8 Days / 7 Nights - from £745 pp
A great way to explore the west coast of Finland is on a fly drive holiday. Finland’s western coast offers diverse scenery, ranging from an
amazing archipelago and coastline to verdant countryside with
vast open fields together with settlements concentrated along riverbanks.
Picturesque seascapes, the shimmering sea and sunny sandy beaches contribute their own aspect to the variety of landscapes in the region. The colourful Ostrobothnian culture impresses in both culinary and handicraft traditions combining influences of both past and present. Attractive town districts with
skilfully constructed wooden houses, centuries of tar-making and seafaring heritage, and strong traditions of Finland’s Swedish-speaking population give this region its special character unlike anywhere else in Finland.
Route Map - West Coast Treasures Helsinki (Espoo) - Turku – Pori – Vaasa – Kokkola – Tampere - Helsinki
Package price starts from £ 745 per person based on availability and two people sharing a twin room. Single supplement: £ 215
Package price includes:
- Direct return flights London – Helsinki on Finnair / British Airways or Finnair
- 8 days Hertz B class car hire with unlimited mileage
- 1 night accommodation in 4* hotel in Espoo
- 1 night accommodation in 4* hotel in Helsinki
- 5 nights overnight in country guesthouses / hotels
- A road map of Finland
- Breakfasts
- Service charges and taxes
Day 1 - Arrival in Helsinki Arrive Helsinki, hire a car* at the airport and transfer to the 4* Hotel Radisson SAS Espoo, situated only 9 km from Helsinki city centre. The hotel has a peaceful location at the waterfront, close to beautiful natural surroundings.
* Airport fee of EUR 34.77 per rental is to be collected at the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.
Day 2 – Helsinki-Turku (~ 108 miles) To get the most out of the rural heritage landscapes in the stretch between the modern metropolis of Helsinki and the historic town of Turku, head for the quiet byways and follow the
King’s Road tourist route, a historic road which once linked the Kingdom
of Sweden with the Russian Empire. As the oldest city and the
former capital of Finland, Turku is home to the most remarkable medieval landmarks of the country, including the Castle and the Cathedral. The wooden workshop houses of the
Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum tell tales about the trades and city life of days gone by. Accommodation at Park Hotel, Turku, a cosy small property in the heart of the city.
Day 3 – Turku – Rauma - Pori (~ 100 miles) The history of Rauma goes back to the 15th century when Franciscan monks constructed a monastery on the site.
Old Rauma, with its wooden architecture, is one of the five
UNESCO World Heritage sites in Finland. Bobbin lace making, a handicraft originally brought to the town by seamen, still flourishes here.
Pori is famous for its sandy beaches and
Europe’s largest Jazz Festival, held in July. It is worth taking a scenic archipelago road to the island of Reposaari, situated 32 km from the centre of Pori. It is like a small town of its own with many wooden houses. Accommodation at 3 * Scandic Hotel, Pori
Day 4 - Pori-Vaasa (~ 119 miles) Heading for the north, pass by small coastal towns with typical wooden houses. Off the coast of Vaasa lies an amazing archipelago, which is easy to explore by car or by taking a sightseeing cruise.
Korsholm island is home to an interesting open-air museum and a craftsmen’s village. Accommodation at 4 * Radisson SAS Hotel, Vaasa
Day 5 - Vaasa-Kokkola (~ 93 miles) Running from island to island, the scenic route known as the
“Seven Bridges Archipelago Road” takes in spectacular coastal scenery and attractive small towns. The northernmost point of the route,
Kokkola, has a charming district of wooden buildings. Accommodation at 4 * Sokos Hotel Kaarle in the heart of Kokkola.
Day 6 - Kokkola-Tampere (~ 201 miles) Head to the south and drive past Lappajärvi, a lake formed by a meteorite impact millions of years ago. Pass by small rural towns and villages, vast open fields and farms. The industrial heritage of
Tampere, the largest city of the Finnish Lakeland, is reflected in the architecture of the city centre. The lake scenery can be viewed from top of an observation tower or from aboard a sightseeing boat. Accommodation at Scandic Hotel Rosendahl, located in the heart of the scenic Pyynikki ridge area.
Day 7 - Tampere-Helsinki (~ 109 miles) Return to Helsinki. On the way to Helsinki, it is worth visiting Iittala Glass Centre where you can see glass blowing and purchase Finnish design products. ccommodation at 4* Hotel Radisson SAS Seaside in Helsinki.
Day 8 – Helsinki Departure. Check out from the hotel and return the car at the airport