every Travel/Study trip is a one-of-a-kind educational experience.

Michael McWilliams

Geological Sciences

Through his research, Professor McWilliams aims to better understand Earth’s evolution, the rate of geological processes, and the history of important Earth events such as volcanism, earthquakes, mass extinctions, and global climate change.

Learn more about Mike

“Mike's vast background was a major plus. He tied his knowledge of New Zealand to his technical expertise in a very effective way. I wish he had been teaching when I was going through Stanford.”

—Jon Erickson, ‘65

Share the joy of learning

About our Young Explorer program

Kids of all ages love our Young Explorer program, where they’re grouped with travelers their own age—no more than 10 kids per group—and paired with a Young Explorer leader. Young travelers enjoy fun and educational activities during lectures as well as occasional kids-only adventures, tours or meals while the adults have time for more in-depth touring and discussions.

Our Young Explorer program is designed for the whole family to engage in learning and exploration together, with most touring involving the entire family. Throughout the journey, opportunities for kids to hang out with their Young Explorer groups abound. Your kids will return home with a greater appreciation for the places we visit...and a few new friends!

Meet our Young Explorer leaders

These razor-sharp Stanford grads and former Stanford Sierra Camp counselors love interacting with families and are experts at adapting to the personalities and interests of each Young Explorer. They fuel creativity with thought-provoking discussions and mind-bending games that keep the kids entertained while adults attend lectures. In addition, Young Explorer leaders bring the whole family together for activities such as family Olympics, trivia night and disco bingo.

Itinerary

Chart your course of discovery

Begin in Finland's capital, Helsinki, before traveling to Rovaniemi to ring in the new year north of the Arctic Circle. Then, spend two nights in glass igloos in the seaside winter wonderland of Kemi on Bothnian Bay. Ride snowmobiles through snowy forests, take a dog sled across the Arctic landscape, meet Sámi reindeer herders on their farm, and marvel at the Northern Lights.

  • Helsinki, Finland

    Arrive in Helsinki and transfer to the hotel. For those arriving early, enjoy an optional walking tour of Helsinki and see the Finnish National Gallery, National Theatre, and the world-famous Finlandia Hall, designed by renowned Finnish architect, Alvar Aalto. Gather with fellow families for a welcome dinner this evening.

    Accommodations:

    Scandic Grand Central

    Included meal: Dinner

  • Helsinki

    Hop on the local tram to reach Helsinki City Museum, where we catch a glimpse of daily life in Helsinki as it used to be. Wander through the various buildings, each dedicated to a different era in Helsinki’s past. Continue to Temppeliaukio Church, a Lutheran church set completely in solid rock. Go ice skating after lunch or opt to relax and unwind in a traditional sauna. Dinner is on our own this evening.

    Accommodations:

    Scandic Grand Central

    Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

  • Helsinki / Rovaniemi

    Board our flight this morning to Rovaniemi, a vibrant city above the Arctic Circle. After we get outfitted with specialized outdoor winter clothing to use throughout our stay, set out on a snowmobiling adventure in the Lapland winter landscape. For dinner tonight, enjoy Finnish specialties at a local, family-owned restaurant. After dinner, venture out in search of the Northern Lights on a guided private safari with a local expert.

    Accommodations:

    Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus

    Included meals: Breakfast and dinner

  • Rovaniemi

    Begin the day with a walking tour of Rovaniemi, stopping for coffee and to make small souvenirs in the home of a local artisan. After lunch, take a guided tour of Arktikum, the Arctic Science Center and Museum, followed by free time and a chance for dinner on our own in town.

    Accommodations:

    Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus

    Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

  • Rovaniemi

    This morning, we meet a Sámi family at their reindeer farm and learn about their traditional lifestyle. Then, sample the flavors of Lapland, from reindeer and lake fish to king crab and traditional Finnish squeaky cheese, at a restaurant in Santa Claus Village. Afterward, visit a farm where huskies are trained as Arctic sled dogs and learn to mush (drive) your own sled through the winter landscape. Our day ends with a special dinner as we bid farewell to 2026 and later ring in the new year under the Arctic sky with fireworks and festivities.

    Accommodations:

    Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Rovaniemi / Kemi

    Enjoy a leisurely morning before our drive to the harbor town of Kemi. Have lunch upon arrival then try our hand at ice fishing in Bothnian Bay. We spend the afternoon at SnowExperience365, an indoor winter wonderland built with real snow and ice, featuring ice sculptures, an ice slide, and more. Then, check into our eco-friendly resort and enjoy an evening at leisure. Our villas feature extensive glass windows looking out at the sea and glass roofs that allow us to gaze at the starry sky and hope for a sighting of the Northern Lights.

    Accommodations:

    Kemi Seaside Glass Villas

    Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

  • Kemi

    Cruise the frozen Gulf of Bothnia aboard the legendary Icebreaker Sampo, with a chance to float in icy waters in a thermal survival suit. This afternoon is free for independent exploration. Perhaps go snow shoeing or ride a toboggan through the beautiful Lapland wilderness. Gather this evening to toast our adventure over dinner in the Kemi harbor.

    Accommodations:

    Kemi Seaside Glass Villas

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Kemi / Rovaniemi / Home

    This morning, return to Rovaniemi and transfer to the airport for flights returning home.

    Included meal: Breakfast

Trip details

Start preparing for the trip of a lifetime

From top to bottom, we’ve taken care of all the details, so you can enjoy a no-stress, worry-free travel experience.

Travel in Finland

December is an ideal time of year to seek out the elusive Northern Lights. Like many natural wonders, the Northern Lights are ephemeral and only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds; a sighting can never be guaranteed. With the unpredictability of winter weather, the itinerary will, by necessity, be subject to change as weather conditions, road conditions, and other factors beyond our control dictate. Families should expect an adventurous travel experience with accommodations that are more comfortable than lavish.

Travelers should be prepared for only 2.5–5 hours of daylight each day, with temperatures below freezing, typically in the 10s and 20s (°F). Winter gear kit will be provided in Lapland for outdoor excursions. Provided gear includes socks, winter boots, a winter overall (a one-piece with long sleeves and long pants, similar to a ski suit), and gloves. Children’s sizing is available. Personal measurements for these items will be collected from confirmed participants. Travelers will still need to bring warm jackets, gloves, and hats for touring in Helsinki.

Room arrangements

Families stay in standard hotel rooms, typically with one king bed (depending on the property), or two twin or full beds. Accommodations vary from property to property, and flexibility is a must. If you plan to have three people in one room, the extra bed will likely be a rollaway bed for the third family member. For families in multiple rooms, Travel/Study always requests rooms that are next to each other or as close as the accommodations permit. If your family would like interconnecting rooms where available, please indicate as much when you register. Travel/Study can request interconnecting rooms on your behalf but accommodations will not guarantee them in advance.

Activity level

This is a moderately strenuous program that is at times both physically demanding and busy. Travelers must be physically fit, active, and in good health. Distances covered on foot will all be under 1 mile and will frequently be on snowy or icy paths. Additionally, walking tours sometimes take place in older quarters and historic sites where the terrain is uneven. Some buildings do not have elevators and we may occasionally encounter steps without handrails. In order to make the most of what each locale has to offer, there will be some early departures from the hotels and activities scheduled into the afternoon or evening. 

Husky sleds, snowmobile rides, and reindeer sleigh rides will all be in the open air. No experience is required for these activities; safety orientations and instructions are provided, along with insulated body suits, boots, gloves, and headwear (including helmet for the snowmobile ride). Personal measurements for these items will be requested prior to departure. Travelers must be comfortable sitting low to the ground for the husky sled and reindeer sleigh experiences, and children 12 and under are not permitted to drive.

Pricing

Secure your spot today

The price of your trip covers a comprehensive educational program in addition to meals, accommodations, tours, and excursions. Continue reading for a full list of what’s included.

Price

Double occupancy:
$11,695 per child (ages 6–18)
$11,995 per adult

Triple occupancy:
$11,395 per child (ages 6–18)
$11,695 per adult

Single occupancy:
$14,295 per person

Stanford Alumni Association nonmembers add $450 per person.

What’s included?

  • Educational program with lecture series and pre-departure materials, including an education resource list and travel information

  • Young Explorer program and activities for kids

  • Services of our professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program

  • All meals, tours, and excursions as described in the itinerary

  • Gratuities to guides and drivers for all group activities

  • 7 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations

  • On-tour flight: Helsinki/Rovaniemi

  • Transfers and baggage handling on program arrival and departure days

  • Minimal medical, accident, and evacuation coverage  

You are responsible for your personal travel expenses, including flights to and from the program.

Deposits, payments, and cancellations

A $2,500-per-person deposit is required to reserve space on this program. Final payment is due 150 days prior to program start. Deposits and any payments are refundable, less a $1,000-per-person cancellation fee, until 150 days prior to program start. After that date, refunds can be made only if the program is sold out and we resell your place(s), in which case a $2,500-per-person cancellation fee will apply.

Join us in Finland

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