Exploring the coast by ferry and bike

Island Hopping in Finland

Tour Description: Guided

Our cycling tour around the Finnish archipelago, hops from island to island using local ferries. The Turku archipelago are one of Finland's most stunning natural phenomena- 20,000 islands stretching out into the sea from the city of Turku in the country's south-west.

Cycling a circular route around the main islands is made easy, and exciting, by a system of local ferry services, constantly going back and forth acting like bridges. As well as the fun of the ferries, there are also picturesque harbour villages to visit, and the true peace of the nature. The cycling route starts and ends in Turku - the formal capital of Finland, and a bustling, attractive market town.

Our route is a combination of the best of everything in the area. You get to stay in the most beautiful natural surroundings with dinner cooked by your hosts, but you also get to experience picturesque harbour villages with a choice of excellent local restaurants, and to stay in the heart of Turku, European Capital of Culture 2011.

Learn more about self-guided tours. 

Tour Description: Self-guided

Our cycling tour around the Finnish archipelago, hops from island to island using local ferries. The Turku archipelago are one of Finland's most stunning natural phenomena- 20,000 islands stretching out into the sea from the city of Turku in the country's south-west.

Cycling a circular route around the main islands is made easy, and exciting, by a system of local ferry services, constantly going back and forth acting like bridges. As well as the fun of the ferries, there are also picturesque harbour villages to visit, and the true peace of the nature. The cycling route starts and ends in Turku - the formal capital of Finland, and a bustling, attractive market town.

Our route is a combination of the best of everything in the area. You get to stay in the most beautiful natural surroundings with dinner cooked by your hosts, but you also get to experience picturesque harbour villages with a choice of excellent local restaurants, and to stay in the heart of Turku, European Capital of Culture 2011.

Learn more about self-guided tours. 

Highlights: Guided

• Turku - European Capital of Culture 2011
• Merimasku Bridge 
• Ferry rides
• Visits on both main and quiet islands 

Highlights: Self-guided

• Turku - European Capital of Culture 2011
• Merimasku Bridge 
• Ferry rides
• Visits on both main and quiet islands 

Daily Program: Guided

Daily Program: Self-guided

Day 1: Arrival to Turku
Personal arrival to Turku. Turku is a bustling summer city, on the south-west coast of Finland, with the River Aura cutting right through its heart. There is plenty to see, including a medieval castle and cathedral, and a wide selection of excellent bars, cafes, and restaurants.
Overnight in Turku.

Day 2: Turku - Taivassalo (34 miles/55 km)
Your bicycles are brought to the hotel in the morning. Ride from Turku to the nearby old village of Naantali. Soon after Naantali the island-hopping begins, first with a stunning ride across the Merimasku Bridge and then take a break from peddling with a relaxing 45 minute ferry journey. Continue by bike to your overnight hotel. Overnight in Taivassalo.

Day 3: Taivassalo - Korpoo (35 miles/57 km)
Today is the main island-hopping day with 5 ferry journies, reaching the very heart of the archipelago. The tiny peaceful island of Iniö is the remotest spot of the trip. Houtskär island has some of the region’s most challenging cycling, but you can rest on the 30 minute ferry ride to the next island! On Korpoo island stay overnight in a wonderful B&B, a former barn converted to a guest house.
Overnight on Korpoo, dinner bed and breakfast.

Day 4: Korpoo - Nauvo (19 miles/31 km with possibility to do a longer route if desired)
Cross over to Nauvo, the main archipelago island. Nauvo village has a bustling harbour.
Overnight on Nauvo island.

Day 5: Nauvo - Naantali (34 miles/54 km)
Take the ferry north from Nauvo back to the mainland and continue by bike via Rymättylä to Naantali, an idyllic seaside village with cobbled streets and old wooden houses around a bustling harbour. Overnight in a spa hotel in Naantali, with plenty of local restaurants to choose from for dinner.
Overnight in Naantali. 

Day 6: Naantali -Turku (9 miles/14 km)
Free time in Naantali, or in Turku according to your preference. Short ride back to Turku. Return your bicycles. Overnight in Turku centre, bed and breakfast.
Overnight in Turku. 

Day 7: Departure
Personal departure from Turku. 

Dates: Guided

Dates: Self-guided

Jun 2, 9, 23, 30; Jul 7, 14, 21, 28; Aug 4, 11, 18, 25 2013

Route Map: Guided

Route Map: Self-guided

Packages and Prices: Guided

Packages and Prices: Self-guided

Tour package (self-guided)
Per person, double occupancy €845 Single supplement (1 person/1 room) €270 Transfer via train from Turku to Helsinki (per person) €43 Bike rentals Hybrid touring bike, 21 or 24-speed €90 Tandem bike €150 Recumbent bike €150 Tag-along €50 Children's bike €90 Child's seat €30 Children's trailor €50 Equipment included free with all rentals €0 Extra nights, Turku Per person, double occupancy €58 Single room supplement (1 person/1 room) €52 Extra nights, Helsinki Per person, double occupancy €55 Single room supplement (1 person/1 room) €43 Adult or child 13 and older sharing room with two adults Tour package €761 Extra nights, Turku €53 Extra nights, Helsinki €50 Children 7-12 sharing room with two adults Tour package €676 Extra nights, Turku €47 Extra nights, Helsinki €44 Children 6 and under sharing room with two adults Tour package €0 Extra nights, Turku €0 Extra nights, Helsinki €0

Included Services: Guided

Included Services: Self-guided

• Luggage transportation between hotels
• Detailed route notes indicating suggested route and ferry timings
• 6 nights accomodation with breakfast
• 3 diners
• 24 hour emergency phone service
• All necessary island ferry fees
• Cycling road map

Hotels: Guided

All accommodation has private bathrooms. At Naantali Spa the rooms are basic rooms, but have full access to all the spa facilites. 

The start and end hotels are in a ideal city center location. The rest of the hotels combine beautiful natural locations in the archipelago and a stay in the old town of Naantali, where you can choose from an array of restaurants in the harbor area. 

Hotels: Self-guided

All accommodation has private bathrooms. At Naantali Spa the rooms are basic rooms, but have full access to all the spa facilites. 

The start and end hotels are in a ideal city center location. The rest of the hotels combine beautiful natural locations in the archipelago and a stay in the old town of Naantali, where you can choose from an array of restaurants in the harbor area. 

Bike Rentals: Guided

This tour uses branded tour bicycles that are light weight and equipped with 21-speed derailleur and freewheel. Upon request, there is a 7-speed bicycle available with hub gear, back-pedal brakes and 2 V-brakes. The bikes have comfortable gel saddles and a diameter seat-post of 27.2 to 31.4 mm. 

Bike Rentals: Self-guided

This tour uses branded tour bicycles that are light weight and equipped with 21-speed derailleur and freewheel. Upon request, there is a 7-speed bicycle available with hub gear, back-pedal brakes and 2 V-brakes. The bikes have comfortable gel saddles and a diameter seat-post of 27.2 to 31.4 mm. 

Surface and Terrain: Guided

The cycle route is generally easy, but has occasional rolling sections. The tour is rated leisurely and is for cyclists in average physical condition.

Surface and Terrain: Self-guided

The cycle route is generally easy, but has occasional rolling sections. The tour is rated leisurely and is for cyclists in average physical condition.

How To Get There: Guided

Tour start and end
Nearest airport:

• Turku (TKU)

Nearest train station:

• Turku Central station 

Tips on getting to and from your tour

How To Get There: Self-guided

Tour start and end
Nearest airport:

• Turku (TKU)

Nearest train station:

• Turku Central station 

Tips on getting to and from your tour

Weather: Guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.

Get weather information.

Weather: Self-guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.

Get weather information.

Tour Company Background: Radreisefreunde: Guided

For 20 years, Radreisefreunde has offered bike tours throughout the world, and are a very experienced company. They try to act flexible, as they offer individual service for each and every client. The quality of their journeys and satisfaction of their clients is the most important aspect to their company. Throughout their 20 years of business, their excellent service and quality has contributed to many clients returning on multiple tours.

Radreisefreunde would be pleased to welcome you on their tours!

Tour Company Background: Radreisefreunde: Self-guided

For 20 years, Radreisefreunde has offered bike tours throughout the world, and are a very experienced company. They try to act flexible, as they offer individual service for each and every client. The quality of their journeys and satisfaction of their clients is the most important aspect to their company. Throughout their 20 years of business, their excellent service and quality has contributed to many clients returning on multiple tours.

Radreisefreunde would be pleased to welcome you on their tours!

Terms and Conditions: Radreisefreunde: Guided

Cancellation through the customer / substitute participant / change in booking 
1. The customer can withdraw from the agreement at any time. We suggest declaring the withdrawal in writing. In case of withdrawal or non-participation without a previous withdrawal declaration we are authorized to charge the following cancellation fees: Up to the 28th day before the beginning of the journey: 10%, at least € 50,-From the 27th to the 8th day before the beginning of the journey: 50% of the travel price From the 7th to the 1st day before the beginning of the journey: 80 % of the travel price. On the arrival day and non-participation: 100% of the travel price In each case a cancellation insurance is recommendable. 
2. Every registered trip participant can let a third party take his place, if we are informed up to three days before the beginning of the journey. DONAU-RADFREUNDE can oppose the participation of a third party because of important reasons. The following withdrawal conditions are effective in such a situation. If a third party takes the place of the registered participant, the original contract is not affected. We are authorized to charge € 50,-- for the change in booking. 
3. Changes with regard to number of participants, number or type of rooms, hotel category or catering are basically possible up to 14 days before the beginning of the journey. However, we will have to charge you an alternation fee for the arising expenses. We will charge € 50,-- for each change in booking. 

Signing the travel agreement
1. When booking a journey the customer offers DONAU-RADFREUNDE the conclusion of a binding travel agreement. The registration takes place in writing and on the intended form. Any other form of registration, whether on the phone, oral, or written with us or one of our partner offices is also binding. The registration is made by the customer also for all the other named participants. The customer accepts the binding conditions of travel at issue - also in the name and in the behalf of the named participants.
2. The agreement is reached when DONAU-RADFREUNDE or one of its partner offices accepts the booking and sends you a booking confirmation.
3. Collateral agreements and changes of the signed travel agreement need to be confirmed by us in writing.

Payment
When the booking confirmation reaches you, a first payment of € 100 should be made. 28 days before the beginning of the trip at the latest the payment of the rest of the travel price is due. Bank accounts in Austria, Germany , Switzerland and Italy
are at your disposal for the deposit. Please note that the invoice total should be credited to our account; possible costs of the payments should be debited to the account of the trip participant! The travel material will be sent to you after the deposit is received, or latest two weeks before the beginning of the journey.

Services
1. The service descriptions in the current DONAU-RADFREUNDE-catalogue or web site cover the range of our contractual services. Differing declarations or pledges from mediating travel agents, town or hotel brochures or other third parties are not relevant. The indicated towns of each stage are usually and mainly the destinations of the stage. In some cases we have to assume your consent to take into account other towns in the near surroundings without deduction.
2. The trip price is based on one person in a double room. A single room can be booked - if available - for an extra charge. In some hotels, however, the number of available single rooms is limited, so that you might have to do at a pinch with a little bit simpler accommodation or be possibly accommodated in another hotel or private guest house. If, by way of exception, a single room cannot be made available, you will have to share a double room with one of the other participants. In such a case, of course, the extra price you have been charge will be proportionately refunded.

Liability and restriction of liability
1. DONAU-RADFREUNDE is liable in the scope of the obligation to exercise diligence of an ordinary trader for the conscientious preparation of the journey, the careful choice and monitoring of the services and the correctness of the for the time of the trip, valid at the time of the publication of our catalogue, description of the services.
2. Participation in a bike tour is at one's own risk. Minors can participate in a trip only in the company of a legal guardian.
3. Participants are responsible for their personal health being up to the demands of the journeys.
4. Participants are also responsible for the compliance with the traffic regulations.
5. The terms of transport of the respective haulier (bus, boat, plane and the like) are valid for all transports. Customer's money protection in accordance with EU-decree You money is safe with us. Customer's money protection in accordance with EU-decree The DONAU-RADFREUNDE is recorded in the organisers register of the ministry of economic affairs with the number 1999/0035. With the package tours booked by DONAU-RADFREUNDE (in case of insolvency), already paid payments for travel services that have not been provided any more and necessary expenses for the return journey are covered through a bank guarantee. In case of insolvency refund applications should be delivered within 8 weeks from the onset of the claim.
6. We cannot be made liable if a planned sightseeing tour cannot be made, for whatever reasons (rebuilding, renovation etc.) that cannot be influenced by us.
7. Should any disadvantages occur that have been caused by one of our chosen service carriers or us only, neither wilfully nor gross negligently, our liability - out of whichever legal argument - is limited to the triple amount of the tour price.
8. Should a tour be cancelled for reasons that we cannot influence (strike, natural disaster and the like) or should less than 8 persons participate in a tour - if there is no other minimum number of participants indicated in the corresponding tour description - we reserve the right to cancel the tour up to 25 days before the planned beginning of the tour. In this case you will be informed as soon as possible and receive your money back immediately. There are no other legitimate claims.

Warranty
1. Legal redress If the tour does not proceed according to the contract, legal redress can be sought. What is contractual is determined on the one side by the service description, on the other by the locality of the country of destination. DONAU-RADFREUNDE can refuse the redress, if an extraordinary effort is required, is however authorized to provide redress in the form of substitute services, whether of equal or higher worth. The customer can refuse such a substitute service only in case of important, objectively recognizable reasons. The redress claim should be directed at us or the travel guide. The travel guide is however not authorized to acknowledge the claim.
2. Reduction of the travel price After his return the customer can claim a reduction of the travel price for the duration of the tour that has not proceeded according to the contract until legal redress has been provided through DONAU-RADFREUNDE. Legal redress will not be provided if the traveler intentionally refrained to indicate the shortcomings to the offices named in VI.1. on time to make the legal redress for these possible.
3. Any claims that might arise should be asserted up to one month latest after the contractually intended termination of the tour.

Protection of Client's Payments
Protection of clients' payments is according to the guidelines of the European Union dated June 13, 1990 (90/314/EWG, article 2 Z1) - as well as the Austrian law of travel agent security decree (RSV) BGBl. II Nr. 16/1999.
In the event of insolvency the tour packages organised by DONAU-RADFREUNDE are insured by a bank guarantee. This insurance is valid for services paid, but not rendered and for eventual costs of clients return to home base.
In the event of insolvency all claims above and beyond the bank guarantee have to reach the handling agent within 8 weeks of insolvency date.

Cooperation obligation
1. If travel material is not provided on time, the traveller should inform DONAU-RADFREUNDE immediately.
2. If any service interference occurs, the traveler is obliged to contribute everything possible within reasonableness to get rid of the interference and to avoid or to limit the possible damages that may arise. The customer is especially obliged to inform the offices named in VI.1. of any complaints immediately. They are authorized to provide legal redress, as far as this is possible. If the customer refrains intentionally to indicate the shortcomings, a claim for reduction cannot be made.

Miscellaneous
1. The customer is responsible for the compliance with all passport, visa, custom, and health regulations.
2. We have to reserve the right to change prices and services, as well as to correct mistakes and printing errors.
3. The inoperativeness of single regulations of the travel agreement does not result in inoperativeness of the whole agreement.

Legal domicile / applicable law
1. The agreement conditions are subject to Austrian law.
2. The customer can sue DONAU-RADFREUNDE only at its headquarters.
3. The customer's place of residence is decisive for the tour operator's suits against the customer, unless the suit is directed against entrepreneurs or persons that do not have a general legal domicile in Austria. In this case the tour operator's place of headquarters is decisive.

Terms and Conditions: Radreisefreunde: Self-guided

Cancellation through the customer / substitute participant / change in booking 
1. The customer can withdraw from the agreement at any time. We suggest declaring the withdrawal in writing. In case of withdrawal or non-participation without a previous withdrawal declaration we are authorized to charge the following cancellation fees: Up to the 28th day before the beginning of the journey: 10%, at least € 50,-From the 27th to the 8th day before the beginning of the journey: 50% of the travel price From the 7th to the 1st day before the beginning of the journey: 80 % of the travel price. On the arrival day and non-participation: 100% of the travel price In each case a cancellation insurance is recommendable. 
2. Every registered trip participant can let a third party take his place, if we are informed up to three days before the beginning of the journey. DONAU-RADFREUNDE can oppose the participation of a third party because of important reasons. The following withdrawal conditions are effective in such a situation. If a third party takes the place of the registered participant, the original contract is not affected. We are authorized to charge € 50,-- for the change in booking. 
3. Changes with regard to number of participants, number or type of rooms, hotel category or catering are basically possible up to 14 days before the beginning of the journey. However, we will have to charge you an alternation fee for the arising expenses. We will charge € 50,-- for each change in booking. 

Signing the travel agreement
1. When booking a journey the customer offers DONAU-RADFREUNDE the conclusion of a binding travel agreement. The registration takes place in writing and on the intended form. Any other form of registration, whether on the phone, oral, or written with us or one of our partner offices is also binding. The registration is made by the customer also for all the other named participants. The customer accepts the binding conditions of travel at issue - also in the name and in the behalf of the named participants.
2. The agreement is reached when DONAU-RADFREUNDE or one of its partner offices accepts the booking and sends you a booking confirmation.
3. Collateral agreements and changes of the signed travel agreement need to be confirmed by us in writing.

Payment
When the booking confirmation reaches you, a first payment of € 100 should be made. 28 days before the beginning of the trip at the latest the payment of the rest of the travel price is due. Bank accounts in Austria, Germany , Switzerland and Italy
are at your disposal for the deposit. Please note that the invoice total should be credited to our account; possible costs of the payments should be debited to the account of the trip participant! The travel material will be sent to you after the deposit is received, or latest two weeks before the beginning of the journey.

Services
1. The service descriptions in the current DONAU-RADFREUNDE-catalogue or web site cover the range of our contractual services. Differing declarations or pledges from mediating travel agents, town or hotel brochures or other third parties are not relevant. The indicated towns of each stage are usually and mainly the destinations of the stage. In some cases we have to assume your consent to take into account other towns in the near surroundings without deduction.
2. The trip price is based on one person in a double room. A single room can be booked - if available - for an extra charge. In some hotels, however, the number of available single rooms is limited, so that you might have to do at a pinch with a little bit simpler accommodation or be possibly accommodated in another hotel or private guest house. If, by way of exception, a single room cannot be made available, you will have to share a double room with one of the other participants. In such a case, of course, the extra price you have been charge will be proportionately refunded.

Liability and restriction of liability
1. DONAU-RADFREUNDE is liable in the scope of the obligation to exercise diligence of an ordinary trader for the conscientious preparation of the journey, the careful choice and monitoring of the services and the correctness of the for the time of the trip, valid at the time of the publication of our catalogue, description of the services.
2. Participation in a bike tour is at one's own risk. Minors can participate in a trip only in the company of a legal guardian.
3. Participants are responsible for their personal health being up to the demands of the journeys.
4. Participants are also responsible for the compliance with the traffic regulations.
5. The terms of transport of the respective haulier (bus, boat, plane and the like) are valid for all transports. Customer's money protection in accordance with EU-decree You money is safe with us. Customer's money protection in accordance with EU-decree The DONAU-RADFREUNDE is recorded in the organisers register of the ministry of economic affairs with the number 1999/0035. With the package tours booked by DONAU-RADFREUNDE (in case of insolvency), already paid payments for travel services that have not been provided any more and necessary expenses for the return journey are covered through a bank guarantee. In case of insolvency refund applications should be delivered within 8 weeks from the onset of the claim.
6. We cannot be made liable if a planned sightseeing tour cannot be made, for whatever reasons (rebuilding, renovation etc.) that cannot be influenced by us.
7. Should any disadvantages occur that have been caused by one of our chosen service carriers or us only, neither wilfully nor gross negligently, our liability - out of whichever legal argument - is limited to the triple amount of the tour price.
8. Should a tour be cancelled for reasons that we cannot influence (strike, natural disaster and the like) or should less than 8 persons participate in a tour - if there is no other minimum number of participants indicated in the corresponding tour description - we reserve the right to cancel the tour up to 25 days before the planned beginning of the tour. In this case you will be informed as soon as possible and receive your money back immediately. There are no other legitimate claims.

Warranty
1. Legal redress If the tour does not proceed according to the contract, legal redress can be sought. What is contractual is determined on the one side by the service description, on the other by the locality of the country of destination. DONAU-RADFREUNDE can refuse the redress, if an extraordinary effort is required, is however authorized to provide redress in the form of substitute services, whether of equal or higher worth. The customer can refuse such a substitute service only in case of important, objectively recognizable reasons. The redress claim should be directed at us or the travel guide. The travel guide is however not authorized to acknowledge the claim.
2. Reduction of the travel price After his return the customer can claim a reduction of the travel price for the duration of the tour that has not proceeded according to the contract until legal redress has been provided through DONAU-RADFREUNDE. Legal redress will not be provided if the traveler intentionally refrained to indicate the shortcomings to the offices named in VI.1. on time to make the legal redress for these possible.
3. Any claims that might arise should be asserted up to one month latest after the contractually intended termination of the tour.

Protection of Client's Payments
Protection of clients' payments is according to the guidelines of the European Union dated June 13, 1990 (90/314/EWG, article 2 Z1) - as well as the Austrian law of travel agent security decree (RSV) BGBl. II Nr. 16/1999.
In the event of insolvency the tour packages organised by DONAU-RADFREUNDE are insured by a bank guarantee. This insurance is valid for services paid, but not rendered and for eventual costs of clients return to home base.
In the event of insolvency all claims above and beyond the bank guarantee have to reach the handling agent within 8 weeks of insolvency date.

Cooperation obligation
1. If travel material is not provided on time, the traveller should inform DONAU-RADFREUNDE immediately.
2. If any service interference occurs, the traveler is obliged to contribute everything possible within reasonableness to get rid of the interference and to avoid or to limit the possible damages that may arise. The customer is especially obliged to inform the offices named in VI.1. of any complaints immediately. They are authorized to provide legal redress, as far as this is possible. If the customer refrains intentionally to indicate the shortcomings, a claim for reduction cannot be made.

Miscellaneous
1. The customer is responsible for the compliance with all passport, visa, custom, and health regulations.
2. We have to reserve the right to change prices and services, as well as to correct mistakes and printing errors.
3. The inoperativeness of single regulations of the travel agreement does not result in inoperativeness of the whole agreement.

Legal domicile / applicable law
1. The agreement conditions are subject to Austrian law.
2. The customer can sue DONAU-RADFREUNDE only at its headquarters.
3. The customer's place of residence is decisive for the tour operator's suits against the customer, unless the suit is directed against entrepreneurs or persons that do not have a general legal domicile in Austria. In this case the tour operator's place of headquarters is decisive.