Port
Helsinki, Finland
Activity Level
Moderate
Excursion Type
All
Wheelchair Accessible
No
Starting At
$169.95
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
Duration
Approximately 7 Hours
Meals Included
Meals included
Depart the pier for a delightful drive through the wooded Finnish countryside to Porvoo -- Finland's second-oldest city. On the agenda today is a look back into the city's genteel past. The city of Porvoo grew up around the point where the sea meets the Porvoonjoki River, functioning as a trading hub for Porvoo Parish inhabitants. It was named after the ancient fortress Borgå, the Swedish name for Porvoo, and was granted town rights by Swedish King Magnus Eriksson in 1346.
Old Porvoo is one of the great treasures in the history of Finnish architecture, and the town looks the same as it did during the Middle Ages. See the age-old red riverside warehouses that formed the medieval harbor, where salt and other products were imported. Today, these old buildings have become the symbol of Porvoo, and are among the most photographed attractions in Finland. Porvoo has traditionally attracted a host of artists who have lived and worked in the town -- Finnish poet J.L. Runeberg, painter Albert Edelfeldt and sculptor Ville Vallgren were all inspired by Porvoo's unique charm.
A short drive leads to a completely ecologically-sound farm not far from Porvoo. The owner of the farm welcomes you and invites you to visit the magnificent Malmgården Estate and the surrounding estate.
A soup lunch is served before you continue to the farm's own eco-brewery. The brewmeister introduces you to the secrets of their products. Taste several types of beer and feel free to render your opinion! The story of the farm's history and how it became involved in ecological farming is quite interesting. View the farm's shop with several products made on site and, if you wish, purchase some items to take home.
Back aboard the coach, you'll return to Helsinki after your enjoyable day around Old-Town Porvoo.
Notes:
Lunch includes soup, bread, water, coffee, pancake and cream.