Bob spent a day exploring Helsinki, first from aboard a Hop
On Hop Off bus, then on foot. He encountered the Helsinki Train Station, Senate
Square, HOHO, a traditional spa, the Champs Elysee of Helsinki, the waterfront,
a cathedral built by Russia, and more.
He found lunch in a fascinating waterfront market with an
amazing array of uniquely Scandinavian offerings (reindeer meat, anyone?),
wandered around a port taking in the glorious wooden sailing ships, sauna/swim pools where
people dip into the ice-cold water, the Sky Wheel, the Love
Locks bridges, and more!
Fresh off COVID quarantine, Lisa tucked Bob (who just tested
positive himself) into a hotel bed in Helsinki and went out and about exploring
the city on foot. Still congested but no longer contagious, she stayed mostly outdoors
and away from people as she walked through the streets, discovering a famous
library, striking sculptures, a distinctive church, and the Helsinki Opera
House.
Helsinki is made up of lakes, islands and the Baltic Sea.
Its outdoor-oriented culture meant she had to watch out for many runners, bike
riders and people on scooters.
Over the course of a day, she strolled across the soccer
field at Helsinki Olympic Stadium, then visited the Sibelius Monument, a welded
steel tribute to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius resembles organ pipes, which is
one of Helsinki's most well-known tourist attractions. She enjoyed a cinnamon
roll at the famous Café Regatta, a traditional red cottage cafe that has
brought a part of Finnish countryside to the middle of Helsinki. Its cafe is
famous for fresh cinnamon buns, blueberry pie and other delicacies.
And she visited the unusual Rock Church, or Temppeliaukio
Church, an Evangelical Lutheran Church built into a rock. An organist was
preparing for a concert and the organ music was mesmerizing.
Enjoy more photos on the Messy Suitcase website! And watch
for Bob’s tour of Helsinki next.
Bob managed to grab a spot on a Royal Line Sightseeing boat
tour of Helsinki on the very last day of its tourist season. The sky was clear
blue, and the crisp early-fall weather was perfect for spending an hour and a
half on the Baltic Sea Harbor of this European capital.
With a sun deck above, a bar/restaurant below, and harbor
maps laminated to the tables, the boat cruise was an excellent way to get a
feel for the city of Helsinki from the viewpoint of its harbor. Highlights
included the fortresses that once guarded Helsinki, a church with a lighthouse
on top, the Helsinki Zoo, and the jetty where families come to wash their rugs.
Seriously!
The tour cost 26 euros, 22 euros for 65 and up, with larger
discounts for children and babies. Audio tours were available in a variety of
languages.
Here is how Royal Line describes the tour:
During the 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise, the main historical
sights of Helsinki are visited. The large sun decks of sightseeing ships
offer the best views of the city from the sea. Behind the memorable
cruise, you will hear interesting stories about the history of Finland,
wonderful landscapes from the ship's sun deck and the ships' professional crew.
The cruises start from the famous Kauppatori, and along the way you will
admire, among other things, the beautiful Merisatama, Eira, Kaivopuisto,
Kruununhaa beach and the wonderful UNESCO World Heritage Site Suomenlinna in
its entirety.
During the cruise, you can enjoy the most amazing island scenery on the outer
deck of the ship and the atmosphere of the summer terrace with the best sea
view. All ships have a café-bar that serves snacks and refreshing
refreshments.
