Discover Finland’s Golden Triangle

Begin your adventure in Helsinki, Finland’s forward-thinking capital and our first stop on the Golden Triangle. The city is renowned for its blend of striking modern design, atmospheric market squares and leafy waterfront promenades. Around 6pm, say hei to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Finnish welcome by arranging dinner together. Want more time in Helsinki? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Set out this morning on a guided walking tour, the ideal way to understand Helsinki’s character. With a local expert leading the way, we see the architectural contrasts of the city, from neoclassical landmarks to bold modern design, as we pass key sites such as the Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, and the waterfront. We also explore the Oodi Library, a showcase of innovative Finnish architecture, and the extraordinary Temppeliaukio Church (or Rock Church), which is carved directly into solid granite. The afternoon is free to spend as you wish. Perhaps browse the Old Market Hall for local specialities, take the tram to a design district, or enjoy the city’s many green spaces using the included 24-hour transport pass. In the evening, we board a boat for a relaxed cruise (1hr 30min) through the Helsinki archipelago. The capital looks its best during summer evenings with the coastal cliffs, seaside parks and terraces filled with people and the city bathed in a soft light.

Travel by coach (around one hour) to Porvoo, the second-oldest town in Finland. With a history reaching back to the 14th century, its red riverside warehouses once served merchants trading across the Baltic. We have time to stroll the cobbled lanes, admire the medieval cathedral and perhaps stop in a cafe to try the local pastries. Then, after transferring to Helsinki station, we board the train (1hr 40min–2hr) to Tampere, our second stop on the Golden Triangle. This former industrial centre, framed by lakes on either side, has reinvented itself as the cultural capital of Finland, known for its museums, theatres and sauna traditions.

Our tour leader introduces us to Tampere on foot this morning, including a visit to the Näsinneula Observation Tower. At 550ft (168m) tall, it provides superb views across the lakes and forests. Switch to two wheels in the afternoon for a leisurely cycling tour with a local guide. Our adventure combines nature and local culture, as we ride from the city centre, along Eteläpuisto park, and to Laukontori market, pausing for coffee or tea with a sweet pastry en route. Our final stop is perhaps the most Finnish of all: the sauna. Tampere is often described as the sauna capital of the world, with more than 50 public saunas. Experience this essential Finnish tradition, spending time alternating between the heat and refreshing swims, while our guide makes sure we understand the ancient rituals behind it.

Travel (two hours) by train to Turku, Finland’s oldest city, its former capital, and our final stop on the Golden Triangle. On arrival, our tour leader takes us on a walking tour, with a chance to explore Turku Castle. The exhibits inside the 13th-century fort provide an engaging overview of Finnish history, from medieval times to the present day. The tour continues through the charming city streets, visiting Turku Cathedral, the lively Market Square and picturesque riverside.

The natural larder around Turku, from the Baltic Sea to the fertile agricultural land, has transformed the old capital into a foodie hotspot – or the food capital of Finland as they like to say here. Delve into that produce on a food-tasting tour this morning, visiting the red-brick Market Hall to sample Finnish specialities and later trying a local beer to learn how craft beer has flourished in recent years. After, we take a transfer (one hour) to historic Rauma. The third-oldest city in Finland has a rich seafaring heritage, providing a unique insight into the history of the country. You can visit the Rauma Maritime Museum to learn how trade shaped the city, before enjoying coffee and a sweet treat at Kontion Kahvila, a much-loved cafe known for its traditional Finnish pastries.

Our final full day takes us first to Fiskars (1hr 30min), a village once known for metal working, but now better known as a hub for design and artisanship. Enjoy free time to explore the workshops, galleries and boutiques, before we transfer to Nuuksio National Park, a green oasis of lakes, ridges and spruce forest just outside Helsinki. Though you're only a 45-minute drive from the capital, you wouldn't know it. This national park is a true wilderness area and our gentle one-hour hike, led by a local guide, perfectly showcases the natural beauty of Finland. Our adventure ends in a classic Finnish experience − coffee and pastries by an open fire. After, we transfer back to Helsinki, where we typically regroup for a farewell dinner, sharing memories of our week together.