{"id":14049,"date":"2025-07-24T12:15:24","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T17:15:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/?page_id=14049"},"modified":"2026-02-26T08:25:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T14:25:57","slug":"2027-finland","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/2027-finland\/","title":{"rendered":"2027 Finland"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-modular-content-collection><p><!-- begin-migrated-from-panel-builder --><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__image_overlay panel panel-image_overlay site-section__bg--default\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"image-overlay\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Northern Lights pine trees\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/03\/Northern-Lights-pine-trees.jpg');\" loading=\"lazy\"  class=\"site-section__bg-img site-section__bg-img--m-stack\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t<style>\n\t\t@media all and ( min-width: 960px ) {\n\t\t\t#site-panel__image-overlay-69e5f0ec2dfd8 {\n\t\t\t\theight: 900px;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t<\/style>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \n\t<div id=\"site-panel__image-overlay-69e5f0ec2dfd8\" class=\"site-panel__img-overlay-wrap site-panel__img-overlay--no-ribbon horz-left vert-middle\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__img-overlay-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content t-content--light\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"site-section__title bold\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tActive Adventure in &#8220;Happy&#8221; Finland\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__desc\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>February 3\u201315, 2027<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__micronavbutton panel panel-micronavbutton site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"micronavbutton\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t    <div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--top-padding-none site-section__inner--bottom-padding-none micronavbutton\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__no-gutters\"\n\t     data-depth=\"0\"\n\t     data-name=\"buttons\"\n\t     data-livetext\n\t>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn u-bc-cranberry\"\n\t\t\t\t   \thref=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/destinations\/\"\n\t\t\t\t   \ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-label\">See our other destinations<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWe&#039;re working on the details &#8211; please check back!\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn u-bc-teal\"\n\t\t\t\t   \thref=\"mailto:quiram@stolaf.edu\"\n\t\t\t\t   \ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-label\">Contact Us<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\n\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default site-section site-panel__accordion panel panel-accordion site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"accordion\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-section__inner l-wrapper \">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<header class=\"is-style-default site-section__header\">\n\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"is-style-default site-section__title h3\" id=\"led-by-dave-van-wylen-80-professor-emeritus-of-biology-and-pat-van-wylen-80-p-10-11-16-retired-interim-and-visiting-scholar-coordinator\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Led by Dave Van Wylen \u201980, Professor Emeritus of Biology, and Pat Van Wylen \u201980, P \u201910, \u201911, \u201916, Retired Interim and Visiting Scholar Coordinator<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid site-grid__wrapper\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\n<figure class=\"is-style-default c-caption\">\n\n\t<figure  class=\"is-style-default c-caption__img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"is-style-default \" alt=\"Nature winter snow dog sled\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/03\/Nature-winter-snow-dog-sled-600x350.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"is-style-default t-content\" data-name=\"content\" data-index=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;re invited to join us to enjoy all kinds of Finnish cold-weather activities and to chase the northern lights \u2013 or, if the timing is right \u2013 lie in your glass-domed cabin to watch the fire in the sky.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>This itinerary is custom-designed and distinctive to St. Olaf!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expand the Overview to the right for more information on what we&#8217;ll see, do, and learn.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default accordion site-panel__accordion-items\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"accordions\" data-livetext role=\"tablist\" aria-multiselectable=\"true\" data-js=\"accordion\">\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-header-0\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-content-0\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOverview\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-header-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-content-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">February above the Arctic Circle in Finland? Are we crazy? Absolutely not! It\u2019s not just that Finland is a winter wonderland of incredible natural beauty, with vast forests and thousands of lakes. It\u2019s also about Finnish culture; Finns embrace winter, both outdoors with snow-based activities and indoors in the coziness of fires, saunas, coffee, and relaxed mealtime conversation. And, Finland is one of the most stunning and sought after places to view the Northern Lights. Fingers crossed, we will see the magical dancing skies at some point of our arctic adventure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finland <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has topped the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/worldhappiness.report\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Happiness Report<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the past eight years (the United States was #24 in the most recent ranking). Finns, along with their love of nature, tend to trust their government and cherish public policies like free education and universal health care. We will certainly talk about \u201chappiness\u201d while exploring the \u201cworld\u2019s happiest country.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a program for \u201cactive\u201d learners. We begin in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, exploring the architecture, art, history, cuisine, and cultural richness of this lovely city. Then, we head north, where we fill parts of our days with outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, snow-shoeing, dog-sledding, snowmobiling, ice-floating, and fishing, while leaving space for personal relaxation, museums (including the Santa Claus Village), Finnish handicrafts, reindeer farms, and, of course, saunas and great meals together (some of which we may cook ourselves).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>The tour operator is pressing hotels for pricing, but they&#8217;re simply not providing it yet. We&#8217;ll be able to open registration once we have the pricing proposal from the tour operator. <\/em>So \u2026 please check back! Or, add your name to the <a href=\"mailto:travel@stolaf.edu?subject=Interest List - 2027 Finland\">interest list<\/a> to receive the first notification via email when registration opens.<\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-header-1\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-content-1\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tItinerary\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-header-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-content-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14574\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/2027-finland\/people-young-girl-winter-hot-chocolate-resize\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/People-young-girl-winter-hot-chocolate-resize.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"640,642\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"People young girl winter hot chocolate resize\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/People-young-girl-winter-hot-chocolate-resize.jpg\" class=\"is-style-default size-medium wp-image-14574 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/People-young-girl-winter-hot-chocolate-resize-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This tour starts in Helsinki, heads north to Rovaniemi, and then even farther north into Finnish Lapland. <\/span>Here is the first draft of the <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1PJcPn1aIdu2ukpGhhHAgTcvElP52UVTgsb7kUeupE8s\/edit?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">itinerary<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Our intention with each tour is to provide an itinerary that introduces you to key elements related to your destination or the educational theme, while also providing some free time for you to pursue your own interests or have some down time. The balance can vary from day to day, and from tour to tour.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll get the most out of study travel if you research what to do during your free time. This allows you to reap the benefits of group travel, while also customizing the tour to your interests and activity level. Read more about <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/how-to-be-an-independent-group-traveler\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Be an Independent Group Traveler<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-header-2\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-content-2\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTour Leaders\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-header-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-content-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9881\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/dave-and-pat-van-wylen-received-july-2022\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2022\/08\/Dave-and-Pat-Van-Wylen-received-July-2022.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"943,690\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Dave and Pat Van Wylen received July 2022\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2022\/08\/Dave-and-Pat-Van-Wylen-received-July-2022.jpg\" class=\"is-style-default alignleft size-medium wp-image-9881\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2022\/08\/Dave-and-Pat-Van-Wylen-received-July-2022-300x220.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"220\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dave and Pat Van Wylen <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are delighted to lead another learning and activity-rich St. Olaf <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alumni &amp; Family Travel<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> program. They <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are veteran group travel leaders, having led both St. Olaf student and Alumni &amp; Family Travel programs. With students, they led semester abroad programs in Asia (1998), the Middle East (2008), and Australia (2013). Dave taught three January interims in Peru (Peruvian Medical Experience), six interims of Cardiac Surgery and Research at Emory University in Atlanta, plus a summer Tanzania Global Health experience. Pat assisted on most of these programs as well as an interim Health Care and Culture course in Hawaii\/Micronesia. With Alumni &amp; Family Travel, they have led programs in the Netherlands (2015), New Zealand (2017, 2019 and 2026), Patagonia (2022), Spain (2022 and 2026) Vietnam\/Cambodia (2024), and Galapagos\/Amazon (2025).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dave (Biology) worked for 21 years at St. Olaf and then at Hope College for 9 years; he retired in May 2024. Pat worked in international studies at St. Olaf and Hope College and ran a small business assisting aging seniors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dave received his Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Michigan (Go Blue) and Pat has master\u2019s degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia in health administration and exercise physiology.<\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-header-3\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-content-3\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat to Expect and Participant Requirements\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-header-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-content-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expect to be awed by the landscape, invigorated by the activities, and intrigued by the culture of Finland.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ll fly from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, and otherwise, movement between cities will be by private motor coach. Movement within each city and at cultural\/historic sites will be on foot, requiring a lot of walking and standing, often over uneven ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To fully partake in this tour, you should have good balance, and be capable of walking several miles a day, climbing stairs that may not have handrails, keeping pace with an active group of travelers on long days of traveling, dealing with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing a different culture, and being a considerate member of the group (prompt, courteous and flexible). You always have the option of skipping a group activity you think will be too strenuous and remaining back at the hotel or on our private bus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any participant who has demonstrated an inability, in the opinion of the tour leader, of keeping up with the group or of safely participating in program activities may be prohibited from participating in certain activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage throughout the tour. Traveling lightly is highly recommended.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hotels will be tourist class (four-star or superior rating) with private bathrooms and English-speaking staff.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should plan on seeing your family physician or a travel doctor at least four to six weeks prior to departure, preferably earlier, to talk about routine vaccinations. For more information on travel health, visit <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/cdc.gov\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cdc.gov<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.who.it\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">who.int<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-header-4\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-content-4\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTour Pricing, Inclusions, and Exclusions\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-header-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-content-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inclusions and exclusions vary by tour, so please read the following information carefully. We try to strike a balance between nickel-and-diming you once on the tour and allowing you some freedom in your price point: including some meals and activities, for example, while making others optional or on your own. Private motor coaches throughout the tour are pricier than public transportation. Highly rated guides are essential and should command higher wages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The tour price is $9,898 per person, based on double occupancy. A supplement of $1,199 applies for single accommodations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inclusions: discussions led by Dave and Pat Van Wylen, assistance by a dedicated tour manager, accommodations, breakfast daily and group meals as listed on the itinerary, admissions for group activities, ground transportation during the tour (except arrival and departure airport transfers), gratuities to group guides, drivers, and meal servers, and some <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/travel-insurance\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">limited medical coverage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while overseas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Airfare to and from Finland is not included.<\/span><\/i> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Participants are solely responsible for all expenses not specifically included in the tour fee.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Examples of excluded expenses are: airfare between your hometown and Finland, airport transfers, any passport fees, any recommended immunizations or vaccinations, baggage insurance, trip cancellation insurance above $2,000 lifetime coverage, beverages at group meals, laundry, dry cleaning, phone charges, room service or other items of a personal nature, expenses incurred during free time or non-group activities, lunch and dinner, unless specifically included on the itinerary. <\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-header-5\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-content-5\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"5\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPayment and Refund Schedule\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-header-5\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-content-5\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"5\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This schedule is based on payments St. Olaf must make to tour vendors to guarantee group rates. This schedule is more aggressive than our typical tour, due to the demands by the Lapland hotels, which are in high demand this time of year. We highly recommend that you purchase additional trip cancellation insurance at the time of registration to recover your payments should you need to withdraw from the tour.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deposit due:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,500 upon registration<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Refund if you cancel:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">None, unless the tour is full and your place can be resold<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final payment due:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">October 1, 2026<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Refund if you cancel:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">None, unless the tour is full and your place can be resold<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Cancellations must be in writing.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-header-6\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-content-6\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"6\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAction Items and Documents\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-header-6\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e5f0ec2f9e2-content-6\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"6\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Read<\/strong> the <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1kefAXDTdW8LTJcdwDOhwIhQZ9wrdYz5itv3BaqMUPCk\/edit?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Terms &amp; Conditions<\/a>\u00a0and <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1z5iWanEWumyX-SC-7nLyb-4okmV_DSImlgeUVGclJ_0\/edit?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Release &amp; Waiver<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Review <\/strong>the latest information on recommended immunizations from the <a href=\"https:\/\/wwwnc.cdc.gov\/travel\/destinations\/list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Centers for Disease Control (CDC)<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Check your passport<\/strong>: ensure that it has at least 6 months\u2019 validity past the tour end date (or your return date, if you decide to extend your stay overseas) and at least one blank page.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Look at<\/strong> the <a href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/travel\/en\/international-travel.html\">International Travel<\/a> section of the U.S. State Department, including Before You Go, Country Information, While Abroad, and Emergencies.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Take time<\/strong> to <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/prepare-for-your-adventure\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prepare for your adventure<\/a> by checking out a variety of resources, including frequently asked questions, general health information, included travel insurance, a safety overview, and more.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hold the dates<\/strong> of February 3\u201315, 2027, <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">but do not book non-refundable air until we can confirm the tour is a go. Meanwhile see our tips on <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/booking-your-flights\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Booking Your Flights<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__imagetext panel panel-imagetext site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"imagetext\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__no-gutters  site-panel__imgtxt-img-right\">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<figure  class=\"c-image c-image--rect\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"Europe Finland Lapland winter snow reindeer animal~2\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/Europe-Finland-Lapland-winter-snow-reindeer-animal2-820x600.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1260px) 1260px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/Europe-Finland-Lapland-winter-snow-reindeer-animal2-520x300.jpg 520w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/Europe-Finland-Lapland-winter-snow-reindeer-animal2-820x600.jpg 820w, \nhttps:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/files\/2025\/07\/Europe-Finland-Lapland-winter-snow-reindeer-animal2-1120x853.jpg 1120w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col site-grid__col-safari-fix\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__imgtxt-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"c-text\">\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"c-text__desc t-content\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"content\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<p>Registration is not yet open. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Add your name to the <a href=\"mailto:travel@stolaf.edu?subject=Interest List - 2027 Finland\">interest list<\/a> to receive the first notification via email when registration opens.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile &#8230;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t   \tclass=\"cta\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/destinations\/\"\n\t\t   \ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\tSee our other destinations\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<p><!-- end-migrated-from-panel-builder --><\/p><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":616,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/page-panels-beside-sidebar.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14049","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14049","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/616"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14049"}],"version-history":[{"count":38,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14049\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15320,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14049\/revisions\/15320"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14049"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}