Itinerary
- Day 1
Helsinki
You'll arrive in Helsinki and check into your hotel, then head to a welcome meeting at 5pm. After that comes a guided walk through the city where you'll take a tram to the old town and see the Moomin shop, walk along Esplanadin Puisto past the Orthodox Church and Lutheran Cathedral, check out the state library, and have the option to join a group dinner in the evening.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Helsinki with local guide
- Visit to Moomin shop
- Stroll down Esplanadin Puisto to harbour
- View of Orthodox Church and Lutheran Cathedral
- Visit to state library
Optional Activities
- Group dinner
- Exploration of downtown Helsinki on foot
- Visit to metro system
Landmarks/POIs Moomin shop Esplanadin Puisto Orthodox Church Lutheran Cathedral Helsinki Central Railway Station State Library of Finland - Day 2
Nuuksio National Park
This morning you'll drive about 40 minutes out to Nuuksio National Park for a leisurely walk through forests and around lakes. You might see Siberian flying squirrels, elk, deer, or various birds in the area. By afternoon you're back in Helsinki with time to do your own thing like visit Suomenlinna sea fortress, the waterfront market, the Design district, or try a traditional Finnish sauna.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leisurely walk in Nuuksio National Park
Optional Activities
- Visit to Suomenlinna sea fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Explore waterfront market
- Visit to Design district galleries and boutiques
- Public sauna experience at Allas Sea Pool complex or other Helsinki saunas
Landmarks/POIs Nuuksio National Park Suomenlinna Allas Sea Pool - Day 3
Tulliniemi Peninsula - Hanko - Turku
After breakfast in Helsinki, you'll drive 1.5 hours to Tulliniemi Peninsula at Finland's southern tip for a coastal walk along rocky shores and sandy beaches. Then head to Hanko, a charming seaside town with 19th century wooden houses, for lunch. Later you'll drive to Turku on the southwestern coast where you'll stay the next two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk at Tulliniemi Peninsula with coastal views
Landmarks/POIs Tulliniemi Peninsula Hanko - Day 4
Old Rauma - Sammallahdenmaki
Start with a guided walk through Turku's riverfront and historical sites, including the 13th century granite cathedral and Turku Castle. You'll drive to Old Rauma, a UNESCO site with preserved 17th-19th century wooden houses and cobbled streets, for exploration and lunch. After that, visit Sammallahdenmaki Bronze-Age burial site with its 36 ancient cairns, then return to Turku for dinner at local restaurants serving traditional Finnish food.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Turku riverfront and historical sites
- Visit to 13th century Turku Cathedral
- Visit to Turku Castle
- Walking exploration of Old Rauma UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit to Sammallahdenmaki Bronze-Age burial site
- Walk in forest at Sammallahdenmaki
Optional Activities
- Dinner at local restaurants serving traditional Finnish cuisine
Landmarks/POIs Turku Cathedral Turku Castle Old Rauma Sammallahdenmaki - Day 5
Aland Islands - Mariehamn
Catch the ferry this morning from mainland Finland to the Aland Islands, an autonomous region between Finland and Sweden. The 5.5-hour journey winds through the Archipelago Sea UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with around 50,000 islands. You'll settle in Mariehamn, the capital, and take an afternoon walking tour exploring wide avenues, historic wooden houses, and Nordic and Russian-influenced architecture. You'll also see the Pommern, a four-masted sailing ship turned museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Mariehamn with tour leader
Landmarks/POIs Archipelago Sea Pommern Western Harbour, Mariehamn Eastern Harbour, Mariehamn - Day 6
Mariehamn
Drive about 45 minutes to the northern side of the main island and hike the Grottstigen Cave Trails through granite slopes, unique rock formations, and caves. The trail goes through pine and spruce forests with views of the archipelago and Baltic Sea. Afterwards, stop at Stallhagen microbrewery where you can tour the brewing process and taste samples. On your way back to Mariehamn, you'll see the 14th century Kastelholm Castle.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike along Grottstigen Cave Trails
- Visit to Stallhagen microbrewery restaurant
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Stallhagen microbrewery, brewing process, history, and beer tasting
Landmarks/POIs Grottstigen Cave Trails Stallhagen microbrewery Kastelholm Castle - Day 7
Stockholm
Your morning is free in Mariehamn to wander shops and museums or hike marked trails on the Mariehamn Peninsula by foot or bike. Around 2:30pm you'll ferry to Sweden, taking approximately 5.5 hours to reach Stockholm. The final portion weaves through the Stockholm Archipelago with its rocky outcrops, forests, and coastal villages.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walking or biking on marked trails on Mariehamn Peninsula
- Explore Mariehamn shops and museums
Landmarks/POIs Mariehamn Peninsula Stockholm Archipelago - Day 8
Stockholm
You'll visit Stockholm City Hall on Kungsholmen with its distinctive 106 meter tower topped by a golden globe. Inside you can see the Blue Hall where the Nobel Prize banquet happens annually and the Golden Hall with its mosaics. Later take a guided tour of Stockholm on foot and by bus through Gamla Stan, the old town founded in the 13th century. In the afternoon, visit the Vasa Museum to see the 17th century warship that sank and was raised in 1961.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Stockholm City Hall and interior viewing of Blue Hall and Golden Hall
- Guided walking tour of Stockholm including Gamla Stan
- Guided bus tour of Stockholm
- Visit to Vasa Museum
Landmarks/POIs Stockholm City Hall Gamla Stan Vasa Museum - Day 9
Bjorno Nature Reserve
Drive to the island of Bjorno and hike in the Bjorno Nature Reserve along rocky coastlines, through forests and open meadows. In warmer months you can take a swim in the Baltic Sea. On the return journey, you'll experience Swedish 'fika', having coffee and a sweet treat like cinnamon buns or cookies. You'll get back to Stockholm in the afternoon with free time to explore the city on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike in Bjorno Nature Reserve
Optional Activities
- Swimming in Baltic Sea (warmer months)
- Swedish Fika - coffee and sweet treat
Landmarks/POIs Bjorno Nature Reserve - Day 10
Stockholm
The tour ends after breakfast at your hotel. There are no planned activities, so you can leave whenever you'd like. Luggage storage is available if your flight departs later in the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
