Scenic Rail And Boat Journey Across Finland

Helsinki

Helsinki, dubbed as the Design Capital of the World, is a stylish Nordic metropolis with a fascination for the great outdoors - the city is built on the rocky shores of the Baltic Sea and offers a wonderful blend of urban and natural. The elegant National Romanticism adorns its stoic buildings, and the bright summers give locals a good reason to enjoy the outdoors with lakes, islands, parks, design galleries, patio dining, saunas, and ice cream: while being the Northernmost country of the European Union, Finland consumes more ice cream than any other member state!

• Admission Ticket Free

Design District

In the evening, meet your trip leader for a welcome briefing over a drink to discuss the journey that awaits you and meet with fellow travelers of this small group experience. Enjoy an introductory orientation walk to acclimate to the new city, followed by a traditional Finnish dinner in a typical restaurant to become deliciously familiar with the local cuisine.

3 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Helsinki

Today’s goal is to get acquainted with Helsinki from the perspective of a resident: our Helsinki insider will take you on a fascinating morning experience that includes a ride on Helsinki’s iconic streetcar.

3 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Senate Square

Explore the highlights such as the emblematic Senate Square with the Cathedral, the vibrant waterfront with the Market Square, the swanky Esplanade Park, and the coveted Rock Church, a unique temple carved in solid bedrock. Enjoy a traditional coffee break at the historic café and check out the Design District along the upscale Bulevardi Avenue.

3 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Kallion Kirjasto

Escape the main visitor playground by streetcar to check out the once-dormant blue-collar Kallio that recently underwent gentrification.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Hakaniemi Market Hall

For lunch, your insider will take you to a neighborhood Food Hall to taste local specialties.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Central Library Oodi

The fun continues into the afternoon, exploring the Oodi National Library, a public space that the locals are very proud of - the modern architectural masterpiece is a palace of books and a favorite hangout for Helsinkians: plenty of room to read, work, learn, have a drink with a view, or join a workshop.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Helsinki City Museum

Visit the Helsinki City Museum to learn more about the city’s urban development and the future projects.

45 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Finland

We’ve listened to our traveler feedback and added a day in Helsinki to enjoy it the way you like it. With so many museums, design shops and galleries, and outdoor spaces, there is never a dull moment in this city. What do locals do here in summer? They swim, hike, or go to Tallinn for a day!

• Admission Ticket Free

Kuusijarvi

Lake Kuusijarvi, located within Greater Helsinki, and accessible via local train and bus, offers lake swimming and a sauna experience - try the traditional and world-famous Finnish sauna, or a more archaic smoke sauna. The nearby hiking trails can be taken for an extended outing, foraging blueberries and mushrooms along the way.

3 Hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Nuuksio National Park

Nuuksio National Park in the nearby Espoo area, reachable by frequent train and bus service, is a wonderful escape into the wilderness with forest and lakeside trails, picnicking, and learning about nature in a dedicated visitor center.

4 Hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Tallinn Old Town

If you would like to stay in the company of your trip leader and see a new country, you’ll definitely want to join the optional day cruise to Tallinn, Estonia’s capital. A 2-hour high-speed ferry ride offers unparalleled views, traveling to a medieval time capsule located in the World’s most digital country behind the invention of internet calling, electronic citizenship, and online elections. You’ll explore Tallinn’s stunning World Heritage Old Town and have enough time to check out the hip local hangouts.

12 Hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Helsinki Central Railway Station

Convene at the historic Helsinki Railway Station, one of the most beautiful terminals in the World. The spacious National Romanticist train depot is worth exploring before taking the modern intercity train to Tampere, Finland’s second-largest city to experience a different, low-key feel, that’s intrinsic to the Finnish DNA. This comfortable 2-hour journey offers views of Hämeenlinna Fortress.

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Tampere

Upon arrival in Tampere, drop your bag at the local close to the railway station and start exploring this exciting city nicknamed Manchester of the North for its brick architecture and industrial heritage and praised as being the Sauna Capital of the World.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

During the walking tour of Tampere, we’ll admire Tammerkoski Falls, Art Nouveau buildings, and visit the iconic Tampere Market Hall - the largest market hall in the Nordic countries, a great place to fill yourself up with typical lunch dishes and snacks from the area.

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Museokeskus Vapriikki

The Vapriikki (factory) Museum Center is a result of a successful industrial>cultural space conversion project and now boasts 7 galleries in the historic brick-dominated neighborhood. A dedicated exhibition recounts the legend of Nokia, Finland’s most known brand.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

The Finnish Labour Museum Werstas

Finland has a unionized labor market and boats a lot of know-how to share when it comes to work ethic. Visit Werstas, the Finnish Museum of Labor, run by Finlayson, a renowned home decor brand.

45 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Nokia

While Nokia was founded in Tampere due to a namesake river, there is an actual town called Nokia a short train ride away - you can do a very localized excursion during your free late afternoon, or you might stay in Tampere and enjoy walks along all the lakes.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Tampere is also home to a number of public saunas (our favorite is a 108-year-old public sauna in Pispala), and there is even a sauna restaurant - this is our suggestion for tonight.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Turku

By now, you’ve explored Finland’s biggest and second-biggest cities, so naturally, the third-biggest is in the charts for today. Turku, or Abo in Swedish, is Finland’s former capital and a relaxing port city - get there by taking the morning train from Tampere.

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Turku Castle

Upon arrival, discover Turku’s allure with the elegant Aura Riverwalk, historic cathedral, and the impressive Turku castle.

1 Hours 30 Minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Luostarinmaen Kasityolaismuseo

On Luostari Hill, unveil Turku’s past wandering around the well-preserved wooden neighborhood turned museum.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Naantali

This evening, join a local’s favorite pastime - the Archipelago Dinner Cruise. A lively cruise offers great views, a chance of commotion and a traditional Finnish buffet dinner as well as an opportunity to set foot in Naantali, Finland’s premier seaside resort - stretch your legs along the waterfront, order a beverage and admire the views of the incoming and departing sailboats, or stop at the famous ice cream kiosk.

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

The Archipelago Trail

Water plays a key role in the Finnish DNA - be it Ice Age lakes, rapid rivers, island-dotted seas, or winter snow cover. The Finnish Archipelago is like a 40,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, half of which is located near Turku. On today’s archipelago boat trip, we’ll cross the island-dotted seas.

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Nagu

Welcome to Nauvo, an idyllic harbor with a beach, several restaurants, and a stone church. After lunch, we’ll enjoy light cycling along the Nauvo section of the famous Archipelago Trail. The flat terrain is ideal for a leisurely ride soaking up the views.

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Return to Turku in the early evening. The Aura River, flowing through the center, is the heart and soul of our city, and nothing can be more pleasant on a sunny summer’s day than to follow it down to the sea.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Kakola

Turku is already one of the most sustainable cities in Europe with eco-friendly and unique means of transport that are actively used by the locals. We recommend that you cross the river with Föri, a popular free-of-charge electric ferry that has been carrying the people of Turku for more than a hundred years. Another beloved free-of-charge transport is Funi, a cable car that brings you to Kakolanmäki Hill to enjoy a locals' hangout.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Turku

Tonight, go visit a local family home for a traditional sauna experience and barbecue dinner - hear their stories and get closer to decoding the Finnish DNA!

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Salo

Take the intercity Pendolino from Turku to Helsinki, Finland’s first high-speed railway line. It’s a scenic journey crossing forests, meadows, farmland, and lakes.

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

In Helsinki, we’ll change on to a local bus to reach Porvoo, Finland’s prettiest little town with beautifully preserved wooden houses. But first, our driver picks us up at the station to take us to a local farm, where we’ll look around and enjoy a typical farmer’s lunch.

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Porvoo

In the afternoon, explore Porvoo with its wooden warehouses, art galleries, shops, restaurants, and cafes.

1 Hours 30 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Return to Helsinki for your farewell evening - perhaps check out the hip Jatkasaari neighborhood, visit a local sauna, or enjoy a nice dinner from our list of recommendations.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Finland

Based on your travel plans, enjoy a free morning/day in Helsinki. While we highly recommend using Helsinki’s excellent public transport network to reach your departure gateway (port, station, airport), we also offer private transfers for your convenience at an additional cost. This tour can be combined back-to-back with the Weeklong Baltic Immersive Journey.

• Admission Ticket Free