Day 01 : HELSINKI
Upon arrival at Helsinki, make your own way to the Hotel of your choice. Check-in at the Hotel. Day free at leisure. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 02 : HELSINKI
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast enjoy Grand City Tour of Helsinki. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 03 : HELSINKI
Day free for at leisure for shopping & other independent activities. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 04 : HELSINKI
In the afternoon check out and proceed for your onward journey.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Helsinki Attractions

Kauppatori
The famous fish market at the Kauppatori (market square) sells fish, seasonal fruit and berries, and makkara (sausages); there are also stalls selling local handicrafts, unusual hats, Sami dolls, reindeer-related paraphernalia, gloves, T-shirts and woodwork. There are evening markets in summer.

It is surrounded by graceful 19th-century buildings - some of the few remaining in the city after the devastation of WWII. Havis Amanda, the lovely mermaid statue and fountain just west of the fish market, was designed in 1908 by one of Finland's most beloved artists, Ville Vallgren. The statue, also known as 'Manta,' is commonly regarded as the symbol of Helsinki - if not all of Finland.

Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art
The Kiasma Musuem of Modern Art is housed in a curvaceous and quirky chalk-white building. It exhibits a rapidly growing collection of Finnish and international modern art from the 1960s to the 1990s. The focus is definitely on the Finnish penchant for the offbeat. The cafe and beer terrace are very popular in summer.

Leading Finnish artists in the permanent collection include Nina Roos, Susanne Gottberg, Jussi Nivi and the homoerotic illustrator Touko Laaksonen, better known as Tom of Finland. Some of the international artists represented are Nan Goldin, Richard Serra, Andy Warhol and Cindy Sherman. In addition to its impressive collection of visual art, the Kiasma regularly presents performance art, dance, music and films. Innovative and engaging, the Kiasma is not only a world-class museum but also a laboratory for artistic experimentation and expression.

Korkeasaari Zoo
Helsinki's zoo - one of the northernmost zoos in the world - is on Korkeasaari Island. The most pleasant way to arrive is by boat from the fish market. Established in 1889, the zoo has animals from Finland and around the world housed in large natural enclosures. Renowned for its success in breeding snow leopards, the zoo also specializes in snowy owls and bearded golden vultures.

National Gallery
The Ateneum houses Finnish paintings and sculptures from the 18th century to the 1950s. There's also a small, interesting collection of 19th- and early-20th-century foreign art, including Auguste Rodin's bronze The Thinker, and paintings by Van Gogh, Gaugin and Cezanne. The building itself dates from 1887.

The Finnish National Gallery's other main museum, the Sinebrychoff, contains the largest collection of Italian, Dutch and Flemish paintings in Finland. The museum also features Russian and Karelian icons, silver, china and furniture.

Senate Square
Senaatintori (Senate Square), is Helsinki's 'official' centre. It was designed after the Finnish capital was moved from Turku in 1812 to be closer to St. Petersberg. Turku holds a grudge to this day. With a clear Russian influence in its design, Senaatintori's statue of Tsar Alexander II was cast in 1894.

Sibelius Monument
This kinetic modern sculpture was created by artist Eila Hiltunen in 1967 to honor Finland's most famous composer, Jean Sibelius. Born in 1865 in Hämeenlinna, Sibelius wrote music for the glorification of his own people and in defiance of the oppressor, Russia. His most famous composition, Finlandia, came to represent Finnish patriotism and pride.

Temppeliaukio Church
Temppeliaukio Church (Church in the Rock), designed in 1969, remains a foremost Helsinki attraction. Hewn into solid rock, the church features a stunning 24m (78ft) diameter roof covered in 22km (13.6mi) of copper stripping. There are regular concerts and a service in English at 2pm on Sundays.

Uspenski Cathedral
This very photogenic red-brick Orthodox cathedral would not look out of place in Moscow. In fact, it's the largest Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe. Designed by St Petersburg architect AM Gornostayev, the Byzantine-Slavonic cathedral is topped with a golden onion dome and its interior is lavishly decorated with icons. Completed in 1868, it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and remains a testament to the Russian influence on the region. The Uspenski Cathedral is on Katajanokka Island, across from the fish market.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Helsinki Travel Tips

Local Customs

A great Finnish tradition is the sauna. The nearby island of Lauttasaari is home to the Finnish Sauna Society. This is open to visitors and offers them the opportunity to plunge into an ice hole cut in the Baltic Sea!

Helsinki Dining

You can find restaurants throughout Helsinki at the harbourside, market squares and overlooking beautiful gardens and waterways. Unsurprisingly, in this 'city in the sea', fresh fish is a speciality with favourites such as crayfish, herrings and rainbow trout. Delicious game dishes include pheasant or hare served with berry compotes and rich mushroom sauces. The more adventurous visitor might try another delicacy, reindeer fillet served with cumin potatoes. Helsinki also offers a wide variety of cuisine from all over the world; the Russian restaurants have an excellent reputation and are not to be missed.

Helsinki Tipping Advice

Service charge is incorporated in all bills, so tipping is not normally expected. Cloakroom fees of five FIM for hotel or restaurants are clearly posted.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

TOUR COST :

HOTEL Rate ( Per person on TWIN sharing basis )
Ramada Presidentti (3*) EUR 124.00
Scandic Continental(3+*) EUR 144.00
Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre (4*) EUR 159.00
Hilton Helsinki Strand (5*) EUR 218.00

PRICE INCLUDES:
1) 03 Nights accommodation at the Hotel of your choice.
2) Daily Breakfast.
3) Half day City tour of Helsinki.
4) All applicable taxes.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Have a great trip! This itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and DOES NOT form part of a contract between the client and AirCruise.

________________________________________________________________________________________________