GROUP TOUR 2  Days / 1 Night

 The tour can be done as a side trip in addition to one of our tours of St.Petersburg or on its own.

Located at the distance of only 450 km between them, St.Petersburg, the former capital of Russia in 1712-1918 and Helsinki, the capital of Finland from 1917, have very close links and much in similar.

The two-way cultural influence is especially evident in the architecture of both cities, whether we speak about the northern modern-styled buildings in St.Petersburg or classically designed buildings on the Senate Square in Helsinki.

Owing to long-termed and fruitful contacts between tourist companies of the cities the visits to/from St.Petersburg and Helsinki are among the most popular itineraries in both Russia and Finland, basically because of the rich cultural programs and easy access.

In case of a longer stay in St. Petersburg customers have a good chance to broaden their knowledge of the history, culture and modern life of the neighboring country’s capital through a two-day trip by bus.

Helsinki

The city was founded in 1550 by the Swedish King Gustav Vasa as a port that could compete with Tallinn and other ports on the Baltic Sea.

In 1641 the town was moved 5 km off the original location place. The fortress of Sveaborg was built nearby in the second half of the 18th century to protect the port-town, which expanded considerably the area occupied by the city.
After a Russo-Swedish war of 1808-1809 Finland, at the time a province of Sweden, was transferred to Russia as autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland. An intensive period of the Finnish nation-building followed, with Finnish language for the first time becoming official in the country and Finnish currency introduced. In order to further win sympathy of Finns in 1812 the Russian authorities decided to move the Finnish capital to Helsinki, closer to St.Petersburg, that boosted the town\'s population and its economy. Many historical buildings in neo-classical style where built at that period.
After the Russian revolution of 1917, when Finland was granted independence by Bolsheviks and the city became the capital of the new sovereign state.

Vyborg

Built in 1293 by the Swedes on the site of the earlier Novgorodian settlement and a Swedish fort was built there. This border city was also a harbor and a sea port. During the Northern War between Russia and Sweden (1701-1721) the city was conquered by the Russian army under the command of Peter I and appended to Russia.

In 1811 Vyborg was given to the Grand Duchy of Finland and in 1917 it had became the part of independent Finland.

As a result of the Soviet-Finnish War of 1940 Vyborg was ceded to the USSR.

The old Swedish castle still dominates the town and some more important historical buildings remain.

The program of the tour:

Day.1	Breakfast. Departure to Vyborg. The road to the town runs through the picturesque and beautiful part of the Karelian Isthmus, which makes a 3,5-hour ride rather amusing and easy. Arrival to Vyborg. Sightseeing tour of the city. Lunch. Proceed to the Russian-Finnish border. After the formalities are over, continue driving to Helsinki. Arrival in Helsinki. Accommodation at a centrally located hotel. Dinner on board the Ukkopekka restaurant-ship. (dancing to the music is a good menu’s addition!).
Day 2	Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Helsinki. The tour includes visiting the imposing imperial-styled Senate Square, the Dome Cathedral, the Market Square (good chance to taste deliciously marinated trout !) and the Temppeli church built in the massive rock. Visit to the Fazer world-renowned chocolate factory. Departure to St.Petersburg.

 
Recommended period of travel: end of May to the end of September.

The price of the tour is quoted by request.