Turku, Aaland and Stockholm Archipelago On Two Weels

Highlights

Exploring Turku and it is archipelago on two wheels: Nagu and Korpo.

Exploring Aland and its archipelago: Koekar – Fogloe.

Exploring Stockholm and its archipelago on two wheels hopping by boat, breathing in the fresh archipelago air.

Easy cycling on Ornoe, Aloe and Swedish Utoe islands.

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. The Archipelago Ring Route: several bridges, 9 ferries or connection vessels will take you from one island to another amidst unique archipelago nature. Our circular route starts in Turku, Finland’s oldest city, established in 1229, where you will enjoy a ride around the historic city with its medieval, castle, cathedral and riverside paths. Home of the Moomin characters. Enjoy the unique pleasure of hopping between the small islands of Finland’s Southwest coast and the chance to see the islands from the sea as well as the road.

Just outside the center of charming Stockholm, you will find its sprawling archipelago, of over 24,000 islands, stretching far out into the Baltic Sea. As you travel by boat and two wheels between the islands take it easy and breathe in the fresh sea air. Discover sandy beaches, idyllic villages, colorful clapboard cottages and tranquil forests.

The cycling on this tour is wonderfully relaxed, and overnight stays in a seaside manor house and traditional inn give you a true Scandia experience, perfectly topped and tailed with nights in the beautiful city of Turku and the capital of Stockholm.

This is included in the tour:

•Itinerary

•Accommodation

•Trip Info

•Travel

Day 1. Individual arrival to Turku free time in the oldest city in Finland and its medieval castle, cathedral and riverside paths. Dinner and overnight at the city center hotel-

Day 2.  After breakfast cycling Turku/ Nagu 57 KM.

After breakfast you start by cycling towards the small, but lively Nagu village over night att D&B in Nagu.

Optional: Extra night in order to explore the surrounding.

Day 3. Nagu – Kökar 35 km

After a break continue along the winding gravel road towards the ferry to Korpo Island. In the afternoon board the ferry to Kökar Island, part of the semi-independent Åland Islands.

Day 4. Koekar- Fogloe 20+ km

Continue your odyssé of the small island communities. Visit in Koekar, the church of St. Anne, which was built on the site of the old monastery church and the ruins of the monastery. The next ferry will take you to the island of Fogloe. Accommodation at B&B is located in the local museum.

Day 5. Fogloe – Saltvik 45 / 55 km

Start in the morning with the ferry to the mainland of the Aand Islands. Accommodation in a romantic guesthouse. If you have time, stay an extra night for relaxing or local cycling!

Day 6. Saltvik – Mariehamn 50 / 60 km

Today you will cycle along minor roads to Mariehamn, the capital of the semi-independent Åland Islands. Accommodation in *** hotel in Marienhamn. An extra night here gives you more possibilities to get to know the town.

Day 7. Mariehamn – Stockholm:

You have the morning for visiting the sights in Mariehamn before you will board the Silija Line cruising ship to Stockholm Overnight: Hotel Rex or Hotel Hellstens Malmgaard or similar in Stockholm. Both our hotels in Stockholm are located in convenient in the city center locations and offer modern, tastefully decorated rooms.

Stockholm:

Commonly referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’, beautiful Stockholm is the perfect start to your tour. Its unique location over 14 islands, combined with colorful architecture and medieval history, make it a fascinating place to explore.

Day 8. Transfer by boat to Utoe. After check in you leave the luggage at the hotel and take the bike to explore the surrounding, overnight at hotel Utoe Vaerdshus/Inn.

Day 9. Cycling on Ornoe, Boat to Utoe

Relax and breathe in the fresh sea air this morning as you take the morning boat out into the archipelago to the island of Ornoe. An island yet to be discovered by mass tourism, Ornoe is a delightful place to explore on two wheels. Cycle through its open woodlands, take swimming breaks jumping off the smooth rocks, and visit historical landmarks, such as the wooden church dating back to 1885.

This evening you get to enjoy a delicious meal at a respected archipelago restaurant serving quality local produced food, before taking the evening boat to the holiday island of Utö.

Cycle: 30km, 3 hours.

Ornö to Utö (50km)

Overnight: Utoe Vaerdshus/Inn, Utoe Island

Utö Värdshus Inn is located minutes from the village and harbor perched high on a hill with wonderful views over the islands in the southern archipelago. Rooms are either located in nearby historical buildings or cozy wooden cabins. A well-respected restaurant can be found at the Inn – one of the archipelago’s best!

Day 10. Cycling on Utae

You have a full day to explore the buzzing island of Utoe. On your bikes, you can travel the length of the island, or cross over by bridge to the nearby smaller islands of Alod and Naattarod which both have beautiful white sandy beaches to relax on and enjoy.

Cycle: Approx. 25km, 3-4 hours

Overnight: Utoe Vaerdshus/Inn, Utoe Island

Day 11. Boat to Fjaerdlaang, Walking on Fjaerdlaang, Boat to Stockholm

After a free morning on Utoe, catch the boat to your third archipelago island, Fjaerdlaang. Take some time off the bike to hike to the highest point, Tynsta Klint, which has spectacular views over the archipelago, allowing you to view it in all its glory.

Board a boat back to Stockholm, and watch as the archipelago changes from the remote islands of outer stretches to the more inhabited regions nearer the town.

Walk: 5-8km, 2-3 hours

Boat: Utoe to Fjaerdlaang (25min), Fjärdlång to Stockholm (3h 20m)

Overnight: Hotel in Stockholm

Day 12. Onward Travel

Your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Make your way back to the airport or speak to us about adding on extra nights to enjoy more of the cities.

You can also keep your bike for today to enjoy an optional bike ride through the unique Eco Park. Here you can cycle through ancient forests, visit palaces and stop at delightful gardens and cafes.

Also for those who would like to come back to Turku or Helsinki they could take the Silija line boat!

Accommodation

11 Nights’ accommodation in 3 and 4* hotels and inns are included in your trip.

They are all carefully selected small and friendly places that offer great value and warm welcomes. The accommodation we normally use is detailed in the itinerary, however should these particular lodgings not be available you will stay in places of a similar standard.

Solo Cyclists & Single Rooms

This trip is not available to solo cyclists as it is cost-prohibitive. Single rooms are available with an additional supplement.

Suggested hotels and inns:

One night in Nagu Vastergard: http://www.nagu.net/vastergard/accomodationeng.htm

One night in Kokar: http://brudhall.com/en/node/12

One night in Foglo: http://www.kayak.com/Foegloe-Hotels-Guesthouse-Enigheten.605940.ksp

One night in Saltvik: http://www.aland.com/en/saltvik_B_B

Two nights in Hotel Hellstens Malmgaard – Stockholm:  http://hellstensmalmgard.se/en/Hellstens_Malmgaard

A charming hotel located in the heart of Stockholm, with buildings built around a cobblestoned yard.

Two nights in Utoe Vaardshus: http://www.utovardshus.se/index_english.html

Located just minutes from the village and harbor, perched high on a hill with wonderful views over the archipelago. Rooms are simple with shared bathroom facilities.

Availability

You can start this tour between the middle of June and the middle of August. The dates are limited due to the schedule of the boats so we recommend booking as far in advance as possible.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

We will be happy to accommodate your party with single rooms if requested, and a single supplement applies. Unfortunately this tour is not available to solo cyclists as the cost would be prohibitive.

Meals

11 Breakfasts and 2 dinners are included. A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included (apart from on Day 2 when dinner is included) so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Alternatively you can buy lunch at local shops or stop in a café. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs or restaurants.

Baggage Transfer

Baggage transfers are included on this tour as per the itinerary, so you only need to walk with a small back-pack. You will need to put the bags on the boats yourself.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard cycling gear such as good cycling shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.

Navigation & Maps

There is good way-marking on all of the cycle routes on this tour, and we will also provide comprehensive route notes and maps so you shouldn’t have any problem finding your way.

Bike Hire

We provide you with excellent bikes with hybrid tires because the terrain is mixed, allowing you to pick up speed on the tarmac, as well as handle the mud and stones of the off-road sections in the forest. Your bike hire comes with 1 set of panniers, a repair kit, a pump and a lock. We recommend you bring your own helmet with you.

Grade & Terrain

The grade is easy-moderate. The areas around Turku, Aland and Stockholm is gently undulating with some short and manageable climbs. Routes include a mix of small country lanes and off-road forest paths.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jackets and pants), sun hat and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking/cycling gear such as good walking shoes or boots, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Getting to Turku directly from your home country by air

Turku’s small airport, or to Helsinki then by bus or train to Turku or via Stockholm! Then you could take bus or Taxi to city center of Turku 12 KM.

Several airlines fly regularly to Stockholm. British Airways (BA) and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) fly to Arlanda Airport. The Arlanda express train takes you from Arlanda Airport to the city center in about 20 minutes.

Ryanair offer low cost flights to Skavsta Airport, which is approx. 100km south of Stockholm. Flygbussarna Airport Coaches run buses from Skavsta Airport to the center of Stockholm and it takes about 80 minutes.

Included

11 Nights in 3 and 4* hotels and inns, name given or similar

11 Breakfasts

2 Dinners

8 Days’ Cycle Hire

Boat trips & transfers as per itinerary

Luggage transfers

Detailed pre-departure information, route notes & local maps

24/7 telephone support from our office and local partner

Excluded

Travel insurance

Travel to Turku and travel from Stockholm

Lunches

Drinks and snacks

Personal equipment

Extras

Additional nights

Single Room Supplement(s)

Optionals

Price per person starting from:

2 persons: EUR1739, SEK17.885

3 persons: EUR1526, SEK15.700

4 persons: EUR1420, SEK14.600

5 persons: EUR1356, SEK13.945

6 persons: EUR1313, SEK13.505

8 persons: EUR1260, SEK12.965

Single supplement: EUR554, SEK 5.700

How far in advance do I need to book?

We recommend booking as soon as you can as the dates available are limited due to the schedule of the boats on the Stockholm Archipelago. We will always try our very best to accommodate your plans.

How fit do I need to be?

The grade is easy-moderate and the longest day is 38km. The area around Turku, Åland and Stockholm is gently undulating with some short and manageable climbs. Routes include a mix of small country lanes and off-road forest paths.

How the baggage do transfers work?

Baggage transfers are included on this tour as per the itinerary. Please note however, that you will need to take your bags on and off the boats yourself.

What personal equipment do I need?

You will need comfortable cycling shoes, warm and waterproof clothes, and a day pack. Your bike hire comes with 1 set of panniers, a repair kit, pump, and lock. We recommend you bring your own helmet with you.

When is the best time of year?

As the boats between the Turku, Åland and Stockholm archipelago islands only operate from June through to August, the summer season from June to the beginning of August is the best time to do this tour.