Finland Golden Triangle Explorer

The start hotel is approximately 35 minutes’ drive from the airport. One group transfer from the airport to the hotel is provided, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Alternatively, make your own way to the start hotel.

Arrive in Helsinki, Finland’s forward–thinking capital and our first stop on the Golden Triangle, where striking contemporary design meets atmospheric market squares and leafy waterfront promenades.

Around 6pm we meet our tour leader and fellow travellers to hear more about the journey ahead and get to know one another. Our tour leader then ensures a warm Finnish welcome by arranging dinner together.

This morning we set out on a guided walking tour to understand Helsinki’s character, led by a local expert. We take in the city’s architectural contrasts, from neoclassical landmarks to bold modern design, passing Parliament House, Finlandia Hall and the waterfront.

We also visit Oodi Library, a showcase of innovative Finnish architecture, and the remarkable Temppeliaukio Church – the Rock Church – carved directly into solid granite.

This afternoon is yours to spend as you wish. You could browse the Old Market Hall for local specialities, hop on a tram to a design district or use the included 24 hour transport pass to enjoy the city’s green spaces.

In the evening we board a boat for a relaxed 1hr 30min cruise through the Helsinki archipelago, when summer light bathes coastal cliffs, seaside parks and lively terraces in a soft glow.

We travel by coach for around one hour to Porvoo, Finland’s second oldest town. With roots reaching back to the 14th century, its red riverside warehouses once served merchants trading across the Baltic. We wander the cobbled lanes and admire the medieval cathedral; you could pause at a cafe to try local pastries.

We then transfer to Helsinki station and board the train to Tampere, a journey of 1hr 40min–2hr. This former industrial centre, framed by lakes on either side, has reinvented itself as a cultural capital celebrated for its museums, theatres and sauna traditions.

This morning our tour leader introduces us to Tampere on foot, including a visit to the Näsinneula Observation Tower. At 168m – 550ft – it offers superb views across the lakes and forests.

In the afternoon we switch to two wheels for a leisurely cycling tour with a local guide. We ride from the city centre along Eteläpuisto park to Laukontori market, pausing for coffee or tea with a sweet pastry.

We finish with perhaps the most Finnish experience of all – the sauna. Often described as the sauna capital of the world, Tampere has more than 50 public saunas. We alternate between the heat and refreshing swims while our guide explains the traditions behind this ritual.

We travel by train for around two hours to Turku, Finland’s oldest city and former capital – and the final stop on the Golden Triangle.

On arrival our tour leader leads a walking tour, including time to explore Turku Castle, where exhibits in the 13th century fortress offer an engaging overview of Finnish history from medieval times to the present day.

We continue through charming streets to Turku Cathedral, the lively Market Square and the picturesque riverside.

Turku’s natural larder, from the Baltic Sea to fertile farmland, has turned the old capital into a foodie hotspot – the food capital of Finland as they like to say here.

This morning we delve into local flavours on a food tasting tour, visiting the red brick Market Hall to sample Finnish specialities, then trying a local beer to learn how the craft scene has flourished in recent years.

Afterwards we transfer for about one hour to historic Rauma, the third oldest city in Finland with a rich seafaring heritage. You can visit the Rauma Maritime Museum to discover how trade shaped the city, then enjoy coffee with a sweet treat at Kontion Kahvila, a much loved cafe known for traditional Finnish pastries.

On our final full day we first travel to Fiskars, about 1hr 30min away, a village once famed for metalworking and now a hub for design and artisanship. You have free time to browse workshops, galleries and boutiques before we continue to Nuuksio National Park, a green oasis of lakes, ridges and spruce forest just outside Helsinki.

Although it is only about a 45 minute drive from the capital, it feels a world away. We take a gentle one hour hike with a local guide that showcases the natural beauty of Finland, and round off the outing with coffee and pastries by an open fire.

We then return to Helsinki, where we typically regroup for a farewell dinner to share memories of the week.

You have explored the architectural wonders of Helsinki, experienced the sauna culture of Tampere and tasted your way through foodie Turku – now it is time to begin your journey home - make your own way to the airport or your next destination.

Helsinki Airport (HEL) is a 35-minute train from Helsinki Railway Station, which is just a 10-minute walk from our hotel. Train tickets can’t be purchased in advance, but your tour leader can talk you through the simple process. Taking the train from Helsinki Central Station to Helsinki Airport (HEL) costs €4.80 for a single ABC-zone ticket. The journey takes roughly 30 minutes on either the I or P commuter trains, and trains depart every 5-10 minutes.