Finland

dfx-

I am heading off to Oulu in northern Finland via Helsinki on Sunday for a week. I hope to be able to cover some things to do or see there whilst I am there, so anyone any ideas - in Helsinki perhaps?

Proxy

I was a few days in Varkaus in the Lake District last year, beautiful scenic countryside. I was told by a colleague to go to Tampere actually, which is a few hours to/from Varkaus by Finlands excellent hi-speed Pendolino train services. Apparently theres a theme park or something in Tampere. Reading this i'm actually starting to consider going back, such a beautiful, clean, relaxing country. Let us know how you find it!

Link - http://wikitravel.org/en/Tampere

deman

When you say "via Helsinki", do you mean you'll be staying a number of days there?

Here's the forecast in Oulu for the next 5 days (pe=Friday, la=Saturday...etc and yö=night)



Nothing special I know.

In Helsinki, you could visit Linnanmäki if you've got time... and cash:)

I know sweet Fanny Adams about Oulu so can't help you there

dfx-

Well I hope to have a day either side in Helsinki - that could change but hopefully not.

Tampere sounds interesting and getting about by train too

deman

Tampere is OK. If you're looking for a cosmopolitan place then it would be either Helsinki or Turku.

Tampere has Särkänniemi, another funpark and small zoo. It's got telecom tower where you can eat overlooking the miles and miles of countryside and lakes. It's also where you would fly to, had you been using Ryanair. The football team is called Tampere United, called so because of its nickname "Manchester of the North" given because of its strong industrial history. The quality of football would be much the same as League of Ireland (maybe a little higher) so it's nothing special. You could go and watch a pesäpallo game (Finnish baseball). Trekking is also a popular hobby along with fishing.

If you can find a "mökki" (a summer cottage) to stay in for a night, take it. Spend the evening drinking strong spirits or flat beer, relax naked in the sauna, go for a swim naked in the lake/sea, drink some more, eat some sausages, drink some more, collapse into a drunken heap and wake up in the morning with a hangover and a million mosquito bites.

Saint_Mel

Was in Helsinki for a week a while back but it was with work so only got out and about in the evenings. Found it to be a boring enough spot. Lots of pubs but all empty. Cafe/coffee shops were packed in the evening though!

Got a boat over to Talinn on my day off so that was good to see. Its an hour and a half each way, cost about €30 for a day return.

dfx-

Didn't get any time in Helsinki afterall :mad:

Finnair is an excellent airline. First impressions important, they excelled - the late departure was Heathrow's fault and their service is the only way I caught my connecting flight at midnight.

Oulu is nice and relaxing if astonishingly quiet even for out-of-term time through morning, day, evening and night. I think a week was enough there, but it was very nice. Went to Island Hailuoto and camped out amongst the mosquitoes..very nice running through the forests and little hamlets. Took advantage of the abundant saunas too. Salmiakki or tareschnappsi (?) is an acquired taste...:eek:

I would never ever ever get to used to no darkness though. Bright for all 24 hours. Surreal when you come out after a night out at 2am to a bright blue sky, sunrise and it's bedtime:D

jesus_thats_gre

Bah, if I had of seen this thread earlier I could have helped you out. Have relations there.. Finland is off the chain though!

dfx-

In Oulu?

deman

Glad you enjoyed your stay. Next time you should visit a place with a population

dfx- wrote: »

Salmiakki or tareschnappsi (?) is an acquired taste...:eek:

It definitely is an acquired taste but it's nice when you're more used to it. It's like cough medicine really, with a kick

dfx- wrote: »

I would never ever ever get to used to no darkness though. Bright for all 24 hours. Surreal when you come out after a night out at 2am to a bright blue sky, sunrise and it's bedtime:D

Even as far south as here, we get about an hour or so of "sundown" at night but it doesn't get dark at this time of year. It's taken me a while to get used to it.... no, I tell a lie, and haven't got used to it. It's 11.03 right now and I don't feel like it's bedtime. And the cat wants to go outside at 4-5 every morning. Everything is all wrong!! :rolleyes:

Fabio

deman wrote: »

Tampere is OK. If you're looking for a cosmopolitan place then it would be either Helsinki or Turku.

Tampere has Särkänniemi, another funpark and small zoo. It's got telecom tower where you can eat overlooking the miles and miles of countryside and lakes. It's also where you would fly to, had you been using Ryanair. The football team is called Tampere United, called so because of its nickname "Manchester of the North" given because of its strong industrial history. The quality of football would be much the same as League of Ireland (maybe a little higher) so it's nothing special. You could go and watch a pesäpallo game (Finnish baseball). Trekking is also a popular hobby along with fishing.

If you can find a "mökki" (a summer cottage) to stay in for a night, take it. Spend the evening drinking strong spirits or flat beer, relax naked in the sauna, go for a swim naked in the lake/sea, drink some more, eat some sausages, drink some more, collapse into a drunken heap and wake up in the morning with a hangover and a million mosquito bites.

Hmmm we'll see about that when Cork City take on FC Haka next Thursday!!!

I'm travelling to the game, heading out from Dublin to Helsinki via Riga on Wednesday and coming home on Saturday with Aer Lingus.

Rather then me beginning a new thread can anyone here tell me of stuff to see and do around Helsinki and Tampere?

Is there any interesting museums or sights that must be seen or should I kick back and try blend in for the few days?