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DAYS
8
TOUR CODE
ALVA-27
COST
£3895
DAYS
8
TOUR CODE
ALVA-27
COST
£3895
Our tour immerses travellers in the magnificent creations of architect and designer Alvar Aalto, as well as the broader context of Finnish art and architecture. As we journey around Finland, we will explore the rich array of Aalto's work and the serene landscape that deeply inspired him.
Overview
Focusing on the human experience, from scale and ergonomics to materials and light, Alvar Aalto’s (1898–1976) iconic designs are considered ‘total works of art’ and have had a tremendous influence on the evolution of architecture worldwide. His wife, Aino, a trained architect and carpenter, was also a key contributor to the Aalto legacy, developing her own designs for interiors and furniture.
As we embark on our journey across Finland, we will take in a rich variety of Aalto’s buildings, from grand civic structures to idyllic private villas – many of which have just been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.
In Helsinki, a walking tour will contextualise the city’s architectural landscape,
including historical sites and the Romantic-style National Museum, followed by an in-depth exploration of Aalto’s House and Studio.
Continuing our journey, we will visit the UNESCO-listed Sunila district of Kotka, the largest original project that stayed true to Aalto’s original plans. Here we will see the housing complex, with its crisp, geometric white houses and Pump Mill. Likewise, at Ankkapurha Cultural Park, Jyväskylä, we will view the striking Säynätsalo Town Hall and Muuratsalo Experimental House – Aalto’s summer residence and architectural playground.
SUBLIME VILLAS
We are pleased to be including visits to two special residences designed by Aalto: Villa Kokkonen and Villa Mairea, both sublime structures that blend modernism with organic architecture and Finnish tradition.
Our tour also includes Aalto’s Muurame Church alongside Petäjävesi Old Church, with its traditional Finnish wooden façade, for a comparative study of evolving ecclesiastical styles. In Seinäjoki, meanwhile, we will encounter the marvellous Cross of the Plains Church, City Hall and City Theatre among further architectural wonders.
Our final visit will be to the famed Paimio Sanatorium, built between 1929 and 1933 in collaboration with Aino Aalto. This was a key structure that marked the shift during which Aalto’s designs began to gain global interest and influence.
Tour Director
Joshua White
Our Tour Director, Joshua White, BA, MPhil, earned his degrees from Oxford University, Christie’s Education and the University of Glasgow. He has extensive experience lecturing in modern and contemporary art at both British and American institutions, including at Christie’s Education for over 18 years, where he was director of ‘The London Art Course’. Joshua has experience of the art market, specialising in 20th century photography, and is the founder and presenter of The Art Channel, an online project documenting and interpreting modern and contemporary art exhibitions in commercial galleries and public institutions. On television and radio, Joshua has been a guest contributor to Channel 5’s Great Paintings of the World, BBC Radio 4’s Behind The Scenes and BBC Radio 3’s Turning Picasso, and he has written exhibition catalogues and been published by the BBC, Financial Times, Christie’s Magazine and Flash Art.
– ACE customer on a 2026 tour
Our Accommodation
We will stay in a total of five four-star hotels throughout the tour to allow us to encounter the broad and brilliant scope of Aalto’s work. This will include two nights at the Solo Sokos Hotel Pier 4 in Helsinki, an overnight at the Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone in Kotka, an overnight at the Original Sokos Hotel Alexandra in Jyväskylä, two nights at the Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna in Seinäjoki and a final overnight stay at Solo Sokos Hotel Seurahuone in Turku.
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London Heathrow 1020 on Finnair, arriving Helsinki 1515. Transfer to Solo Sokos Hotel Pier 4, Helsinki, for two nights. Welcome and evening introductory lecture.
Day 2
Morning walking tour of Aalto’s buildings in Helsinki: National Museum, Finlandia Hall (1962–1975), National Pensions Institute (1953–1957) and House of Cultures (1952–1958). Afternoon: Aalto House and Studio.
Day 3
Private tour of Villa Kokkonnen (subject to confirmation). Transfer to Kotka with visit en route to Sunila (residential area designed by Aalto), including the Sunila Pump Mill and housing complex. Overnight at Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone, Kotka. Free evening.
Day 4
Transfer to Jyväskylä, visiting Ankkapurha Cultural Park (buildings designed between 1937 and 1956, including Anjala Paper Mill industrial buildings and Tampella Co housing area), Muuratsalo Experimental House (Aalto’s summer residence and architectural playground) and Säynätsalo Town Hall (one of Aalto’s most celebrated civic buildings). Overnight at Original Sokos Hotel Alexandra, Jyväskylä.
Day 5
Morning lecture followed by visits to University of Jyväskylä to explore Aalto’s creations. Afternoon visits to Muurame Church (Aalto’s early ecclesiastical design) and Petäjävesi Old Church (UNESCO World Heritage Site, traditional Finnish wooden architecture). Two nights at Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, Seinäjoki.
Day 6
Guided tour of Aalto Centre in Seinäjoki: Cross of the Plains Church (1957–1960), Parish Centre (1965–1966), City Hall (1961–1962), Municipal Library (1964–1965), Government Office Building (1966–1968) and City Theatre (1986–1987). Free afternoon for independent exploration followed by free evening.
Day 7
Visits to Ahlström Works for guided tour of Villa Mairea (one of Aalto’s most celebrated residential designs, constructed in 1939) and Paimio Sanatorium (designed by Aalto after receiving a design commission in 1929). Overnight at Solo Sokos Hotel Seurahuone, Turku.
Day 8
Some free time. Transfer to Helsinki for 1600 flight, arriving Heathrow 1705.
Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and, due to the special nature of the visits, some elements may be subject to confirmation nearer the time. In the instance that a visit is no longer possible, we will endeavour to replace it with something of equal historical and architectural interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
To read our full list of frequently asked questions please visit our general FAQs here.
What is the maximum group size of this tour?
What is the deposit cost for this tour?
What tour staff will be on this tour?
Am I fit enough to travel on this tour?
Fitness Requirements
The majority of ACE Cultural Tours are active in nature. To make the most of our time in a destination and provide excellent value for money, they are busy – there are often several visits included each day. As such, our tours require a certain minimum level of physical and mental fitness, mobility and stamina.
Many visits will involve navigating several steps, uneven ground, steep ascents and descents, and could involve embarking and disembarking aircraft, coaches, trains and cruise vessels. Plenty of walking, punctuated by lengthy periods of standing, is the norm. Some tours may involve long coach journeys.
It is essential that all customers are sufficiently fit and able enough to fully participate. Furthermore, every tour comprises a group of guests. We cannot allow the entire group to be negatively impacted by one participant, either holding up the pace we reasonably need to maintain or disproportionately requiring the attention and support of the tour staff.
We carefully consider the intensity, fitness and other requirements of each itinerary and describe them on the tour pages of our brochures and website. Please study these descriptions closely. When you call to book, we will reiterate those requirements and ask you to confirm that all group members are indeed fit enough and otherwise able to meet the criteria. It is your responsibility to answer fully and honestly. If it transpires that you are not able to keep pace with the tour and/or it reasonably appears you are negatively impacting (or are reasonably likely to negatively impact) the enjoyment of the rest of the group (including their ability to complete all scheduled visits), we may ask you to sit out certain days/visits, take a taxi at your own expense (if available in the location), or even, if we consider there is no other reasonable alternative, ask you to leave the tour and make your own way home.
Please note that this tour involves a significant amount of standing and walking over potentially uneven or slippery ground, cobbles and steps (sometimes without handrails). Many of the sites do not have lifts available. Please consult ACE’s fitness criteria in our Booking Terms & Conditions before booking your place.
As a minimum, participants should be able to successfully complete the following self- assessment tests:
- Walk for one hour at a reasonable pace and without needing to take a break to rest
- Climb at least two flights of stairs at a reasonable pace
- Stand unaided for at least 30 minutes
- Stand up and sit down ten times in one minute
- Carry or otherwise move your own luggage
Please ensure you have read and understand our full fitness requirements as described in our terms and conditions.
Practicalities
To take in a broad scope and variety of Alvar Aalto’s designs, our tour will involve several coach journeys of between 2.5 to 3.5 hours, with comfort stops en route. We will be staying at four different hotels, in Helsinki, Kotka, Jyväskylä, Seinäjoki and Turkhu.
UK Government Travel Advice
For additional travel information from the UK government please consult the following pages.
Flight Information
For customers who wish to make their own travel arrangements, ACE is pleased to be able to offer a flight reduction of £250.
Cost Details
Alvar Aalto: Helsinki and Beyond
July 10 - 17, 2027
Included: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a standard twin or double bedded room, seven breakfasts, three lunches, five dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: travel insurance, standard double room for single use supplement £465.
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Get in Touch
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