Sights and Activities
Below are the places we saw and activities completed while visiting Finland:
Helsinki
Helsinki Baltic Herring Fair: we were fortunate to be in Helsinki during this fall festival. Traditionally this festival was the last time the locals were able to stock up on their pickled herring and rye bread before the winter. The fish and bread was a delicious introduction into the Finnish cuisine.
Suomenlinna Islands: we spend half-a-day on the islands, starting by taking a 15-minute ferry to the ‘Fortress of Finland’. The Swedes used this fortress to defend themselves from the Russians, but now it hosts museums and various fortifications. We enjoyed a stroll with beautiful views and a picnic in front of ocean.
Tuomiokirkko: this white Lutheran Cathedral sits in front of the main square.
Uspenskin Katedraali: this red-brick Orthodox Cathedral is topped with domes.
Kansallismuseo – National Museum: we visited Finland’s historical museum with displays on prehistory, medieval times, Sami history (natives), and cultural exhibits.
Kiasma Museum: this modern art museum boasts a curvaceous, metallic structure. The exhibits included a collection of Finnish and international art with our favorite being interactive strings hanging from the ceiling that one can walk through.
Rovaniemi
Santa Claus Village: we had the opportunity to visit Santa and his reindeer in the Arctic Circle. This is his ‘official’ home with his very own post office that receives an estimated 750,000 letters from children each year. We were able to take a picture with him, but unfortunately the picture was out of our budget…
Arktikum Museum: with its beautifully designed glass tunnel, this museum exhibits information on the Sami culture and the Arctic itself. We enjoyed interactive displays on the Arctic flora and fauna, as well as the deteriorating effects of global warming.
Wilderness Hike: we had a wonderful opportunity to go out on a hike in a Rovaniemi forest. We tried wild berries, barbequed homemade sausages, and cooked cinnamon rolls on a stick while enjoying great views and experiencing the first snow storm of the season. Our Northern Finnish experience did not end there, we were fortunate to warm ourselves up in a private sauna and roll around in the snow to keep cool!!!
