Sustainability group press trip for US media

11.10am Arrival in Helsinki (CDG)

11.30am Transfer to hotel

Your driver from Taksipalvelu MPS will be waiting for you at the arrivals hall. Contact number: +358 965 1378.

2pm/2.15pm Arrival in Helsinki (JFK/ORD)

2.30pm Transfer to hotel

Your driver from Taksipalvelu MPS will be waiting for you at the arrivals hall. Contact number +358401706161.

3.20pm Arrival in Helsinki (LAX)

3.50pm Transfer to hotel

Your driver from Taksipalvelu MPS will be waiting for you at the arrivals hall. Contact number +358400272343.

Check in to Solo Sokos Hotel Pier 4

The new Solo Sokos Hotel Pier 4 aims to be the most sustainable hotel in Finland in terms of everything from the building itself to the hotel’s functions and services. The hotel is in Katajanokan Laituri building, designed by Anttinen Oiva Architects, which is an impressive new solid wood building on Helsinki's shoreline that complements the city's signature skyline right next to the Market Square. The hotel has 164 rooms, 43 of which afford unobstructed views to the sea. The hotel also has conference facilities, a seaside café and a rooftop terrace with views over the Market Square and South Harbour.

Swim and sauna at Allas Pool (optional)

Allas Pool is located next to your hotel. Please mention your name at the entrance for free access. 

Allas Sea Pool is a garden-like oasis in the heart of Helsinki with a large pool area and magnificent saunas. In addition to swimming, bathing in the saunas and good food, Allas Sea Pool offers many options for wellness. Spending a perfect day at Allas means relaxing, lingering, enjoying with all senses, both the body and the mind – in the middle of Helsinki, next to the Market square, every day of the year.

NB! Please take your swimwear with you. Towels, seat covers, and soap are offered by Allas Pool.  

6.30pm Lobby call

Meet your host Minttu Salminen, Program Manager from Puistokatu 4 at the hotel lobby.

Puistokatu 4 is a Space for Science and Hope, located in a beautiful 19th century villa in the Kaivopuisto district in Helsinki, Finland. It is a safe space for research, work and discourse on the current ecological crisis.

Every individual strives for a good life. For our good life we Finns – the happiest nation in the world – currently demand the resources of almost four planets. To bring our resource consumption within the planetary boundaries, we must redefine what a good life means to us. For this, we need to change the norms that drive overconsumption.

The team at Puistokatu 4 believe that the change happens between people, therefore bringing together different actors and serving as a platform for multidisciplinary research, collaboration, and events. 

Taxi transfer from the hotel to the restaurant

7pm Dinner at Restaurant Elm, hosted by a representative of Puistokatu 4 and Visit Finland

The sister restaurant of the popular restaurant Nolla, known for its zero-waste philosophy and warm hospitality, Restaurant Elm is an all-day neighbourhood restaurant located in the beautiful Kaivopuisto. ’’In our kitchen we trust in simplicity, find joy in seasonality, and are inspired by Mediterranean cuisine.’’ Sari Hey from Visit Finland together with Minttu Salminen from Puistokatu 4 will join you for dinner.

9pm Taxi transfer to the hotel

Taxipalvelu MPS contact number: +358401706161.

9am Lobby call

Meet your MyHelsinki Guide Kathrin Dieter (Tel +358 44 239 0556) at the hotel lobby.

A short walk to the pier

 9.19-9.35am  HSL ferry to Suomenlinna

Meet Anna Nyman, a biologist, forager and herbalist (Tel. +358 50 352 3125) at the pier.

The ferry to Suomenlinna is part of the public transport system and runs daily through the whole year. The regular ferry connection was opened in 1952 on the occasion of the Summer Olympics.  

Visit to Suomenlinna

Welcome to Suomenlinna, one of the most unique areas in Helsinki! The fortress, located off the coast of Helsinki, is one of the biggest sea fortresses in the world and a UNESCO world heritage site. Suomenlinna is not only an important part of the history of Finland, but also a lively district of Helsinki, which offers something for everyone: nature, culture, and history.  

9.30am Guided foraging walk in Suomenlinna

Explore the hidden green gems of the city, where nature’s surprises await just around the corner. A foraging walk is more than a stroll in nature — it's an engaging adventure into the world of greenery, sustainable living, and the unexpected bounty of local nature.

On this foraging walk you'll learn about edible plants and herbs thriving just under your feet, discovering fascinating stories about the history, folklore and sustainable uses of common plants, and savor the unique charm of urban nature. With a knowledgeable guide, you'll delve into the practical uses of these often-overlooked natural resources and learn how to incorporate them into your everyday life.

We'll end our tour with a relaxing mini picnic, enjoying freshly prepared treats from foraged finds—an ideal time to savor the flavors of nature and reflect on our experiences.

11.19-11.35am  Ferry back to the city centre

 A short walk / tram ride to the restaurant

12pm Lunch at Restaurant Lasipalatsi

Meet Jukka Punamäki, Senior Advisor, Tourism at the City of Helsinki (Tel +358 44 713 1753) and Hanna Muoniovaara, Visit Finland at the restaurant.

At Restaurant Lasipalatsi you will find classic dishes as well as seasonal delicacies whenever they are at their best. Their kitchen takes great pride to ensure that fresh fish, fresh vegetables, reindeer, lamb, and domestic delicacies from the forest are always available, while not forgetting pure Scandinavian ingredients.

1.15-2.15pm Introduction to Helsinki Design District and visit to Artek 2nd Cycle 

Meet your host Amanda Kääriäinen from the Board of Helsinki Design District (Tel. +358 40 753 1722) in front of the restaurant. 

Get inspired by Finnish Design and urban culture of Helsinki! You'll get a chance to discover The Design District – the area for the fans of Finnish Design. Design District is a cluster of creative businesses that is full of fascinating design attraction. Located in the centre of Helsinki, The Design District comprises 25 streets and 200 spots, including jewelry makers, design and antique shops, art galleries and museums, as well as restaurants, hotels and design studios presenting the latest trends of Finnish Design.  

Artek 2nd Cycle is the platform for pre-loved Finnish design: it buys and sells rediscovered furniture, lighting and other everyday objects, giving them a second cycle in their lives. 

Free time

5pm Hotel tour at Solo Sokos Hotel Pier4

Meet Anna Lappalainen, Head of Marketing & Communications at Sokotel (Tel. +358 50 5328 303) at the hotel lobby. 

5.30pm Lobby call, a short walk to the hotel

Meet Mia Eloranta from Finnair (+358 50 401 7383) at the hotel lobby.

6pm Dinner at Natura, hosted by Finnair

Meet Eveliina Huurre, Finnair's Senior Vice President Sustainability, and Mia Eloranta, Communications Manager, for dinner.

Finland's flag carrier, Finnair, is a network airline, specialising in connecting passenger and cargo traffic between Asia, North America and Europe. Besides flying to around 100 destinations globally, Finnair is also the only airline with year-round direct flights to Lapland.

Finnair works towards its sustainability goals on all fronts, from increasing the usage of Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), reducing the weight of aircraft, using fuel-efficient flight methods, to investing in new aircraft technology. Finnair's environmental work is also more than just a carbon footprint, the company is dedicated to implementing circular economy principles, prioritizing recyclable materials, and reducing waste.

Natura is a casual restaurant accessible to all, serving food made from high-quality ingredients – a place where Finnish nature blends with the surrounding city of Helsinki, where modern dishes are served with a smile and cooked in an open kitchen by our passionate staff in a relaxed atmosphere. 

The food is local, organic, and super fresh, sourced from Finnish and Scandinavian small producers with the main focus on Finnish game, vegetables, and sustainable seafood. In summer, a large proportion of our vegetables and herbs comes from Natura´s own farm in Helsinki. The restaurant has been awarded a Michelin Green Star.

Breakfast at the hotel and check out

10.15am Lobby call

Meet you MyHelsinki Guide Kathrin Dieter (Tel +358 44 239 0556) at the hotel lobby.

Walk or tram ride to Oodi

Visit to the Helsinki Central Library Oodi

Oodi is Helsinki's Central Library and a living meeting place in the city centre on the Kansalaistori Square. Oodi is a venue for events, a house of reading and a diverse urban experience. It will provide its users with knowledge, new skills and stories, and will be an easy place to access for learning, story immersion, work and relaxation. Oodi is a library of a new era, a living and functional meeting place open for all. The library is designed by Finnish Architect studio ALA Architects, awarded in the 2020 Detail Prize for its outstanding design. 

11.30am Tram ride / walk to the restaurant                                            

11.45am-12.45pm Lunch at Restaurant Toppa

Toppa is on the top floor of the historic and outstanding Sugar Cube designed by famous Alvar Aalto. The atmosphere of the restaurant seamlessly blends modern elegance with respect for historical dignity. Toppa is a place where every detail is carefully considered – from modern furniture to evoking nostalgia with old Artek classics. 

12.45pm Pick up luggage from the hotel

1pm Taxi transfer to the Central Railway Station

1.24pm-2.58pm Train to Tampere

You will meet your hosts Matti Pollari & Annika Koskenkorva from Visit Tampere in front of the railway station’s main entrance. 

Check in to Lapland Hotels Arena

Lapland Hotels Arena in the heart of Tampere is part of Nokia Arena's events, action and modern atmosphere. The modern and relaxed style and rugged elegance of the rooms draws inspiration from the Artic stone cracked open by the harsh winter and birch tree forests decorated by frost. The hotel is located at the heart of a new entertainment centre. The hotel has Sustainable Travel Finland label and is also a part of the Urban Climate Leaders network.  

3.45pm Lobby call

4pm Tour at Särkänniemi Amusement Park

Särkänniemi is Finland’s second-largest amusement park, located in Tampere by the scenic lake Näsijärvi. It offers a wide variety of attractions, including rides, an aquarium, and an observation tower. Celebrating 50 years of operation, Särkänniemi is a major destination for families and tourists, combining fun, culture, and stunning views in the heart of Finland. Today, Business and Development Director Ville Aarresuo, will take you on a tour to the amusement park and, if we have some time, to experience one of the rides!

Särkänniemi is committed to sustainability through environmental, social, cultural, financial, and safety responsibility. It uses renewable energy, promotes low-carbon practices, and aims for carbon neutrality by 2030. The park supports youth employment, inclusivity, and safe spaces, and has been awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland label. Certified under ISO standards, it encourages visitors to make eco-conscious choices and fosters a culture of mutual respect and responsibility. The flagship project of the park is the Hospital Amusement Park, a free amusement park opened at TAYS Children’s Hospital in 2022. 

Snacks at Restaurant Näsinneula

Restaurant Näsinneula, located on top of Näsinneula Observation Tower in Tampere gives you a bird-eye-view over the Finnish Lakeland. You can taste one of the finest cuisines in all of Finland at the height of 124 meters as you gaze upon the gorgeous scenery that changes according to the season. The cuisine is seasonal and local as well and the menu changes regularly throughout the year.  

5.45-6.45pm Evening Walk in Pyynikki Nature Reserve with Heidi Savolainen from Adventure Apes

Tampere boasts plenty of urban nature and lake nature in and around the city centre, for example, the beautiful Nature Reserve Pyynikki in the middle of the city. You can also easily take the tram or the city bus to various nature trails.

Throughout the summer, there is also a bus service 'Outdoor Express' taking people to three different national parks in the Tampere region from Tampere city center during the weekends. Outdoor Express takes you from the Tampere city centre by bus directly to nature and back. The goal is to provide an easy opportunity for hiking for everyone.

Today, you will explore Pyynikki with Adventure Apes. Adventure Apes organizes customized and ready-made guided tours. They have grown out of a passion for helping adventurers make genuine connections not only with nature but also with the local community. Adventure Apes believe that culturally authentic adventures allow visitors from around the world to experience a new perspective on life and help our local community thrive in a sustainable way. You will learn more about the flora & fauna of the Finnish forest. Heidi Savolainen is Visit Finland’s sustainability ambassador 2025. 

7-7.30pm Visit to Rajaportti sauna 

Tampere – The Sauna Capital of the World – welcomes everybody to its cosy warmth! Did you know there are almost 70 public saunas in Tampere and the surrounding region for anyone to relax in, throughout the year? The status as the Sauna Capital is based on saunas being of high level and Tampere being home to most public saunas in Finland. The history of the sauna culture in the city goes back to the oldest public sauna still functioning: Rajaportti sauna  in the district of Pispala, Tampere, from 1906.

Today, you will also meet the sauna guide & sauna heater Alexander Lembke from Germany. Working as a sauna guide and a heater at the oldest public bath in Finland, Rajaportti. Alex takes a steam every single day, and knows the sauna habits, history of sauna in Finland & health effects. You will hear more about the public sauna culture & the Sauna Capital of the World.  

7.30pm Sauna & dinner at Sauna Restaurant Kuuma

Saunaravintola Kuuma is a public sauna but also an idyllic restaurant, right in the middle of the city. Kuuma offers a social, cozy “living room for everybody” in a New-Nordic style. There are two mixed saunas - wood-heated sauna and a modern smoke sauna. The wood-heated sauna might be more of a traditional type of experience for the first-time sauna-goers, whereas the smoke sauna can give the experienced sauna enthusiasts a chance to step up a notch.  

Take your bathing suit & flip-flops with you (for the sauna & walking outside at the terrace), the towel will be provided for you.

9.40am Lobby call and bus transfer to Serlachius

Please take your sauna gear (bathing suit, flip-flops) with you, towels will be provided. You will meet your hosts at Serlachius.  

11am-4pm Visit to Serlachius 

Serlachius in Mänttä is a sustainable cultural attraction amid most beautiful Finnish lakeside nature. Beside art, history and architecture, guests enjoy culinary and sauna experiences as well as heartfelt service – year-round. In Mänttä, Serlachius offer a meeting place for art and stories, and people who value their high-quality. Two museums show works from Serlachius’ substantial art collection and temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. The story of the family of paper barons and Finnish paper industry is ever intriguing! You can easily reach Serlachius from Tampere with the Art & Sauna Express bus.

• 11am Serlachius Headquarters
  Serlachius Headquarters – Introduction to the story of Serlachius and a short drama tour with a paper workshop.
• 11.45am Heading to Serlachius Manor
  With good weather we will cycle the three kilometers to Serlachius Manor along the Love Path nature trail on the lake shore. If it rains, the transfer is made with the group’s bus.
• 12.15pm Lunch at Restaurant Gösta
  Restaurant Gösta has been selected for inclusion in the prestigious European 360° Eat Guide, which evaluates not only gastronomic merits but also the restaurant’s environmental and sustainability efforts. We will enjoy a delicious 3-course Forest on Your Plate special menu designed by the Restaurant Gösta’s awarded top chef Henry Tikkanen. The menu is inspired by the Finnish forest and the change of seasons.
• 1.15pm Guided Art Tour at Serlachius Manor
  We will see marvelous artworks from one of the most prominent private art collections in the Nordic countries. The Serlachius Fine Arts Foundation’s art collection includes the famous artists from the Finnish Golden Age of Art, e.g., Schjerfbeck and Gallen-Kallela.
• 2pm Serlachius Art Sauna Experience with Afternoon Coffee
  The Serlachius Art Sauna offers high-quality sauna experiences and was awarded as the Travel Innovation of the Year 2022 in Finland. Before the sauna bathing there is a short presentation about the sustainability action of Serlachius as a sustainable travel destination. Afterwards it’s time to enjoy the smooth, hot “löyly” (= steam) at the sauna, dip in the lake or the outdoor hot tub.
  
  Fresh coffee and a little seasonal sweet will be waiting for you after the sauna bathing in the cozy living room of the sauna.

4pm Bus transfer back to Tampere

5.15pm Free time at the hotel

6.45pm Lobby call, bus transfer to dinner

7pm Dinner at restaurant Villit ja Viinit

Villit ja Viinit is an experimental attitude thriven restaurant in the heart of Tampere. Exciting food menu is constantly changing to present the best things season has to offer. Villit ja Viinit is always in search to amaze with distinctive wild attitude. Together with local ingredients, the menu at Villit ja Viinit is based on seasonal thinking, the menu changes at least every month.

Next door to Villit ja Viinit is Restaurant Kajo, by the same owners. The concepts of both of the restaurants are strongly built on responsibility and sustainability. They let no part of the ingredient go to waste - that is what inspires the restaurant to find new ways to prepare their food and explore endless possibilities in their cooking. Both restaurants source their very local ingredients from the region & near-by. 

Walk back to the hotel

9.15am Lobby call & check-out 
You will meet your host Annika Koskenkorva from Visit Tampere at the lobby. Please bring your luggage with you. 

9.30-10am Short tour at Tampere Hall 

Tampere Hall hosts more than a thousand events, concerts and meetings a year. The Tampere Philharmonic, the world’s only Moomin Museum and the Courtyard by Marriott Tampere City Hotel are also home under the same roof. Today, you’ll meet Managing Director Pauliina Ahokas & Marketing Specialist Eeva Kivikkola from the Tampere Hall.

In 2019, the Tampere Hall became a carbon-neutral property, which together with the Courtyard by Marriott Tampere City Hotel forms a carbon-neutral block. Moomin Museum situated inside Tampere Hall provides great synergy benefits especially in environmental sustainability. The journey of environmental sustainability has already begun in 1991, and along the way they have e.g. switched to renewable energy (2012–2019), achieved the Nordic Swan Ecolabel (2014) and raised their energy class from E to C (2019). Over the years, the property has undergone several environmentally friendly and energy-efficient improvements.  
 
In June 2022, Tampere Hall was the first Nordic congress center to receive approval for the Nordic Swan Ecolabel according to the new criteria. Tampere Hall was awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland label in April 2021. On the roof of the Tampere Hall there are three solar power plants. In 2016, a large number of gardening boxes and a 20m2 greenhouse were placed on the roof of the Tampere Hall. The rooftop garden produces a large harvest for the use of their restaurants: vegetables, berries and other useful plants. The roof of the Tampere Hall is inhabited by four bee colonies. There are 20,000 bees in every community, and they will grow into communities of up to 200,000 bees during the summer. These are only few of the examples of Tampere Hall’s sustainability achievements. 

10-11.15am Guided tour at the World’s only Moomin Museum

In the world’s only Moomin Museum you can sense the wisdom, humour, adventure, and kindness found in all the Moomin books and illustrations. These are also the things that draw enthusiasts to visit the Moomins time and time again! This is and art museum for Moomin fans and art lovers of all ages! You will have a guided tour in the museum, where you learn more about the Moomins, and the life of the author Tove Jansson. Tove Jansson is without a doubt one of the well-known Finnish artists of all time and the most widely read Finnish author abroad.

2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of the world-famous Moomin stories and Tampere is set to be the place to be for Moomin fans around the world. Home to the world’s only Moomin Museum, Tampere will honour the milestone with cool events throughout the year and visitors wishing to relive their childhood Moomin memories are set to flock to the Finns’ favourite city. There is, for example a Moomin tram in the city!

The adorable Moomins arrived on the scene in 1945 when Finnish artist and author Tove Jansson published the first tale, The Moomins and the Great Flood. Today, visitors to Tampere can also enjoy the Moomin Museum’s permanent exhibition of Tove Jansson's original illustrations.  

Pick up takeaway snack packs

11.30am Transfer to the train station

12pm-1.33pm Train to Helsinki Airport (via Tikkurila)

4pm Flight to LAX

4pm Flight to ORD

5.15pm Flight to JFK