IML Walking Association Event: Vaasan Marssi

Place: Finland, Vaasa
Date: 2nd weekend of August

Registration
- by internet: www.vaasa.fi/marssi
- by mail: form attached in the brochure
- during the week of the event the walkers registrate in Rewell Center (beside the market place).

Fees
The participation fee, € 22, can be paid on the account of Vaasan Marssi, Nordea Vaasa, IBAN code FI73 1528 3000 1027 85, SWIFT /BIC - CODE: NDEAFIHH. The Unesco Nature World Heritage archipelago trip will be € 30 extra.
In case the registration form arrives after July 24, the participation fee will be € 25.
The price of one-day walk is € 14. Late registration after July 24, will be € 16 for one day.

Track and weather conditions
Description of the tracks (road, landscape)
Björköby archipelago walk is fairly difficult terrain and about 20 kilometres long. Björkö is named as the Unesco Nature World Heritage area. At the end of the day an archipelago meal consisting of local specialities will be served. The trip lasts for about 8 hours. On this walk you have an exceptional possibility to enjoy the virgin and wild nature of the coastal area and see concrete the phenomena of the world's most specific land uplift. During the days of Vaasan Marssi you can enjoy the ripe berries along the routes or taste some genuine böckling (smoked small Baltic herring). The sea wind will keep you fresh all day long. The track is flat and it circles in the deep forests, new residential areas, inside lakes and - of course - the seaside from several points of views. On the route of Friday there are one or two special "mountains" to climb up.
Good care along the road
Along the routes there are service points at intervals of about 5 kilometres, where you can get water, refreshments and small things to eat for free. At the service point you can also buy coffee and pancakes.
Weather
This time of the summer the weather is very warm - around 25 degrees.

Entertainment
Vaasan Marssi starts with the Night of Arts as an opening festival on Thursday.
Other entertainment is in the Summerhouse Villa Hietalahti, the finish area.
Dinner will be served. Payment and booking in time (limited amount of persons)
Closing ceremonies take place in Villa Hietalahti at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Souvenir - award
The event Vaasan Marssi has its own unique series of different medals. The motive of the medals has to do with the Finnish west coast and the local geological phenomenon called land uplift. New pins and patches are for sale.
All participants are also entitled to the Vaasan Marssi diploma.
Sanctioned by IML and IVV.

Transport
- by flight: the airport is situated about 10 kilometres from the city centre.
- by boat
- by train
- by car
(see to the links)

Accommodations
- list of hotels: yes. Please, address your inquiries and reservations directly to the hotel! Mention Vaasan Marssi when making the reservation.
- Camping: about 2 km from the city centre by the sea.
- Common accommodation will be arranged in the schools in the city center. The price € 60,00 for three nights includes breakfast, a package of provisions, shower and a base. Own sleeping bag required. (3 nights - one night extra is possible)

Reservation
e-mail Maija@vaasa.fi
Phone + 358-400-251220

General information
- the language: Finnish, English, Swedish
- the money (currency): Euro

Contact
Vaasan Marssi
Kirkkopuistikko 29 A 19
65100 Vaasa
Finland
tel: +358-400-251220
tel: +358-6-3251220
fax: +358-6-3251211
e-mail: maija@vaasa.fi
internet: www.vaasa.fi/marssi