Welcome to Discover the Secrets of Helsinki Happiness!
Year after year, Finland and Helsinki tops the world Happiness index. In Helsinki, we enjoy simple pleasures: clean air, pure water, relaxing sauna, unique food, walking around in the woods and seashore, experiencing various events, enjoying design in everyday life. Helsinki Happiness is the calm and peaceful type; it’s an appreciation for how things work and the ability to pause and admire the little things in life. Helsinki is a place where everyone’s free to be themselves.

Tampere is the most loved city of Finland. It’s the city with numerous events, fascinating cultural experiences, and soothing nature. This is a place where urban city life walks hand in hand with vivid nature. Tampere, the Sauna Capital of the World, is the city for sauna enthusiasts!
The nature is close everywhere you turn your head in Tampere. The location between two big lakes brings the water element to the city and you can find parks and urban nature even right in the middle of the city – all year round. Tampere region is the home of happiness with welcoming, laid-back people.

Turku & Saaristo, the Archipelago of Finland is a rising foodie, city break and nature holiday destination with the one-of-a-kind and world’s largest Archipelago of 40 000 islands, perfect for various kinds of outdoor activities and island-hopping adventures. Discover the exciting mixture of Turku’s urban center, its cultural offerings, and the rugged beauty of the Archipelago!

Afternoon check in to the hotel 
Meet your Helsinki Partners host Tia Lehtinen tel: +358 40 5339568

(Helsinki City centre Sightseeing Walk Tour)

18:30  Hotel St George site visit
Meet your hotel host: TBC

Hotel St. George is a full-service luxury hotel with holistic care for a healthy mind, heart and body. The hotel is situated by the beautiful Old Church Park in the heart of Helsinki. The Wintergarden, a restaurant and bar in the heart of the hotel, is a meeting place for everyone. The hotel also has its own bakery St. George Bakery, the first Monocle Shop in the Nordic countries and St. George Care -spa and gym

Short walk to the near by restaurant (4min.)                                                             

19:30 Dinner at the restaurant Passio
 We at Passio, we salute your experience with a strong ardor. Our foundation is based on simple, selected ingredients, sentimentally worked wines and polished skills in kitchen and on hall. Each of the courses and   portions we deliver for you is a present – with the fact you don’t need to stress of the satisfaction.

7:00 Breakfast at the hotel for those who had arrived on Monday

9:00 Lobby call
NB: Remember take your swimsuit with!
Meet your Helsinki Partners host Tia Lehtinen at the hotel lobby

Introduction to Helsinki by Tia Lehtinen
Meeting room number: TBC

City sightseeing tour by bus, meet your guide: TBC

9:30 Kallio, Helsinki an urban farming area
Located in Kallio, where city residents can grow plants and participate in more sustainable urban life. Visitors can see how ecological farming is also successful in the middle of the city.

Amusement Park “Linnanmäki” – Sealife   
Teurastamo area/Food district
Central Library Oodi 
Musiikkitalo – Music Center
Finlandia Hall 

Sightseeing will end at the hotel by the see

12:30  Inspection at the Solo Sokos Hotel Pier 4
Meet your hotel host: TBC

The moderately new Solo Sokos Hotel Pier 4 aims to be the most sustainable hotel in Finland in terms of everything from the building itself to the hotel’s functions and services. The hotel is in Katajanokan Laituri building, designed by Anttinen Oiva Architects, which is an impressive new solid wood building on Helsinki's shoreline that complements the city's signature skyline right next to the Market Square. The hotel has 164 rooms, 43 of which afford unobstructed views to the sea. The hotel also has conference facilities, a seaside café and a rooftop terrace with views over the Market Square and South Harbour.  

Short walk to the restaurant (11min.)

13:30-14:30 Lunch at Restaurant Savotta
Savotta offers genuine Finnish food and atmosphere, just off the Senate Square in the heart of Helsinki. The name Savotta means a logging site and the interior decoration and dishes are inspired by the Finnish forests and thousands of lakes, with a dash of Finnish nostalgy from the past decades and logging traditions. Savotta’s kitchen cherishes the Finnish food tradition. They use only Finnish ingredients from the pristine forests and lakes and from carefully selected small suppliers.                                                                          

Short walk to the Market Square (4min.)

15:00-16:30  Cruise around Helsinki archipelago
Helsinki Cruising Charters offers boat cruises, sightseeing tours, watersports, and transports to nearby islands. Their services are suitable for families, groups of friends, colleagues, couples, and anyone who loves the beautiful

Helsinki archipelago. They are happy to tailor their  service to your wishes, and can top your experience with delicious, packed lunch.

Short walk to Allaspool located by the harbour

16:30-18:30  Sauna and swimming experience at the Allaspool
Allas Sea Pool has enlivened the city centre waterfront and claimed its place as a popular centre of seaside bathing and urban culture for Helsinki residents. In addition to a refreshing swimming experience, the Allas Sea Pool offers unforgettable sauna moments with sea views. The pool now has five different saunas with changing rooms. At the heart of the sauna building is a new 30-seat shared-use observation sauna with views of the far archipelago and the outskirts of the island. Whether you’re looking for relaxation, sunbathing or live music, we offer a unique moment for you in the company of your soulmates. 
NB: Remember take your swimsuit with!
 
Short walk/transfer to the hotel (18min.)                                                              

19:30 Lobby call at your hotel 

Short walk/transfer to the hotel (18min.)

20:00  Dinner at the restaurant Nolla
Nolla is celebrated as Finland's first zero-waste restaurant. They emphasize locally sourced, organic ingredients and collaborate closely with local producers to offer the best seasonal fare. Every aspect of their operations is meticulously designed to minimize environmental impact.

21:45 Transfer back to the hotel
 

7:00 Breakfast at the hotel

9:45 Lobby call meet your HP host Tia Lehtinen at the hotel lobby

Short walk to the hotel Grand Hansa

10:00-10:45 Hotel Inspection at NH Collection Grand Hansa
Meet your host:

NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa is in the heart of Helsinki. An ideal base for both leisure and business guests, the hotel sits near top attractions like Helsinki Market Square and the Finnish National Theater, as well as major shopping areas and top restaurants. Plus, the hotel is also close to several transportation hubs, including the historical Central Station. This makes it easy for guests to access trams, buses and trains to explore other parts of the city or take day trips to nearby destinations.  

The hotel itself is located within two historic buildings that stand as a testament to Helsinki’s architectural and cultural heritage. Since the early 20th century, one of these buildings has served as a hub for Helsinki’s high society, intellectuals and cultural elite. Once a place for socializing, hosting banquets, concerts and literary events, the hotel’s grand ballroom has been a venue for many notable celebrations and gatherings over the years.  

11:00-11:30  Light lunch at the Hansa Café Bar and Brasserie

Walk/Transfer back to your hotel (10min)

11:45 Check out

12:00 Transportation to Naantali by bus (through Airport)

15:30 Arrival in charming archipelago town Naantali, known for its beautiful old wooden town, the idyllic guest harbour and the Moomins

Visit at Tammisto including afternoon coffee break

16:30 Visit at the Moominworld
Moominworld is a theme park based on the beloved Moomin stories and characters by Tove Jansson. Moominworld is situated in Naantali archipelago on a little nature near island. It is only 15km from Turku and two hours from Helsinki. Moominworld is open in the summer from June to August. At Moominworld you can step into a fairytale and meet all the lovely Moomin characters and their houses as well as lot of shows, shops and restaurants.

Walk through the idyllic old wooden town of Naantali

18:00 Check-in at Naantali Spa Hotel

Free time to e.g., enjoy the spa area

20:00 Dinner at Tammikellari

Sleep well & see you tomorrow!

07:30 Lobby call & check-out from the hotel

Transfer with bus to Turku harbour

08:45 Viking Line picnic cruise to Mariehamn

Breakfast on board, Viking Line welcome speech

Saaristo presentation on board (Lotta)
Inspection on board

Lunch

14:10 Arrival in Mariehamn 
14:25 Change of ship and departure from Mariehamn towards Turku

Inspection on board

19:45 Arrival to Turku – Welcome to the oldest town of Finland, turning 800 years in 2029!

Check-in at Solo Sokos Hotel Turun Seurahuone

20:30  Welcome drinks & dinner at Restaurant Gunnar in connection to the hotel

Good night & see you tomorrow!

Breakfast and check-out

9:00  The highlights of Turku by foot, such as the outdoor Market Square, indoor Market Hall and the old part of the town including Aboa Vetus Ars Nova and we will also visit the Medieval Marketevent, which takes place in Turku during your visit

11:30 Lunch at Restaurant Oobu

13:00  Coffee & cake at Café Qwensel             

13:30  Hotel inspection at Scandic Hamburger Börs

Transfer with bus to the train station

14:56 Train towards Tampere departs

Tampere program - TBC

Overnight in Tampere
 

Breakfast 

Day in Tampere TBC

15.45 Lobby call, a short walk to the Tampere Hall

16.00 A guided tour in the World´s only Moomin museum
The Moomins and the people of Tampere have a lot in common. Earthiness, eccentricity and the courage to embark on an adventure. It’s easy to come to Tampere – as if the doors were always open. There is the courage to build something new, to go where no one has gone before. Could there be a more fitting place for the world’s only Moomin Museum?
The Moomin Museum is an experiential art museum that takes visitors of all ages on an imaginary journey to Moominvalley. Our magical exhibition presents original Moomin illustrations donated by Tove Jansson in 1986, featuring the maritime adventures of her iconic cavalcade of loveable characters. Rounding out the exhibition is a selection of action-packed three-dimensional tableaux crafted by Tove’s partner, the graphic artist Tuulikki Pietilä.

17.00 Drive to Pyynikki Observation tower for an afternoon coffee, a doughnut and view
The Pyynikki observation tower is located on top of the world's largest esker over 150 meters (500 feet) above sea level, offering a wonderful view spanning over two lakes and the entire city of Tampere. The beautiful Pyynikki esker surrounding the tower was selected as nationally valuable landscape attraction in 1993. The famous cafeteria at the ground level has been running as a family business for over 30 years.      

18.15 Drive to the Finlayson Area
The Finlayson area is in the heart of Tampere in the nationally precious landscape of Tammerkoski rapids. The traditional area is known for the Finlayson cotton factory that was founded in 1820. The city of Tampere grew around this factory. The factory buildings of Finlayson are a major part of the identity and attractiveness of the city of Tampere.

We will walk through the Finlayson old factory area to Laukontori quay.

19.00 A Finnish Sauna evening
Imagine this: sitting or lying down in soothing warmth and peace that envelops your entire body, listening to the hissing noise as water is thrown on the stones, elevating the temperature and effortlessly melting away stress. Inhale the pleasant, earthy, and woodsy aroma emanating from the sauna’s wooden structure.
Step out into the fresh air, take a refreshing dip in the cool lake, and silently enjoy the breathtaking views with sounds from the nature. Sip a drink and let the entire experience refresh you. Repeat this cycle, relishing the exquisite feeling of temperature variation. Afterwards, discover a new sense of peace within yourself.
One of the specialties in the Sauna capital are floating saunas. Let´s hop on board one, head off to the lake and enjoy a lovely summer evening and relax on your last night in Finland.

22.00 Walk back to the hotel

 

Breakfast at the hotel

9.30 Lobby call, check-out and transfer to the railway station

10.00 Train to Helsinki airport

Flights from Helsinki back to home

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