Photo: Joni Viitanen, Visit Espoo
June 23 (Sun): Welcome Reception/Registration 18:00-20:00, registration opens at 17:15
June 25 (Tue): Sauna time & free program 17:15-21:00 (sauna 18:30 onwards)
June 27 (Thu): Dinner with program 18:00-
Self organised opportunities
Welcome Reception, 23.6.2019
Welcome reception is organised at the conference venue Hanasaari.
The reception starts at 18:00 and the registration desk will be open prior and during the event at Hanasaari lobby. QTD2019 participants are encouraged to register at the Sunday reception.
Sauna time & free program, 25.6.2019
Sauna bathing is part of the Finnish identity just as essentially as rye bread is part of the customary diet. The QTD2019 participants have possibility to experience sauna and refreshing swimming in the sea. Sauna bathing in moderation suits everyone, but if you wish to learn more beforehand, we recommend the information on the Finnish Sauna Society website. You may also wish to bring along a swimsuit. Hanasaari saunas are booked for the conference participants until 21:00.
For self organised opportunities, see below.
DINNER WITH PROGRAM, 27.6.2019
The social dinner is organised at the conference venue Hanasaari and supported by the hospitality of the City of Espoo.
During the dinner, we will hear a performance by Female Choir KYN, that makes music with ambition, passion and a creative angle. The choir constantly challenges itself in all aspects of musical expression and strives for creating experiences that touch the listener on an emotional level. KYN: Grand Prix Winner 2017 – Choir of the Year – #6 in the world ranking of female choirs.
SELF ORGANISED OPPORTUNITIES
Enjoy the nature around us!
Espoo waterfront walkway is easily accessible directly from the conference venue. You can choose a walking route or take a bike path. In addition to the swimming beaches and boat harbours, there are other interesting places along the path, such as scheduled archipelago boats – for a trip to the islands – and bird-watching towers.
To get more out of your trip, you can download the Nomadi app with your mobile browser. The application will inform you of your whereabouts and notify you to reach the point of interest. Every “POI” can be displayed easily with a single click.
Suomenlinna is an old maritime fortress situated on a group of islands off Helsinki. It was established in 1748 during the Swedish era as a base for the Archipelago Fleet. Suomenlinna was inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991 to preserve it for future generations as an example of 18th century fortress architecture in Europe. Today, the fortress is one of the most popular sights in Finland with over 900 000 visitors annually.
Suomenlinna is accessible only by water. For transportation, you can either use the public Suomenlinna ferry or take a water bus. Both transportations depart from the Market square (Kauppatori) on the seaside of central Helsinki. A trip to the fortress takes about 1h 10 min from the conference venue (EUR 2,80/direction/person).
The Nuuksio National Park is an unspoilt piece of wilderness in the middle of the Helsinki metropolitan area: beautiful valleys, steep ravines, rocks, groves, swamps and over 80 lakes and ponds. A trip to Nuuksio takes about 1,5 hours (EUR 5,60/direction/person) by public transportation. Check the routes from journey Planner. Fastest way to get there is by taxi; the trip lasts about 35 min (~ EUR 60/direction/1-4 people).
Museums within nearby areas
Hanasaari art gallery offers a convenient break for the QTD2019 participants. During the conference, the gallery shows the masterpieces of Lars Lerin, who is considered to be one of Scandinavia’s leading artists in watercolor technique. His subjects vary from Nordic nature and wildlife to abandoned buildings and city views from Syrian war areas. The gallery is open Mon-Fri between 10-20. Admission is free.
Exhibition Centre WeeGee in Tapiola is open Tuesday-Sunday. The WeeGee Exhibition Centre consists of four museums: EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art, KAMU – Espoo City Museum, the Finnish Toy Museum Hevosenkenkä and the Finnish Museum of Horology. WeeGee also houses the museum shop and the Café WeeGee. In the backyard is the Futuro house, designed by architect Matti Suuronen, which is open to the public during summer season. WeeGee is only two metro stops away from the conference venue.
The Gallen-Kallela Museum in Leppävaara, art museum was designed and built by Finland’s national artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela. The castle-like Tarvaspää studio and residence was opened to the public in 1961 as the Gallen-Kallela Museum. The museum is most conveniently accessible by taxi; the trip lasts about 15 min (~ EUR 25/direction/1-4 people). Opening hours 11-18 daily.
The Finnish Nature Centre Haltia spotlights the best of Finland’s natural treasures from across the country. Haltia is located in the Nuuksio national park area (see above).
Pentala Archipelago museum is located in Pentala Island, in Espoonlahti bay. The Museum consist of sixteen old fishermans’ huts which were built after 1790s. You can get there by local ferries.
Other adventures
Laguuni (Finnish for lagoon) provides a variety of water sports opportunities at the immediate vicinity of the conference venue in Keilalahdentie 8. You can try wake boarding, sup boarding, kayaking, kite boarding and even fly boarding in the expert guidance. The venue is open every day between 10-22.
Huippu is a treetop adventure in Leppävaara. It is a place for tightrope walking, crawling through tunnels, balancing on nets, and crossing swaying bridges, all 13 to 60 feet above the ground. It is open every day between 15-20 (at least). A trip to Huippu takes about 1 hour (EUR 2,80/direction/person) by public transportation. Check the routes from journey Planner. Fastest way to get there is by taxi; the trip lasts about 20 min (~ EUR 30/direction/1-4 people).
Further information
Espoo and Helsinki offer a great selection of recreational opportunities in June. To find your favourites, see the recommendations of Visit Espoo and My Helsinki.