Åland – part of Schengen

In the middle of January 2013 the actual journey to Åland will become a bit more interesting. That’s when Viking Line’s new ship is being launched. The Viking Grace is raising the standard of spa, food and duty-free goods available to you when you travel from Stockholm or Turku. A part of visiting Åland is getting there ... and now getting there is becoming more luxurious, more beautiful and more green.

Christmas in Åland is all about relaxing. There is nothing like a crisp white archipelago environment and silence to soothe and restore the spirit. And though many hotels and holiday villages are closed for the Christmas weekend, there are a few that stay open.

Now you can have your journey by air all the way to Mariehamn in one booking. Travellers from countries all over the world can change flights in Helsinki or Stockholm and land in the island state an hour later. Getting your luggage out is really quick and after a ten-minute taxi ride you can be at a hotel in the town centre.

How about flying to the conference? For me it almost felt like getting out of a private plane. Travelling on the daily flights to Mariehamn from Helsinki, Turku and Stockholm is not particularly expensive. It’s not just conference guests and business travellers who fly to Mariehamn airport; young people and tourists do as well.

This is a suggested cycle ride if you prefer to take it easy along the way. You'll get not just exercise out of it, but also the best of Åland food and drink. You can try out wonderful Åland oddities like bicycle ferries and Ålvados. Reckon on a total of three days and 80 agreeable kilometres.

All ferries and flights from Sweden, Finland and Estonia to Åland are now available collected together in an easy-to-use and smart timetable. Visit Åland has produced this so that those of you who are planning to travel to Åland don't have to bother to search around on the websites of different shipping companies and airlines.

A sea voyage is an exciting beginning of your trip. Several fine shipping companies traffic from Finland and Sweden to Åland - which will you choose?

More and more visitors to Åland visit our official tourist portal - www.visitaland.com. Now there is also a new mobile site that is especially designed for you if you have a smartphone. Find accommodation and restaurants. Search on a map and check the weather - everything you need so that you can travel and plan more easily!