I
have been to Finland about ten years ago and loved it. So when I realize that
the plane to get to Latvia and Lithuania stopped in Helsinki, I decided it was
the perfect opportunity to return.
I
have to admit it is not an impressively beautiful like many other European
cities, but I don’t know, I think it has a special something, being small, next
to the sea, with its two cathedrals, the market, the design district… It is
really worth visiting.
The
design district is full of quirky hair dressers, creative coffee places and
cool design stores like Granit.
The
market offers more of a traditional approach combined as well with some modern
Scandinavian design and of course proper finnish food such as reindeer burger. It
is located on a square, right next to the pier, overlooked by Helsinki’s two
cathedrals. You have to try the berries… all the berries… so many varieties… it
is berry paradise (of course this is only true if, like me, you love berries)
The
island right in front of Helsinki is called Suomelina, it offers a very nice
place for a summer stroll and picnic plus the most frustrating -even funny-
story about the unconquerable fortress…
but I don’t want to spoil it for you.
Besides
the two stunning cathedrals that dominate the skyline, a must visit place is
Temppeliaukio, or the Rock Church, literally built, or carved, into a huge
rock. The city museum is worth a visit, it has a diverse exhibition, far from
the stereotypical old history kind that most people think museums have.
I
stayed at the Fabian hotel, and I absolutely recommend it. Small boutique like
hotel with lovely staff and very well situated. Two Michelin starred
restaurants hosted my nights: Postr3s and Olo… I would choose Olo if I had to
pick. Set in a very relaxed atmosphere, creative dishes using local ingredients
come to your table for a three-hour culinary trip.
Top
it up with a coffee brewed in a very strange/unique lab-like instrument. Don’t
let the fancy food distract you from the local bakeries that offer absolute
perfect bread in a wide variety of presentations
