Helsinki and Archipelago Stay with Barö

Arrive in Helsinki and transfer with private vehicle and English speaking driver to your centrally located hotel. The Finnish capital is a compact city where the most important sights can easily be explored on foot.

Meet your local guide this morning for a 3-hour stroll through the streets and squares of Helsinki. Senate Square, surrounded by the historical quarters and the iconic Lutheran Cathedral, is the place where the East meets the West and you will become familiar with Finland’s unique position between Sweden and Russia. A walk along the colourful Kauppatori market is an absolute must and entering the Old Market Hall will give you a taste of local delicacies such as reindeer meat and rye bread.

Crossing the Esplanade Park, and past Railway Station, one of the main landmarks, you will arrive to another square, Kansalaistori, which showcases the pulse of modern Nordic city. The walk will continue through the Töölö district to pay a visit to the Rock Church, a Lutheran shrine build inside a solid rock in the 1960’s and the most visited site of Helsinki. Return to the city centre like a local by tram. A panoramic tram ride passes through south Helsinki’s Art Nouveau and diplomatic districts.

In the morning, you will be meet by our driver and privately transfer to the Barö via the village of Fiskars. Today you will visit a couple of old ironworks villages which, in a sense, started Finland’s industrial manufacturing. These ironworks produced cast iron and forged iron products and in their heyday there were 134 of them in Finland. The villages surrounding these ironworks were self-sufficient with their own schools, churches and hospitals.

Fiskars Ironworks was founded in 1649 and manufacturing here continued till the 1980s. As the industry moved from Fiskars Village, its inhabitants followed and many of the buildings were left empty. Built on the banks of two sets of rapids along the Fiskars River, most of the buildings in the village date from the early nineteenth century, and were designed by some of the most notable Finnish architects of the time.

This beautiful setting with surrounding countryside appealed in particular to crafts people, designers and artists. So by 1993 about 20 art professionals had moved to Fiskars and established the Artisans, Designers & Artists of Fiskars Cooperative. Over the years its membership has increased, and today the co-op has more than a 100 members whose work represents most areas of the arts, crafts and design.

Wander through artists’ studios and craft shops and enjoy lunch at one of the cosy cafes. During the tour, a local guide will tell you about the history and traditions of the village, show you the key sights and provide you with a glimpse of Fiskars today as a village of artists, artisans and designers.

Continue your drive to the new Barö Resort in the heart of the archipelago, check in from 3pm.

After breakfast, explore the archipelago with a private boat tour. The Helsinki archipelago is made up of hundreds of tiny islands, either uninhabited or with little summer cottages. Locals will be sailing alongside you in their yachts and your hosts can show you the local spots to swim.

On return, enjoy lunch and head off for a sauna, a free hike through the forest or reserve a basket and go berry picking. Yoga classes are arranged for guests and there are pamper sessions available to book.

This evening, enjoy drinks on the patio before a 4-course included dinner.

You have a full day to explore the area further, detox and enjoy the service of this new hotel. With a bike, you can quickly explore the Fagervik ironworks area, including a café and the beautiful sandy beaches of Orslandet.

After lunch, you can join an optional excursion such as fishing, golf, hiking and horse-riding. Alternatively, take the afternoon off and enjoy the peace and guiet of the water and forests.

Dinner is a four-course affair and if you are lucky, your tour dates might coincide with a visiting special chef.

After breakfast, transfer to the hotel or city.