Helsinki Highlights With Seurasaari Island - Available May 15 - Sept 14...A Shoretrips Value Shared Tour

Helsinki Highlights With Seurasaari Island...A Shoretrips Value Shared Tour Photo #1 of 2 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

Overview

See all the wonderful sites of Helsinki.

As a city of seasons, Helsinki thrives during the summer and, with the harbor serving as the pulse of the city, you will be quick to fall in love after disembarking your ship. Finland's largest city provides the cultural perks of a metropolitan area, while still holding on to the unique flavor that has made Helsinki stand out amongst the capitals of the Baltic.

After a photo stop at the historic Central Train Station, you will drive down Mannerheim Street, the main boulevard of Helsinki. As you pass the Parliament House and Finlandia Hall, your first stop will be at the Olympic Stadium used for the 1952 Olympic games. This event marked the Olympic debuts of The Soviet Union, People's Republic of China, and Israel. The United States snuck out a victory in the medal count by surpassing the Soviet Union by five medals.

Just outside of the heart of Helsinki, you will arrive at the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum. This island oasis serves as a museum that demonstrates the traditions of Finnish life. With cottages, farmsteads, and manors collected from the past four centuries from all over Finland, you will explore countryside living from the Finnish roots of the 18th century. Keep in mind that these are original buildings and not replicas!

At Sibelius Park, you will see what is probably Helsinki's most memorable monument--a structure dedicated to famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Designed by Eila Hiltunen, whose intent was to have it blend in with its natural surroundings, the monument is made up of 527 steel pipes, representing an organ. Known for his patriotism and Finnish pride, Sibelius wrote music in praise of the people of Finland. If you arrive on a windy day, you may hear an improv music performance.

One of the most architecturally unique locations in all of Finland is the Rock Church, which you will examine from the inside and out. The church is built entirely underground and is covered by an oval dome reinforced by beams of various sizes. Entered from street level, rows of skylights illuminate the hall, which serves as a popular concert facility and wedding location. During its inaugural season, it was visited by over 100,000 people.

At the end of the tour, free time will be provided for shopping or grabbing a bit to eat in Market Square. You can either stay in the city and return at your own pace or return to the ship by the tour vehicle.

- Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Coffee, tea, and a light snack will be provided at Seurasaari.
- Visits to the Rock Church can't be guaranteed due to occasional religious services. This is not a common occurrence, but, in the event that it does happen, your guide will arrange a different stop in its place.

- This tour is available May 15th - September 14th each year.
- Please be advised that some of the smaller ships handling Baltic itineraries are more difficult for us to confirm. They often arrive at odd times and dock in smaller ports which make combining services formidable. We are speaking specifically of Crystal, Oceania, Azamara, Silver Seas, Viking, Seabourn and Regent. We will do our best but it would be preferred if you select a private excursion to secure the service.
- This tour accommodates a maximum of 24 passengers.
- This excursion cannot be done as a pre-cruise or post-cruise tour. It must be round trip transportation from the cruise ship pier during a normal port day in the itinerary. Even if your ship overnights at the back end of your itinerary, unfortunately, we cannot run this tour that way.
- You are purchasing a shared tour and you will be expected to maintain the pace of the group. If you use a walker, wheelchair, or scooter, or if you have mobility problems, you will be refused service and not refunded. We suggest that you purchase a private tour for your best enjoyment. Also, please note that if you have an infant, we also would suggest a private tour.

Days offered: 7 days a week

Departures:

• , duration: 5 hours Your departure time will be on your voucher based on your ship's itinerary.