anybody been to finland

mocar · 31-05-2002 8:01pm #1

just won flights to helsinki . Has anybody been there when is a good time to go etc.,
Thanks in anticipation.

LOUGHLIN · 02-06-2002 4:15pm

When will you be going? At this time of year it is really lovely. FInland is flat and has one lake and lots of islands on the lake (although us foreigners say that there are lots of lakes). Try to make sure you get to Poorvoo (that is not exactly how is it spelt) which is an hours drive from Helsinki - it is a village where the houses are made in wood - I think that it is the oldest village of that kind in Finland. As far as security is concerned the Finns obey the law and it is a great feeling to be able to walk the streets in peace without anyone hassling you etc. Finns do not bargin so do not try and get anything for cheaper than the price shown. They are hard working but stick to normal working hours (without waisting time on coffees or phone time etc) and they leave early 4pm or so. If you go mid June that is a big feast time in Northern Europe (midsummerfeast) because of the long long days and the short short nights. If you are in Helsinki you coudl take the night boat to Stockholm and spend a day in Stockholm and then take the night boat back again. You can also take the boat to Tallin in Estonia which takes 1h25m. The old town in Tallin is lovely and really worth visiting. It is very expensive for the Estonians but really cheap for us. THere is even an Irish pub there.
You luckey thing - I am sure you will really enjoy yourself -
If you need any further informatoin just ask

mocar · 02-06-2002 7:58pm

thanks very much loughlin. I thought nobody had been there. Do you know what it is like in the winter. I dont know when we will be going but I dont think it will be soon as money is short

isnt it always at the moment.
thanks again.
mo

LOUGHLIN · 03-06-2002 7:55am

If I was you I would not go during the winter as it is cold no (bad word) freezing and dark very dark night falls as soon as the sun has said hello during the winter but in summer you have nearly 24hrs of sun - if your tickets are free I would strongly advise you to go during June or July, I am sure that you will be able to get a cheapish hotel if you want i can ask my colleagues for you, just let me know the boat to Tallin is not expensive so it is worth it to go and when you go from Helsinki you do not need a visa a one day trip is ample there and just go to the old town which is five minutes walk from the harbour - anyway if you need any further information just ask

mocar · 03-06-2002 5:38pm

you are a little chicken loughlin. if i can think of any more questions i will post. and yes the tickets are free.
mo

LOUGHLIN · 04-06-2002 6:35am

Don't konw what you mean by little chicken - but anyway enjoy your trip to Finland.

mocar · 04-06-2002 8:16pm

it just means that you are very good to help me. A habit i have in calling everybody that, that are nice to me.
mo

NeRb666 · 06-06-2002 8:31pm

I was there last October, it really is a beautiful city and the people are so nice. I went there from Stockholm, on the Viking Line Ferry. I'd recommend you take a trip there if you have the time. The Stockholm Archipeligo (sp?) is an amazing sight. The ferry trip takes about 14 hours, but it's well worth it. The other company is Silja Lines, but they are rather boring, or so I'm told. Viking Line is basically a party boat, plus it has duty free on board. Also, Talinn is a beautiful city too. Take the ferry there (2 hours) or even a helicopter (20 minutes), I think that costs around €200 each.

Anyways back to Helsinki. I stayed in the Radisson Hesperia, about 20 minutes walk from city center, great hotel, we also got a special deal, 5 nights for the price of 4, that could be worth checking out (dunno the URL for it...). The restaurants there are also really good, and as a vegetarian it can be a nightmare. Pubs & Clubs are also good fun, the Finns sure do know how to drink!
Beer is slightly more expensive than here, everything else is around the same. Take a bus tour of the city, and also a boat tour around the harbour.

The airport is about 30 minutes from city by bus, FinnAir run buses every 20 minutes, it's cheap too. That's all I can remember at the moment.

NeRb666 · 06-06-2002 8:38pm

Originally posted by mocar
thanks very much loughlin. I thought nobody had been there. Do you know what it is like in the winter. I dont know when we will be going but I dont think it will be soon as money is short isnt it always at the moment.
thanks again.
mo

The temperature goes down as far as -25c in winter, the harbour freezes over, and it's possible to drive on the ice to the islands. The summer max. is about 20c.

Check out the ice-breakers in my pic!

NeRb666 · 06-06-2002 8:40pm

what the hell, here's more pics!

This is the cathedral thing....

apiou · 07-06-2002 8:37am

Heh, max is not 20 it is 24 there today, no it goes up to the 30s continental climate b freezing winters and roasting summers. I stayed at the Kampe hotel expensive but also you can get some great deals
You can also go on an ice breaker trip with the ice breakers in the winter time (you pay but also you work on board)
I took the Selia lines and it was brilliant - casino, duty free, dancing, good food,

mocar · 07-06-2002 5:35pm

Thanks very much apiou. loved the photos NeRb666.
I think that it will be late in the year when I go. Are hotels very expensive over there? Somebody told me they were. I vodka cheap though yumm yumm

All information gratefully accepted.
mo

peterd · 12-06-2002 7:18pm

Been there twice, last summer and for the millennium. Really nice place. I have some friends over there that I stayed with, and their English was pretty good (English being one of the 5/6 languages they could speak!). Just thought I'd let ya know that someone else has ventured too

mocar · 13-06-2002 5:20pm

thanks for all the information. just booked it for november. better pack the thermal undies... Ill just have to drink loads of Vodka to keep warm....

mo

Dustaz · 13-06-2002 5:33pm

just saw this thread now, Finland is great. The people are literally the strangest people ive ever met, Drinking is a national sport and they take it very seriously and they will drink any irish person under the table. If your male and single, your gonna have a blast. In my experience roles are reversed in finland, eg, if you go to a club, its very likely that a finnish girl will chat you up as opposed to vice versa. this is hard to get used to, but hey, whos complaining

Its bloody, bloody bloody cold in winter. I was there in mid march, so i assume thats about the same as november. If it is expect temps of -20, more with windchill (you will become a bloody expert on windchill by the time you get back

).
Its nowhere near as expensive as Sweden or Denmark and the people are a lot different too. Have fun.

mocar · 13-06-2002 9:29pm

o lovely. really looking forward to freezing my bits of. Im female so does that mean i have to chat up the men??? My other half wont be too impressed

thanks again.
mo

LOUGHLIN · 17-09-2002 7:36am

Mocar, got your message.

Sorry I can not help you on cheap hotels. It would be best to pass by the Finnish Tourist Board. I would advise you though to stay in the centre of Helsinki (even if is may be a bit more expensive). I have only gone for work and have had the pleasure to stay in the Kempe which is the best hotel in Finland (I really appreicated it).
You never said what your budget is for your hotel. November is off season so do not hesitate in rining the good hotels (even the Kempe) and ask if they have any specials for the dates that you are going. I always do that before I go away and often find myself in great hotels (5 star in London for £70 - a suite in a 5 star in Bruxelles for £60 etc etc)

Other than that now that we know that you a re a woman I can say that Helsinki is one of the safest places in the world for a woman. Woman in Finland are equal to men (not like South of Europe) and have equal opportunities. The Finnish are respectful people (not as giddy as the Irish - but then who is). And they respect laws, driving, speed (the fines for speeding are in accordance to your pay pack), waiting at traffic lights etc.

I hope you like eating because they have meats and fish that we can not get in Ireland.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

mocar · 17-09-2002 11:56am

Thanks very much loughlin.

I will do as you ask.

I am glad that it is safe as I was in Paris recently and some parts I didnt feel safe at all.
Thanks for all your help
mo

LOUGHLIN · 17-09-2002 12:39pm

I agree. I have been living in Paris for (.....) years. I know what you mean

Kix · 17-09-2002 12:53pm

Just to add my voice to the crowd - I've been three times. Once in july, once in september and last time in feburary.

While it's beautiful in summer, I really enjoyed being there in winter. We Irish aren't that sensitive to the cold and you can rap up pretty warm. It's nice to see such a snowy, icy landscape - we don't get that much in Ireland - especially Galway.

The Finns are fine people and they have a natural affinity with the Irish. Most young people speak english or are more than willing to have a go.

Enjoy yourself, I know I did!

K

mocar · 17-09-2002 5:18pm

Thanks very much. It must be an amazing place I have heard such great reports. Thanks K I am glad someone thinks its ok to go in winter....
Ill wrap up real warm...
mo

anybody been to finland

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