VAMMALA > TURKU (about 115 km) Take routes 252 and 232 from Vammala through small villages towards Humppila – another place to see Finnish design. In Humppila you can see products from e.g. Arabia, Iittala, Marimekko and Palmroth. Continue along route 9 and you will come to the village Aura located in the beautiful river landscape on the Aura River. Koskipirtti has a fantastic private collection of objects illustrating the rural heritage in Finland. Address: Riihikoskentie 36, Aura, tel. +358 (0)2 486 0111.
	Turku located in the southwestern corner of Finland, is the country’s oldest town and was the country’s first capital. All of the most important sights and the most interesting places are situated near the river: from the unique Turku Castle in the harbour area to the magnificent Cathedral close to the Old Great Square. During the summer, the riverbanks come to life when people gather here to eat and drink, listen to music and amuse themselves. Lots of ships offer cruises in the Turku archipelago during the summer. The large, luxurious passenger ships depart year round from the harbour at the mouth of Aura River to Sweden. At the end of June, the Medieval Fair is celebrated and the centre of Turku is transformed to a medieval town. Turku Music Festival, a diverse musical event with ancient music, timeless classics, contemporary music, jazz, opera and concerts for children starts in the middle of August. The Handicraft Days at the end of August are held at the Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum, which is an old part of the town in Turku.
	Turku Cathedral – Mother church for Lutherans in Finland and one of the foremost buildings in the country’s architectural history. Tuomiokirkkotori, tel. +358 (0)2 261 7100. The Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum is an open-air museum that represents a unique wooden house milieu from the 18th century. The area has also been awarded international recognition in the form of an award: “The Golden Apple”. Luostarinmäki, tel. +358 (0)2 262 0350. Forum Marinum –The latest attraction in Turku: a centre for maritime research close to the castle. Linnankatu 72, tel. +358 (0)2 282 9511. www.forum-marinum.fi Turku Art Museum has the largest collection of art in Finland; everything from works from the 18th century to modern exhibits. The collections also include examples of art from the other Nordic countries and international graphic works. The building was created in Finnish Art Nouveau style in 1904. Aurakatu 26, tel. +358 (0)2 2627 7100. www.turunmuseot.fi Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art – Wäinö Aaltonen is a sculptor who has become a leading name in Finnish art. In addition to Aaltonen’s own sculptures and paintings, the museum also has significant collections of modern Finnish art. Itäinen Rantakatu 38, tel. +358 (0)2 262 0850. www.turunmuseot.fi The Sibelius Museum – the music historical museum in Finland. The museum is named after composer Jean Sibelius. In addition to the Sibelius collection, the exhibit includes hundreds of musical instruments from different parts of the world. Concerts are held in the museum’s chamber music hall and you can also listen to recordings. Piispankatu 17, tel. + 358 (0)2 215 4494, www.sibeliusmuseum.abo.fi The Pharmacy Museum – Turku’s oldest wooden town house was built in 1695 and decorated in the style of the 18th century. The yard is authentic with a herbal shop and a picturesque café. Läntinen Rantakatu 13, tel. +358 (0)2 262 0280. www.turunmuseot.fi Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova Museum – a twin museum that combines archaeology and history, and domestic and international contemporary art. Itäinen Rantakatu 4-6, tel. +358 (0)2 250 0552. www.aboavetusarsnova.fi Turku Castle – built in the 1280s, is the largest castle in Finland and one of the country’s most magnificent national treasures. Old fortress and renaissance castle. Linnankatu 80, tel. +358 (0)2 262 0300. The Turku Card 2008 – available with a time of validity of 24 hours or 48 hours. There is also a Turku Card for the entire family (max. 2 adults and 3 children under the age of 15) that is valid for 24 hours. This card provides free admission to almost all museums and free trips on the city’s buses. The Turku Card can be bought at most museums and hotels in the city, as well as at Turku TouRing. www.turkutouring.fi Steamship cruise “Gourmet dinner and live music” – In the evenings, the steamship s/s Ukkopekka is transformed to a musical ship filled with soft notes, happy swing and beautiful melodies. The boat docks at Loistokari Island where there is a dance on the dock every night. Also day cruises to Naantali. Bookings: s/s Ukkopekka/ticket office. Linnankatu 38, tel. +358 (0)2 515 3300. www.ukkopekka.fi M/S Lily makes daily trips to neighbouring islands, where you can swim, hike, take a sauna and have a picnic. Bookings: Rosita Oy, Formaalintie 10, tel. +358 (0)2 213 1500. www.rosita.fi
	Joella on the bank of the Aura River offers graphic prints of high quality, cards, ceramics, weavings and other special artworks. Artek, Linnankatu 3, modern furniture and nice and elegant articles for everyday use, also Alvar Aalto items. In the Culture Centre next to the Old Great Square there are art and craft shops and a book café. Kaisla offers clothes, weavings and knitted clothes in a somewhat unusual style. In the centre, there are also the Market Square and the Market Hall. The museum souvenir shops sell many items that are not available anywhere else. The Hansa shopping centre on the Market Square: shops, boutiques, a large department store and many cafés and restaurants.