Helsinki - Finland Travel Guide, Tourism, Vacation

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• published: 07 Nov 2013
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World Travel https://www.youtube.com/user/World1Tube Helsinki - Finland Travel Guide, Tourism http://bit.ly/191GdBc Helsinki - Finland Travel Guide, Tourism, Vacation Helsinki may be small but it packs a big punch and is one of the more accessible European capitals. A cosmopolitan vibe pervades the city, museums and theatres abound, the tidy streets are packed with bars, restaurants and cafés, and nothing is more than a short tram ride away from the centre. Helsinki has a character that perfectly reflects its geographical location, on the historical fault-line between the Swedish and Russian empires. Although the Finnish capital is unmistakably Scandinavian, the architecture and the psyche of its inhabitants show the clear influence of mother Russia. Another intrinsic part of the city's personality is the sea and all that comes with it; Helsinki boasts 315 islands and almost a 100km (60 miles) of coastline, at its most beautiful in the summer. There are a plethora of maritime attractions from Suomenlinna sea fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to cruises enabling visitors to explore the best of the archipelago, to Pihlajasaari and Uunisaari islands for gorgeous beaches. Its proximity to the ocean means Helsinki's seafood restaurants are bountiful -- try perch, whitefish, pikeperch and salmon served with new potatoes in summertime, while the legendary crayfish season starts in August. In fact, when it comes to dining out, Helsinki has upped its game. "New Nordic Cuisine" (experimental, innovative cooking) has been adopted by numerous small, trendy restaurants and up and coming chefs, while a wave of popup restaurants has increased the diverse flavour of the city's dining scene. All things foodie are celebrated during Restaurant Day, now held four times a year, while the new Abbatoir encapsulates the city's dynamic food culture by showcasing cutting edge restaurants and food-related events. Visit Market Square and Esplanade Park for street food, the Hietalahti Market Hall flea market held every Sunday and sip coffee at one of the city's ubiquitous open air cafes. In the summer, enjoy at picnic at Winter Garden, stroll along Ruoholahti canal, spend the day brushing up on your strokes at Kumpula Outdoor Swimming Pool or partake in that quintessential Finnish experience; the sauna. Kotiharju sauna the oldest public wood sauna in the city, dates back 70 years where the tradition of completing your visit with a lashing from a birch twig still thrives. If you need advice whilst exploring the city, look out for the Helsinki Helpers, easily identifiable by their green vests, who patrol the inner city and cruise harbours from June until the end of August. For outdoor lovers, there are plenty other activities: in summer, try fishing, cycling, golfing or head for the new Finnish Nature Centre in nearby Nuuksio National Park. Built entirely of wood and resembling a bird, the environmentally-friendly building opened in 2013 and showcases the best of nature using sounds, lights and scents. The centre is also the gateway to some fabulous hiking trails. In winter, enjoy ice skating, skiing and snowboarding. In the city itself, there are also 180km of groomed crosscountry skiing trails, with the best are located in Central Park (Keskuspuisto), proving that Helsinki is a year round destination. ==================================== Helsinki Videos, Helsinki Restaurants, Helsinki Introduction, Helsinki Transport, Helsinki Tours, Helsinki Attractions, Helsinki Shopping, Helsinki Museums, Helsinki, Helsinki tourism, Helsinki vacation, Helsinki travel guide, Finland travel guide, Finland vacation, Finland tourism, Europe, Finland, Helsinki Nightlife == Helsinki - Finland Travel Guide, tourism, Vacation, Attractions