Become immersed in Helsinki’s ground-breaking, eco-friendly architecture as a prelude to hiking through a national park. While driving through the lively capital, you will pass a collection of notable landmarks such as the Parliament House, National Museum and Finlandia Hall, a masterpiece that acclaimed Finnish architect Alvar Aalto designed. Still, few buildings are as striking as the Helsinki Central Library. Known as the Oodi, which means “ode,” in Finnish, the library offers much more than books. For instance, there are meeting spaces, music studios, restaurants and 3-D printers, all available to the general public. As you tour the Oodi, the guide will point its unusual aspects and describe the building’s energy efficiencies. You will understand why Finns are so passionate about preserving their natural resources when you see Nuuksio National Park. A wonderland of green forests, serene lakes and rugged crags, it makes an ideal setting for your hike and snack around the campfire.

HIGHLIGHTS
• See Helsinki’s architectural landmarks on a panoramic drive around the capital .
• Tour the extraordinary Oodi library while the guide describes its energy efficiencies.
• Share the reverence that Finns have for nature on a leisurely hike through a national park .

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

This tour combines the main sights of Helsinki and a visit to the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum. Drive by the colorful open-air market and stop at Senate Square with the elegant Lutheran Cathedral for a photo opportunity. Continue past the Uspenski Cathedral and see the icebreakers docked for the summer season. Then, it’s on to Mannerheim Street, the main thoroughfare and home to Parliament House, the National Museum and Finlandia Hall. Also pass the new Contemporary Art museum, Kiasma, the Olympic Stadium, venue for the Olympic Games of 1952, and the Opera House. Continue to the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, located on a beautiful green island just a few miles from the heart of Helsinki.

The island is a tranquil oasis in the midst of the city and here, the traditional Finnish way of life is portrayed in the cottages, farmsteads and manors of the past four centuries that have been relocated from around different provinces of Finland. The oldest building on the island is a 1686 wooden church from Karuna, near Turku. The guided walking tour is a fast way of getting to know traditional Finnish life and architecture while enjoying the beautiful surroundings. You’ll be treated to coffee and a traditional pastry in this country setting. Then it’s on to the unique Temppeliaukio Rock Church, blasted out of solid rock. At the end of the tour, should time allow, you can get off in the downtown area to explore the city on your own or return by your bus to the cruise pier. Should you decide to remain in the city, you’ll be responsible for your own return to the cruise pier.

OVERVIEW

See two of Helsinki’s most avant-garde buildings through the eyes of your architectural historian guide and come away with an eye-opening insider’s view. The façade of the Oodi Central Library boasts a striking undulating shape that celebrates Finland having one of the world’s highest literacy rates. But only a third of the library contains books, the rest being devoted to public spaces such as a recording studio, movie theatre, restaurants and top-floor Citizens’ Balcony. The innovative use of steel beams allowed the middle floor to be built without columns for an unobstructed view from one end to the other. Your guide will also detail the advanced technologies used to construct the Helsinki Music Centre. In particular, you will discover how acoustic technician Yasuhisa Toyota designed the main concert hall in a terraced, vineyard style so the audience surrounds the musicians. Much of the interior is underground to prevent the building from towering above the surrounding ones.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain an insider’s perspective into the designs of two modernistic buildings in Helsinki.
• Discover how the Oodi Central Library was brilliantly designed for much more than books.
• Hear about the design challenges in creating the Helsinki Music Centre’s extraordinary acoustics.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover the main sites of interest in Helsinki, also known as the 'White City of the North.' Along the way you’ll pass Embassy Park and the Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral with its brilliant gold onion domes. Continue on to Senate Square and see important buildings attributed to the Neo-Classic architect Carl Ludwig Engel, including the famous Lutheran Cathedral. You’ll pass the open-air market on your way to the Olympic Stadium where the 1952 Olympic Games were held. Then it’s on to Sibelius Park where you can photograph a monument honoring the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.

Pass by the Opera House and then stop to see the Temppeliaukio Rock Church, a unique house of worship blasted into solid rock and topped by a copper dome. Then it’s on to Mannerheim Street, Helsinki’s main thoroughfare, and other important landmarks. At the end of the tour, you can get off in the downtown area to explore the city on your own or return by your bus to the cruise pier. Should you decide to remain in the city, you’ll be responsible for your own return to the cruise pier. This option is only available for morning departures.

Your coach will take you from the pier to start your walking tour from Senate Square, with its neo-classical atmosphere. It is surrounded by the Main Lutheran Church, the Senate Building and the University. Walk by the central railway station of Eliel Saarinen and see the National Theater and Sanoma Talo. Enjoy a flavorful cup of fresh coffee and pastry served in one of the many coffee venues in downtown.

Continue your tour by walking to Mannerheim Street, Helsinki’s main thoroughfare where you’ll see Helsinki’s museum of Contemporary Art, National Museum, the new Music Hall and the House of Parliament. Then, visit the world famous Rock Church built of bedrock and quarried stone. Continue your walk towards Sibelius Park, in which the name was given to the park honoring Finland’s greatest composer, Jean Sibelius.

Enjoy the main sights of Helsinki, also referred to as the ‘Daughter of the Baltic’ or the ‘White City of the North’ from the comfort of your motorcoach. Your tour begins with a drive along a picturesque road on your way to see the great variety of Helsinki’s architecture. In Senate Square, you’ll see several buildings attributed to the Neo-Classic architect Carl Ludwig Engel. Enjoy a photo stop at the famous Lutheran Cathedral and continue on to Mannerheim Street, Helsinki’s main thoroughfare.

You’ll see the Parliament House, the National Museum, and also Finlandia Hall, designed by the famous architect Alvar Aalto. Pass the new Opera House on your way to the Olympic Stadium where the 1952 Olympic Games were held. Then it’s on to Sibelius Park, where you can photograph a monument completed of 527 steel pipes honoring the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Enjoy a view of Embassy Park and the colorful open-air market on your drive back to the pier.

Begin with a scenic drive through the main sights of Helsinki towards the picturesque town of Porvoo, the second-oldest town in Finland and a favorite of poets and artists. Porvoo was an important trading center as early as the Middle Ages. Enjoy a walking tour along its cobblestone streets lined with 16th century wooden houses. Browse in the handicraft shops before you continue to Savijarvi Mansion, a private home where the family shows you around and treats you as a personal guest.

Your hosts will serve coffee and cakes along with an assortment of Finnish berries and caramel sauce. Sit on the terrace or indoors, depending on the weather, and you’ll be able to see the riding horses and breeding farm. On the return trip to Helsinki, you’ll stop briefly in Sipoo for a visit to its 15th century church. At the end of the tour, you can get off in the downtown area to explore the city on your own or return by your bus to the cruise pier. Should you decide to remain in the city, you’ll be responsible for your own return to the cruise pier.

Drive along the road through woodlands and the lake country to Hvittrask, the former home of the famous Finnish architects Eliel Saarinen, Armas Lindgren and Herman Gesellius. Built in 1902, Hvittrask is famous for its architecture with buildings of natural stone and logs. Situated on a forested hill overlooking a lake, Hvittrask is now an exhibition center for Finnish arts and crafts. You’ll have time to explore the grounds and a guide will escort you through the magnificent home of Eliel Saarinen. Returning to the city you’ll pass by the Finlandia Hall and Parliament House.

A brief stop will be made at the Senate Square from where you’ll see the Lutheran Cathedral, the University, and Senate buildings. Passing Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral and the Presidential Palace, it’s on to visit the unique Temppeliaukio Rock Church blasted into solid rock. At the end of the tour, you can get off in the downtown area to explore the city on your own or return by your bus to the cruise pier. Should you decide to remain in the city, you’ll be responsible for your own return to the cruise pier.

Suomenlinna, known as the 'Gibraltar of the North,' is reputed to be the largest sea fortress in the world and is included on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Treasures. On the 20 minute boat ride to the island, a guide will tell you about Finland’s history. Suomenlinna was built to protect the country against invasion from Russia. Walk through the grounds; the complex is a city within the city of Helsinki. Following your walking tour, you may explore the museum on your own, as well as the surrounding parks and beaches.

Back in Helsinki, there will be time to shop at Helsinki's Market Square before returning to your ship. At the end of the tour, you can remain in the downtown area to explore the city on your own or return by your bus to the cruise pier. Should you decide to remain in the city, you’ll be responsible for your own return to the cruise pier.

After an approximately one hour ride along a picturesque road, you’ll stop at the Old Bridge for a magnificent view of Porvoo’s quaint Old Quarter. Porvoo is the second oldest town in Finland, dating back to 1346. In this popular artists’ center you’ll enjoy a walk along cobblestone streets lined with colorful wooden houses. Enjoy some time to explore Porvoo on your own, perhaps browsing the many artisan and handicraft shops, before your short drive to Haikko Manor, where you’ll stop for lunch.

After lunch, ride back to Helsinki for a tour of the city which includes a visit to Temppeliaukio Rock Church, Sibelius Park and Senate Square. You’ll also see Market Square, the Uspenski Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, and many other city highlights.