This page provides dedicated information for international media visiting as official media guests of Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association, Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture and Visit Oulu. You can apply to the trip here.

3–8 June 2026 | Ruka-Kuusamo & Oulu

All travel, accommodation, meals and transfers included in the official programme are organised for the participants.

Programme overview 

Wednesday 3.6.2026 – Night train to Lapland

19:29 Night train to Lapland (Kemijärvi)
The journey begins from Helsinki central railway station. The VR train has a restaurant car and private sleeping cabins. Enjoy the train journey across Finnish lakeland and admire the wilderness and countryside views and cross the arctic circle in the golden glow of the midnight sun.

Thursday 4.6.2026 – Welcome to Ruka-Kuusamo

Enjoy breakfast at the restaurant car.

8:50 Arrival to Kemijärvi and bus transfer to Ruka-Kuusamo

11:00 Arrival to Ruka-Kuusamo, check in Rukan Salonki Chalets, accommodation in private rooms. Accommodation options are the heart of Rukan Salonki: traditional log cabins and apartments represent northern luxury. For us, there is a charm in nature that golden faucets and other similar embellishments cannot reach. We believe in the magnetic appeal of an experiential natural environment.

12:00 Lunch and area presentation, Rukan Salonki Chalets company story

14:00 Visit reindeer farm and learn about reindeer husbandry lifestyle by the open fire
Visit the reindeer enclosure where you can take pictures and get to know the reindeer as animals. Have you heard the snap of a reindeer’s feet or the sound it makes when they munch on their lichen delicacies? What about Did you know that the appearance of reindeer changes all the time, because they e.g. shed their fur and grow and shed their antlers every year? When the reindeer have had their treat, we move to Kammi, where it’s your turn to enjoy soot pot coffee, reindeer sausage and home made pastries by the campfire. Reindeer herders tell stories about the ancient lifestyle of reindeer husbandry. At the end of the visit, we visited the historic over 100-year-old house, the handicraft shop.

17:00 Sauna Tour and wild food dinner at Pohjolan Pirtti & Kievari
Introduction to the history of the Finnish sauna, sauna traditions now and before, sauna lifestyle of the Finns. Separate changing rooms for men and women. 3 different saunas and an outdoor hot tub at your disposal. Our sauna elf guides you through the program. Locally made herbal tea and home made berry juice are served; other refreshments are available for purchase. After sauna we invite you to the main building: over 100 years old Pohjola family home. Dinner consisting of local specialities is served. Vegetarian and vegan menu also available on request. Our family is happy to share our long local history with you. Beverages are available for purchase. Summertime you may enjoy the summer nights and midnight sun of the Arctic summer. Duration of the progran 5 hours including transfers.

21:00 Transfer to accommodation

Friday 5.6.2026 Seven star smoke sauna ja Pyhäpiilo sauna world

Breakfast at Rukan Salonki Chalets

Relaxed morning

12:00 Arctic lunch by open fire at Isokenkäisten Klubi
The traditional hut “Helekuta” of Isokenkäisten Klubi attracts with its warm and magical atmosphere. The ready-made campfires and the guide of Helekuta welcome guests to the reindeer-covered stools to enjoy welcome drinks and hear the story of the “Isokenkäisten Klubi”. By the fireplace, rich wild mushroom soup and warm smoked cheese sandwiches are served, which are roasted in the flames of an open fire. For dessert, enjoy the house’s wild berry pie with vanilla sauce and strong black coffee. The hostesses of the house tell stories about the local food culture, the customs and everyday life of Kuusamo.

14:00 Seven Star Smoke Sauna
Before you have experienced it, you cannot understand the blissful feeling which takes over the body after a bath in a smoke sauna. The gentle warmth and scent of our Seven Star Smoke Sauna leaves you with an ever-lasting memory. Our sauna master takes care of heating the sauna, and he also knows how to make the traditional, fragrant birch whisks. The sauna is heated with dry birch logs. Heating a smoke sauna is not a job for a busy man. Bathing in a smoke sauna is a unique experience, with peat moss treatment and a dip in the lake water. All this leaves a wonderful, relaxed feeling to the entire body.

The Isokenkäisten Klubi Seven Star Smoke Sauna is located on the shore of Lake Heikinjärvi. The sauna seats 15 people. In summer it is lovely to cool down on the terrace, admire the sunset and take a dip in the cool and clear lake water. The refreshing dip into the fresh lake water is an experience you will never forget.

17:00 Pyhäpiilo Sauna World by Rukan Salonki Chalets
Pyhäpiilo is a sauna, nature spa and a place to relax. Enjoy the beautiful nature just outside the sauna complex; the location at the foot of a hill and by the lake is something special. The heart of Pyhäpiilo is our authentic smoke sauna. The spa fits up to 40 people. Complete your visit to Pyhäpiilo with relaxing sauna treatments, local delicacies and the soothing warmth of our outdoor hot tub

Relaxed wild food dinner and cheers for the authentic sauna experiences!

Saturday 6.6.2026 – From wilderness to urban sauna culture

Breakfast in Rukan Salonki Chalets

9:00 During the relaxed morning we will visit one of the best landscape spots of Ruka-Kuusamo.
Ruka-Kuusamo is known for its national parks, open 360 views from the fells and wildly roaring waterfalls. Here in the land of national parks you are guaranteed to find a view that speaks directly to you.

11:00 Lunch in Ruka Village

12:00 Departure to Oulu, driving time 3 hours

~15:00 Arrival in Oulu and check-in to the hotel

16:00 Departure from the hotel

16:15 Oulu2026 introduction
Oulu is the European Capital of Culture 2026 and the largest city in Northern Finland. The programme year connects art, technology and northern nature, creating new cultural experiences across the region. The city is known for its relaxed atmosphere, strong creative scene and close connection to the sea and surrounding nature.

17:00 Brief introduction Underground Clash
Underground Clash is part of the Lumo Art & Tech programme and transforms urban space through light, sound and technology. The work highlights Oulu’s role as a city where art and technology meet, offering an immersive experience that invites visitors to see familiar environments in a new way.

17:15 BBQ dinner at Café Kiikku
A relaxed outdoor dinner introducing northern flavours and seasonal ingredients in an informal setting. The focus is on simple, high-quality food and a shared dining experience close to nature.

Evening at the Oulu Sauna Festival
The evening is dedicated to sauna, one of the most essential elements of Finnish culture and everyday life. The festival brings together different sauna traditions and atmospheres, offering a social and welcoming way to experience sauna culture as locals do – through relaxation, conversation and shared moments.

Return to hotel

Optional: Pikipop Festival
Pikisaari, located next to the city centre, is known as a hub for artists and creative industries. The festival offers an opportunity to experience the local indie music scene and the island’s unique cultural atmosphere.

Sunday 7.6.2026 – Sea, culture and contemporary sauna

9:00 Optional: Morning sauna at the Oulu Sauna Festival

Start the day with a traditional Finnish way of waking up – a morning sauna. The calm atmosphere of the early hours offers a different perspective to the sauna experience.

10:00 Visit to Nallikari seaside area
Nallikari is Oulu’s well-known beach area by the Bothnian Bay, offering wide sandy beaches, open sea views and fresh coastal air. The area reflects the strong connection between the city and the sea, which is an essential part of local identity and lifestyle.

12:00 Lainesauna – sauna and lunch
Lainesauna is a modern architectural sauna by the sea, representing contemporary Finnish sauna design. Clean lines, natural materials and large windows create a strong connection to the surrounding landscape. The experience combines sauna, nature and well-being in a calm coastal setting. Lunch is served on site.

15:00 Exhibitions: Oulu City Hall & PLAY – Fotografiska Tallinn x Oulu2026
At Oulu City Hall, we will visit two separate exhibitions that are part of the Oulu2026 programme. Layers in the Peace Machine is an immersive and multidisciplinary media installation by Ekho Collective, based on the literary work by Timo Honkela. Spanning multiple spaces in Oulu City Hall, the work explores peace as a dynamic process shaped by interaction, memory, language and participation.

Also on display at Oulu City Hall is Earworm – Media Art from Kiasma, a free exhibition of video works from the Finnish National Gallery collection. The exhibition focuses on works in which music and sound are integral to the atmosphere and narrative, creating a multi-sensory media art experience.

We will also visit PLAY – Fotografiska Tallinn x Oulu2026, which brings international photography into an unexpected urban setting and highlights new ways of encountering art outside traditional exhibition spaces.

16:30 Short break at the hotel

17:00 Evening in Pikisaari

Pikisaari is a small island near the city centre, known for its creative community and relaxed atmosphere. The area has long traditions in craftsmanship and now functions as a meeting place for artists, designers and cultural actors.

Visit to PROTO – Designers’ Association of Northern Finland
A relaxed introduction to the local design scene, offering insight into contemporary creative work and the role of design in the region.

Dinner and sauna at Mallassauna
Mallassauna combines a brewery, restaurant and sauna into one experience rooted in local culture. The concept is connected to the Arctic Food Lab, which highlights northern ingredients, pure nature and sustainable food culture. The evening offers a social and authentic way to experience Oulu’s urban lifestyle through food, sauna and local encounters.

Monday 8.6.2026 – Slow morning and departure

9:30 Visit to Olosauna
Olosauna offers a calm and contemporary sauna experience focused on relaxation and well-being. The minimalist design and peaceful atmosphere provide a gentle ending to the visit.

11:50 Departure by train from Oulu to Jyväskylä
17:44 Arrival in Jyväskylä and a possibility to join the World Sauna Forum.

Travel & transportation

All transfers during the press trip, are organised and included as part of the hosted programme. No independent transportation is required during the official schedule. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask any time!

Language

The programme, guided tours and discussions are conducted in English.

Contacts during the trip

Contact details for hosts and coordinators will be provided prior to arrival. A WhatsApp group will also be created for all participants.

About Oulu and the Oulu2026 region

Oulu is the European Capital of Culture 2026 together with 39 partner municipalities in Northern Finland. The aim is a lasting cultural climate change: a permanently richer cultural life and a positive transformation for the region. Cultural climate change brings together culture, art and technology in surprising ways, creates encounters and generates interaction.

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June weather and summer conditions in Northern Finland

June marks the beginning of summer in Northern Finland, and the conditions can vary from warm, sunny days to cooler and occasionally rainy weather. Temperatures typically range from around +10 to +20 degrees Celsius, but warmer periods above +20°C are also possible. At the same time, especially near the coast and rivers, wind can make the temperature feel cooler than expected.

One of the most distinctive features of June is the light: the nights are bright, and around mid-June the region experiences the phenomenon of the midnight sun, when it never truly gets dark. This creates a unique atmosphere throughout the day and evening.

Parts of the programme take place outdoors, including walks and visits to nature locations such as riverbanks, forests and coastal areas. Surfaces may be uneven, and short walks are included as part of the experience.

How to dress and what to pack

We recommend dressing in layers to stay comfortable in changing conditions. A light jacket, warmer layer (such as a sweater or fleece), and comfortable walking shoes are essential. It is also advisable to bring a waterproof jacket or coat in case of rain.

Evenings by the water can feel cooler, so having an extra layer is useful. Overall, preparing for both warm sunshine and fresh northern breezes will ensure a comfortable experience throughout the trip.

Practical information 

The national languages in Finland are Finnish and Swedish, and English is widely spoken. In addition, three Sámi languages are spoken in Finland: North Sámi, Inari Sámi and Skolt Sámi.

Useful phrases

Thank you
Finnish: Kiitos

Hi
Finnish: Hei / Moi

Welcome
Finnish: Tervetuloa

Timezone in Finland is Eastern European Time. 
Emergency number is 112. 
The currency is the euro and debit and credit cards are accepted everywhere. 

 

Dress code 

The general dress code during the press trip is casual. Above all, please remember to dress according to the weather.

Please bring swimwear, as in some public saunas in Finland it is recommended to wear your swimwear.

The programme is subject to changes.