FROM VIENNA TO THE WORLD
ARCH ON TOUR 87_MODERNIST FINLAND
from Helsinki to Turku
JUNE 17 - 21, 2027
Concept and expert accompaniment: Marion Kuzmany / ARCH ON TOUR in Kooperation mit Judith Eiblmayer, architect, architecture mediator and publicist
as well as other expert guiding by local architects and specialists
Tour operator: Mondial GmbH & Co. KG
Our new Nordic tour begins in Helsinki, a city defined by an open-minded approach to modernity. Architecturally, we encounter an "authentic modernism"; shaped by Aalto’s masterpieces - such as Finlandia Hall - and Eliel Saarinen’s Temppeliaukio Church, which provides a solid foundation for teh development of outstanding contemporary structures. Alvar Aalto’s architectural work was officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2026. We will visit a number of selected buildings, ensembles, and objects created by this Finnish architect, urban planner, and designer - who, together with his wife Aino Aalto, ranks among the protagonists of the Modernist movement.
A private sauna visit - featuring a modern interpretation of Finnish tradition - directly at the waterfront offers views of Helsinki’s coastal landscape, characterized by its surrounding archipelago.
On Sunday, the tour takes us to the Aalto family’s studio and home, and then on to the Paimio Sanatorium. With its exceptional setting atop a pine-forested hill, its "winged" floor plan, and its interior design - including the famous Paimio Chair - the sanatorium is considered an icon of functionalist modernism.
For chilling out, we explore Turku. The city fascinates with its unique location on the Aurajoki River - which flows through the historic center and flows into the Archipelago Sea, a labyrinth of tens of thousands of islands - as well as with its recent architectural discoveries.
A true highlight of our trip is the Nordic midnight twilight that accompanies us throughout the tour; at this time of year, the sun dips only just below the horizon, meaning the nights never become fully dark. We look forward to enjoying this fascinating light atmosphere together - whether while looking at architecture during bright evening strolls or relaxing on lively rooftops in Helsinki and Turku.
Please note: Due to unreasonable group terms imposed by the airlines, this tour is being offered WITHOUT FLIGHTS for the first time. To ensure a smooth run of the itinerary - including transfers - we recommend either booking the following flights yourself or, upon request, having Mondial handle the individual booking for you at the current daily rate:
2027/06/17 / VIE Vienna – HEL Helsinki 11:35 - 15:00 by Finnair AY 1472
2027/06/21 / HEL Helsinki – VIE Vienna 16:55 - 18:20 by Finnair AY 1475
When registering, please be sure to indicate whether you will be booking the flight yourself or if Mondial should handle the booking.
In any case, invoicing will be handled by Mondial as usual, regardless of whether the flight is included.
here to the REGISTRATION, ROUTE and TOUR PRICE
PROGRAM
as of 2026/09/14, subject to modifications
(some visits and restaurants currently in request)
approx. sunrise – sunset on our respective travel dates in Helsinki and Turku: 04:00 - 23:00
Thursday, 2027/06/17 / Helsinki: port
individual flight booking and check-in
(flight data for recommended flight: 11:35 - 15:00 VIE Vienna – HEL Helsinki by Finnair AY 1472)
bus transfer to the hotel
approx. 17:00 check-in Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel, Helsinki
(former cheese warehouse and laboratory of the Valio company / Maunu Siitonen, 1939; conversion to a hotel 1993, Interior design: Fyra, 2017)
city walk: along Lönnrotinkatu-street to the city center until the port
Esplanadi: Stockman, Svenska Theater, Rautatalo ("Iron House") and Book Palace / Alvar Aalto, 1955 and 1969; Fazer Café; Cathedral Square with neoclassical Cathedral / Gustav L. Engel, 1830-52
Enso Gutzeit Headquarters / Alvar Aalto, 1959-62 (from outside)
Alla Restaurant & Pool (Aperitiv)
Old Market Hall, Silja Line Terminal
„Flatiron Building“ / Selim A. Lindqvist, 1888; Renovation and expansion: Max Frelander, 1937 (from outside)
common dinner at Ravintola SEAHORSE
optional: additional evening walks:
towards the port: Rooftop Bar Humu, or:
Norwegian Embassy / Eyvind Retzius, Svein Bjoland, 1964; renovation: ALA Architects, 2015 (from outside)
ECHA building / L Arkkitehdit Oy, 2019 (from outside)
1st night at Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel, Helsinki
Friday, 2027/06/18 / Helsinki: center
breakfast at the hotel
walks and public transportation
Temppeliaukio-Church / Timo & Tuomo Suomalainen, 1969 (interior visit)
Olympia Stadion / Yrjö Lindegren, 1938; renovation: Architects NRT, 2020 (ev. ride up to the tower)
Finlandia Hall, Alvar and Elissa Aalto, 1971; renovation: Architects NRT, 2024
(interior visit, ev. visit of teh current exhibition, individual lunch)
Oodi central library / ALA Architects, 2018 (interior visit, view from the terrace)
Helsinki main station / Eliel Saarinen, 1919
National Theater / 1902, extension Small Stage: Heikki and Kaija Siren, 1954
Circle House / Heikki and Kaija Siren, 1968
Helsinki City Theater / Timo Penttilä, 1967
Culture House / Alvar Aalto, 1958
Iittala & Arabia Design Center / futudesign, 2016 (interior visit, museum, shop)
privately rented sauna visit and common dinner at Löyly / Avanto Architects, 2016
2nd night at Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel, Helsinki
Saturday, 2027/06/19 / Helsinki: Espoo, Otaniemi, Liuskasaari
breakfast at the hotel
walks and public transportation (Metro)
Tapiola, 1960ies new housing development
Espoo Cultural Centre / Arto Sipinen, 1989
WeeGee Exhibition Center (interior visit and exhibitions)
Espoo Museum of Modern Art EMMA
Futuro House / Matti Suuronen, 1968 (interior visit)
Aalto University, Otaniemi Campus:
Undergraduate Center, Dipoli Konferenz Zentrum (ev. guided tour)
Lauttasaari Church / Keijo a. Marja Petäjä, 1958
common dinner at Ravintola HSS Paviljonki on Liuskasaari island (in request)
3rd night at Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel, Helsinki
Sunday, 2027/06/20 / Helsinki → Hvitträsk → Paimio → Turku
breakfast at the hotel, check-out
bus
Meander House / Steven Holl, 2024 (from outside)
Sibelius Monument / Eila Hiltunen, 1968 (walk through the park to the monument)
Esperi Care Oy Mannerheimintie / Olavi Sortta, 1936 (from outside)
Alvar Aalto House / 1936 and Studio Aalto / 1955, 1963 (guided tour)
Haus Saarinen, Hvitträsk, Kirkkonummi (interior visit, garden)
Sanatorium Paimio / Alvar and Aino Aalto, 1933
"Forest walk" and guided architecture tour through the sanatorium
check-in Scandic Hamburger Börs Hotel, Turku
Turun Sanomat, Zeitungsverlag / Alvar Aalto, 1920
common dinner at Tinta Restaurant (in request)
Walk along the Aurajoki River to its mouth in the Archipelago Sea
Turku City Theater / Aarne Hytönen, Risto-Veikko Luukkonen, Helmer Stenros, 1962; renovation and extension: LPR Architects, 2017
Turku Music Center Fuguu / PES Architects, 2026
optional: WALO Rooftop Bar at Original Sokos Wikilund Hotel
1 night at Scandic Hamburger Börs Hotel, Turku
Monday, 2027/06/21 / Turku and return journey
breakfast at the hotel, check-out
walk
Pavilions at Kauppatori market square / Schauman Nordgren Architects, 2022
Turku City Library / JKMM Architects, 2007
bus
Finnish Design Shop / Avanto Architects, 2021 (interior visit)
bus transfer to the airport Helsinki-Vantaa
(flight data for recommended flight: 16:55 - 18:20 HEL Helsinki – VIE Vienna by Finnair AY 1475)
ROUTE
Thu, 27/06/17 / individual arrival (recommended flight 11:35 - 15:00 VIE Vienna – HEL Helsinki by Finnair AY 1472) / bus transfer / visits by foot in Helsinki / 1st night at Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel, Helsinki
Fri, 27/06/18 / visits by foot and public transportation in Helsinki / 2nd night at Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel, Helsinki
Sat, 27/06/19 / visits by foot and public transportation in Helsinki / 3rd night at Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel, Helsinki
Sun, 27/06/20 / private bus: Helsinki → Hvitträsk → Paimio → Turku including visits on the way / visits by foot in Turku / 1 night at Scandic Hamburger Börs Hotel, Turku
Mon, 27/06/21 / visits by foot in Turku / airport transfer / individual return journey
(recommended flight: 16:55 - 18:20 HEL Helsinki – VIE Vienna by Finnair AY 1475)
TOUR PRICE without flights per person in a double room 2.600 EUR (incl. tax) / 225 EUR single room supplement
including: 4 nights incl. breakfast in selected and particularly centrally located hotels (3x at Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel, Helsinki 1x at Scandic Hamburger Börs Hotel, Turku), 4 common meals in specially selected authentic restaurants; all entrance fees in museums and guided tours, etc.; 1,5 days private coach, airport transfers, public transportation; ; city taxes, tips; expert accompaniment, guidings and program by Dr. DI Judith Eiblmayr und DI Marion Kuzmany
not included: flights, individual program and individual meals, beverages at common meals, bar visits, coffee breaks, taxi rides
good walking ability is required for this tour!
here to the TRAVEL AND CANCELLATION TERMS
Photos: Archive J.E. and ARCH ON TOUR