Turku

Turku Finland was founded in the 13th century and is supposedly the oldest city in the country. It has an enviable location which makes the city port one of the busiest in Finland and caters to approximately 3.7 million passengers per year. The city is renowned for hosting the country’s first university, ‘The Royal Academy of Turku’. The year 2011 will see Turku along with Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, being designated as the European Capital of Culture. This honor has been bestowed by the European Union. In the 20th century Turku earned the status of “Finland’s gateway to the West” as a result of its good connections with other Western European countries and cities.

Turku has a location in the southwestern part of the country at the mouth of the Aura River covering an area of 245 square kilometers. On the eastern side is located the Cathedral of Turku. One will find nine bridges over the Aura River. The ‘Fori’ is one of the best-known landmarks in Turku. It is a small ferry that transports pedestrians and bicycles across the river. One can make advance reservations in the various accommodation options available in the city to ensure a hassle free trip.