14:50  Arrival in Helsinki

Travel to city centre by train

Check-in to hotel NH Collection Grand Hansa

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. 

The hotel contains 224 guest rooms and suites that are decorated in a modern Scandinavian style.

17:30   Lobby Call

Meet My Helsinki host Jaana Woll (tel: +358 405707792) for a lovely dinner and sauna at Löyly.  

NB: Remember to take your swimwear with you! 

Travel to restaurant by tram or walk 

17:45   Dinner at Restaurant Karppi 

Restaurant Karppi represents an Asian fusion izakaya with modern fine dining and European influences. Many flavour profiles trace back to Vietnam, Japan, and Korea. Karppi’s interior has fun and playful elements such as cardboard carps hanging on the walls, and the food – while prepared thoroughly with a great deal of care - also features the same creative warm-hearted catches. 

Short walk to Löyly 

20:00 Sauna at Löyly 

The Finnish sauna culture is enjoying a revival in Helsinki. The impressive Löyly design sauna opened in spring 2016 on the southern tip of the Helsinki peninsula. In addition to a smoke sauna, traditional sauna and private sauna for groups, visitors will be able to enjoy Finnish 
food culture while admiring the stunning views from the large terrace that stretches out over the sea. Enjoy the sauna and refreshing drink on the Löyly terraces!  

Towels, seat covers, and shampoo and soap are offered by Löyly.  

Travel back to hotel by tram number 6

Breakfast at the hotel                         

10:30    Short walk to Kauppatori Market Square                       

11:00     Ferry to Suomenlinna

HSL ferries are part of the public transport system, and they connect the fortness with the mainland on all day of the year. The duration of the journey is about 15 minutes.

The ferry departs from the east side of the Kauppatori Market Square, opposite the Presidential Palace and and arrives at the main quay of Suomenlinna.

See ferry timetables: https://guide.suomenlinna.fi/map-screen

NB: Ferry leaves 11:15 sharp and does not wait.

11:15-12:45 Guided walking tour in Suomenlinna 

You’ll meet your guide Kasper Mårtensson (tel. +358 40 703 6968) at the pier once arrived in Suomenlinna.  

Welcome to Suomenlinna, one of the most unique areas in Helsinki! The fortress, located off the coast of Helsinki, is one of the biggest sea fortresses in the world and a UNESCO world heritage site. Suomenlinna is not only an important part of the history of Finland, but also a lively district of Helsinki, which offers something for everyone: nature, culture, and history.  
 
 13:00   Lunch at Restaurant Adlerfelt 

Wonderfully cheerful and sweet Adlerfelt is housed in a magnificent 250-year-old building in the world’s most beautiful world heritage site, Suomenlinna. A familiar and fun group of people behind the cute neighboring island of Lonna are making sure there’s a lot of laughter and joy in Suomenlinna also in the future. You can visit Adlerfelt whether to enjoy a refreshing beverage or a full dinner. Or anything in between. For them, the most important thing about your visit is to provide that sweet moment when everything feels just right. 

No host during lunch.

14:00      Walk back to Suomenlinna pier

No host during the walk to Suomenlinna pier.

14:20      Ferry back to city center

The ferry departs from the main quay of Suomenlinna and arrives east side of the Kauppatori Market Square, opposite the Presidential Palace.

NB: Ferry leaves 14:20 sharp and does not wait.

14:35 Guided walking tour 

Meet your Helsinki Host Felipe Diaz (tel: +358 44 502 0066) outside Suomenlinna ferry terminal with a name sign “Kate Allman”. Your host will show you the best of Helsinki city centre and take you to Teurastamo. 

The tour focuses on the fresh and surprising character of Helsinki. During the tour you will be introduced to the main attractions of Helsinki as well as to some of the hot spots of the local design scene and explore different types of urban phenomena and venues. You will also discover a few delicious secrets of Helsinki’s food culture. Explore and be inspired! 

16:30   Travel to Teurastamo by tram

17:00     Visit to Helsinki Coffee Roastery Päiväkahvibaari Teurastamo

It comes as a surprise for many that Finnish people consume the most coffee in the world per capita with our 10 kg consumption per person yearly. Though, Finland isn’t known for its coffee culture even though it is deeply rooted into our culture. 

Helsingin kahvipaahtimo (Coffee roastery) was founded on 2011 for a simple reason – Finns love _very good_ coffee. Kahvipaahtimo offers well balanced coffee of even quality, that you can fall in love with again and again every day of the year. Coffee doesn’t need to be complicated to be delicious and wonderful.

17:30         Visit to Helsinki Distilling Company at Teurastamo

The Helsinki Distilling Company has brought distilling back to Helsinki, after an absence of over a hundred years. They produce distillates of the highest quality and offer a full range of distillery experiences from tours to hands-on production. All their products are hand-made from local high quality raw materials - with flair.  

The guided tour ends after this visit.

18:00 Travel to city center by tram number 6 

19:00 Dinner at restaurant Skörd 

Restaurant Skörd is local food and beverages at its best. The kitchen offers tasty experiences cooked from locally produced ingredients, wild herbs and berries picked by hand, as well as game, fish, and ecologically farmed lamb. All ingredients and beverages come from Finnish producers. There are also beers and ciders, berry wines and liqueurs, and cocktails made with ingredients of the season to go with the food.  

Short walk back to the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel

11:00    Visit to Amos Rex Museum

Amos Rex is a new type of museum, a space dedicated to art, that is easy to reach and a cool place to hang out; a protean space that can readily take on various forms, is open to experimentation and new forms of collaboration. The new museum, designed by architectural firm JKMM, connects to a functional style building from 1930’s called Lasipalatsi. The old “Glass Palace” will retain its distinctive character while the adjacent Lasipalatsi square will undergo considerable modernization. In connection with the construction of the art museum, the protected building has been gently renovated to its original glory.  

No host during the visit. Tickets are available at the entrance/cash desk under the name Helsinki Partners / Kate Allman. 

12:20      Travel to Munkkiniemi by tram number 4

Take tram number 4 from the Lasipalatsi stop and get off at the Tiilimäki stop. From here it is a 400m walk to the Aalto House and the Studio.

13:00      Visit to the Aalto House and Studio

In 1934, Aino and Alvar Aalto acquired a site in almost completely untouched surroundings at Riihitie in Helsinki's Munkkiniemi. The Aalto House is a cozy, intimate building for living and working, designed by two architects for themselves, using simple uncluttered materials. 

Alvar Aalto designed the building at Tiilimäki 20 in Munkkiniemi as his own office in 1955. Because of several large commissions, the office needed more space to work in. The building is only a short walk from Aalto's own house, where the office had previously been located. Studio Aalto is one of the best of Alvar Aalto's 1950s buildings.  

The guided tour is booked under Kate’s name. The tour starts at 13:00 sharp – please be on time.

14:15    Travel to city center by tram number 4

Swim and sauna at Allas Sea Pool  

You can visit Allas Sea Pool on Sunday at a time of your choice within the opening hours (08:00-21:00). No host during visit. Tickets and towels are available at the entrance/cash desk under the name Helsinki Partners / Kate Allman. 

NB: Remember to take your own swimsuits with you! 

The Allas Sea Pool offers new ways to enjoy the Baltic Sea in Helsinki, right in the most central spot in the city! The Sea Pool is open all year round and offers experiences and refreshment next to the Market Square, both to the people of Helsinki and to travellers. 

The Allas Sea Pool is a spa with both fresh and sea water complete with three saunas. The saunas are heated from morning to evening. They include a women’s sauna, men’s sauna and a sauna for special reservations. It is also used as a communal sauna.

Please note that photography in saunas, showers and changing rooms is not allowed. Other customers are not allowed to be photographed either. 

                      Breakfast at the hotel, check out

09:00             Pick up the rental car

 AvisBudget Helsinki Downtown, Malminkatu 24.

                       Drive to Himos from Helsinki (2,5 hours, check the Google Maps link).

15:00             Arrival at Himos Center

Your Host Ms. Katja Minkkinen from HimosHoliday will meet you at Himos Center.  

                       Check-in to Accommodation in Päijänteen Helmi 3, HimosHoliday

17:00-19:00   Evening golf 9 holes, Himos Golf

Range and golf course introduction by Markus Lahtinen.

20:00             Dinner at Restaurant Saluuna                  

Breakfast in the Villa Päijänteen Helmi

10:00-11:00    Visit at Moose Manor in Himos-Jämsä.

Here you can also meet moose and reindeer from eye to eye.

On the way to to Petäjävesi Old Church, you are passing by (check the google maps link) the Sauna Village in Juokslahti. Sauna Village is a collection of old smoke saunas from all over Finland. The oldest sauna is from the 18th century, whereas the newest saunas represent smoke sauna construction from the 1940s. There is some time to stop since the drive to Petäjävesi is one hour.

12:30-13:30    Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage location, the amazing Petäjävesi Old Church with a guide.  

Petäjävesi Old Church gained inclusion in Unesco’s world heritage list as a prime example of northern wooden architecture in 1994. The church is representative of Scandinavian, Lutheran church architecture and the long tradition of log building.

13:30-14:00   Drive to Aalto2-museum (check the Google Maps link)

14:00-15:00   Late lunch at Aalto2 Café

The Aalto2 Café is located downstairs. The lunch is reserved under your name.

15:00-16:00   Aalto2 -museum guided tour

Aalto2 museum center consists of two buildings designed by Alvar Aalto: the Alvar Aalto Museum (1971–1973) and the Museum of Central Finland (1956–1961, 1991), with an adjoining gallery. These two buildings were connected in the renovation of the Alvar Aalto Museum. The new Aalto2 museum center was opened in May 2023, the new space includes a museum shop and an open venue. Permanent exhibitions: AALTO - work and Life and Exploring Central Finland. Temporary exhibitions eg. The Pool – The Origin of Pool Skateboarding and Green Hydrogen Power. More information about the exhibitions.

16:00-18:00   Free time eg. in the Jyväskylä city and Jyväskylä Harbour called Lutakko.

18:00-21:00   A lake cruise incl. dinner

Short Evening Cruise from Jyväskylä to the near waters of the Lake Päijänne. Enjoy the Finnish Summer Night and Dinner buffet onboard. Departure from Jyväskylä Harbour at 18:00, return at 21:00 (Address: Satamakatu 8, Jyväskylä).

21:00-21:30   Drive to Varjola (check the Google Maps link)

21:30   Accommodation at Varjola and possibility for evening sauna and jacuzzi

Varjola is family-owned countryside resort, with large scale of activities for summer and winter season. Quality standard rooms and apartments with nice saunas & jacuzzies are located near services but in the middle of nature.

7:30-9:00         Breakfast at the Barn Restaurant

9:00-11:00       Whitewater rafting in Varjola

Shooting the rapids with a rubber boat through the foaming waters of Kuusa gets your blood going! Kuusaa white water river floats just next to Varjola, so you can hop on from the yard.

11:00-15:30    Drive to Oulu (check the Google Maps link)

Arrival & check in to Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu

18:00              Meet your local guide at the hotel reception

You will get city bikes from the hotel. Guide details: Sirpa Törmä, tel. +358 40 571 8614

18:00-19:30    Oulu city tour by bikes

19:30               Meet your Visit Oulu host, Satu Peura

19:30               Dinner at Sokeri Jussi Tavern, Arctic Foodlab menu

Overnight in Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu

             Breakfast at the hotel

             Meet your host Ulla Pirkola, from Oulu2026, tel. +358 44 2355537

08:40    Departure from the hotel by foot

09:00-11:00 Kayaking at Oulu River delta with Oulun Melontakeskus

11:15-12:15 Lunch at Bootti, floating restaurant & bar

12:30-13:30 Sauna experience with Oulu Sauna Association & Air Guitarists at floating Kesän Sauna

NB: please remember to bring your swimwear, towels and water bottles!

             Free time

             Dinner at Bistro Menu, Radisson Blu Hotel at the time you choose

19:30    Air Guitar World Championship: Dark Horses qualification round

             Breakfast at the hotel & check out

10:00    Drive to Rovaniemi

13:00    Lunch at Arktikum Café with Salla/Visit Rovaniemi               

14:00-15.00 Guided tour in Arktikum

Hosted by local guide Frank

~15:30-17:00 Visit to Santa Claus Village

Hosted by local guide Frank.

* Meeting with Santa Claus in Santa Claus Office
* Visit to Santa Claus’ Main Post Office
* Crossing the Arctic Circle

17:30    Check-in to Arctic TreeHouse Hotel

             Free time  

19:30    Dinner at Rakas Restaurant & Bar       
3 course menu offered by Visit Rovaniemi

             Free evening

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel is the perfect spot if Northern Lights appear.

Breakfast at the hotel

09:00-11:00    Reindeer farm visit with Sieriporo Safaris

Free time

13:30    Lunch at restaurant Roka Street Bistro

14:45    Meet your guide and join the Rovaniemi Photography tour by Beyond Arctic 

Get your introduction to Rovaniemi & the surroundings. Beyond Arctic will also introduce the summer & autumn tours as they are specialized in capturing the light phenomena of Lapland.
Address: Valtakatu 21/ Beyond Arctic office

17:30    Visit to a local home & Kangasniemi Handicraft Workshop

20:00    Drop off the rental car

AvisBudget Rovaniemi Railway Station, Ratakatu 3.

20:57    Train to Helsinki (Night train 274)

09:15     Arrival in Helsinki Central Railway Station

              Pick up the rental car

Hertz Helsinki City Center, Runeberginkatu 5.

              Drive to Lahti

12:00     Wine tasting at Ainoa Winery

              Ski jumping tower visit

Please mention your name at the info desk for free entrance.

Own program in Lahti

Motor Bike Museum visit

Dinner at Ace Cafe

Own program in Lahti

Own program in Lahti

                    Own program in Lahti

18:00-22:00 Evening Cruise from Lahti on Lake Vesijärvi and to Vääksy Canal

Departure from Lahti harbour. Boat: m/s Suomen Neito, restaurant and cafe onboard.

            Own program in Lahti

            Drive to Helsinki Airport

22:00   Drop off the rental car

Hertz Helsinki Airport, Terminal 2, arrivals level

00:35-17:45       Flight to Hong Kong (AY099)

19:10-06.15(+1) Flight to Sydney (CX111)