Helsinki & Espoo July 2016
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Strolling from Hakaniemi to Helsinki’s Market Square
Part One: We planned a walk from Hakaniemi to the Helsinki’s Kauppatori (market square). Getting there was easy as we took the metro from Kamppi but you could also hop on one of the trams. Located in the square is the Market Hall (feature photo above) which opened in 1914. On the ground floor you…
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An evening in Haukilahti, Espoo
Part Two: Haukilahti is a small coastal town located in Espoo, west of Helsinki. It has an attractive marina, yacht club and some inviting cafe/bars. It’s not very far from where I’m staying and I came here this evening with Suvi from Destination: Everywhere, a Finnish blogger who I’ve been in contact with through my posts…
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Picturesque Porvoo, Finland
Waking up to bright sunshine dazzling our eyes, we realised it was going to be a lovely day for a trip along the coast to the old town of Porvoo. We had booked tickets on Onnibus who offer inexpensive fares on their comfortable coaches which depart from Kamppi. It only takes 45 minutes to get there and…
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Seurasaari Island, Helsinki
Seurasaari is a small island a short distance from Helsinki which is approached by an ornate wooden footbridge. Getting there by public transport is quite easy, bus No.24 leaves from Eira and we boarded the bus from outside the Sokos Department Store on Mannerheimintie near Kamppi. The bus takes around 30 minutes but it’s also…
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From Löyly along the waterfront to Eira, Helsinki
We started the day in Hernesaari, an up and coming district of south west Helsinki, formerly docklands and now home to a cruise harbour and some high end apartments. We were here to visit Löyly a new, upscale public sauna, bar and restaurant (see feature photo above). It’s designed to give the appearance of a…
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A Stroll from Sibelius Park to Hietaniemi Beach, Helsinki
Another of our favourite Helsinki seaside walks is from the Sibelius Monument. Getting there by public transport is easy, we took the No.24 bus from outside the Sokos department store near Kamppi and rang the bell to alight as soon as we saw the Sibelius Monument on the left. Sibelius Park is in the Töölö…
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Senate Square, Helsinki
I’d heard that a military parade was taking place in Senate Square so we decided to go along and see what was happening. Arriving at the cathedral, people were already starting to gather on its steps. Over the years we’ve attended various different types of events here, and the stone steps provide an excellent viewing…
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Farewell Finland
I shouldn’t be sad that we had to leave southern Finland and return home today, not many people are so fortunate as me to be able to go away for an entire month. I did have a heavy heart though as we gathered our belongings together before taking one last forest walk in the warm…