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Jan/Feb 2024 | Vol. 81 No. 1
Go Ahead Tours: Finland/Estonia 2023,

Washington, D.C. 2024

fter the interesting 2023 International Conference in Tampere that emphasized the newest in the Finnish
Aeducational system, a group of DKG members and a few significant others visited Finland and Estonia
with a guide from Go Ahead Tours. The trip offered much to learn about the area’s history and had the pleasant
atmosphere that forms when women travel together. Go Ahead's 2024 trip to Washington, D.C., offers the same!
In the first part of the Finland/Estonia trip, the group stayed in Helsinki, where they visited the city and
gorgeous nearby medieval towns Porvoo and Turku, the latter of which is the oldest town in Finland. During
their excursions, local guides led the group and combined information about the environment and the history of

Finland in a fun and engaging way.
Finland is famous for innovation and architecture, and many buildings the group visited clearly showed this,
such as the famous Temppeliaukio church, which is built into a rock in the middle of the city. The magnificent library
in Helsinki is also a work of art composed of design and architecture emphasizing innovation and technology.
In addition, the group visited many medieval towns where the Finns’ history and struggle for independence were
woven into works of art and descriptions of the environment.
On the fifth day of the trip, the group traveled by ferry to Tallinn, Estonia, where they stayed for 2 days.

According to attendees, the ferry ride was like sailing on a luxury ship, even though the trip only took 2 hours. In
Tallinn, the group stayed at a lovely hotel within walking distance of the beautiful medieval old town.
The group went sightseeing with a guide who was very familiar with the area. Tallinn, with its narrow streets,
is a unique city where the past and the present intertwine in many ways. Modern shops and restaurants are in
buildings from the 12th and 13th centuries. Craftsmanship and glasswork are also held in high esteem, and
works of art are visual on every street around the city center.
While in town, the group also visited the Russian Orthodox Church, stopped at the market square by the
old cathedral, and walked through streets so narrow that a person could almost touch the walls on both sides
just by stretching out her hands. Many of the group also walked along the medieval wall that surrounded the

old city in the days of the Vikings. While in
Tallinn, the group also enjoyed a dinner at
a restaurant awarded a green Michelin star
for sustainability in serving good local food.
After the trip to Tallinn, some of the
group took advantage of optional days to
travel through the Water Regions of Finland.

A large part of the experience on this
trip was, as always, the connection between
DKG women as they got to know each other
in a fun, exciting setting. Being together on
a journey through exotic places provides

the perfect opportunity to connect with old Temppeliaukio Church, Helsinki, Finland
friends and make new ones. During bus See FIN p. 15

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