Helsinki City & Sibelius
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port
Helsinki, Finland
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activityLevel
Moderate Activity
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excursionType
Information Not Currently Available
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wheelchairAccessible
No
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startingAtPrice
$110
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minimumAge
Information Not Currently Available
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duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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mealsIncluded
Meals not included
Expand your historical and cultural knowledge of Finland with this quality, live performance of Sibelius' compositions.
Begin your tour with an introduction to the beautiful sights of central Helsinki -- capital of Finland. Among its impressive wealth of architecture, and perhaps its most striking example, is Carl Ludvig Engel's neo-Classical Senate Square. Surrounded by public buildings and built in the Old Town center, Senate Square dates back to the mid-19th century.
Continue on foot to Market Square, near the waterfront, where vendors and customers come together to transact and converse -- it is a lively locale indeed.
A panoramic drive through the city takes you past several Helsinki highlights -- the Uspenski Cathedral, the Presidential Palace and the Swedish Theater on the Mannerheim Street. Watch for the Parliament Building (one of the last large buildings in Finland to be built entirely by hand) and Finlandia Hall, designed by architect Alvar Aalto. You'll see the Olympic Stadium -- site of the 1952 Olympic Games -- and visit the famous Temppeliaukio Church, hewn into solid bedrock. You will pass the Kiasma -- the Museum of Contemporary Art -- whose designer was American architect Steven Holl.
Step inside at Balder Hall to experience an authentic and entertaining musical experience -- a live music performance of Sibelius' wonderful compositions -- Finlandia, Spruce, Romance, Rondino, Souvenir and Valse Triste. This concert offers a high standard delivered by professional young musicians playing the violin and grand piano. It is accompanied by an on-screen visual symphony of Finnish nature.
Take home a gift CD of Sibelius' work, and enjoy a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage afterwards in the company of the musicians.
Your tour ends with a visit to Sibelius Park to view the magnificent monument honoring the Jean Sibelius.
Please note: The performance inside the Balder Hall is not exclusive to Seabourn guests. There are 53 steps in total to reach the concert hall; no elevator is available.