Day 1. Individual arrival to B&B Västergård on the island of Nagu (Nauvo in Finnish). You can access Nagu from Helsinki by train or bus to Turku, travel time 2 hours and further to Nagu by bus, travel time 1,5 hours. Alternatively you come by car from Helsinki in 3 hours.

Day 2. Nagu – Merimasku, 40 km. 
After a good nights sleep and breakfast you will start your tour by cycling to Nagu village and catch the ferry to Rymättylä at midday. The ferry ride takes one and a half hour including a short stopover at the island Själö. Soon after arrival at the island you can visit the WW2 air surveillance tower for a view over the islands. You tay overnight at the Farm Taattisten Tila. Its history goes back to the 16th century. It is located on a small lake and nowadays it grows new potatoes, crops and sugar beet.

Day 3. Merimasku – Iniö, 45 km. Todays cycling takes you via Velkua and Kustavi  to the remote island of Iniö. The first part covers some rolling hills but you are in no hurry to your first ferry of today which departures in the afternoon, only once per day. From here you have about 25 km across some bridges with magnificent views. Your accommodation is at a beautiful and eco-friendly B&B. Fine possibilities to swim in the sea or enjoy a sauna bath.

Day 4. Iniö – Korpo, 35 km.
 Shortly after your start in the morning you will pass a marked nature trail with breathtaking views worthwhile visiting. After a ferry ride with m/s Antonia you will be cycling through Houtskär island and over to Korpo island. At Houtskär you may visit the small village with a boat museum and the wooden church.

Day 5. Korpo – Nagu, 30 km.
 After breakfast you will take the short ferry back to island of Nagu and follow the winding road to Nagu village – in many ways the centre of Turku Archipelago with a lively marina. For the last night accommodation and dinner we will welcome you back at B&B Västergård. Being in Finland you can, of course ask for the possibility for a sauna bath even every evening.

Day 6. Individual departure from Nagu.

Season: 1.6.-30.9.2012
Tour operator rate: on request
Hint: Luggage transport is available on tours starting on Mondays, or for groups.
Services: Overnight in double rooms, 5x breakfast, last night dinner in Nagu, bike with helmet and and panniers, 
storage of excess baggage, required ferry tickets as mentioned in the programme, route itinenary with map, transport to bus stop or parking log
Accommodation: Västergård
Bed & Breakfast in Nauvo Village, 4 cosy rooms with shower and WC, 2 rooms sharing one bathroom, lounge, sauna, Hot Tub and barbeque in the yard, beach for bathing and rowing boat 600 m

Contact and reservation
Bed & Breakfast Västergård
Västergård Outdoors
Gyttjavägen 29
FI-21650 Nauvo

Tel. +358 40 5861317
vastergard [at] nagu [dot] net
www.nauvo.net/vastergard

Throughout the year programme will present some 300 events, exhibitions and projects, which makes World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 the most extensive design programme ever realised in Finland and one of the largest in the world. Developing the city through design and inspiring everyone to participate in a joint effort to improve the environment is one of the most important goals for the whole year.

Many of the projects have already got underway in 2011 and are set to jumpstart long-term projects such as the Tukkutori Wholesale Food Market, located on an area formerly known for its slaughterhouses, now in a process of transforming itself into a centre where food meets design. Tourists visiting Helsinki in January can already enjoy special Helsinki Design Menus in various restaurants around the city, get acquainted with the developing design district Arabianranta or make an excursion to the WeeGee Exhibition Centre in the neighboring city of Espoo.

Events for tourists and people of Helsinki represent about one third of the programme. They are summarized under the topics “Year of the Events” and “Exhibitions”.

Throughout the year of Design Capital many important personalities of the world of design from all over the world will get together at various meetings in Finland. The range of events is rich in variety. Almost every day starts something new. From January to March there are more than 80 events planned.

The programme can be viewed on the website as well as the mobile app WDC 2012.

A summary of the programme as a pdf-file gives an overview about the whole programme and the highlights show the 30 most important projects.

The Word Design Capital 2012 website presents news, blogs and columns about Design from Finland. Special video portraits present Finish Designers.

The World Design Capital is an initiative of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID). WDC’s designation is unique as it aims to focus on the broader essence of design’s impact on urban spaces, economies and citizens.

You find further information and schedules on wdchelsinki2012 as well as on this video.

Day 1: After your arrival at the airport of Oulu you will meet your finnish birdwatching guide, who takes you to the hotel. This takes only five minutes. If there is enough time that day you might go on an excursion to see some native species. Diner and overnight: Hotel Vihiluoto

Day 2-3: The region of Oulu is well-known for owl species such as eagle owl, Ural owl, great grey owl, boreal owl, short-eared owl and Eurasian Pygmy Owl that reed here. Most years northern hawk owl and long-eared owl have also been seen. We will spend much time in the forest and have many great opportunities to watch the owls at close range. Other possible birds we might see are black grouse, wood grouse, black woodpecker and Eurasian three-toed woodpecker. Depending on the breeding situation all mentioned species live in the region of Kuusamo, too, if we miss them in Oulu.

We will visit Finland’s most important wetland, the bay of Liminganlahti. It is an ideal place for special water- and coast species such as spotted redshank, ruff and caspian tern. “Foghorn calls” of the bittern are hearable. Plenty of migrating birds come here to rest, jung cranes and whooper swans spend their summer here. Seven watching towers offer best views over the bay of Liminganlahti. The surrounding fields are hotspots for the observation of migrating birds and other special species such as the Lapland longspure. The pallid harrier was a regular species during the last years.

The Botnian Bay offers a good route for migrating ducks and wading birds. If you wish we may watch the migration early in the morning from the peninsula. There good possibilities to see many grebes and sea ducks such as common scoter, velvet scoter and long-tailed duck. Even the yellow-billed diver comes here in swarms of red and black-throated divers. Diner and Overnight: Hotel Vihiluoto

Day 4: Today we will drive to the East to Kuusamo. Kuusamo is a small town close the Russian border. The route takes us through one of the most beautiful northern landscapes covered with forests and wetland, lakes and rivers. On the way there is time for bird watching. Diner and overnight: Sokos Hotel Kuusamo

Day 5: In Kuusamo a real treat for the eyes awaits us – the wide conifer forest of the north with very special species: Red-flanked bluetail, rustic bunting, pine grosbeak, Siberian jay, Siberian tit, black woodpecker, Eurasian three-toed woodpecker, black grouse, willow grouse, hazel grouse, wood grouse, red-necked grebe and little gull, all of them breed here.

To watch the red-flanked bluetail we have to climb up the steep hill Valtavaara is steep, but there is never a garuantee that the birds will sing. Though, the view is stunning. Mainly it is an easy walk with a fews steeper ascents. Therefore the tour is suitable for those with good physical condition. Then we will visit the untouched taiga of Oulanka National Park. It was founded in 1956 and extended in 1982 and 1989. Nowadays it covers an area of 270 km2. Oulanka is located in the very north of the conifer forest region. We will enjoy lunch in a comfortable, quaint restaurant. Diner and overnight: Sokos Hotel Kuusamo

Day 6: Today we head back to Oulu. Before the departure and during the trip you have the chance to watch birds. Diner and overnight: Hotel Vihiluoto

Day 7: Middle of may is a very hectic time for migration. Some species might have reached the region of Oulu while we were staying in Kuusamo. Before the flight back home we can have a look for species that we have not seen yet.

Service: 6 overnight stays in double room (double bed or two single beds) with bathroom/shower and WC, half board: 3 nights at Hotel Vihiluoto in Kempele, Finland. 3 nights at Sokos Hotel Kuusamo in Kuusamo, Finland. Meals at the hotel: breakfast, lunch and diner. Transport during the stay by VW 4WD minibus driven by Finnature guide and your tour guide (7 paying participants), 2 VW 4WD minibus (8-14 paying participants). Finnature guide is a local ornitholog during the whole stay, one group tour guide is for free.

Contact and reservations
Finnature Oy Ltd
Jari Peltomäki
P.O.Box 42
FI-91901 Liminka

Tel. +358 8 345 737
info [at] finnature [dot] fi

www.finnature.fi

The tour also familiarizes the visitor with Russian architect Carl Ludvig Engel and his monumental empire- centre of Helsinki, the buildings designed by young jugend-architects that were inspired by the finnish national identity and the architectual golden age of Finland: Modernism.

During the tour a guide with cultural expertse will tell about the turns of history and the goals of the architects and artists.

Customers own equipement needed: Comftortable shoes
Participants: 1-10
Service languages: English.
For groups on request also available in
Swedish,
German,
Russian,
French,
Italian,
Spanish and Finnish
Starting place: Senaatintori, Helsinki
Duration in hours: 2
Season: Summer
Price: on request

Contact:

Archtours Ltd
Sami Heikinheimo
Administrative director
sami [dot] heikinheimo [at] archtours [dot] com

Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 13 B 17
FI- 00260 Helsinki, Uusimaa
Finland
Phone: + 358 (0)9 4777 300
Fax: + 358 (0)9 4777 3010
Website: www.archtours.com

You are invited to a very special tour throughout time. Brighten your sense of taste for the gastronomic highlights that will be served in the restaurants of the old town. All the different dishes tell a piece of history of Estonia in an especially delicious way.

The first course is a typical delicacy from the Middle Ages, followed by a selection of traditional dishes. The menu is topped of a modern Estonian dish. While you stroll from restaurant to restaurant and to the next culinary experience you hear interesting stories about the old town and the eating habits of Estonian people. Your personal tourist guide knows all about it!

Participants: starting from 2 persons
Duration in hours: 3
Languages: English, German
Price: on request
Services:
Guide
3 course menu (welcome drink, one glass of wine, coffee or tea)

Each course is served in a different restaurant.
25% discount for children under 12 years (children’s menu)

Contact
Estonian Experience OÜ
Kaupmehe 7
Tallinn 10114
Estonia

Tel: +372 53 464 060
sales [at] estonianexperience [dot] com
www.estonianexperience.com

Dinner will be served in the newly opened restaurant Pinella. It is a sight from 1830. Overnight in Sokos Hotel Hamburger Börs.

Day 2: From traditional handicrafts to moderne and innovative design!
Today’s tour starts in the Luostarinmäki handicrafts museum. There you learn about the life of traditional craftsmen, while later on you can meet local artists and designers in Brinkklalan Outolintu Gallery. Afterwards you will visit the Artoteque of Turku, where privately as well as professionally interested people can rent masterpieces of local artists.

In order to have a stroll through the district of Fortuna, you just need to change to the opposite riverside. The district is a developing centre for young local designers.

Create your own design artwork! You might get your inspiration from some of Turku’s designers that you will visit during the tour. After that you can prove your know-how in creating design goods. In a private jewellery workshop you have the chance to create your on design artwork out of recycled materials. Dinner and overnight in Sokos Hotel Hamburger Börs.

Duration: 2 days / 2 nights
Participants: Minimum 20
Season: Throughout the year
Price: On request
Services: 2x overnight in a double room of the Sokos Hotel Hamburger Börs, programme as above, 2x dinner and transfer to Helsinki

Contact
TTE – The Travel Experience
Eteläinen Hesperiankatu 10 A 10
FI-00100 Helsinki
Tel. +358 (0)9 622 9810
info [at] travel-experience [dot] net
www.travel-experience.net

Turku Touring
Aurakatu 4
FI-20100 Turku
Tel. +358 (0)2 262 7444
turku [dot] touring [at] turku [dot] fi
www.turku.fi

The tour starts with fascinating impressions of the historic district and continues with a stroll through the romantic district of Kadriorg. There you will recognize buildings from the era of the Russian Empire and the first Estonian republic. The architecture of the settlement of Lasnamägi was influenced by Soviet era.

Thereafter you visit the harbour area and the district of Pirita. After a short coffee break the tour proceeds to the Kopli-District that is famous for its industrial buildings and many small harbour-like landing stages.

Participants: starting from 2 persons

Duration: 4 hours
Languages: German
Price: on request
Services: Guide, transport, coffee break

The Music Centre provides a home base for Helsinki’s two top-flight classical orchestras, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Helsinki Philharmonic. It is also the new home of the prestigious Sibelius Academy.

In addition to the 1.700-seat main concert hall, the centre includes an underground level with five smaller concert venues. A pleasant café, a small record shop and an exhibition add extra services.

The new Music Centre shall be a living cultural centre for everybody, a meeting place in the middle of the city. Highlights of the centre’s opening season include a gala Rachmaninoff concert by Armenian pianist Denis Matsuev with the Helsinki Philharmonic and a show by the unique Finnish rock group Apocalyptica, whose members include cellists trained at the Sibelius Academy.

More Information and Booking
Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau
Pohjoisesplanadi 19
FI-00099 CITY OF HELSINKI
Telephone +358 (0)9 3101 3300
Fax +358 (0)9 3101 3301
tourist [dot] info [at] hel [dot] fi
www.visithelsinki.fi

The City of Helsinki reserves all rights to the picture, so it can be freely used for non-commercial purposes and for marketing.

Duration: 3 hours.

Evening: possibility to attend a concert or other event in the Tallinn 2011 Cultural Capital programme.

Overnight at Sokos Hotel Viru

Day 2:

“Tracing Design in Tallinn”
This one-of-a kind tour of the Tallinn Creative Incubator and the Baltika Quarter, visits a former sewing factory which has been transformed into a cradle of creativity. The focal point is the Fashion Street, a 1000 m² showcase of the main labels of the Estonian clothing industry and a sight in itself for its bold and unconventional design concept. The perfect optional addition to the tour would be a private fashion show.

Duration: 3 hours.

“Test your own creativity”
Traditionally a city of artisans, the open studios of artists today offer the visitors of Tallinn an opportunity to test themselves in various forms of art and craft such as pottery, painting, jewellery-making, block printing, and mosaics &
stained glass.

Participants: from 20 Persons
Season: all year round
Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night
Languages: German
Price: on request
Benefits:
Accomodation with breakfast
Local guide
Transfers subject to programme
Entrance fee at Kumu and artstudio
Optional: additional accomodation doubleroom at Sokos Hotel Viru

More Information and Booking:
Via Hansa
Tel. +372 6277 870
tallinn [at] viahansa [dot] com
www.viahansa.com

Estravel
Tel. +3726266233
info [at] baltcoming [dot] com

Estravel
www.baltcoming.com

Everybody can vote on the internet site Best of Helsinki.
Furthermore every user can give their personal tip or suggestion to the Jury about the nomination.

Sailing a square rigger
Live an unforgettable adventure and recruit yourself to the crew of Gerda. You will climb up the rig to open and pack sails, be member of the watch on duty at sea. In other words you will live fully to the rhythm and routines of the ship as a real seaman.
Information and voting

Amazing Helsinki Race
The Amazing Helsinki Race is a fun and adventurous way to get to know Helsinki, its streets, its people and the funniest Finnish customs and traditions. The teams compete in a race that requires cleverness and creativity by following clues and completing exciting tasks the groups move from point to point.
Information and voting

Scandic Simonkenttä – meeting facilities
Scandic Simonkenttä is located right in the heart of Helsinki. The hotel elegantly combines modern design, Scandinavian architecture and environmental thinking. It is the most popular meeting hotel with over 30 000 meeting guests every year.
Information and voting

Best Western Premier Hotel Katajanokka
Guilty or not guilty is the question in this Hotel. Hotel’s historic past comes to life with restaurant Jailbird and in other entertaining programme for the guests.
Information and voting

Ravintola Silpuli´s conference premises
History of the restaurant goes far as late of 18th century . The old warehouse building with red bricks has been renovated as outstanding Restaurant Sipuli and it’s unique conference center without questioning.
Information and voting

More information You´ll find from Best of Helsinki.

More information and booking:
Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau
Pohjoisesplanadi 19
FI-00099 CITY OF HELSINKI
Telephone +358 (0)9 3101 3300
Fax +358 (0)9 3101 3301
tourist [dot] info [at] hel [dot] fi
www.visithelsinki.fi