Accommodations / Hotels in Finland
Helsinki has accommodations / hotels ranging from 5-star luxury to economy. Many of the international chains are represented here. The Hilton Helsinki, 18 minutes from the airport, is centrally located in the heart of the city. The Helsinki Airport Hotel Bonus Inn offers a sauna, Finnish and international dishes, and a sumptuous buffet breakfast. Finland has numerous Pensions and Youth Hostels throughout the country.
Attractions in Finland
Helsinki
Most of tourist sites are located in the center of the city. Starting at Senate Square you are beside the Senate Palace and Helsinki University. Nearby are the Helsinki Cathedral and the Ateneum Art Museum with its collection of fine art. The central railway station of the city is built in the style of Art Nouveau. Market Square features a huge outdoor market and the Fountain of Havis Amanda that is the symbol of Helsinki. The Esplanade is a lovely tree-lined avenue ideal for walking and shopping. Here you will find the Uspensky Cathedral and the Suomenlinna – a huge 18th century fortress. Going to the Mannerheim Street, you will encounter the National Museum, the National Opera House, and the Olympic Stadium built for the 1952 Olympics.
Skiing
Skiing and other winter sports are Finland’s favorite pastime. The country is sprinkled with ski resorts and lodges. For the novice, there are Ski Schools, some with instruction in English.
Fishing. The pure crystalline waters of Finland’s innumerable lakes and rivers, as well as the Baltic Sea, are home to a variety of game fish – pike, perch, trout, and bream being popular catches. In the winter months, ice fishing is a popular pastime. Hunting is permitted on private property with deer, elk, and birds being the most common game. All hunting must be in the company of a local guide and a shooting test is required beforehand.
Dining in Finland
Finnish cuisine is a curious mixture of Scandinavian – herring, salmon, reindeer – and Russian – cabbage, pork, and mutton. Wild game is a favorite in Finland with pheasant, reindeer, and rabbit commonly found on the menu. Desserts often are made from wild berries from Finland’s forests. In Helsinki, various restaurants have joined together to create a ‘Helsinki Menu’ that is based on typical Nordic ingredients. Alcoholic beverages are expensive in Finland, as in the other Scandinavian countries. In Helsinki, restaurants offer a variety of international fare.
