Advantages: It's a 'different' place to visit!! Disadvantages: Seems expensive!!
...Have spent over 20 weeks here during the last 12 months. We’ve spent time in Denmark and Sweden before, so we were surprised to find the culture so different, maybe it’s because of it’s long land border with Russia.
Getting from the airport. For 3 or more people a taxi is probably about the same price as buses. The Finnair bus goes from the airport to the railway station, but the locals use the 615 from the next stand, it takes about 10 minutes longer as it’s the local bus service, but still goes to the railway station and is currently about a third cheaper.
Do get a copy of Helsinki This Week from your hotel or the main Tourist Information Centre near the Harbour. The main events and information are now online at the Tourist Information (www.hel.fi.tourism) and Helsinki Expert (www.helsinkiexpert.fi) websites...
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...My flight to Helsinki was the most adventurous in my life. It was my first flight on my own and I was about to stay 3 winter months in Finland for a traineeship. Until, I only knew the airport in Frankfurt / Germany which is not really famous for his clarity. You can imagine, I was nervous...
There was no reason for my fear. The airport (lento-asema in finish by the way) is very small (some years ago it did win the price as the most clear airport in Europe) and very clear structured. In July 2003 the main terminal was finished and is about 1.000 m² big.
The airport Helsinki-Vantaa is about 1/2 Stunde from the City of Helsinki (about 19 km) and about 25 km from Tapiola in Espoo. For 4,90 € the bus takes you from the airport to the centre of Helsinki. And Helsinki is worth at least a weekend trip! Direct bus connections...
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Advantages: friendly feeling, very relaxed Disadvantages: increasing property prices
...Helsinki is a small-big city. Indeed it is the capital of Finland, the population is very small (about 1 million). This makes the city a good place to relax. The city has a lot to offer for tourists. For example endless art galleries (see the Kiasma! Truly modern art, and a building to go with the same theme!), the Helsinki week during every summer (everything to do with art, and good chance to party, its like a carnical!) and some nice bars and clubs to visit. Some special places you must visit:
* Suomenlinna – an island outside Helsinki (a ferry goes from the central of Helsinki), good family fun in the summer, loads of young people enjoy the sun and sea…
* Kaivopuisto – a park in the heart of the town, don’t miss the huge concerts in the summer! Nice boats in the seaside, benji jumping etc.
* Shopping – many good quality shopping...
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