Helsinki, Finland

Over the weekend we went to see the Buffalo Sabres play the Anaheim Ducks at Hartwall Arena. Buffalo won which is a good thing because had they not Mike would not have been a happy person.

To be honest there isn't a lot to tell you about Helsinki...

We stayed in room 609 at Hotel Glo located right in the heart of the tiny city... our room had a horrible view, but a very comfortable bed...

I spotted this around the corner from our hotel

As for shopping they have everything that every other city has (boring)... the boutiques were ok, but few and far between... 

They love reindeer in Helsinki

one of the 2 popular cathedrals in Helsinki

As for touristy stuff... 2 popular cathedrals, Museum of Modern Art, Town Hall Market, Market Square and a ferry over to this cool island and that's about it... It's a pretty sleepy little place...  I'm pretty sure their big thing is the Christmas Market every year...

Helsinki waterfront area by the market square

We took the 20 minute ferry over to Suomenlinna, this was our favorite part of Helsinki.  The journey there was quite pretty.  We strolled around and saw one pretty autumn looking thing after another.  We ended our island visit at a great placed called "Panimo Brewery" not only is it a brewery, but their food was delicious!  If I lived there I would be making the ferry ride at least once a week just to eat there.  This island use to be a "sea fortress" during the war, but now it's a cozy home to 900 residents.

Here are some pictures of the island visit:

Panimo Brewery & Restaurant on Suomenlinna

Panimo Brewery & Restaurant on Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna

Rainbow spotting while visiting Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna

Do I recommend Helsinki? No, not really.  I mean, its not a bad place, but as a tourist there just isn't a lot to see or do...  it's not worth spending the money to get there that's all...

Taxi's in Helsinki: Expensive.  Take a pre-booked flat rate taxi to and from the airport, it's a lot cheaper.

Helsinki uses the Euro and their tax is something like 23% (ouch!)  Pretty much everything in Helsinki is expensive. For lunch 2 small sandwiches and 2 small waters cost 18 euros at a coffee shop.  Our lunch at the Panimo Brewery cost something like 75 or 80 euro... not your everyday budget for just lunch...