Helsinki Day Four- Tallinn

Tallinn's old town is a step back in time -back to Medieval Age. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Large portions of the original protective wall still remain today along with cobblestone streets. It is a 5 minute walk from the small port where our hydrofoil landed.

Location:Tallinn, Estonia

Helsinki Day Four - Tallinn

Our ride from Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia. About 1.5 hours port to port. This hydrofoil moves quickly across the Baltic Sea. The ship is very comfortable and equipped with service counter and bar. About 40 Euros roundtrip per person.

Location:Tallinn, Estonia

Helsinki Day Three - More Walking

We have been teasing Barbara for forgetting her pedometer and keeping account of our mileage. Today - we all have tired feet and less tread on our shoes. Still the weather is beautiful with sunny skies and cool breezes especially in the shade.






Old Church

Location:Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki Day Three - By Rail

The Railway station and Railway Square both buzz with activity as visitors and residents alike return to the city on Sunday. This place is an ant hill today and great for people watching.

Location:Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki Day Three - Religious Rock

The Church in the Rock or Temppeliaukio for all of you Finnish speakers, was built in 1969 and blasted from a huge piece of granite. The acoustics in this place are amazing.

Location:Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki Day Three - Sea Fortress

The Suomenlinna Sea Fortress was founded in 1748 when Sweden (yes, Swenden) wanted to fortify against Russia. It was inscribed into the World Heritage List (UNESCO) in 1991 to preserve an example of 18th century fortress. It surrendered to Russian siege in 1808 and was badly damaged during the Crimean War in 1855.

We grabbed tickets for the 15 minute ferry ride from Market Square over to the island. The Fortress is a nice outdoor excursion on a sunny (and cool) day. About 900 people live on Suomenlinna and the islands are dotted with museums, shops and restaurants.

Helsinki Day Two - Marathon

No. I am not running a marathon in Finland. I couldn't even if I wanted to try. I did however join the kickoff party on Senate square.

Location:Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki Day Two - Market Square

Market Square is a tourist destination spot on most days as ferries to many island locations start from here. On the weekend the local market fills will fresh produce and out numbers the trinket tents. Fresh seafood is sold off boats and from seaside tents.

Location:Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki Day Two - Cafe Bar No. 9

If you are looking for a good local spot for lunch - this place is it. If you are with friends - split up and grab a table while the others order food at the bar. This place is first come, first served - and luck rules. We happened on the last sidewalk table which was great - though short one chair until our server grabbed an extra from indoors.

Food is hardy fare. Portions are large. Flavors are rich and nicely done. Most menu items go for 9 Euros to match the name of the spot.

After feeding here - it is easy to understand why this spot is standing room only at meal time.





Bar No. 9, Helsinki, Finland - http://www.Bar9.net/




Goat Cheese Pasta




Grilled Chicken Salad

Location:Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki Day Two - St. John Church

St. John Church is the largest stone church in Finland and can seat about 2,400 people. The locals call it Johanneksen Kirkko - yes, more Finnish. The church is a stone throw from the Design Museum.

Location:Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki Day Two - Touring Around

Lazy start to the day two of touring around Helsinki and seeing the sights. We decided to buy a one day ticket for 7 Euros and 24 hours access to the entire system. After a quick ride on 3B/T - we jumped off in the Design District. The Design Museum hold an interesting collection of Finland's influence on industrial design. Museums in Helsinki are small. It is easy to complete a visit in less than 1 hour.





Design Museum, Helsinki





Helsinki Tram runs quietly around the city and outer areas.

Location:Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki -Sunn Restaurant

Tonight - we ate at a nearby restaurant named Sunn. You have great views of the Lutheran Cathedral and Senate Square from this second story vantage point. We were walk-ins at 8:00 pm on a Friday night.





White fish




Grilled chicken breast





Smoked Arctic Charr




Almond cake




Apple tartan

All in all the food was well made and tasty. We enjoyed a good local beer with dinner and hot teas with dessert. The for three totaled about 113 Euros.
Only complaint was spotty service and attention from our lone waitress.

Location:Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki Day One - Sights

A few extra photos from the city as the sun began to shine this afternoon. The local tram 3B/3T makes a lazy figure eight through the city. It is fun ride from 1 block from the hotel. All for 2.5 Euros.




Look closely at the white swings in this tree.




Three Smiths.



Tomb located in the garden of the Old Church.





Park in Old Town with power lines heavy under the weight of shoes.

Location:Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki Day One - Esplanade Park

Helsinki's city center is very inviting. Everything is easily within walking distance of our hotel. As the overcast skies gave way - the parks filled with locals.








You can see Hotel GLO in the background (black building).

Location:Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki Day One - Walking

Oh you have to hate jet-lag - it is a killer and worse than any hang-over. After an 8.5 hour overnight flight to Helsinki, the gang is struggling to stay energized an keep moving today. We all know the desire to stop and rest - even for the briefest period of time. Day one - the number one goal is to adjust to the new time zone as quickly as possible. Trust me - it is easier than it sounds.





Lutheran Cathedral or Tuomiokirkko if you prefer. Finnish - what a language. Construction began in 1830 on this important monument in the Senate Square.








Uspenski Cathedral is dedicated to the repose of the Virgin Mary. It was built in 1868 to serve the growing Russian Orthodox community in Helsinki.

Location:Helsinki, Finland

Hotel GLO

Our home away from home in Helsinki is the Hotel GLO room 515. It is located on a pedestrian walkway and only 1 block away from the main Esplanade Park in the city center. We arrived to the city center via 615 bus from the airport which drops you off close the main train station and 3 blocks from the hotel.

Location:Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki Day One

We have arrived safely in Finland after an 8.5 hr AA flight from Chicago, Illinois. The flight from the USA wasn't bad but it was completely full (AA stock holders are cheering). We landed to overcast skies in Helsinki. Luckily the rain held off so we decided to take the 615 Bus for 4 Euro/each from the airport to the city center.

Helsinki is so quiet. It is spooky. We noticed it immediately after disembarking our plane at the airport. We are in town during Helsinki Festival and expected an rowdy experience like Montreal during Jazz Festival. Not so - this city is so quiet. It is a little unnerving.

At least noise interfere with my first night's sleep in a new town.

Location:Helsinki, Finland