Helsinki is a city of the sea; weirdly it was built alongside a series of oddly shaped peninsulas and islands jutting into the Gulf of Finland. Back in the 1800’s there was a huge fire which destroyed most of the buildings in and around Helsinki, so everything has had to be remade, as a result everything is more modern, Helsinki has some of the purest neoclassical architecture in the world. Helsinki is the meeting point of western and Eastern Europe, the fact is reflected in its cosmopolitan image, its influx of Russians and Estonians and its generally multilingual population. Helsinki is a beautiful city and is the perfect place for sitting back and relaxing with a bit of people watching.

Helsinki’s Market Square – Kauppatori, Finland by Eoghan OLionnain

Coming ashore

Helsinki is a very busy cruise destination and trust me, as soon as you dock here, you can see why so many people would want to come here. you can dock at three destinations, these are; katajaokka quay, this has a shop, toilets and a taxi station, it’s not too far from the city centre from here you can easily walk there, south harbour has a terminal at Olympia quay, there’s shopping, info desks, currency exchange and a taxi rank here, it’s about a 15 minute walk into the main part of town from here. The final port is hernasaari harbour which has shops, an info desk, taxi rank and even internet access, it’s much further away from the main part of town than any other harbour, so you may have to consider going in a taxi.

What to do in Helsinki

Helsinki has so much stuff to do; you’ll find it hard to fit everything in that you want to do! Here are the two things that you must do in my experience; you must come to the Helsinki zoo (korkeasaari elaintarha) there are snow leopards and reindeer enjoying the cold climate all year round, there are wonders of creatures here that love the cold, it’s a real different zoo and extremely good to bring the kids to. But if you love exploring and you love history then you must come to suomenlinna, which is Finland’s castle. It is now a unesco world heritage site and had museums, gardens, parks and much more, it makes a great day out. Learn all about the history of Finland from the Russians, the British to the Crimean war.

Helsinki Zoo, Finland by Pete

Where to eat

What can I say about the food at Helsinki? It’s incredible that’s what! There are two places to eat that I would extremely recommend and these are:

Havis

Havis is just across the street from the main market square; this restaurant specializes in traditional Scandinavian dishes with the slight twist to certain meals. You must start with the blue mussel soup and then move onto specialities such as the slow fried whitefish. Vegetarians will love the mushroom crepes with glazed vegetables; there is also a daily vegetarian special. The dessert menu is the best; it includes traditional Finnish standards like strawberry milk and doughnuts with coffee pudding, absolutely divine.

Zucchini

Zucchini is perfect for a vegetarian lunch or just a coffee; it’s the place to come to relax. There are pizzas, pasta, soup, salad and much more and all are made fresh to order and are extremely tasty. The atmosphere here gives of the homely vibe, it’s great to just sit here and people watch.

I would love to come back to Helsinki another day, maybe more in style next time by going on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth in 2014. You have to come to Helsinki on a cruise; it feels like that’s the way you have to come.

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1. Helsinki

Helsinki is the capital city of Finland bestowed with a number of eye-catching attractions.

Historic City centre of Helsinki is a traditional place started establishing in the seventeenth century. It provides you nice places to visit like the Helsinki Cathedral, the City Hall and the Old Market Hall, the Market Square and also Palace of the President.

Helsinki Cathedral, Finland by Debarshi Ray

The Old Town of Helsinki is also a famous attraction of Helsinki. This is old only by name now because it has been designed modern now. The place where past and present of Finnish experience meets!

Toolonlahti Bay is also a bewildering place to visit in Helsinki. People enjoy a peaceful afternoon with a tranquil experience and this Bay also offers very magnificently planted Winter Garden, the Finnish National Opera, the Olympic stadium, the Sports Museum, the Linnunlaulu ditrict of the wooden villa and the Finlandia Hall.

2. Vaasa

Vaasa is situated in northern Finland. It is mainly a coastal region. The best time to visit Vaasa is summer because in winter the temperature drops below the freezing point. It is considered as the sunniest place of Finland. In the summer season the temperature is slightly above 20 Degree Celsius. This city had been restructured and rebuild due to the fire struck in 1852. This city has large number of students due to three universities situated here. Even the first library of Finland was built here.

Vaasa, Finland by Robert Nyman

3. Savonlinna

In the south of Finland there is a city named Savonlinna. The Olavinlinna castle is a beautiful place to visit here. The captivating Savonlinna opera festival is held here.

The second appealing attraction is to smoke sauna here. It will let you to experience the essence of Finnish tradition. This sauna is heated by wood without a chimney. The Jatkankomppa sauna is considered as one of the finest sauna in the world.

Savonlinna, Olavinlinna Castle, Finland by Simona

4. Open Air Museum of Seurasaari

An open-air museum of its own style is located on a green island in Seurasaari. This island is a peaceful oasis in the centre of the city. The traditional Finnish lifestyle is being displayed in the manors, cottages and farmsteads at the museum. This museum was founded in 1909. Currently at the Seurasaari Museum there are eighty seven separate buildings. Each province of the Finland is represented in the old buildings that are very well preserved. This provides the idea of the countryside way of life of the three centuries (1700-1900) of Finland.

Open Air Museum of Seurasaari, Finland by Wilson Bilkovich

5. Aland of Finland

Don’t miss the archipelago of more than six thousand (6,000) Aland in the Baltic Sea. A bewildering sight to be seen at least once in your lifetime and the best time to visit is between May and September. These islands are flat so the better conveyance is bike.

Aland, Finland by Ian Oliver

It is easy traveling to this country due to the availability of cheap flights to Finland. Moreover, the flights to Finland are not very rare to find. Obviously Finland is a very well established and simply a beautiful place to visit.

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Though there are many ski destinations that you can choose from, here are a few of the best among the lot in Europe.

Courchevel, France

Providing you with some great ski spots and breath-taking views, Courchevel ranks among the top skiing spots on the planet. Courchevel also boasts a well-connected lift system and the biggest ski area in the world. You can find many resorts within this valley, offering you great services at decent prices.

Skiing in Courchevel, France by Leo-setä

Val d’Isere, France

Ranging to altitudes of almost 3500 metres, Val d’ Isere provides great skiing opportunities. Some of its snow-capped peaks are something you cannot just afford to miss out on. After indulging in some skiing, you will be warmly welcomed at the various ski-chalets out there, offering a range of luxury facilities like indoor heated pools, sauna and Jacuzzi.

Photo of Val d’Isère, Savoie, France by genevieveromier

Seefeld, Austria

Ever heard of cross-country skiing? You can experience the same at Seefeld. This has been one of the main attractions among tourists here. With neatly laid out well maintained courses and powdery snow, Seefeld is an ideal destination for beginners and expert skiers.

Photo of Seefeld, Austria by Mccallusa

Levi, Lapland

Called as Santa’s home off-season, Levi is sure to be a hit among the kids. Another great skiing destination that offers you great views, Levi’s brightly lit slopes and fine snow enhance your overall skiing experience. There are many resorts out here, which will appeal to the younger crowd and where you can also spend some cosy family time.

Photo of Levi, Finland, Lapland by Jann Kuusisaari

Megeve, France

A small yet beautiful town cradled within huge snow-capped peaks, Megeve is another dreamy destination you can visit to try out skiing. With various tournaments being held here every year, Megeve provides around 217 ski slopes for its skiers to enjoy.

Owing to its quiet and natural beauty, Megeve is quite popular among the wealthy crowd. Visited by many businessmen and celebrities, Megeve boasts excellent luxury resorts providing some top class facilities and easy access to the slopes.

Photo of Megeve, France by Leo-setä

Once back after a great session of skiing, you will be happy to wind up at one of these looking forward for another adventure packed day.

How to plan your ski-trip?

So you have chosen your destination. The next step in planning your ski-trip would be choosing the right ski-resort. Ski-resorts take care of all your travel needs providing you services like hotel, accommodation, or even transport at times. So choosing your ski-resorts wisely is very important when planning your trip.

Andy is an expert associated with Burger Davis SIR, an international realty company that offers a range of luxury real estate in France and world wide. A home away from home,Burger-Davis Sotheby’s International Realty provides a range of luxurious ski-resorts to choose from. Burger-Davis provides an exclusive range of ski-chalets where you could be offered royal services like getting a private chef cook for you or even a helicopter transfer.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Debarshi Ray

In truth there are an equally large number of people all over the world who prefer colder destinations. From explorers to mountain climbers to athletes who ski and snowboard their way to that coveted adrenaline rush. They don’t get as much publicity though, probably just because those photos aren’t quite as stunning or appealing.

In much the same way, cities like Helsinki, Finland don’t receive as much attention (at least here in the United States) as many more popular southern destinations like Italy, Greece or Australia do. The biggest mistake you can make when planning a vacation though is to make a decision based on a photograph. Beauty is so much more.

Assume that you are planning a vacation to Helsinki though. What is there to do amidst all the snow and cold weather? Turns out there is much more than you think and guess what? It’s not as chilly as one might imagine either. In fact it is a very charming city and all you have to do is be willing to give it a chance to impress.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Leo-setä

The Fortress of Suomenlinna is one of the most popular places to visit and is only a couple minutes away from Helsinki harbor. It has received the designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the military architecture and was used as a fortress to defend the city from Russian attacks in the 1800’s and during the century before from other attacks.

If you are at all religious, or just appreciate great architecture and design, you will be impressed with the infamous Rock Church located a few minutes outside the city center. There is no admission fee and on the weekends you’ll usually find special events and concerts that are open to the public. This goes hand in hand with the Cathedral of Helsinki where you’ll find a charming Christmas market during the early winter months.

If you love to explore the outdoors you’ll love the Sibelius Monument, 600 metal organ pipes that have been welded together to create one of the most amazing pieces of outdoor art in the world. There are also places like Esplanadi Park which is quite small but located right in the middle of the city for easy access.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Christine

If immersing yourself into the local culture is your thing then you’ll no doubt appreciate the extensive lineup of festivals that call Helsinki home. The Finland Lantern Festival is held here to make the Chinese New Year, Helsinki Pride Week is held in June and December marks Independence Day in Finland.

Perhaps most interesting is just exploring the city via its public transportation options. The Tram goes almost anywhere you would want to visit (and is especially useful in bad weather) and last time we checked Nr. 3 passes the most important sights (at least according to that guidebook in your luggage). The ferry is also an excellent option.

Traveling to Helsinki can really be one of the most rewarding vacations of your life if you are open to new experiences. Who would have ever imagined that forsaking the sunny beaches of Florida or the magnificent coastlines of Italy could be so amazing? Everyone in Helsinki already knew.. add yourself to the list.

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Photo by kakslauttanen.fi

In a glass igloo village Kakslauttanen you have a unique opportunity to stay in one of 20 glass igloos, or in a snow igloo. You can enjoy a cocktail in a bar “kota” designed in the shape of a traditional Lapp teepee and snow restaurant for 50 to 150 people. Those interested can also accommodate in one of 40 wooden cottages, most luxurious of them are equipped with bath, fireplace and a Finnish sauna.

Northern Lights above the bed

Glass igloos are built from a special insulating glass, which prevents the icy windows, even if outside temperatures drop below -30 °C. While inside maintains a pleasant temperature between 20 and 22 °C. Guests can observe the aurora (northern lights) directly from their warm beds. Each igloo has its own bathroom.

Snow Igloo is suitable for the rugged natures, in which the temperature ranges from -3 to -6°C. Guests, however, get sleeping bags designed for temperatures up to -32 °C, woolen socks and thermal covers.

Photo by kakslauttanen.fi

Village Kakslauttanen is well equipped and prepared for visitors and offers two saunas for about 100 people. Each sauna is equipped with rest rooms, fireplace, showers and toilets. Hardy can go straight from the sauna to the icy cool pond.

If you visit Kakslauttanen in December, you can participate on ice sculpture contest, which is held annually here. The statues then remain in the ice gallery throughout the year.

Glass Igloo Village is usually open from December or January and remains in operation, depending on the weather, until the end of April, but this area is interesting during the whole year, so you can stay in some of nearby hotels.

For further information about this village visit the site kakslauttanen.fi

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Victor Sounds

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park was founded in 2005 by combining Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park and Ylläs-Aakenus Nature Reserve. It consists of peat bogs, which are surrounded by forests. It is an untouched corner of our planet and is breathtaking to see it with the northern lights (aurora). The local countryside is really beautiful. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is also very popular in winter, there are ideal conditions for cross-country skiing. The highest peak in the park is Taivaskero, which reaches an altitude of 807 meters above sea level.

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is crossed with a series of marked hiking trails with a total length of 350km. They are suitable both for hiking or cross-country skiing. There are several log huts in the area of the park, where you can rest or even stay for a night. However staying here is not free. The park is home to reindeer.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Victor Sounds

Already mentioned Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park was the first national park in Finland, founded already in 1938. The park was established to protect unique parts of forestless highland areas, which stretch through the forests of Lapland. Finnish national parks are golden treasures of Finland and are waiting for each tourist with open arms.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Heather Sunderland

There are a huge range of tour operators offering winter wonderland holidays in Finland. Go onto different travel review sites to see which hotel and tour operator gets the best recommendations before booking your magical family holiday.

The Finnish hotels are usually set in perfect backdrops of frozen fairy tale forests, adding to the wonder of it all for you and your children. There are lots of activities that you can combine with your holiday. And of course, there’s the chance to meet Father Christmas and his elves.

If you’re not sure what to pack, then think of it in the same way as you would prepare for a ski holiday. Don’t forget – you can be too cold, but it’s going to be difficult to get too hot. If you do get too hot, you can always take layers off – better to carry an extra jacket than be wishing you hadn’t travelled so light. As well as having great ski outfits, make sure you’ve don’t forget to pack essentials like thermal underwear.

It’s not just about meeting Father Christmas; you’ll have the chance to do things like take a ride on a skidoo, go on a sled pulled by Huskies or ride a reindeer. Just don’t forget to have your thermal gloves with you at all times when you go outside. It’s probably worth taking a spare pair for the kids, as they’re the most likely to lose them as they’ll be so breathlessly excited.

Holidays like these don’t come cheap, but the memories will last a lifetime.

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The excessively large church was built deliberately according to original plans of local residents. At a time when the church was being built, in the parish Kerimäki were 12,000 residents and pastor thought that at least half of them should be in the church on Sundays. However there are also some other theories that the architect made a project in inches and builder worked with centimetres, and thus built 2.54 times larger church.

Believers went to Kerimäki church from the entire region, across the lake they used the kirkkovene (church long ship).

This stunning white-ocher church will stun you already from the outside, but you cannot realize its size as much until you get inside and see its vast interior – the height of the nave is 27 meters. You’ll soon understand that it must have been impossible to heat the building. Originally there were eight stoves inside (now there are four), but it was still not enough, and thus they had to built a smaller, winter chapel for 300 people.

You can take part in the liturgy that is still held here in the main church in summer.

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Koli National Park consists of forested hills and siliceous rocks which created beautiful picturesque lookouts. From those you can see long sandy islands – known as eskers, which connect the mainland in the area of the lakes.

In the Koli National Park there are mixed and pine forests growing. The highest point of the park is the hill Ukko-Koli (347 m), where is a beautiful view down on the lake Pielinen. Throughout the Koli National Park there is a number of marked hiking trails and camps. The park has large number of bears, therefore it is necessary to take some food with you.

Koli National Park also has two ski resorts – Loma-Koli is suitable for families with children and Ukko-Koli is good for advanced skiers.

Koli National Park is one of the most famous national nature reserves in Finland. Although it is small, it contains so many places of interest as a treasure chest, for example: rare geological features, versatile range of animal species and many plant species. Area around the park was also a center of cultural heritage and culture.

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To get to the waterfall you can use wooden walkways, which is suitable also for cyclists or families with prams. The waterfall is a part of the Hepoköngäs Nature Reserve. At present, the waterfall Hepoköngäs is very popular tourist destination in Finland.

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