JUNE JOURNEYS: Helsinki
Brussels Charleroi-Turku-Helsinki
From Brussels we flew to Turku in a tiny airport where we had to wait for the next bus and then head to the train station. The local bus ticket was €2.50 and it takes you to the city centre which is about 15 minutes away from the airport. We stopped at the Market square and had to walk for 10 minutes to get to the Main train station of Turku. We booked our train tickets ahead from VR (www.vr.fi) which proved to be a very reliable company with excellent trains and service.
The train cabin was spacious with comfortable seats and enough space for luggage. The train also had a bar with snacks and drinks as well as a smoking room and toilet. VR offers free wi-fi service on all their trains too.
The view along the route Turku-Helsinki was breathtaking with trees, lakes and bridges.
Helsinki
We arrived at Helsinki late in the evening aware that Finnish summer has longer days and daylight for most of the time so we were really astonished to see how bright the sky was at 11pm. That daylight no matter how perfect it was, since we could go sightseeing thoughout day and night, it managed to keep us awake and cause insomnia... Even with curtains closed at night, that bright light that sneaks through will easily disturb and alter your sleeping hours.
Helsinki is also a very pricey city and offers expensive accommodation. The weather was warm but windy and when cloudy you could feel cold at times. The city is the world design capital of 2012 and it is defnitely worth that title!
Coffee in the morning was ideal sitting at the terrace of Rotterdam Beer Garden where almost all Finnish were drinking beer and enjoying the warm sun.
Walking in the streets of Helsinki with sunshine above our heads was splendid with the city crowded and festivals being held in many areas. The tram passes throughout the centre although everything can be seen on foot. There are lots of shopping malls as well as restaurants and bars to choose from.
Among the beautiful sights was the cathedral which stands out for its size, white colour and the numerous steps were flocks of people sit and enjoy themselves.
While walking through the streets of Helsinki we ended up at the port where a cruise was about to set off and we decided to get on board. An archipelagos cruise that lasted for two hours and cost €20 with a choice of a buffet meal and drinks if paying more and reserve fast.
The view of the islands was truly remarkable with all the greenery and crystal clear water of Helsinki's archipelago. The choice of snacks on board and prices were not really satisfactory but the whole cruise idea proved to be ideal with the sunshine above our heads.
After our cruise we walked through a nice cobblestone road of Market square with cafes and restaurants where lots of people were either enjoying their drinks at the cafes or having them on the grass. Right next to Helsinki's port stands an art nouveau statue of Havis Amanda.
Departure day: We left Helsinki early morning taking the 615 bus from the train station that cost €4.50 and took approximately 40 minutes. Helsinki Vantaa airport was also modern, big and included a Moomin shop and several other shops and restaurants-cafe-bars.
Helsinki is a unique modern city that stands out for its design among other European cities of the likes of Prague and Budapest. A city which combines the archipelagos, greenery and striking sights with shopping and relaxation.
Brussels Charleroi-Turku-Helsinki
From Brussels we flew to Turku in a tiny airport where we had to wait for the next bus and then head to the train station. The local bus ticket was €2.50 and it takes you to the city centre which is about 15 minutes away from the airport. We stopped at the Market square and had to walk for 10 minutes to get to the Main train station of Turku. We booked our train tickets ahead from VR (www.vr.fi) which proved to be a very reliable company with excellent trains and service.
The train cabin was spacious with comfortable seats and enough space for luggage. The train also had a bar with snacks and drinks as well as a smoking room and toilet. VR offers free wi-fi service on all their trains too.
The view along the route Turku-Helsinki was breathtaking with trees, lakes and bridges.
Helsinki
We arrived at Helsinki late in the evening aware that Finnish summer has longer days and daylight for most of the time so we were really astonished to see how bright the sky was at 11pm. That daylight no matter how perfect it was, since we could go sightseeing thoughout day and night, it managed to keep us awake and cause insomnia... Even with curtains closed at night, that bright light that sneaks through will easily disturb and alter your sleeping hours.
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| Helsinki train station |
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| Helsinki |
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| Helsinki |
Coffee in the morning was ideal sitting at the terrace of Rotterdam Beer Garden where almost all Finnish were drinking beer and enjoying the warm sun.
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| Rotterdam Beer Garden |
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| Rotterdam Beer Garden |
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| Rotterdam Beer Garden |
Walking in the streets of Helsinki with sunshine above our heads was splendid with the city crowded and festivals being held in many areas. The tram passes throughout the centre although everything can be seen on foot. There are lots of shopping malls as well as restaurants and bars to choose from.
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| Helsinki shopping |
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| Helsinki tram |
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| Helsinki |
Among the beautiful sights was the cathedral which stands out for its size, white colour and the numerous steps were flocks of people sit and enjoy themselves.
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| Helsinki Cathedral |
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| Heslinki Cathedral |
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| Helsinki Cathedral |
While walking through the streets of Helsinki we ended up at the port where a cruise was about to set off and we decided to get on board. An archipelagos cruise that lasted for two hours and cost €20 with a choice of a buffet meal and drinks if paying more and reserve fast.
The view of the islands was truly remarkable with all the greenery and crystal clear water of Helsinki's archipelago. The choice of snacks on board and prices were not really satisfactory but the whole cruise idea proved to be ideal with the sunshine above our heads.
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| Helsinki port |
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| Royal Line Cruise: Archipelagos |
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| Royal Line Cruise: Archipelagos |
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| Royal Line Cruise: Archipelagos |
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| Royal Line Cruise: Archipelagos |
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| Royal Line Cruise: Archipelagos |
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| Royal Line Cruise: Archipelagos |
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| Royal Line cruise |
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| Royal Line Cruise: Archipelagos |
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| Royal Line Cruise |
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| Havis Amanda |
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| Market square |
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| Market square |
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| Helsinki-Vantaa Airport |
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| Helsinki-Vantaa Airport |
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| Helsinki-Vantaa Airport: Moomin Shop |
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| Norwegian Airline from Helsinki-Vantaa |
Helsinki is a unique modern city that stands out for its design among other European cities of the likes of Prague and Budapest. A city which combines the archipelagos, greenery and striking sights with shopping and relaxation.
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| Helsinki view from Norwegian Airline |