Helsinki for a Weekend | Finland

If you can spend several days in Helsinki, make sure to visit the Helsinki Cathedral and take a photo sitting on its steps, like masses of people do. This beautiful piece of architecture, built in the 19^th century, is an Evangelic Lutheran church, but it is also a symbol of Helsinki, so missing it could make your trip feel incomplete. For the ones interested in military architecture – or for the ones interested in UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress is something not to be missed. Built to guard the entrance to Helsinki, this fortress dates back to the beginning of the 18^th century and attracts many visitors every year. Finally, if you still have time, try to visit the Seurasaari museum, which is on an island a couple of kilometres outside Helsinki. It is an open-air ethnographic museum with a scenic route leading to it. There are special events at Seurasaari during Christmas, Easter, and Midsummer, so make sure to put it on your list if you happen to be in Helsinki around those times.

Helsinki Orthodox Cathedral, Finland by Adrián Pérez

Destination: Stockholm | Sweden

If you are in Stockholm, Gamla Stan is something that is impossible to miss, and for a good reason. It is one of the biggest and best-preserved city centres in Europe, dating back to medieval times. With narrow streets that are home to lovely shops of handicrafts and souvenirs, cosy bars and cafés, what else can you ask for in a weekend escape? A royal palace, perhaps? The Royal Palace of Stockholm is the official residence of His Majesty the King of Sweden and is open to public. This lovely Italian Baroque-style building has more than 600 rooms and five museums, so you can spend quite some time there admiring the building and its treasures. If you have time left, definitely go to Skansen, the oldest open-air museum in the world, which also has a zoo.

Skansen, Stockholm, Sweden by Jack Torcello

Reykjavik for the Weekend | Iceland

A weekend in Iceland can be one of the most incredible weekends of your life. If you feel like taking a half-day break after your trip, go to the Laugardalslaug Geothermal Pool, which is the largest pool in Iceland. It also has the best facilities, including an outdoor pool, an Olympic-size indoor pool, a steam bath, and even a 86-metre water slide. Enjoy the water temperature, which is kept at a nice 29°C by the volcanic water. After your relaxing time in the pool, definitely hit the museums. There is the National Museum and the Saga Museum, so you can learn more about the Vikings and how people used to live in the older days in the Reykjavik City Museum (Arbaejarsafn), which is the biggest open-air museum in the country.

Reykjavik, Iceland by Daniel

Scandinavia Awaits

With all these attractions waiting, wonder no more. Although perhaps not the sunniest places, these destinations have their charm, and so does the UK city breaks. Ready. Steady. Go.

This is an article written by Lilly Sheperd, a freelance writer and gastro-blogger who shares her experiences on various blogs.

The post City Breaks in Northern Europe: Three Top Destinations to Consider appeared first on Europe Explored.

The main local attraction is the Turku Castle built in the 18th century, where you can visit a historical museum since 1881. Other important buildings are Turku Cathedral or Tuomiokirkko from the 13th century, open-air museum Luostarinmäki, located in Mount Vartiovuori – it is a part of the city which has survived from the 18th century.

There is also Orthodox Church, Brinkhall Manor, Kakskerta church, an old mill in Samppalinna, Church of Archangel Michael from 1905, Martin church from 1921, Turku Art Museum, Museum of pharmacy and museum Ett hem or home to a typical Finnish houses from the 18th century. In Turku, there are several festivals – the most famous is music festival Turku and Ruisrock Festival. There are 176,000 inhabitants living in Turku.

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The post Turku – European Capital of Culture in 2011 | Finland appeared first on Europe Explored.