Excursions abroad from June 12 onwards
After the Congress, we offer excursions to Tallinn, Stockholm, and Bergen.
Participants are responsible for booking and paying for their own travel and accommodation.
The organizers will provide links for making these reservations.
Please note: Participants are responsible for ensuring that they have all the required travel documents and valid visas for the countries included in the excursions.
A day excursion in Tallinn including transportation (in Tallinn) program and lunch costs 100 EUR (including VAT) - Registration link will be added soon!
The day excursions in Stockholm and Bergen are free of charge (lunch at own expense).
Contact person:
Ville Alatyppö
ville.alatyppo[at]kerava.fi
+358 40 334 5430
Below you can find the preliminary programme, which will be updated as we get closer to the event.
All times are local.
JUNE 12 EXCURSION AND TRAVEL OPTIONS
Option 1 Tallinn
7.30 - 9.30 Ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn
Ferry departs from Länsiterminaali 2 (Tyynenmerenkatu 14, Helsinki) and arrives to D terminal (Uus-Sadama 24, Tallinn)
Reservation link will be added here.
Program in Tallinn
Discover Tallinn: From Medieval Heritage to Future Innovations
Join us for an inspiring day in Tallinn, where historical charm meets the cutting-edge urban developments of tomorrow. Below is the detailed schedule for our visit.
Itinerary
10:00 AM – Boarding the buses in front of the terminal for the guided tours.
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM – Parallel Guided Tours (Choose one of the three options below).
12:00 PM – Welcome and introductory presentations by the City of Tallinn at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds.
12:40 PM – 02:10 PM – Networking Lunch.
02:10 PM – 03:30 PM – Bus transfers to Tallinn Airport and the Port of Tallinn (D-terminal).
03:30 PM onwards – Free time in the city until ship departure.
Tour Options
Reservation link will be added here.
1. Tallinn Old Town Tour Explore one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. This guided walk through the UNESCO World Heritage site takes you through cobblestone streets and hidden courtyards. 🔗 Explore Tallinn Old Tow
2. Historic Kadriorg Park A journey into the "Crown Jewel" of Tallinn. Visit the magnificent baroque palace and the surrounding manicured gardens commissioned by Tsar Peter the Great. 🔗 Discover Kadriorg Park
3. Infrastructure & Future Mobility: Rail Baltica & Ülemiste A deep dive into Tallinn’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. This tour covers the new tramway solutions, the Rail Baltica project, and the construction of the futuristic Ülemiste Terminal. 🔗 Rail Baltica & Ülemiste Terminal
Featured Venue
Tallinn Song Festival Grounds (Lauluväljak) Our main event will be hosted at this iconic landmark, the birthplace of the "Singing Revolution" and the heart of Estonian culture. 🔗 Tallinn Song Festival Grounds
After the day in Tallinn you can return to Helsinki or continue to Stockholm.
Returning Helsinki:
19.30 - 21.30 Ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki
Ferry departs from D terminal (Uus-Sadama 24, Tallinn) and arrives to Länsiterminaali 2 (Tyynenmerenkatu 14, Helsinki)
Reservation link will be added here.
If you wish to return at a different time, please visit www.tallink.fi for further information.
Continuing to Stockholm
Flight SK 1745 TLL-ARN 16.00 - 15.55
Reservation link will be added here
In Stockholm we recommend using https://www.arlandaexpress.com/ for the journey from the airport to the city center.
Free time in the evening.
Accommodation June 12 - 14 in Stockholm
Reservation link for recommended hotel will be added here.
Hotel recommendations:
Bob W
Mälardrottningen
Scandic Sjöfartshotellet
Scandic 53
Hotel with Urban Deli
Option 2 Free day in Helsinki and ferry to Stockholm
After the official programme, participants may enjoy a wide range of experiences in Helsinki and its surrounding areas, combining Nordic design, maritime atmosphere, and nature. In the city, highlights include the historic Suomenlinna Sea Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the vibrant Market Square, contemporary architecture and design districts, and waterfront cafés and restaurants. Within easy reach of Helsinki, optional excursions can include visits to nearby national parks, charming old towns such as Porvoo, or a relaxing Finnish sauna experience by the sea or lakeside. Compact distances, excellent public transport, and a strong connection between urban life and nature make Helsinki an ideal and memorable extension to the visit.
17.00 - 10.00 (June 13) Ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm
Ferry departs from Olympiaterminaali (Olympiaranta 1, Helsinki) and arrives to Värtahamnen (Hampnirsvägen 10, Stockholm)
Reservation link will be added here.
There will be a bus picking up the participants from the terminal.
Accommodation June 13 - 14 in Stockholm.
Reservation link for recommended hotel will be added here.
Hotel recommendations:
Bob W
Mälardrottningen
Scandic Sjöfartshotellet
Scandic 53
Hotel with Urban Deli
JUNE 13 EXCURSION AND TRAVEL OPTIONS
Please find the program for June 13 in Stockholm here
Arrival in Stockholm by ferry from Helsinki or Tallinn (or by plane from Helsinki).
Arrival at the hotel and lunch at your own expense.
At 13.00, gathering at the Slussen lock project for information about the project in the “Slussen room” and then a guided tour through the project with a guide from the City of Stockholm.
After the Slussen-tour, there is public transport that takes visitors to a new modern part of Stockholm – Norra Djurgårdsstaden, where there is an information center.
Tour will include guided stops at some locations.
Back to Stockholm Slussen around 5:00 PM and after that the visitors have free time in the city
Companion program
For companions there is an opportunity on Saturday at 1:00 PM to, with a host from SPWA, to take the Djurgården ferry from Slussen to the Vasa Museum and visit the ship from 1628.
After returning to Slussen, have a walk and pass the Stockholm Royal Palace and visit the Nobel Prize Museum in the Old Town of Stockholm or the City Hall of Stockholm
Members from SPWA International committee will join in the activities.
If returning to Helsinki
Flight AY 820 ARN-HEL 21.10 - 23.10
Reservation link will be added here
JUNE 14 TRAVEL OPTIONS
If traveling to Bergen
Flight SK 899 ARN-BGO 10.50 - 12.15
Reservation link will be added here
Self-guided option
If you prefer to fly to Oslo and then take the scenic train to Bergen, it is possible. Participants should organize this option by themselves.
Possible programme in Bergen will be updated here
Accommodation June 14 - 16 in Bergen
Reservation link for recommended hotel will be added here.
Recommended hotel: Hotel Norge
The technical tour will start on Monday 15th of June in front of the hotel.
JUNE 15 EXCURSIONS TRAVEL OPTIONS
Discover how Bergen seamlessly combines historic charm with cutting-edge urban infrastructure during this immersive full-day program. The day begins with a warm welcome in the heart of the city at Torgallmenningen, followed by an exclusive introduction to BIR, the regional waste-management and infrastructure company, and a guided exploration of Bossnettet – Bergen city centre’s innovative underground waste collection system that keeps the medieval city clean, efficient, and sustainable. After lunch, the focus shifts to Bybanen, Bergen’s light rail system, offering insight into city planning, sustainable mobility, and the integration of modern rail infrastructure within a historic urban environment, including a guided tour of the rail system and a walk through a unique tunnel designed for both cyclists and pedestrians. The day concludes with a memorable dinner at the Fløyen Restaurant, high above the city, providing stunning views and the perfect setting for networking and reflection on Bergen’s forward-looking approach to urban development.
For companions/partners Bergen offers a rich and enjoyable program combining culture, nature, and city life. Highlights include the UNESCO-listed Bryggen waterfront with its historic wooden buildings, cafés, and boutiques, a ride on the Fløibanen funicular to Mount Fløyen for panoramic views and easy walking trails, visits to renowned art museums and local markets, or a relaxing fjord or harbor cruise. These attractions are all conveniently located in or near the city centre, making Bergen an ideal and inspiring destination for accompanying guests. For more ideas, see Bergen’s official tourism website: https://en.visitbergen.com.
After the official program, participants could experience Norway’s iconic coastline on a Hurtigruten coastal cruise – a journey that is as much an experience as it is a mode of travel. Sailing along dramatic fjords, charming coastal towns, and open sea, Hurtigruten offers a unique perspective on Norway’s natural beauty and maritime heritage in comfort and style. The cruise provides the perfect opportunity to unwind, network, and continue discussions in an inspiring setting, while enjoying high-quality Nordic cuisine and ever-changing coastal scenery. This optional extension adds a memorable and distinctly Norwegian highlight to the overall program.
JUNE 16 onwards: Self-guided option
There is a possibility to continue your journey to ie. Reykjavik or other destinations. Please book the trips by yourself. If you want to visit Reykjavik there is one direct flight available.
Flight FI 335 BGO-KEF 15.20 - 15.50
Information about Reykjavik
After the official program, participants may explore the unique experiences of the Reykjavík area, where dramatic nature and vibrant Nordic culture meet. Optional activities include relaxing in world-famous geothermal lagoons, discovering volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, and geysers, or joining a classic Golden Circle excursion featuring Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and the Gullfoss waterfall. Combined with Reykjavík’s lively city centre, design shops, cafés, and culinary scene, these compact and well-organised experiences offer a memorable and distinctly Icelandic extension to the visit.
Please note that the organizer reserves the right for changes!