The program below is bookable for summer-season. This program can be booked as such or altered to fit your group. Please feel free to request tailor-made arrangements for your group.
Day 1 – Arrival in Helsinki and a Traditional Finnish Dinner
Tervetuloa Helsinkiin! Welcome to Helsinki! Bus transfer from the airport to the 4-star Hotel Rantapuisto. The astonishing main building was built in 1963 to serve as an education- and conference center for The Union Bank of Finland. It was built in a beautiful part of Eastern Helsinki, surrounded by nature. Architects Ragnar Ypyä and Martta Martikainen-Ypyä were inspired by the designs of Alvar Aalto and the Danish modern arts museum Louisiana.
Option to enjoy the beach sauna and wood-heated hot tub. Followed by a three-course welcome-dinner in the hotel restaurant. During the dinner you will be served typical Finnish flavours, such as pickled whitefish and rye bread.
Day 2 – The History of Design Glassware
Buffet-breakfast and check-out. Bus transfer to Riihimäki, where the group will visit The Finnish Glass Museum with a guide. The museum showcases the 4000-year-old history of glassmaking and the 300-year-old Finnish glass blowing tradition.
The journey continues to Iittala, where the group visits Iittala Design Museum and Glass Factory. The story of Iittala began in 1881 when a glass factory was founded in the village of Iittala. That is where the world-famous design history of Iittala begins. The factory is still operating, and it is where the best-known Finnish glass design artefact, Alvar Aalto’s Aalto or Savoy vase, is made. At the Iittala Glass Factory you can follow the production of all kinds of glass artefacts, as talented glassblowers create Aalto vases as well as Oiva Toikka birds from molten glass. Time for shopping. Lunch in Iittala.
Bus transfer to Jyväskylä. Before arriving, we will make a short stop at the old wooden church of Petäjävesi.
The church is featured on UNESCO’s list of world heritages. Dinner and check-in at 4-star Sokos Hotel Paviljonki
Day 3 – Hiking and a Finnish Evening
Buffet-breakfast at the hotel. Today the group will meet an experienced wilderness guide and hike to Vororotti. Vororotti is a gulley formed nearly 200 000 million years ago. On a steep cliff you might be able to se Ukko, supreme god of Finnish Mythology. The guide shares interesting stories and facts about Finnish nature and the area. The duration of the hike is 2,5 – 3h. Return to local winery and restaurant Patapirtti for a light lunch.
We will spend the rest of the afternoon at Patapirtti. Get to know the local wine making process and meet the animals at the farm, or try out a canoe at the nearby lake.
Finnish Evening at Patapirtti with music, stories, history and learning a few words in Finnish. The evening is completed with a dinner consisting of local foods like vendace from lake Päijänne, oven-made porridge, mushrooms and cloudberries.
Bus transfer back to the hotel.
Day 4 – Alvar Aalto
Buffet-breakfast and check-out. Enjoy a morning off in Jyväskylä. At 2 o’clock the group will learn more about architect and designer Alvar Aalto, on an Aalto-themed day-cruise. We will cruise through beautiful sceneries on lake Päijänne, the very same sceneries that inspired Alvar Aalto in his work.
The cruise starts at Jyväskylä marina, where we step aboard M/S Suomen Suvi – a steamboat that Alvar Aalto himself once cruised with. The boat is equipped with a café and restaurant. The cruise ends at Säynätsalo town hall, one of Aalto’s most known architectural designs.
Transfer to Mikkeli. Dinner and check-in at 4-star Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna.
Day 5 – Hiking in Repovesi National Park
Buffet-breakfast at the hotel. Today the group will enjoy a hike in Repovesi National park. Repovesi National Park spans over 30 km² of beautiful wild nature and marked hiking trails. In the park you can find unhabited forests, large walls of granite and several clear lakes and ponds. The red-throated diver is one of the most popular habitants in the area and can be heard mating in spring.
The hike is around 8,5 km long and will be led by an experienced wilderness-guide. We will enjoy lunch outside by a bonfire.
Option to visit Elving Tower after the hike. The 20-meter tall tower was originally built as a watchtower, where forest rangers could keep an eye on illegal fishing, hunting or forest fires. Today it serves a beautiful view over Repovesi National park.
Bus transfer back to Mikkeli. After a well-deserved break at the hotel we will enjoy dinner at Kenkävero. Kenkävero is a magnificent tourist attraction and prides itself on having the biggest and most beautiful vicarage in all Finland, in an impressive milieu. It has something to interest everyone at all times of the year: fine restored buildings, exciting exhibitions and events, exquisite handicrafts as gifts or souvenirs. Enjoy a stroll in the beautiful gardens after dinner.
Bus transfer back to Mikkeli and Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna.
Day 6 – Helsinki
Buffet-breakfast and check-out. Bus transfer to Finland’s capital city, Helsinki. Guided bus-tour in Helsinki, during which you will see the most important landmarks and learn more about the history of Helsinki. Enjoy the rest of the day on your own in the city. Take some time for shopping or sightseeing. Dinner and check-in at 4-star Original Sokos Hotel Presidentti.
Day 7 – Airport Transfer
Buffet-breakfast and check-out. Bus transfer to the airport. Kiitos käynnistä ja tervetuloa uudelleen! Thank you for visiting and welcome back another time!
The package includes:
- Bus transportation according to the program
- 6 nights at a 4-star hotel incl. breakfast
- 6 x 3 course dinner
- 4 x lunch
- Beach Sauna and Hot Tub at Hotel Rantapuisto
- The Finnish Glass Museum guided tour and entrance
- Iittala Design Museum and Factory guided tour and entrance
- Petäjävesi church guided tour and entrance
- Hike in Vororotti with a wilderness guide incl. Finnish evening
- Alvar Aalto-day cruise with a guide
- Hike in Repovesi National park with a wilderness guide
- Guided Bus-tour in Helsinki
Extra for:
- Single room
- Entrance fees and meals not mentioned in the program
- Drinks and beverages during meals
