DESTINATION INFORMATION FOR FINLAND NORTHERN LIGHTS OF LAPLAND

Transcription

1 DESTINATION INFORMATION FOR FINLAND NORTHERN LIGHTS OF LAPLAND What You Need to Know Before You Go PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION In order to enter Finland as a citizen of the United States, you will need: A signed passport valid for 6 months beyond the completion of this trip. Make sure your passport has enough blank visa pages available for entry and exit stamps. Contact our partner, VisaCentral for easy, efficient passport and visa processing. Call and reference A&K s account number #73001 or visit our Travel Store at abercrombiekent.com/travel_store. If you are not a citizen of the United States, your entry requirements may vary. Please consult the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries you will be visiting. CONSULAR INFORMATION The US Department of State provides Country Specific Information Sheets for every country in the world, as well as Travel Advisories. Find this information by calling or or online at travel.state.gov. CURRENCY The euro is the official currency of Finland. Most major credit cards are widely accepted. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are very common and many U.S. issued bankcards are compatible with them. We suggest travelling with some U.S. dollars to be exchanged for local currency and at least two major credit cards. If you have a Chip and PIN card, be careful to shield your number from view while entering it on a keypad; never disclose your PIN verbally. Unattended self-service payment kiosks such as those in parking garages, train stations or gas stations only accept a Chip and PIN card or cash. Notify your credit card company of your travel plans prior to your departure to avoid any fraud concerns. Exchange currency only at authorized outlets such as exchange kiosks, banks and hotels and exchange only what you think you will need during your trip. We do not recommend traveller s checks as they are not widely accepted. HEALTH It is important to familiarize yourself with any potential health issues or concerns related to your destination, and so we strongly recommend consulting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for up-to-date information on required and recommended vaccines and medications. Visit them online at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel or call Plan to visit your doctor or local travel clinic at least 4-6 weeks before departure to allow time for any vaccinations to take effect or to fill any prescriptions. Required Vaccination: None

2 Guests should be in good physical condition and feel comfortable walking on uneven surfaces such as snow and ice. Activities such as snowmobiling, dog-sledding or snowshoeing may not be suitable for guests with back or heart problems. WEATHER Winter is the longest season in Finland averaging about 5 months. Temperatures remain constantly below freezing, decreasing the further north you go. Nighttime temperatures tend to drop considerably. Snow remains on the ground at this time of the year. Lapland s (Northern Finland) weather is typical of the Arctic region. December and January are quite cold with snow falling on most days. February brings some of the coldest temperatures although the air is dry and the winds are low. March marks the end of winter in Finland; however, it is still cold, as spring-like weather usually doesn t arrive until sometime in April. Avg. High (F) Avg. Low (F) Avg. Days with Snow Helsinki Dec 32º 19º 12 Rovaniemi Dec 19º 5º 10 Helsinki Jan 30º 16º 10 Rovaniemi Jan 15º 0º 10 Helsinki Feb 30º 14º 8 Rovaniemi Feb 17º 3º 10 Helsinki Mar 36º 21º 8 Rovaniemi Mar 26º 11º 9 Use a website such as weather.com to find average temperatures and rainfall during your travel times. ELECTRICAL SERVICE Finland volts and 50 hertz Be sure to pack a universal travel adapter. You can purchase one through A&K s Travel Store at usa.thetraveloutfitter.com. WHAT TO PACK A Clothing and Packing Checklist to help you pack for your journey is included on the last page of this document. You will be provided with snowmobile overalls and snow boots on location for use during activities on Days 5, 6, and 7 while in Rovaniemi and Saariselka. Your Resident Tour Director will provide details during your welcome briefing. A wide range of snowsuit and snow boot sizes are available and you will have the opportunity to exchange sizes at time of pick up. Daytime attire: It is imperative that you pack clothing that is specifically created for cold climate and windy conditions. Pack a comfortable, warm coat and boots, along with casual clothing in breathable fabrics that you can layer. Evening attire: You may want to pack 1 or 2 smart casual outfits for evening dining in restaurants. Formal clothing is not necessary. Note: Laundry service is available at your hotels. Dry cleaning is not available. TIPS FOR STAYING WARM

3 As a general rule, pack clothing you can layer. In colder destinations, it s important not to overdress to the point of perspiration, and important to wear waterproof clothing. Wet skin can quickly lead to a dangerous loss of body heat. Wearing several medium-weight layers of clothing made of breathable materials under your parka allows you to adjust your personal temperature at will. Each layer has a function. The base layer transfers moisture to upper layers and will help keep your body dry and comfortable. It s best to have long thermal underwear made of lightweight, breathable material against your skin. Thermal underwear should fit snugly. Woolen thermals, silk or a combination of synthetic and merino wool are recommended. Avoid cotton, as it traps moisture and can cause you to become chilled. The mid layer provides insulation to trap warmth created by your body heat. Fabrics such as Polartec, Pertex or lightweight wool materials will keep you warm. Clothing should fit loosely. Clothing that is too tight does not allow for airflow, causing you to feel cold. The outer layer should provide protection against moisture and wind and allow freedom of movement. Wind and water-resistant materials are the best protection in wet snow. The outer layer should be large enough to fit over the top of several mid layers. Your hat should protect your head, ears and neck. Wool or fleece with a wind-protecting liner is best. Gloves should be windproof, have a warm liner and enough wiggle room for your fingers. In very cold weather, both gloves and mittens provide the best protection. Shoes should be large enough to allow space for extra socks or insoles. BAGGAGE RESTRICTIONS On flights within Finland, checked baggage allowance is one piece weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kilos). Any additional or overweight pieces will be charged on check-in. Carryon luggage is limited to one piece of carry-on baggage, maximum dimensions (length x width x height) 22 inches x 18 inches x 10 inches (56 centimeters x 45 centimeters x 25 centimeters) and one personal item such as a small handbag, a small laptop bag or a small backpack that must be placed under the seat in front of you with maximum dimensions (length x width x height) 16 inches x 12 inches x 6 in inches (40 cm x 30 cm x15 cm). Total maximum combined weight of carry-on baggage is 17.5 pounds (8 kilos). As a preventative measure, it is recommended that all luggage be secured with a TSA approved lock.

4 What You Need to Know When You Arrive TIME ZONES Finland operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +2 hours. In Southern Finland, the shortest day in winter is 6 hours long; although in general, Helsinki averages about 12 hours of daylight at this time of the year. In winter, Northern Finland experiences a phenomenon known as polar night when the sun never fully rises. The effect is not pitch black, but almost like twilight. Northern Finland receives only about 3-4 hours of daylight in December and January. In February, days average about 5-8 hours of sunshine. In March, days are getting brighter and Northern Finland receives about 9-12 hours of daylight. At 9:00 a.m. in Finland, it is: EST CST MST PST 2:00 a.m. the same day 1:00 a.m. the same day 12:00 a.m. the same day 11:00 p.m. the previous day LANGUAGE Finland is bilingual and both Finnish and Swedish are considered the official languages. Apart from the very young and the old, most Finns speak some English or at least, understand it. A small number of indigenous people speak the Sami language in addition to Finnish. Please consult with your guide on translations, if needed. AIRPORT INFORMATION At most international airports, passengers cannot be met inside secured areas. This includes Immigration, Customs halls and Baggage Claim. Your A&K representative will greet you as you exit these restricted areas; look for the person holding the distinctive yellow A&K signboard. Before departing, remember to tag your checked luggage with the A&K luggage tags provided. These brightly colored markers help identify you and your luggage quickly. PROTECTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS Use the safes where available in your accommodations to secure your valuables, especially passports, medications, jewelry, money and electronics. If you must carry valuables, keep them on your person at all times. Be mindful of your surroundings and take extra caution in crowds. Photocopy the personal information pages of your passport; leave one copy with a family member or friend and pack another separately from the passport itself. You may want to scan and a copy to yourself for easy, online access. This will help speed up the replacement process. ETIQUETTE AND PHOTOGRAPHY Unless you are shooting a crowded public scene, it is considered courteous to ask permission before taking pictures of local people, especially small children. Please be respectful of local people who do not wish to be photographed.

5 Photography is not permitted at some locations, which may include government buildings, museums, art galleries, private houses, etc. These areas are usually clearly marked. If in doubt, please ask. Battery life is greatly reduced in cold weather. Bring two sets of rechargeable batteries and a charger. During outings, a set of spare batteries should be carried in an inside pocket to keep them as warm as possible. If you have a small camera, attach it to a lanyard so you can carry it under your parka. It also helps to keep it in a waterproof bag when not taking pictures; snow can disable a camera. If you have a larger camera, consider a specialized waterproof covering. Also be sure to bring lens cleaning materials such as a micro-cloth. If shooting digital, bring plenty of memory, or bring a computer or some other storage device to periodically download images. FOOD AND DRINK Tap water in Finland is considered safe to drink however, bottled water is recommended for consumption. Regardless of precautions, changes in water and diet can result in mild abdominal upsets and nausea. To prevent serious illness, avoid suspect foods such as uncooked vegetables, peeled fruit, un-pasteurized milk and milk products. Beware of any food or drink sold by street vendors. SHOPPING Opportunities for shopping are limited due to the remote location visited on this journey. As a courtesy, your guide may recommend a particular shop or arrange a shopping visit. Please note, however, that these recommendations should not be taken as A&K s endorsement of the shop, merchandise and/or pricing. You assume all responsibility for any transactions that take place, including shipping arrangements that are made. The decision to shop while travelling is a personal choice and shopping is never compulsory. If at any point during your journey you feel pressured to shop or make purchases, please immediately discuss the matter with your Abercrombie & Kent representative. To avoid disappointment, we suggest the following guidelines: Compute the exchange rate and thoroughly review credit card receipts before signing. Take your purchases home with you whenever possible. Airfreight can take many months and actual shipping charges can be excessive. Customs delays, fees and regulations can further complicate the issue. If you choose to ship purchases, we suggest taking a picture of the item(s) and/or marking them in some way to ensure you receive what was purchased. For example, you could write your name on the backside of a rug. Determine if your shipment will be delivered door-to-door or to the nearest customs facility, as is often the case. Most goods shipped from other countries to the United States are subject to Customs duty. Duty taxes, if applicable, are paid as you re-enter the United States. Regardless of assurances by merchants, these cannot be prepaid on your behalf. Currently, each person is entitled to an $800 duty-free exemption, however, may only bring one liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars. Keep all sales receipts for items purchased throughout your trip and try to pack all items that you will need to declare together. This will ease the Customs process upon re-entry into the U.S.

6 Consult the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for more details. COMMUNICATIONS Contact your cellular telephone provider to determine if your phone operates on the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and what, if any, activation may be required. If your phone is not GSM-enabled, you may find that renting a phone specifically designed for use overseas is the most practical option. Extreme cold weather will diminish your phone s charge and it s best to keep your mobile phone in an inner pocket of your parka and avoid taking it out in frigid temperatures. Please be prepared for periods of time during your journey where Wi-Fi internet access may not be available. On daily excursions, there may be remote wilderness locations where reception will be affected. TIPPING GUIDELINES While decisions regarding tipping rest entirely with you, we suggest the following gratuities (noted in U.S. dollars) depending on the type of journey: Resident Tour Director or Group Extension Guide All Small Group Journeys and Pre/Post Tour Extensions $20 per person, per day Not applicable Tailor Made and Signature Journeys Local Guides Included $25 per person, per day (full day) Drivers Included $15 per person, per day (full day) Airport Transfer Drivers Included $5 per person, per transfer Hotel Porters Included $2 per bag Housekeepers Included $2 per person, per night Included Meals Included 10-15% unless already added Restaurants or Room Service on own 10-15% unless already added 10-15% unless already added For extra nights or Tailor Made services added to a small group journey, please follow the Tailor Made Journey guidelines for these days only. In Finland, gratuities are not generally expected. If your gratuity is declined, don't be offended. Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC, 2018

7 CLOTHING AND PACKING CHECKLIST Outdoor Clothing - Outer Layer Windproof and water-resistant hooded jacket Windproof and water-resistant winter pants Pair of warm and comfortable boots with sturdy soles 1-2 Pairs of ski mittens or gloves with glove liners 3-4 Pairs of high socks thermal socks Balaclava (ski mask) Outdoor Clothing - Mid Layer Insulated jacket Thin fleece jacket Outdoor Clothing - Base Layer 2-3 Thermal top Thermal pant 3-4 Pairs of thermal sock liners 1-2 Glove liners Outdoor Accessories Polypropylene or wool ski cap (beanie) Tube-style scarf Goggles (100 UV protection) Sunglasses (100 UV protection) Small backpack Sunscreen (high SPF of 30 or higher) Optional: Hand and foot warmers. Additional Clothing Suggestions 2-3 Pairs of warm casual trousers to wear under snow pants (Expedition Stretch fabric, wool or corduroy fabric work well) 2-3 Warm woolen sweaters

8 2-3 Warm turtlenecks or long-sleeved tops/shirts (Expedition Stretch fabric, wool or corduroy fabric work well) Casual evening outfit Personal garments including thermal or silk long underwear Sleepwear Pair of comfortable walking shoes with low or no heels Miscellaneous Items Photography equipment: Batteries (lithium batteries recommended for longer life), memory cards, charging cables. A waterproof case or sealable plastic bags and lens brush are also recommended. Aspirin/pain relievers Antacids/laxatives/anti-diarrhea medicine/motion sickness tablets Moisturizing cream and lip balm Personal toiletries (hotels will provide basic toiletries and hair dryers) If you wear glasses or contact lenses consider bringing an extra pair; contact lens solution Prescription medications and copy of prescriptions First aid kit including Band-Aids and moleskin Slippers (for comfort after a long day of activities). Although it s Nordic custom to remove your shoes when entering a home, this is not a requirement at the hotels. Ziplock bags for camera equipment, wet or dirty clothes Personal electronics and chargers; global travel adapter