Coming from a tropical nation, I’ve come to like the winter season in any vacation spot — so when the tourism board of Helsinki invited me to remain for per week of their great metropolis throughout the “white” month of February, it wasn’t arduous to say YES! (Helsinki Winter Itinerary)
Proper then and there, I began daydreaming about all of the potential issues that I’d be doing… however when I requested about my itinerary, the tourism board stated that it was a ‘secret’ and that I’d know why as soon as I get there. For certain, it was a artful approach of constructing suspense in me.
twenty second of February — I landed in Helsinki they usually lastly divulged why they didn’t give us a journey plan at first. Apparently, it was as a result of they’ve been amassing a variety of sponsors up till my arrival, and with the pack of free tickets that they have acquired for us, I can then have the liberty to plot my very own week-long itinerary!
They slowly sprawled out all these ‘goodies’ on my condo’s desk — invites from numerous sights, tour suppliers, and eating places all all through town — and I couldn’t assist however really feel that it was Christmas once more!
You wager that I had a troublesome time plotting my actions at first (there have been simply far too many superior issues to do!). Ultimately, I managed to squeeze all the highest issues that I desired to do in my 7-day keep. Right here’s the way it went for me!
» Fast Journey Planning
Faroe Islands Itinerary
» Day 1
After a 2-hour flight, I used to be ushered into my Helsinki Secret Residence for the week: an Aallonkoti condo that was situated within the coronary heart of town.
It was straightforward to fall in love with this area as a result of although the room was modernly furnished with a contact of an inventive ‘quirk’ because it nonetheless retained the coziness and heat of “residence“.
I particularly cherished how there’s a enormous balcony as effectively that gave me a transparent view of town skyline that was wrapped in white velvet snow. Actually, I spent a while resting on the balcony as I savored how fortunate I used to be to have been in a position to begin off my Helsinki winter itinerary on a fantastic observe!
Afterward, I proceeded to plot my itinerary for the subsequent days as I joyfully flipped by all of the tickets that got to us. Because it was already nighttime at this level, I made a decision to take a leisurely stroll across the metropolis as I went off and seize dinner in one of many eating places that wished to supply complimentary meals below the Helsinki Secret scheme.
I felt like consuming ‘consolation meals’ and so I picked a restaurant referred to as: Naughty BRGR… and OMG their burgers and fries have been divine!!!
Numerous Finnish individuals have been additionally crowding up this place so it actually appeared like a kind of locations that locals frequent to. If I’ve to present you a tip, just remember to order their candy potato fries as a result of these have been sinfully good.
After the hearty meal, I proceeded to walk across the metropolis throughout the night time and I used to be completely blown away by how picturesque and ‘hip‘ Helsinki was.
In all honesty, I anticipated town to be olden; and although it nonetheless has its previous infrastructure, it was straightforward to see how the metropolis has such a singular and energetic vibe what with all the fashionable architectural wonders, cafe tradition, and bustling crowd.
I used to be undoubtedly off to a very good begin!
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» Day 2
Since I’m an out of doors buff, my agenda for the day was to go and hike by the realm of Nuuksio. The Helsinki tourism board offered me with a thick parka for the entire of my Helsinki winter itinerary keep and it was a certain lifesaver for the chilly!
I took an hour-long bus first to Haltia Nature Centre the place I received to be taught extra in regards to the natural world not solely in Helsinki however the entire of Finland.
I discovered right here that the north of Finland which is above the Arctic Circle often doesn’t have any solar (only some hours of twilight round midday) for a month or extra throughout winter. It’s sometimes known as a polar knight through which the Finns name it as ‘kaamos’. (I significantly can’t think about having no solar for months!)
As soon as I had my fill of data, I sought out a close-by mountaineering path. The employees on the nature heart instructed me that there was one which passes by Lake Pitkajarvi. As I set off on this journey, each step I took within the snow made me notice how I would really want mountaineering throughout winter as a substitute of the opposite seasons as a result of the environment seemed extremely magical and mystifying — and better of all: I don’t sweat!
On my path, I chanced upon a spot the place a number of different hikers have been consuming or taking over some heat from a hearth. In a while, I even discovered a lodge by the facet of the highway that I savored for myself!
At one level, nevertheless, I ended up strolling within the incorrect path. The path was purported to be on the opposite facet of the highway over the thicket of timber, and so I had an concept that I can simply traverse by it with the intention to find yourself on my desired path.
It appeared like an excellent plan — however as I walked by it, I couldn’t assist however begin laughing as a result of I didn’t take into consideration that there could be tons of recent snow piled up. So think about, each step I took would make my toes plunge proper by the ice, and the hassle it took to maneuver my toes felt like I used to be threading by water! Briefly: it was a bit tiring.
Fortunately, I managed to undergo and get on the precise path. Although it was enjoyable and ‘adventurous’, I ought to by no means try this once more. *laughs*
Proper earlier than the path ended, I made it to a viewing platform that gave me a fantastic view over the lake, and I certainly took my time savoring the picturesque panorama. It was actually spectacular and as I stood there, I distinctly felt how I used to be slowly falling in love with Helsinki.
Afterward, I headed off to the bus cease and it was right here that I abruptly remembered how I’ve by no means constructed my very own snowman but! I took benefit of this ‘free time’ as I proceeded to construct a small white man — isn’t he cute?!
Come night time time, I headed off to dinner at Kappeli with the intention to strive Finnish dishes. This restaurant was conveniently situated in one of many massive parks within the metropolis and it was a sublime institution. I ordered a basic tattikuorrutettua or reindeer fillet and it was an excellent dish with a really gamey style. (I used to be a bit apprehensive at first about consuming reindeer meat; however I assumed, as soon as needs to be sufficient! I’m glad nonetheless that I attempted it.)
To cap the night time off completely on my Helsinki winter itinerary, I went on to strive a typical Finnish sauna expertise.
DID YOU KNOW? Finns have an immense love for saunas! It has change into a considerable a part of their tradition — NOT as a luxurious however extra of a necessity. So it’s a must-do must you ever head to Finland. Other than non-public saunas which are situated in accommodations and residences, there are additionally public saunas unfold out throughout the nation.
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» Day 3
For this present day of my Helsinki winter itinerary, I went off to tour the city. I visited locations just like the Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Church), Sibelius Park, and the Finnish Museum of Pure Historical past.
Come afternoon, I went on to Radio Helsinki to be interviewed about my expertise within the metropolis — YES. You learn that proper! I did a radio interview and it was my FIRST time doing such a factor. It was even carried out LIVE and you can not think about how nervous I used to be! I used to be fairly certain that I used to be going to journey over my phrases or say one thing extremely silly on air.
To chop the story brief: it went tremendous. However boy… was I a bundle of nerves! And since I’m extraordinarily shy, I cannot share the hyperlink to the interview — ha!
As if that wasn’t sufficient, on the subsequent day, I used to be referred to as by the Helsinki Secret crew they usually requested if it’s alright for me to undergo one other interview with a special station, Radio Suomi. Each fiber of my being didn’t wish to do one other one once more, however I didn’t wish to be impolite so I stated sure. Fortunately, this interview went so much higher than the primary. Regrettably although, it was not recorded… boo!
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» Day 4
On this present day of my Helsinki winter itinerary, I went to town’s basic cafe: Ekberg. I grabbed some pastries for takeout after which I ventured into the remainder of Helsinki’s symbolic must-sees: Senate Sq., Previous Market Corridor, Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral, Kiasma Museum, Ateneum, and many others.
When the night time crept in, I used my free tickets to look at a music present at Helsinki Music Centre (Musiikkitalo).
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» Day 5
Alas, the day has arrived for my snowmobile safari expertise on this Helsinki winter itinerary! I used to be ecstatic about this as a result of I’ve by no means tried driving a snowmobile — or any winter exercise for that matter.
I’ve written about my expertise with this intimately and you may examine it right here:
For dinner, I took up the free eating provided by Meripaviljonki, a seemingly ‘floating restaurant‘ by the river. And since I can’t get sufficient of tattikuorrutettua, I ordered this dish but once more for the night time.
As I headed again to the condo, I observed the Kallio open-air ice skating rink. Well timed, the snow simply began to fall too at the moment so I assumed: “I’ve by no means skated in an open-air ice skating rink whereas it’s snowing… Now ain’t this a bucket record that must be checked off?“
For sure, I went on to hire skates and had my enjoyable!
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» Day 6
Have you ever heard of the Baltic States? They’re 3 underrated locations in Europe — hidden gems if I’ll say so myself given how they’re a few of the least visited international locations within the continent. So when the Helsinki Secret crew gave me roundtrip cruise tickets with the intention to attain Tallinn, Estonia in only a matter of two hours from Helsinki, I jumped on the chance to take action!
Come examine my journey in Tallinn right here:
» READ: Day Journey to Tallinn, Estonia: A Brief Cruise Away
Briefly: town was a DREAM and I’m undoubtedly planning on exploring extra of Estonia sooner or later, in addition to exploring the opposite 2 Baltic international locations: Latvia and Lithuania. It is best to, too!
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» Day 7
This was the final day on my Helsinki winter itinerary, and earlier than I hopped on to my flight again to Brussels, I went on to Suomenlinna Sea Fortress to witness this fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Web site deemed to be one of many largest sea fortresses all over the world.
Really an iconic place in Helsinki, that is an exercise in your itinerary that you shouldn’t miss!
Relaxation assured, this place I simply explored this on foot so it could possibly be simply achieved in simply an hour as an illustration. (You may all the time take a guided tour so as to be taught extra particulars in regards to the fortress and its historical past.)
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Different Helsinki F.A.Q.
As a rule, service is already included in your invoice once you’re in Finland. As such, tipping will not be necessary nor anticipated within the nation; nevertheless, additionally they don’t thoughts being tipped for those who’re feeling beneficiant.
Finland sometimes makes use of two plug sorts: sort C (two spherical pins) and sort F (two spherical pins with two earth clips) they usually function on a 230V provide voltage with a frequency of 50Hz.
Please test their newest journey advisories web page.
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For more information about the most effective months to go to, easy methods to get round, and many others. — come and browse this Helsinki information!
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Total
From my seat within the airplane again residence, I seemed over fondly at Helsinki because it slowly dissipated from my view. I’ve written for most likely so many instances now about how I’ve fallen in love with the locations that I’ve been to in my travels — and that can all the time maintain true. I DO fall in love with each place, and Helsinki is a kind of.
However as Fitzgerald would put it: “There are every kind of affection on this world however by no means the identical love twice” and certain sufficient, the way in which that I fell in love with Helsinki as I stayed there for per week was a singular form of love that I’ll ceaselessly cherish.
