Helsinki - unique Nordic city

"Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, 
the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, 

and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books."  

(John Lubbock)

-view from Suomenlinna Island to Helsinki-
                                                             .

-31. of july, 23:00, it´s getting dark-
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After more than 2000 km from Ljubljana to Tallin with wonderful Chech Airlines 

and after arguing at the airport because of the lost lagguage, we went to Tallin´s port. 

There was lovely ship from Tallink Silja Line. 

 After 2 hours of sailing we saw first Finnish island and soon also the coast. 

 -one of the Finnish tiny cute little islands :)-

 -Finnish coast-

City map and directions of friendly locals have helped us to find our hostel.
And than....let see that unique Nordic city!
During the journey from port to hostel I was already amazed  
by the beauty of architecture.
And closer look of the city was even more impressive.

-Finnish National Opera-
                                

-Olimpic Stadium; summer olimpic games 1952-

 -view from olimpic belvedere-

-National Museum of Finland has very special door-keeper-

-Senat Square and the Cathedral-

-Railway Station-

-Parliament house-
.

- Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral-
.

-Finlandia; concert and congress centre-

 -University of Helsinki-

-Presidential Palace-

 

-Slovenian Embassy in Finland-

-that should be some important statue behind me... but I think it´s missing :)- 


 
-Helsinki at night-

 

What I liked the most is the blend of eastern and western cultures.
City has amazing architecture with huge buildings 
from grand empire-style architecture of St. Petersburg - architects C.L.Engel. 
But there are not only fascinating buildings that makes Helsinki such a amazing place. 
This city is harbour town and it is crisscrossed with naturally.
                                       

-small ships are part of pulic transport-
  

-Esplanadi Park-

 -Helsinki are full lot of incredibly orderly and clean parks-

-relaxing-

 

-lake of Helsinki; in the back you can see concert centre Finlandia- 

-planning new adventures; or me against the map :)-

After walking around the city you get bit hungry. 
And that is the right time to visit the market. 
Finnish cousine is just delicios! Specialy if you like salmon 
or other kind of fish and seafood. 
And of course berries: raspberries, blueberries, strawberries...
market is full of fruits, mushrooms and food of all kind.

 -finnish cuisine at market square-

Besides food market offers unique hats, scarves, gloves, socks, coats 
and other textiles for cold winter days. You can also find amazing wooden products, 
products made out of moose horns or bones.
   

 -Lapland girls :) -

-more than enough ideas what to bring your frieds; I´m wondering where creators got the idea for the outfit of third moose...I can not help myself to think of the Balkan :) anyway - nice sweatshirt :) :)- 

 -gift boxes for jewelry-

 -wooden souvenirs-


The city is full of history and culture. Besides the great sightseeings, parks 
and market is there also beautiful coastline of Helsinki. 
The capital of Finland surrounds Baltic Sea and makes it 
one of the nicest cities in Europe. 
Third day we take a ferry and went on a tour around the area. 
We stopped in Suomenlinna Sea Fortress Island.

-a ferry take us to Suomenlinna Island; Helsinki in the back-

 -houses in Suomenlinna Island-

 -Suomenlinna Island-

 

 -sun is God; sun is good-

-Suomenlinna island-

Suomenlinna has played a key role in many turning points in Finland’s history. It has been the property of three sovereign states. The majority of its buildings date from the late 18th century, the end of the Swedish era. From the early 19th century to the early 20th century, Suomenlinna – then known as Viapori – was part of Russia along with the rest of Finland. Russian-era Viapori was a lively garrison town. After Finland gained her independence, Suomenlinna became home to a coastal artillery regiment, a submarine base and the Valmet shipyard, where ships were built after the Second World War for Finland’s war reparations. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Finland’s most popular tourist attractions.

-Suomenlinna Island-


3. day: still without my losten luggage and my love for Czech Airlines 
is bigger and bigger every day... but staying in Helsinki is so good 
that not even that could affeck on my cheerful mood. 
After three days I left this wonderful city with lots of 
sweet memories and definitely determined I will come back!

  

-on the way back to Tallin-

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 -...what´s next destination?!-

Tanja V.