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 All you need to know about Helsinki |
19 Pohjoisesplanadi Helsinki, Southern Finland 00100 Finland +358 (0)9 169 3757 http://www.hel2.fi/Tourism/EN/... tourist.info@hel.fi |
Helsinki is more than a city in the land of the midnight sun. There are things to do in this vibrant metropolis no matter what the season, no matter the amount of sunshine or moonlight. The Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau can provide you with information on activities ranging from Christmas fairs to ski team viewings. For information on upcoming events, visit their website. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Sibelius' Home and Aalto's Architecture |
Esplanade Park, Fabianinkatu Helsinki Finland +358 9 2288 1600 http://www.helsinkiexpert.fi sightseeing@helsinkiexpert.fi |
This half-day trip is perfect for people interested in culture. It visits two important places connected to Finnish art: Hvitträsk and Ainola. Hvitträsk used to be the studio of the famed trio of architects Saarinen-Gesellius-Lindgren. The most renowned member of this trio, Eliel Saarinen, also used to live at the beautiful house, located by a lake. This tour lasts four hours and is arranged every summer from June-September. It starts in front of the City Tourist Office, and have commentary in Finnish, Swedish and English. Tickets can be purchased in Esplanadi park, close to the Tourist Office. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Gary Korhonen  |
 Photo: Pavel Curtis |
 Photo: Pavel Curtis |
 Photo: nyomee wallen |
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Nature in its full glory |
7 B Lönnrotinkatu (Helsinki Expert) Helsinki 00120 Finland +358 9 2288 1222 http://www.helsinkiexpert.fi guidebooking@helsinkiexpert.fi |
Even the name says it all: this is the dream tour for a nature-lover. The half-day trip covers one of Finland's most important protected sites, Nuuksio National Park. Cisitors can become acquainted with southern Finnish nature at its best: crystal-clear lakes and ponds and mighty forests. The tour, led by an expert guide, is an introduction to the stunning beauty of Finnish nature, and to the special features to Nuuksio. Among other things, this is the main place in Northern Europe where flying squirrels nest. The trip includes a one-kilometre walk through the woodsand lasts four hours and starts in front of the City Tourist Office. Tickets can be purchased in Esplanadi park, close to the Tourist Office. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Sameli |
 Photo: Timo Tervo |
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Guided tour of the old city of Porvoo |
7 B Lönnrotinkatu (Helsinki Expert) Helsinki 00120 Finland +358 9 2288 1600 http://www.helsinkiexpert.fi sightseeing@helsinkiexpert.fi |
This half-day tour of the old town of Porvoo will take you back to a more idyllic world in which small wooden houses, little shops and craftsmen's workshops were a part of everyday life. Although destroyed by fire in 1760, Porvoo still has a medieval design reminiscent of many Central European towns. It used to be popular among artists—its citizens have included painter Albert Edelfelt, sculptor Ville Vallgren, national poet J.L. Runeberg and his son, sculptor Walter Runeberg. This tour covers, among other places the Medieval church and the Town Hall. Visitors would be wise to also visit the Porvoo bridge with its views of the city. The tours start in front of the Helsinki City Tourist Office, and have commentary in Finnish, Swedish and English. Tickets can be purchased in Esplanadi park, close to the Tourist Office. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Catuxa Seoane |
 Photo: Sergio Calleja (aka SuperKeko) |
 Photo: Jaime Rubio |
 Photo: Kent Charles |
 Photo: Daniel Lombraña González |
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The renowned garden city |
1-3 Kimmeltie Helsinki 02110 Finland |
The Tapiola garden city is an internationally renowned pearl of urban design, where buildings, people and nature all work together; where walking and cycling are encouraged. Tapiola was born after the war, as the desire to develop the areas around Helsinki grew. It was based on the garden city ideology of Ebeneser Howard. Tapiola consists of three areas with a pedestrian centre. Several architects were involved in the design, each building a harmonious unit. Variety was all-important; there had to be a combination of tall and low buildings. The buildings had to fit in well with the surrounding nature, and the great Otsolahti bay was to be kept undisturbed. Aarne Ervi was given the job of designing the famous centre with its tower, busy shopping district, pond, hotel, swimming baths, Cultural Centre and church. Tapiola was commended in the US in 1967 as one of the best cityscapes in the world. The garden city is now an important commercial and cultural centre; for instance the Tapiola Choir, Espoo Big Band, Espoo City Theatre and Tapiola Sinfonietta are greatly renowned. Tapiola is also home to the popular April Jazz festival and Espoo Ciné International Film Festival. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Tero Lakkala |
 Photo: Tero Lakkala |
 Photo: marco_pozzo |
 Photo: Kosti Kannas |
 Photo: Oliver Weidlich |
 Photo: Emil Lupu |
 Photo: Arja Kirvesoja |
 Photo: Chittagong |
 Photo: Jonttu Leskinen |
