Comments on: Finland – country where I’d like to be… but won’t

By: Virpi

Virpi — Thu, 17 Apr 2003 10:19:33 +0000

If flying is an option: With last minute or stand-by you can get a ticket from Helsinki to Central Europe for about 150-200 eur.
Finnair sells last minute tickets only on their finnish webpage, which is updated every tuesday, if I remember correctly.
For “quick getaways” go to http://www.finnair.fi and choose “äkkilähdöt” from the menu. In the actual page there is an english version also.

The destinations change every week, but usually there is something like: Berlin, Praque, Copenhagen, Brussels, Frankfurt etc.

But anyway, if you do end up in Finland, you are not going to have any hurry to get away, I am sure

By: Ant

Ant — Tue, 15 Apr 2003 19:18:43 +0000

Virpi, thanks for giving me much to think about. Cutting out Finland and/or Helsinki is definitely something I don’t want to do, and maybe there’s still a way to fit that in.

Your suggestions really help though – that ferry ride alone might make things worthwhile.

Only trouble is getting from Finland back to the mainland. Since the trip is focusing on BritRail and Eurail countries, we have to nix out Russia and the Baltic states for this trip (maybe next year? – gads I hope so, because I’d love to see those countries and tell people more about them.)

Maybe Finland’s not off the list…

By: Virpi

Virpi — Tue, 15 Apr 2003 11:06:53 +0000

“Stockholm to Helsinki alone is 17 hours—that’s a lot of travel time, for just one city that is a little out of the way”

Ant,I quess you have made your decision, but I just have to let you know what you are missing, for future travel at least:
Most of that 17 hours travel time this hotel ferry is going trough one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the world. And in these huge ferries it is possible to wine, dine and relax like in any good hotel.

Even better (and cheaper) option is to take a ferry from Stockholm to Aland islands (Mariehamn), stay there a day or two and continue island hopping with tiny ferries/bus to Finland, Turku. This way you see the breathtaking island nature at its best and get in touch with the locals too. These islands and the lake districts are really the best southern Finland has to offer.

Helsinki, out of the way?!! No, no it is right on the way, if you travel to Europe mainland through St. Petersburg or Estonia. (for example with bus: Tallinn-Varzaw or Russian train Helsinki-St. Petersburg) This is far more interesting than taking a ferry from Helsinki to Germany (they are boring). This by-land route is ideal for budget traveler also and there are numerous interesting towns en route.
Hopefully you can come to Finland and Baltics some day and see for yourself, what I am talking about.