Daily Tours

 

An attractive choice of guided tours has been prepared for all delegates and accompanying persons. Below you will find the respective schedule and short descriptions. Please note that during all tours you will be accompanied by knowledgeable, English speaking guides.

 

Tour prices include transfer by deluxe coach. The organizer reserves the right to cancel the tour in case of less than 20 registered persons. Full refunds will be made if an activity is cancelled due to lack of participants. On-site requests for tours are welcome but can not be guaranteed.

 

If you require further information on any of the below tours, please contact:

 

The Travel Experience
Ms Annika Herviö
Eteläinen Hesperiankatu 10 A 10
00100 Helsinki, Finland

Phone: +358 9 622 98 10
Fax: +358 9 622 98 120
Email: Annika.hervio@travel-experience.net

 

Tour 1: Helsinki city sightseeing

Date/Time: Saturday, 16 May, 14.00 and Monday, 18 May, 9.00
Length: 3 hours
Price: EUR 28 per person
Meeting place: Bus departs from main entrance of Helsinki fair centre.

 

Helsinki is an enchanting mix of old and new, a cultural blend where East meets West. During this privately-guided tour you will see the main city sights – the Senate Square with Helsinki Cathedral, the market square and harbour, Finlandia concert Hall, the Olympic Stadium, Temppeliaukio Church (also known as the Rock Church) and the Sibelius Monument. Helsinki's spectacular seaside location is enjoyed with a coastal drive with views across the stunning archipelago towards the UNESCO World Heritage site, Suomenlinna Fortress Island.

 

Tour 2: Helsinki art and design tour

Date/Time: Sunday, 17 May, 9.30 and Tuesday, 19 May, 9.30
Length: 3 hours
Price: EUR 57 per person
Meeting place: Bus departs from main entrance of Helsinki fair centre.

 

This tour of Helsinki's Design Quarter is hosted by a local guide, a specialist in Finnish Art & Design. Highlights include a visit to Kiasma modern art museum, Helsinki Design Forum, and visits to some of the most interesting design shops of Helsinki such as Iittala glassware or Artek presenting design of Alvar Aalto, famous Finnish architect.

 

Tour 3: Suomenlinna Fortress Island

Date/Time: Monday, 18 May, 14.00
Length: 3.5 hours
Price: EUR 61
Meeting place: Bus departs from main entrance of Helsinki fair centre

 

Enjoy a cruise by water bus from Helsinki Market Square, with fine views of the city skyline, to the archipelago fortress island of Suomenlinna. Meet local island guide for walking tour. In 1747, when Finland was part of the Swedish realm, the Diet in Stockholm decided that a fortress be built to serve as the main base for the armed forces stationed in Finland. A group of islands close to Helsinki were chosen to be the site of the fortress, which was to be called Sveaborg, "the fortress of Sweden". Construction began in 1748. It was one of the biggest building projects ever undertaken by the Kingdom of Sweden.

 

Soon after Finland gained independence (from Russia) in 1917 the Swedish name of the fortress was officially changed to the Finnish Suomenlinna, "castle of Finland", but it is still known as Sveaborg to Finns who speak Swedish as their first language.

 

In 1991, Suomenlinna was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Included in the tour is the Suomenlinna Museum together with the Suomenlinna Experience multi-visual show covering the construction of the maritime fortress, the sea battles for the fortification and life and sounds in the garrison town. The Suomenlinna Museum, which is in the main Visitor Centre, gives visitors a glimpse of the life of officers and soldiers during the periods of Swedish and Russian rule in the 18th and 19th centuries. There are also pictures of the period since Finnish independence, when there was a prison for communist detainees on Suomenlinna, a Finnish garrison, a submarine base and the Valmet shipyard, which made ships for the Soviet Union.

 

Return by water bus, and then coach transfer back to hotel. Tour is guided and includes ferry crossing and entrance fee to Suomenlinna museum and the wide-screen presentation of “Suomenlinna Experience”. Please remember to bring comfortable walking shoes as tour includes a lot of walking on cobblestoned streets.

 

Tour 4: Porvoo Old Town

Date/Time: Sunday, 17 May, 13.00
Length: 4 hours
Price: EUR 58 per person
Meeting place: Bus departs from main entrance of Helsinki fair centre.

 

A 50-minute drive to the east of Helsinki lies Porvoo, Finland’s 2nd oldest town. Stroll through the medieval old quarter, along old cobbled streets of historic painted wooden houses, cafes, and antique stores. The town is famous for its ochre-painted shore houses along the riverside. The 13th century cathedral, although damaged by fire in 2006, is still the town’s major historic landmark.

 

After a guided tour, enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the small coffee shops in the Old Town area. Tour is guided and includes coffee in the Old Town.

 

Tour 5: Day trip to historic Tallinn

Date/Time: Sunday, 17 May, 9.30
Length: 12 hours including transfers
Price: EUR 176 per person
Meeting place: 9.30 from Helsinki fair centre,
9.45 from Sokos Hotel Vaakuna

 

Located just two hours across the Baltic Sea from Helsinki by boat is Tallinn, the medieval capital of Estonia. It makes an easy day excursion.

 

Depart from the hotel for a short transfer to the port. Board the fast boat to Tallinn, a journey time of two hours. At Tallinn pier, meet local guide and coach for a short panoramic tour around Tallinn city.

 

Pass by the Kadriorg Palace and the Song Festival Grounds, and learn from the guide a little about modern life in Tallinn. Disembark the coach for a walking tour of the Old Town. Experience the history as you walk through the tight and winding medieval streets up to the top of Toompea Hill which offers fine views across the red roofs of the old buildings to the sea beyond. The walking tour also passes the Parliament Building, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Dome Church and ends at the Town Hall Square. After lunch at medieval restaurant in the old town, free time to shop or relax in a street side café. Transfer to the pier by coach. After 2-hour cruise you arrive back in Helsinki. Tour includes transfers at both end (from/to fair centre and Sokos Vaakuna), guided tour in Tallinn, return cruise on MS Star of TallinkSilja and lunch (excluding drinks) at the old town.
Please remember to bring comfortable walking shoes as tour includes much walking on cobblestoned streets.

 

Tour 6: Sibelius

Date/Time: Monday, 18 May, 9.00
Length: 4 hours
Price: EUR 132 per person
Meeting place: Bus departs from main entrance of Helsinki fair centre

 

Start your tour from fair centre towards Lake Tuusula in the town of Jarvenpaa, a 30-minute drive from Helsinki. You will visit Ainola – home museum of famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. After visit to the lovely wooden house of Sibelius, you will be driven to Krapihovi for a private Sibelius miniconcert with piano and violin.
After a 20-minute concert enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at the Krapihovimanor. Transfer back to Helsinki.