Walking in Finland and Sweden

Our journey starts in the Finnish capital Helsinki. Located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, the city is a charming blend of urban culture and coastal nature.

For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 5pm for a welcome meeting. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Helsinki International Airport (HEL), which is a 20 minute drive from our hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Tour Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

After the welcome meeting we'll head out for a short guided walking tour of Helsinki with a local guide to gain an insight into the city's history and help us get our bearings. Afterwards, for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for a group dinner.

Should you arrive earlier today, downtown Helsinki is easily explored on foot and also boasts the world's northernmost metro system.

This morning we head out of the city on a drive of around 40 minutes to the tranquil landscapes of the Nuuksio National Park. A mixture of lush forests, sparkling lakes and rugged crags, we'll head out on a leisurely walk - our first immersion into the calming wilderness of southern Finland.

If we're very lucky we might see the Park's emblem - the Siberian flying squirrel. Smaller than the common red squirrel and with a grey coat, these squirrels can glide up to 75 metres between trees. Other mammals resident here include elk, deer and myriad species of bird including woodpecker and nightjar.

Back in Helsinki this afternoon, your time is left free to explore. The Suomenlinna sea fortress is a popular spot to visit and a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. It was built in the second half of the 18th century by Sweden on a group of islands located at the entrance of Helsinki's harbour. You may like to wander in the waterfront market that sells local crafts alongside fresh produce and street food or head to the Design district, a must for lovers of the Scandinavian design aesthetic, its galleries and boutiques showcasing the best of Finnish creativity and design.

You might also want to experience a sauna. The tradition is a deeply ingrained part of Finnish culture and is renowned for its health benefits. There are a number of public saunas in Helsinki such as the waterfront Allas Sea Pool complex which combines the traditional Finnish sauna experience with modern amenities.

Departing Helsinki after breakfast we drive to Hanko, a charming town located on a peninsula that juts out into the Gulf of Finland. Enjoying a mild summer climate, Hanko is known for its beautiful sandy beaches and 19th century wooden houses and villas that showcase its history as a resort. Today it's still a popular weekend getaway for Helsinki residents.

We'll head out on a walk from Hanko along the Tulliniemi Peninsula to Finland's southernmost tip and back. The trail offers stunning views of the coastline with rocky shores, sandy beaches and open sea. The peninsula's pine forests, coastal heath and wetlands host a wide range of flora and fauna and it's a great spot for birdwatching.

After our walk we'll continue on to our destination for the next two nights, Turku, located on Finland's southwestern coast, alongside the Aura River. Once the capital of Finland, Turku is a vibrant cultural hub with a blend of medieval and modern influences.

Today's 6 kilometre walk is expected to take around 2 hours. The terrain is flat.

This morning we'll head out on a guided walking tour of the riverfront area and main historical sites in Turku. We'll pay a visit to the 13th century cathedral, constructed mainly from granite, it's the oldest and most significant church in Finland and is a central symbol of the city. Turku Castle is another prominent landmark from the same period. Built as a fortress to protect the southwestern coastline it houses a museum.

Later we'll drive north to visit the Sammallahdenmaki Bronze-Age burial site, one of the most significant prehistoric sites in Scandinavia. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sammallahdenmaki contains 36 burial cairns spread over a rugged granite ridge, surrounded by pine forests. The cairns vary in shape and size and their arrangement is believed to have had religious significance. After time exploring this serene and atmospheric spot we'll enjoy a short walk in the forest here before heading to Rauma. Also UNESCO listed, Old Rauma has one of the best preserved examples of traditional wooden towns in the Nordic countries. The narrow cobbled streets and colourful wooden houses mostly date back to the 17th to 19th centuries. On the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia, Rauma has a strong maritime heritage, its port is a critical link for shipping and the town still has an active shipbuilding industry.

After time to explore here we'll head back to Turku for the evening and the chance to head out to enjoy some typical Finnish fare at ones of the town's many restaurants. Finnish cuisine is a blend of traditional Nordic flavours and influences from Russia, Sweden, and other European countries. It emphasizes seasonal ingredients and often incorporates foraged foods from Finland's extensive forests and lakes. Staple ingredients include, berries, root vegetables, rye, barley and oats. Fish is very popular, both from the Baltic Sea and inland lakes and rivers, popular meats include reindeer (mostly in the north) and game meats such as elk, alongside the more regularly eaten pork and poultry.

Today's 2 kilometre walk is expected to take around 45 minutes. The terrain here is flat.

We leave mainland Finland this morning catching a ferry to the Aland Islands, located halfway between Finland and Sweden in the Baltic Sea. The journey will take us around five and a half hours and our route takes through the beautiful Archipelago Sea, a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve containing around 50,000 islands and rocky islets of varying sizes. Formed as a result of glacial activity during the last Ice Age, the ocean floor is continuing to rise post-glacial rebound, and new islets are being created over time.

The Aland Islands, although part of Finland, are autonomous and demilitarized having their own government and unique traditions. Swedish is spoken here and the islands have a very strong maritime tradition and historical ties to Sweden. Aland's landscape features a mix of rolling meadows, pine forests, rocky coastlines, and serene blue waters.

We base ourselves in the capital Mariehamn and this afternoon will head out on a walking tour with our tour leader. Mariehamn has a distinctive layout, with wide avenues and tree-lined streets featuring historic wooden houses whose architecture reflects Nordic and Russian influences. giving the town a unique character. The town has two main harbours, the Western Harbour which is home to larger vessels, ferries, and cargo ships, while the Eastern Harbour is mainly for smaller boats, yachts, and local water activities. We'll see the iconic Pommern, a four-masted sailing ship which once carried grain between Australia and Europe, now a floating museum moored in the Western harbour.

Mariehamn offers a taste of Aland's distinct cuisine, which includes traditional dishes like black bread, fish dishes, and Aland pancake (flavoured with cardamom and served with jam) which we'll be sure to try during our time here.

This morning we'll drive (around 45 minutes) to the northern side of the main island to set out on a hike along the Grottstigen Cave Trails, discovering a wild landscape of granite slopes, unique rock formations and caves. The trail winds through dense forests of pine and spruce, interspersed with open areas offering panoramic views of the archipelago. The coastal vistas from the higher points of the trail are stunning, with views of the Baltic Sea and surrounding islands.

After our hike we head to the popular Stallhagen microbrewery for the chance to refuel at its restaurant which emphasizes local ingredients and Aland inspired dishes that pair with the craft beers produced here. There's the option to join a guided tour to learn about the brewing process, history of the brewery and of course, head to the tasting room to try a variety of Stallhagen's beers. Aland's natural environment provides fresh ingredients for Stallhagen's beers, including locally grown hops, Aland honey, wild berries, and herbs, giving its beers a distinctly local flavour.

On our way back to Mariehamn we'll also stop at one of the most iconic buildings in Aland, Kastelholm. The Castle is a 14th century medieval fortress that served over the years as a residence for nobility, royalty and even prisoners.

Today's 5 kilometre walk is expected to take around 2 hours. The terrain is is rocky with undulating hills and some steeper sections.

This morning has been left free before we depart for the ferry to Sweden which departs at around 2.30PM. Mariehamn is a lovely place to wander around and visit the shops and museums, but, if you're feeling active, its also possible to head out on marked trails on the Mariehamn Peninsula either on foot or you can also hire a bike.

This afternoon's ferry to the Swedish capital Stockholm takes around four and a half hours. The final part of the journey weaves its way to the city's ferry dock among the myriad islands of the Stockholm Archipelago, a stunning and archetypal Nordic landscape of rocky outcrops, lush forests, and charming coastal villages.

This morning we'll enjoy a guided tour of Stockholm both on foot and by bus. Our walking tour will include the narrow streets and alleys of Gamla Stan (the Old Town). The historic heart of the city, Gamla Stan was founded in the 13th century although many of its colourful buildings date to the 17th and 18th centuries, reflecting various architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque.

Next we head to Kungsholmen and the iconic Stockholm City Hall whose 106 metre tower topped by golden globe is a prominent feature on the Stockholm skyline. We'll pay a visit inside where we can see the Blue Hall, famous for hosting the annual Nobel Prize banquet and Golden Hall known for its stunning mosaics depicting scenes from Swedish history and culture, with over 18 million pieces of glass and gold leaf.

This afternoon, another treat is in store - a visit to the impressive Vasa Museum, built to accommodate the salvaged 17th century warship that sank just 1300 metres into its maiden voyage and which was raised from the sea bed in 1961.

This morning we drive out to the island of Bjorno and enjoy a hike in the Bjorno Nature Reserve. Showcasing the tranquil beauty of the Archipelago. our walk takes us on a trail along rocky coastlines, through forest and open meadow. In the warmer months we can take a refreshing dip in the Baltic Sea. On our way back we might stop to enjoy the Swedish tradition of 'Fika' - enjoying a coffee and sweet treat such as cinnamon buns or cookies.

Back in Stockholm this afternoon, your time is free to explore more of this splendid city.

Today's 8 kilometre walk is expected to take around 2 hours. The terrain here is flat.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Stockholm.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) which is around 40/60 minutes' drive from our hotel depending on traffic.