Welcome to Helsinki

PRE TOUR TO HELSINKI REGION

Program 

Sunday, January 15

Arrivals with Finnair at Helsinki Airport
Meet your Visit Finland host Ms Sanna Tuononen and the driver at the arrival hall with a sign: Matka Travel Fair 2023 Pre Tour Helsinki
16:00 Transfer by bus to Hotel Ax
Welcome to Helsinki!
Awarded with 'City of Design' status by Unesco, Helsinki is a modern city that offers functional design, unique gastronomy and maritime appeal. The capital of Finland is filled with lively events all year round, but the peaceful archipelago and green forests are only a stone's throw away and can be easily reached by the efficient public transportation system
Check-in to Hotel AX
Hotel AX is a brand-new artistic playground and a place for relaxed inspiration. Hotel AX has worked with Finland's most distinguished modern artists to create a unique and original art hotel that combines an art experience with hotel accommodation in an unprecedented way. Finnish modern art is at the heart of the concept. In addition to a diverse collection of works inside and outside the building, Hotel AX will be a platform, enabler and gateway for guests into Helsinki culture and artistic life more broadly
18:15 Lobby call, meet Sanna Salonen, Senior Advisor for Travel Trade, Helsinki Partners (tel. +358 40 506 45 31) at the hotel lobby
18:40 Tram to restaurant Alexanderplats
19:00 Welcoming Dinner at Aleksanderplats
Brasserie & Pub Alexanderplats is an easy-going restaurant located in Eteläesplanadi where you can enjoy staying at the terrace as well as our restaurant side. Our concept of a brasserie means that you will get dishes from the best ingredients inspired by the greatest European classic kitchen, no need to add any extra decoration. The atmosphere is pure and elegant.
21:00 Tram back to the hotel Ax
 

Monday, January 16

Breakfast at the hotel
10:00 Lobby Call
Meet Sanna Salonen and Inke Wäinölä from Helsinki Partners at the hotel lobby
10:10 Tram to Solo Sokos Hotel Torni
10:30 Solo Sokos Hotel Torni visit
Meet a representative from the hotel at the hotel lobby, Iris Kiviharju & Jasmin Korpinen
Solo Sokos Hotel Torni is a luxurious hotel that will lift you above the humdrum of daily life. High-quality service, top-class restaurants, and the atmosphere of a boutique hotel at a walking distance from everything. In the morning, you can wake up to a magnificent view from the window of a scenic room
11:15 Walk to Scandic Helsinki Hub
11:30 Scandic Helsinki Hub hotel visit
The new era of hotel Helsinki seeks its inspiration in the capital's colours, atmosphere and iconic details. The new hotel allows you to fall in love with Helsinki piece by piece – the lively market square, the gilded domes, the monumental lantern carriers at the railway station and other distinctive details form a charming and unique whole. Solo Sokos Hotel Helsinki has been created for people who love the pulse of the city, an urban lifestyle, and personalized experiences.
12:15 Walk to Old Market Hall
12:30 Helsinki Food Tour with Vino Tours
Ms Maddalena Benedetti (+358407052203)
Vino Tours was born out of a passion for travel, food, and wine in 2016. The roots are in Helsinki and, at the same time, in the Dolomites and verdant vineyards of northern Italy. Vino Tours' hometown is Helsinki, where they arrange most of experiences in four different languages. These are authorised walks, culinary and bike tours, and exquisite wine tastings mainly focusing on Italian wines.
16:00 Tram from Hakaniemi Market Hall to Amos Rex
16:30 Visit to Amos Rex
Amos Rex presents the first solo show of the Belgian artist Hans Op de Beeck in Finland. The Quiet Parade fills Amos Rex's exhibition space with a complete installation, an enigmatic nocturnal landscape as it were, filled with mystical figures and dreamy moments that visitors can discover. This mainly grey landscape, as if petrified or covered by ash, leads us to slow down and reflect inward, lets us dissolve into a timeless, uncanny parallel world.
17:30 Tram back to to Hotel Ax
Free time
19:00 Lobby Call
Meet Sanna Salonen and Inke Wäinölä from Helsinki Partners at the hotel lobby
19:15 Transfer to the restaurant
19:30 Dinner at Yes Yes Yes
"Yes Yes Yes!" they said, when this classic corner of an ex-McDonald's was up for grabs. They couldn't stop themselves from realising a longtime dream – Opening a bustling bar & restaurant where food just happens to be vegetarian. They are super excited to invite you in and to create tasty moments as well as many magical memories.
21:30 Tram back to Hotel Ax

Tuesday, January 17

What to expect:

• Talk about sustainable tourism! Sustainability is important for travel operators in Espoo and the entire city. Espoo is an innovative actor within sustainable development. Espoo's travel operators have been pioneers of eco-friendly tourism. As a visitor, you can act in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner as well.
• A great day outdoors and visiting interesting venues

What to wear:

• Good walking/trekking shoes for forest walk. Please keep in mind that the snow might be also wet so waterproof is suggested!
• Warm and comfortable clothes, hats, gloves and so on to keep you warm

Breakfast at the hotel
NB! Check-out from the hotel AX before leaving for Espoo. Take your luggage to the bus for your day
09:00 Lobby Call
Meet your Visit Espoo host Ms. Hanna Saari, tel +358 43 824 6035
09:15 Transfer to Nuuksio National Park
Within easy reach of the Finnish Capital, you can escape into wild natural settings and enjoy typically Finnish scenery, with lovely lakes, green forests and rugged crags. Pack your backpack for a memorable family picnic or campout. The nearby Finnish Nature Centre Haltia spotlights the best of Finland's natural treasures from across the country.
09:45 Haltia Lake Lodge site visit
Live the good life in the bosom of mother nature: enjoy outdoor activities and nature and a high-quality lodging experience. At the heart of the Nuuksio National Park, Haltia Lake Lodge is the place to nest up in a nature boutique lodge and enjoy the good life, right next to the Finnish Nature Center Haltia.
10:45 Tour the Finnish Nature Center Haltia
Haltia is situated in Espoo, adjacent to the Nuuksio National Park. Half an hour's drive from Helsinki will take you to fantastic exhibitions, a network of dozens of kilometers of trails in Nuuksio National Park, equipment rental, a hiking equipment and gift shop, restaurant Haltia, excellent meeting and sauna facilities – including outdoors in the wild – as well as an accessible lookout point, campfire sites and courses and events customized for each season.
11:30 Lunch at Haltia restaurant
Restaurant Haltia, located amid the scenic setting of Nuuksio national park, specializes in natural, fresh ingredients and locally sourced food, all made with love and passion. Welcome!
12:30 Guided winter hike / snowshoeing
15:00 Transfer back to Helsinki and the new hotels

Check-in to partner hotels:

Hotel Mestari (DACH)
Scandic Helsinki Hub (France)
Scandic Helsinki Hub (Spain & Italy)
Lapland Hotels Bulevardi (UK)

18:30 Lobby call at Scandic Helsinki Hub, meet your Visit Finland hosts Ms Sanna Tuononen, Ms Heli Saari and Mr David Campano in the hotel lobby. A short walk to dinner.

18:50 Lobby call at Hotel Mestari, meet your Visit Finland host Mr Jyrki Oksanen in the hotel lobby.

18:50 Lobby call at Lapland Hotels Bulevardi, meet your Visit Finland host Ms Caroline Beaton-Moscatelli in the hotel lobby.

19:00 Dinner at partner hotels 

Wednesday, January 18

MATKA 2023 Workshop Day 

Breakfast at the hotel

Transfer by bus to Messukeskus, the bus collects buyers from following hotels, please note times are approx.
07:45 First stop at Lapland Hotels Bulevardi, Bulevardi 28
07:50 Next stop at Scandic Helsinki Hub, Annankatu 18
08:00 Last stop at Hotel Mestari, Fredrikinkatu 51-53
08:30 Arrival at Messukeskus

Program of the MATKA 2023 Workshop Day

20:30/20:45 approx. Bus to all hotels after "Party like a Finn"

Thursday, January 19

MATKA 2023 Trade Day

Breakfast at the hotel
Check-out

Transfer by bus number 1 from the partner hotels to Messukeskus
Please note times are approx.
08:15 First stop at Hotel AX, Välimerenkatu 18
08:25 Next stop at Lapland Hotels Bulevardi, Bulevardi 28
08:35 Last stop at Scandic Helsinki Hub, Annankatu 18
09:00 Arrival at Messukeskus

Transfer by bus number 2 from the partner hotels to Messukeskus, please note times are approx.
08:15 First stop at St George, Yrjönkatu 13
08:25 Second stop at Hotelli Mestari, Fredrikinkatu 51-53
08:35 Next stop at Radisson Blu Royal, Runeberginkatu 2
08:40 Last stop at Original Sokos Hotel Presidentti, Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 4
09:00 Arrival at Messukeskus

MATKA 2023 Trade Day

Lunch (lunch coupons are given to you on Wednesday by your Visit Finland host)

13:30/14:30/15:30/16:30/17:30
Transfer by bus to Helsinki Airport, one bus each hour until 17:30
No seat reservations, please leave on time for the bus transfers

Flights to home destinations

Thank you for visiting Finland!