Island Hopping by Bicycle 2010
7 days / 6 nights, Turku - Heponiemi - Iniö - Korpoo - Nauvo Island - Rymättylä - Naantali - Turku | 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.
| Departure | June 6th, 13th, 27th July 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th August 1st, 8th |
| Price | $1,455 per person in double room, when 2 people travel together $1,360 per person in double room, when 3 people travel together $1,320 per person in double room, when 4 people travel together $580 single room supplement $2,275 single traveler |
| Included | 6 nights accommodations Breakfast buffet daily 2 dinners 7 or 21-speed bicycle with panniers Repair kit, pump, and helmet for 6 days All necessary island ferry fees Cycling road map (1 for up to 2 persons) Detailed route notes indicating suggested route and ferry timings 24 hour emergency phone service Luggage transportation between hotels (maximum 1 piece of luggage per person) |
| Not Included | International airfare & Airport taxes Meals other than listed above Personal insurance / personal items $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | This is a self-guided cycling tour. Each guest will receive full details on the route, ferry timings, etc, but there is no guide included. All guests cycle independently although there are certain departure dates. We reserve the right to change the route and overnight accommodations. Average cycling 45 km per day Maximum day 65 km Difficulty rating Easy-medium: generally easy, but with occasional rolling sections Dates and route subject to change depending on ferry schedules that will not be published until January 2010. Usually ferry timings will not change, but there is a small possibility. |
Day 1 ARRIVAL IN TURKU Personal arrival to Turku. Turku is a bustling summer town, on the south-west coast of Finland, with the River Aura cutting right through the heart of the town (see picture). There is plenty to see, including medieval castle and cathedral, and a wide selection of excellent cars, cafes, and nearby restaurants.
Overnight in Turku centre
Day 2 TURKU - HEPONIEMI (B) (in Kustavi municipality) Approx. 65 km
Your bicycles are brought to the hotel in the morning. Note : today's one ferry ride departs at 15:00, approximately 45km from Turku (around 3 hours riding time) so you need to leave early enough from Turku in order to catch this ferry. Continue from Turku via nearby Naantali. Soon after Naantali the island-hopping begins, first with a stunning ride across the bridge to Merimasku and then take a break from peddling with a relaxing 45 minute ferry journey. Continue on by bike to your overnight hotel. Dinner at nearby restaurant.
Overnight in Kustavi region in a guest house
Day 3 HEPONIEMI - INIÖ - KORPOO - NAUVO (B) Approx. 60 km
Today is the main island-hopping day with seven ferry journeys reaching the very heart of the archipelago region. The tiny peaceful island of Iniö is the remotest spot of the trip. Houtskär island has some of the region's most challenging cycling, but you can rest on the half hour ferry ride to Korpoo! From Korpoo it's a short ferry hop to Nauvo, where you overnight in a wonderful B&B, a former barn converted to a guest house located amongst beautiful nature. Dinner on Nauvo.
Overnight on Nauvo Island.
Day 4 NAUVO ISLAND (B) Cycling distance according to personal wishes Spending a second night on Nauvo Island there are several choices of circular cycling routes, plus the possibility to go canoeing or take a traditional seaside sauna.
Overnight on Nauvo Island
Day 5 NAUVO - RYMÄTTYLÄ - NAANTALI (B) Approx. 45 km
Take the ferry north from Nauvo 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. Plenty of local restaurants to choose from for dinner.
Overnight in a Spa Hotel in Naantali
Day 6 NAANTALI - TURKU (B) Approx.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
Day 7 DEPARTURE (B) After breakfast check-out and end of services.