This two-day trip takes us to the maritime Southwestern Finland. We will visit the birthplace of Marshal Carl Gustaf Mannerheim, walk around in the cosy town of Naantali and take a time-out in Turku, the oldest city of Finland and former capital. We stay at the newly opened Hotel Kakola, an ex-prison transformed into a fancy hotel. The next day, we get to know Turku even better on a guided tour and a museum visit.
The first day, we visit the Louhisaari (swe. Villnäs) castle, where the Finnish honourable marshal Car Gustaf Mannerheim was born in 1867. The castle is nowadays a part of the Finnish national museum. We then have a smorgasbord-style lunch in the archipelago village of Rymättylä. After the lunch, we head to the "sun city" of Naantali. A one-hour guided walk gives us insight in the history of the city and its former monastery, aswell as about the summer residence of the President of Finland, Kultaranta (under renovation in 2024). in the afternoon, we enjoy a delicious waffle with coffee/tea at the athmospheric Amandis cafe.
We continue to Turku in the evening. We check in at the unique Hotel Kakola, a former prison transformed into a hotel with high standard rooms. You have the possibility to use the Kakola Spa area to a discount price, or have a nice dinner in the hotel restaurant Ruben (not included; please make a table reservation in advance). Take the famous funicular down to the Aura river and enjoy the night in the buzzle of Turku.
The second day starts with a solid breakfast made of local ingredients. After the breakfast, we are ready for intruiging stories about the Kakola prison as we will be guided by the hotel's own guide. NB! The stories are not meant for small kids.
The day continues with an interesting guided bus tour in Turku, and we get to know more about the city's past and current life. The last stop is at Forum Marinum museum, which presents a fascinating collection of historical vessels, including the legendary full-rigged sail ship "Suomen Joutsen" built in 1902, used as a school for the Finnish Navy until 1955. The delicius lunch soup is then served in the museum's restaurant Göran, before returning home.
Duration:
2 days
Price 2024:
from 230 €/person depending on season (min. 30 person group), incl. VAT
Price includes:
1 night in a shared Standard double/twin room in Hotel Kakola, breakfast, entrance and 40 min guided tour in Louhisaari castle, lunch smorgasbord in restaurant Pohjakulma, 1 h walked tour in Naantali, coffee/tea and a sweet waffle at Cafe Amandis, guided presentation of Hotel Kakola, 1,5 h guide services in Turku, entrance to Forum Marinum, soup lunch and coffee/tea in Restaurant Göran and VAT.
The price does not include bus transportations.
Please make a bus inquiry separately.
For additional fee:
Single room
entrance to Kakola Spa 33 €/pers (Tue-Fri) or 37 € (Sat-Sun)
Available:
Tue-Sun, May-Sept