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THE TURKU ARCHIPELAGO
Island Hopping by Bike
  The Turku archipelago is one of Finland’s most stunning natural phenomena
- 20,000 islands stretching out into the sea from the city of Turku in the southwest part of the country. Cycling a circular route around the main islands is made easy, and exciting by a system of local and free ferry services, most of them constantly going back and forth, acting like bridges. Experience the peaceful nature of meandering by bike around rural Finland, the enchantment of the sea, the beauty of the inner islands, wholesome Finnish cooking and picturesque harbour villages.
You spend the first night in the bustling city of Helsinki but the cycling tour starts in Turku, Finland’s oldest city where you will pick up the bike and enjoy a ride around the historic city with its medieval castle, cathedral and riverside paths. Stay in the picturesque old harbour village of Naantali, home of the Moomin characters, with a wide choice of excellent local bars and restaurants. Enjoy the unique pleasure of hopping between the small islands off Finland’s southwest coast. A network of local ferries make hopping off one island, and hopping onto another a breeze, and gives the added pleasure of seeing the islands from the sea as well as the road.
The island hopping will start in Naantali by crossing the bridge to get to Menimasku. You will reach the heart of the archipelago arriving on the islands of Inio, Houtskar, Korpoo and Nauvo where there are 3000 smaller islands and skerries in Nauvo’s unique archipelago. From Nauvo you take the ferry to Rymättylä (1 hour ride) and cycle back to Turku.
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dossier
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Duration: 7 nights / 8 days
Tour Code: CFI
Grade: Easy - Moderate.
Bike Hire: Included in price
Day Stages: Min 14km, max 65km. |
| SELF-GUIDED
Dates 2009 |
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| 6,
27 June
4, 11, 18, 25
July
1 & 8 August |
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Accommodation
7
nights/8 days - Your first night is spent in Helsinki, we
use a selection of 3 star hotels. Nights 2 and 7 are spent in a 3* hotel which dates back to 1928 and is situated close to the train station in the centre of
Turku. Nights 3 is spent on the island of Kustavi and our accommodation
is at a guesthouse which is located right on the harbour. In
Nauvo we spend 2 nights in a wonderful guesthouse which was formerly a barn. On night 6 our Spa hotel in
Naantali offers all modern comforts.
Terrain Relatively flat, a few hills. Generally easy, but with
occasional rolling sections.
Dates and route are subject to change depending on ferry schedule, which is not available until the new
year but we expect to operate on the dates above.
Sherpa
Notes Bike Hire
7 or 21-speed city bike. The bikes usually have a 26 inch
tyre, they are chosen as they are much more durable on the gravel
roads that you will be cycling on. Also included is helmet, repair
kit, panniers and a 24 hour emergency service. IMPORTANT NOTE:
The bike hire starts from the morning of Day 3 until you return to
Turku on Day 7 (5 days). If you want your bike on Day 2 when you
arrive into Turku then you will need to tell us so that we can
organise this. There is an additional charge of Euros 12 per person
for the additional day. Accommodation and Meals
7 nights accommodation with breakfast, 2 dinners. Small selected hotels and guesthouses. Hotels offer excellent local cuisine, and the guesthouses provide traditional Finnish home country cooking. Start and End of Tour
Nearest international airport is Helsinki. Frequent transfers (every 15mins) shuttle bus from airport to train station. Train from Helsinki to Turku. Journey takes 2hrs.
On return, train from Turku to Helsinki. Shuttle bus to airport.
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