Beckham puts Turku on the map

After David Beckham’s visit to the city’s finest clinic, all eyes have been on the Finnish city of Turku.

Always ahead of the curve the Beckham’s are visiting prior to the crowds that are sure to visit in 2011 when the city is a European capital of culture.

Less well known than the country’s capital Helsinki, Turku is located in the South of the country on the banks of the Aura river. The small, medieval city is the starting point for exploring the stunning Turku archipelago, a series of islands perfect for discovering either on one of the many bicycles for hire or by boat or one of the frequent ferries.

The city’s plushest hotel is the Radisson Blu Marina Palace (radissonblu.com). Situated on the river the hotel features the contemporary design Finland is well known for and two restaurants the Herttua and the Italian Aurora.

One the best ways to get to Turku is by Finnair flying via Helsinki. Returns start from £232.60 including all taxes and charges (finnair.com), alternatively there are trains and buses from Helsinki which take approximately two hours.

For further information on Turku, visit: visitfinland.com/uk