Scandinavia

At Travel Concepts, we have built an enviable reputation. We specialise in providing personalised and customised itineraries which allow our clients to touch, feel and really experience the History, Art & Culture of the countries they visit, rather than just passing through!

To those clients who book airline and other reservations with us, we offer carefully researched lists of personalised sightseeing, walking, shopping and restaurant information, which is constantly upgraded.

We try to steer our clients away from the modern and unattractive hotels in cities and towards the unique and traditional style hotels in each country . B&B's and Chateaux, through to Villas and Agriturismi.

In particular, we have a vast array of suggested self-drive and train itineraries through Scandinavia; here are just a couple of suggestions which we would be happy to expand upon for you.

South Eastern & Southern Finland

DAY 1 HELSINKI-PORVOO

The sightseeing: The old town of Porvoo, as it is the second oldest town in Finland. There is the Cathedral, where

Mika Hakkinen got married. Everyone knows him from his Formula 1 Racing Days.

DAYS 2 & 3 PORVOO-KOTKA-KOUVOLA

Kotka's sightseeing: Orthodox Church, The Harbour, Haukkavuori look-out tower. Visit also Imperial Fishing Lodge by Langinkoski Rapids, built for Czar Alexander III in 1889. Kouvola sightseeing. A "must see" Is VERLA (about 35klms from Kouvola), which used to be a paper factory. UNESCO has accepted it into their listings. Truly beautiful and interesting.

DAY 4 & 5 KOUVOLA-LAPPEENRANTA-IMATRA

Sightseeing: The Fortress, The Harbour, The 2-hour Cruise on Saimaa Canal. From here you can also make day-trips to Vyborg in Russia, either by coach or by boat. NO VISAS REQUIRED.

DAY 6 & 7 IMATRA-PUUMALA-ANTTOLA

This is Finland's Lake District and the scenery is breathtaking! Just before Mikkeli , in the place called Anttola,

There is also a famous winery nearby; it is called Ollinmaen Viinitila.

If your time allows, and if you are travelling during the month of July, then YOU MUST drive from Imatra via Punkaharju to Savonlinna and attend SAVONLINNA OPERA FESTIVAL in the medieval OLAVINLINNA CASTLE

DAY 8 ANTTOLA-MIKKELI-MANTYHARJU-HEINOLA-LAHTI

From Anttola you drive to Mikkeli, which is a bustling summer-city with its famous open-air markets. Then drive to

Mantyharju, where you can visit SALMELA ART MUSEUM. On the way there are lakes left and right. They don't call

Finland 'The country of thousands of lakes" without a reason .

Sighseeing: Sibelius Hall & Passenger Harbour, Church of the Cross designed by Alvar Aalto. Another church worth visiting is HOLLOLA MEDIEVAL CHURCH in Hollola, which is short drive from Lahti.

DAY 9 & 10 LAHTI-HAMEENLINNA-RIIHIMAKI- HYVINKAA-HELSINKI

This is an easy hour's drive. The best known products from this region include Wetterhoff textiles, Iittala crystal, tableware of Leijona silver and jewelley with Kohinoor diamonds, all with more than 100 years of traditions. This is also a home town for Finland's famous composer Jean Sibelius.

We can arrange all your hotel, car hire and train and boat reservations for you prior to arrival to avoid any disappointment.

We can also assist you with self-drive itineraries through many other countries . just ask us and one of our knowledgeable Consultants will be able to assist you.

"Experience Our Experience"