Cycling : Island Hopping by Bike, Finnish Archipelago

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

The Turku archipelago are one of Finland's most stunning natural phenomena – 20 000 islands stretching out into the sea from the city of Turku in the country's south-west. Cycling a circular route around the main islands is made easy, and exciting, by a system of local ferry services, constantly going back and forth acting like bridges. As well as the fun of the ferries, there are also picturesque harbour villages to visit, and the true peace of the nature. The cycling route starts and ends in Turku – the formal capital of Finland, and a bustling, attractive market town, and also the European Capital of Culture in 2011. With easy train connections to Helsinki, the tour can easily be combined with the Finnish capital, World Design Capital in 2012.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 Arrival to Turku
Personal arrival to Turku, a bustling summer city on the south-west coast of Finland. There is a medieval castle and cathedral, and a wide selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.
Overnight in Turku centre, bed and breakfast

DAY 2 Turku - Taivassalo (55 km)
Collect your bicycles and ride north-west and out into the countryside. Soon the island-hopping begins with a relaxing 45 minute ferry journey.
Overnight in Taivassalo, breakfast & dinner

DAY 3 Taivassalo - Korppoo (57 km)
Today is the main island-hopping day with 5 ferry journies, reaching the very heart of the archipelago. Cross the tiny island of Iniö before some of the region's most challenging cycling on Houtskär island. Enjoy a rest on the 30 minute ferry ride to the next island, KorPpoo.
Overnight on Korpoo, breakfast & dinner

DAY 4 Korppoo - Nauvo (31 km direct with possibility to do a longer route if desired)
Cross over to Nauvo, the main archipelago island. Nauvo village has a bustling harbour.
Overnight on Nauvo island, breakfast & dinner

DAY 5 Nauvo - Naantali (54km)
Take the ferry north back to the mainland and continue by bike via Rymättylä to Naantali, an idyllic seaside village with cobbled streets and old wooden houses around a bustling harbour.
Overnight in a spa hotel in Naantali, with plenty of local restaurants to choose from for dinner

DAY 6 Naantali-Turku 14 km
Free time in Naantali, or in Turku according to your preference. Short ride back to Turku. Return your bicycles.
Overnight in Turku centre , bed and breakfast

DAY 7 Personal departure from Turku

MAP

The map centres on the village of Norrby, on the island of Iniö, the smallest and remotest island on the trip.

GOOD TO KNOW

All accommodations have private bathrooms.

City centre locations in Turku at the start and end of the tour make it easy to arrive and depart. Beautiful natural locations in the archipelago combine with a stay in the old town of Naantali where you can choose a restaurant for dinner from a range in the harbour area.

This is a self-guided cycling tour. Each guest will receive full route details, plus ferry timings, but there is no guide included. On most departures there will be other guests cycling the same route.

Due to a small chance ferry timetables may change we reserve the right to amend the dates and/or tour route and accommodations.

WHAT MAKES OUR CYCLING TOURS SO SPECIAL?

We use the best available accommodation, from atmospheric converted barns to high quality spa hotels.

Our route is a combination of the best of everyting in the area. You get to stay in the most beautiful natural surroundings with dinner coooked by your hosts, but you also get to experience picturesque harbour villages with a choice of excellent local restaurants, and to stay in the heart of Turku.

You are well taken care of : our tour includes luggage transportation, detailed route notes, and a 24 hour emergency contact.

DEPARTURE DATES in 2012

JUNE 3rd, 10th, 24th
JULY 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 23rd, 29th
AUGUST 5th, 6th

Net prices in EUR (euros):

796 EUR per person sharing twin/double room
197 EUR single room supplement (3rd person travelling with 2 others)
1066 EUR single room for single traveller

What's included:
- 6 nights accommodation with breakfast
- 3 dinners
- 7-speed bicycle with panniers, kilometre counter, repair kit, pump, helmet
- All necessary island ferry fees
- Cycling road map (1 for up to 2 persons)
- Detailed route notes
- 24 hour emergency phone service
- Luggage transport between hotels (max 1 piece per person)

Reductions & Supplements (per person):
- Reduction for using own bicycle: 70 EUR
- Extra nights in Turku: 47 EUR per person in twin, 85 EUR per single
- Extra nights in Helsinki from: 44 EUR per person in twin, 76 EUR per single
- Train, Helsinki to/from Turku, from 44 EUR per person one way

We will have an on-line booking facility in the coming months. For the moment, you can request bookings by email.