Helsinki, Finland
Discussion
I've been to Helsinki a few times with the girlfriend but sitting here I can't think of anything to actually do! The train ride to Lapland is good fun although not much to see on route as it's very flat all the way up. The train did arrive 3 seconds (yes seconds!) late though (after 8 hour journey!!) - just puts the UK rail system to shame really.
Edited to say make sure you barricade your door if you get a sleeper room because even though we locked our door the ticket chap just unlokced it and put his head around the door and said "Get up, nearly there" - could have been quite funny if he had turned up 5 minutes earlier if you know what I mean
>> Edited by darrent on Friday 4th March 09:29
Edited to say make sure you barricade your door if you get a sleeper room because even though we locked our door the ticket chap just unlokced it and put his head around the door and said "Get up, nearly there" - could have been quite funny if he had turned up 5 minutes earlier if you know what I mean
>> Edited by darrent on Friday 4th March 09:29
v-spec said:
I'm going there for a week with the girlfriend from 12th March. We've already booked an overnight train to Lapland and one night in the Ice Hotel up there, but can anyone recommend things to do or see in Helsinki itself?
(yes, we know it's gonna be cold)
Arrgghh NO - not the train...... sorry mate, who ever said that was a good idea was pulling your plonker!!! I have done it and its boring, took me 22 hours and the toilets - well lets just say the toilets are a long running Finnish joke.... Sleeping ISNT easy in the cabins too - the are cramped, smelly and come in threes.....!!
Other than that its a great place. Try and catch the northern lights when in the arctic circle and dont be too alarmed by the driving standard - its easy to see why Finland has spawned so many WRC drivers.....oh, and if someone suggests skiing, its cross country only - no downhill there.
Reindeer is something to try and the booze is great, if expensive. Local micro breweries are pretty good though. Try and join in with local stuff - they are always up for a laugh and love Brits....
Helsinki is a good place too. Lots to do and see and a great place to go out and socialise in. Dont go to the posh nightclubs unless you really want to - they are very expensive and hardly worth bothering with. stick to good eating joints and bars - plenty to do and see and lots of "characters".....its only a small place remember, so dont expect it to be like London.
Other than that - enjoy, its a really nice place.
Anyone been here?
www.snowcastle.net
Just realising that it's not as far north as I thought
Hotel prices for Helsinki seem quite high if there's not much to do...
www.snowcastle.net
Just realising that it's not as far north as I thought
Hotel prices for Helsinki seem quite high if there's not much to do...
Finland is somewhere I'd love to visit but haven't managed yet (along with Iceland), even though allegedly someone from the Finnish tourist board once said:
"There are only two things to do in Finland. There is fishink and then there is fokkink - and in the winter there is no fishink..."
"There are only two things to do in Finland. There is fishink and then there is fokkink - and in the winter there is no fishink..."
I have been there a couple of times.
Go see the Rock Church - beautiful, amazing and serene (and I'm not religious), and the monument to Sibelius (the composer) is lovely.
The docks where they build the world's largest cruise ships is also impressive.
Good bars, good shopping, and very nice people.
Go see the Rock Church - beautiful, amazing and serene (and I'm not religious), and the monument to Sibelius (the composer) is lovely.
The docks where they build the world's largest cruise ships is also impressive.
Good bars, good shopping, and very nice people.
Plotloss said:
Finland, finland, finland
The country where I want to be
Pony trekking or camping
Or just watching TV...
If you want to see something quite fun and slightly different, I think the Finish Snow Polo Championships are on during March in Helsinki I played in them as an England invitation team about 5 years ago, it is very low key, lots of fun, drinks and food and the Finnish people are truly welcoming and will point you in all the right directions. worth looking into.
Also, if you get the chance, climb to the top of one of the Ski Jumping ramps and look down - you will genuinly sh** your pants - it is terrifying to think people are happy to go face first and jump 100 meteres of these things - you have to see it to believe it.....
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Yes, the rock church (Temppeliaukio) is absolutely stunning; and entire church hewn out of the bedrock, with an exquisite copper roof.
One of the best ways to see the city is to go by tram; thre is a famous one that has a bar on it, and does a nice circiut of some of the well-known tourist attractions.
I don't know the city well enough, considering the amount of time I have spent in Finland throughout my life (Finnish mother you see) but it does have some very nice architecture and the markets are a good laugh. Have fun!
-22 degrees this morning. Bring warm underwear But during the day it warms up quite a bit, around -5 this week. Fishing is possible in the winter, just bring your ice drill!
Have you checked out www.hel.fi/english/index.html ? Maybe some tips there. You're right on time to visit "Shoe and Bag Fair '05" if that's your thing
Edited to add another link I remembered:
www.hothelsinki.fi/en/
>> Edited by zax on Friday 4th March 14:56
But during the day it warms up quite a bit, around -5 this week. Fishing is possible in the winter, just bring your ice drill! Have you checked out www.hel.fi/english/index.html ? Maybe some tips there. You're right on time to visit "Shoe and Bag Fair '05" if that's your thing
Edited to add another link I remembered:
www.hothelsinki.fi/en/
>> Edited by zax on Friday 4th March 14:56
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