FACING THE SEA: Tallinn and Turku – Culture Capitals of Europe 2011
A private group tour, 4 days / 3 nights
Both Tallinn and Turku are bound by the ocean and greatly influenced by their seaside location. Turku has its fabulous archipelago and River Aura, and in Tallinn, one of the main initiatives of the Cultural Capital year is to open up the city to the sea again.

Day 1 - Turku
Arrival in Turku, transfer to the hotel.
Day in the Archipelago – Turku archipelago is a unique environment, which should be experienced at least for a day while visiting Turku. First stop will be made at Kustavi handicraft village, true to its long traditions in the archipelago. Further along a string of small islands connected with ferry boats to the island of Korppoo where lunch will be enjoyed at lovely small hotel owned by an artist and a ship designer. After lunch, trip continues with another ferry to the island of Nauvo where accommodation is arranged in a cozy bed and breakfast venue (bigger groups will be split in 2-3 hotels). Optional: experience true Finnish sauna. Dinner at Nauvo harbour at renowned restaurant boat L´Escale.

Day 2 - Turku
Ferry to Parainen and back to Turku.
From Aurajoki to the Sea by bike & bus - Start your bike tour to Turku Cathedral and back to the other side with the cute traditional Föri ferry. Visit to Forum Marinum, a centre keeping up the history of sea fare and shipbuilding. Visit to a former cruise ship Bore with lots of stories about passenger traffic in the 1960s. Continue to Turku Castle where the bus waits to take you to a picnic in the beautiful Ruissalo Park which has always been the place to be for Turku citizens as well as the royal guests.
Dinner cruise to Loistekari islet onboard steamship Ukkopekka.
Overnight.

Day 3 - Tallinn
Coach transfer from Turku to Helsinki and further by ferry to Tallinn.
On arrival in Tallinn: city tour “Seaside stories of Tallinn”.
The goal of the Cultural Capital year is to open Tallinn up to the sea again and we invite you to make this happen! During this special seaside city tour you will discover Tallinn from an attractive angle that has never been seen before – admire the modern sights against the historical backdrop of the medieval Old Town, get a taste of Estonia at the harbour market, experience urban installations and various art projects. Duration: 3 hours.
Supplements: Visit to the Estonian Design Showroom, entrance to the new Maritime Museum in historical Seaplane Harbor (from July 2011), visit to the local fish market (on Saturdays), picnic aboard a sailing ship cruising the Bay of Tallinn, coffee break on the seaside.
Evening: possibility to attend a concert or other event in the Tallinn 2011 Cultural Capital programme.
Overnight at Sokos Hotel Viru or a similar centrally located hotel.

Day 4 – Tallinn
Morning: Views from the top, under KGB watch / Sokos Hotel Viru Museum.
Hotel Viru with its 23 floors was the first “skyscraper” ever built in Tallinn but its best views of the sea and the city will be accessible to visitors only now. Apart from viewing platforms, the top floor of the hotel is notable for its authentic KGB room, preserved as the comrades left it in 1991. The new museum, opened in January 2011, will tell the stories of the hotel itself, the Soviet society and the development of Estonia. Duration: 45 minutes.
Bike your way around Tallinn.
This tour takes in the medieval Old Town of Tallinn, some interesting wooden architecture, local life on the coast and other highlights of the best sights in Tallinn. The tour features Kadriorg park and palaces, KUMU art museum, Song Festival grounds and the contemporary Rotermann quarter. Duration: 2 hours. Supplement: Coffee break in Kadriorg park.
Afternoon is free for exploring the city independently. Transfer to the airport, departure.


For more info about Cultural Capital Travel Packages and bookings, please contact: info@grandbaltics.com