Helsinki Experience

I loved it - by the Finnish

Advantages: Great architecture, good food, lots to do
Disadvantages: Closure of many attractions in the off season, expensive by UK prices

Helsinki was not my choice. My partner had for a long time wanted to visit Finland's capital (he collects capital cities) and so I treated him for his 40th birthday. I wasn't against the idea, I just didn't really know anything about the place. We did buy a Lonely Planet well in advance of the trip but since we were also planning to visit Estonia my mind was focused more on my beloved Eastern Europe than on Finland. All I set out with was my pre-conceived ...
...capital though I knew that Helsinki is a city with a strong maritime background. There is a band called "Architecture in Helsinki"; I don't know much about them other than that I have often thought it a good name. Having now seen much of Helsinki's architecture I appreciate that it is a fabulous name for a band. It is impossible to visit Helsinki and not comment on the architecture to your traveling companion at least several times a day. It is ...

fizzytom 05.10.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Helsinki (Finland)

Peaceful...

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...swimming-pool complex names "Serena". It's quite cheap but funny to spend the time in, especially in the summer. But the one black spot must be added to this picture - the railway station in Helsinki is terrible. There is no place to sit and wait untill the train comes... ...

anatu2001 04.11.2000 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Helsinki in general

Biking in Helsinki

Advantages: best, cheapest and easiest way to get around
Disadvantages: some people like to damage everything

The city of Helsinki is rather small compared to the much bigger capitals of other European countries, but it is full of wonderful sites and sights and the second best way to get around is to take the number 8 tram. It has not only got the number 8, but it is going around the city in a big 8 and you can even have a guided tour in English without being charged seperately. Do the trip (about one hour) and then start to conquer the city on your own ...
...Well, you need not! On 25 stands all around the city you can get a bike. You only have to insert a 10 markka piece into a slot and you can use the bike as long as you want, at least for one day. When you want to get rid of the bike you only have to find another stand, park the bike there and take the coin out of the slot. But, please, be a little careful with the bike! Last year about half of the bikes were damaged and the company had a lot of troubles ...

minae 11.07.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Getting around in Helsinki

Helsinki - a few ideas.

Advantages: It's a 'different' place to visit!!
Disadvantages: Seems expensive!!

...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. In the summer do catch the PUB Tram, it is a converted tram, and it goes on a sightseeing tour, so you can really enjoy watching the world go by! Unfortunately not included in the normal Helsinki ...
...like museums, look into the Helsinki Card, it does have a few other discounts. If you only want to get around it’s worth checking out the HKL Transport Tourist cards; these only cover transport on buses, trams and ferries in the city centre (doesn’t include the airport). Tallinn is worth a trip, but at busy times the ferries at the right times for a day trip book up well in advance. Helsinki Tourism have a sheet listing the ferry operators and approximate ...

meagainxyz 09.02.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Helsinki (Finland)

Scruffy Shoe Diaries NORDIC HIGH TEMPERATURE SHOCK

Advantages: Plenty to do if you're on a weekend city break
Disadvantages: Almost 3 quid for a 400 ml beer

...to when you go to Helsinki (they pretend to offer much in the way of cheap flights, but it ain't necessarily so). Despite leaving from Birmingham instead of Stansted (dahn sahf). It was still an early get out for the Lufthansa flight via Munich for me and my long suffering travel buddy, Mr. Adrian Dowd. Commuter flight. Good nosh. *** 26 Apr. 2002: I have resurrected this series of opinions "The Scruffy Shoe Diaries" to beef up and re-write bits ...
...nice neat series. Helsinki has been updated with prices in Euro. I've also added a few more details and tweaked some of the writing. For those seeking information and armchair travellers alike. *** Dateline - September 2000. Helsinki was bright, warm and far too clean. Although I'm led to believe it's not always this warm. It took just a small amount of organisation to ensure that the airport bus (runs at regular intervals from Helsinki-Vantaa until ...

Paiceyjohn 24.10.2001 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Helsinki (Finland)