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Trip Start Dec 23, 2012

Trip End Jan 23, 2013

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Where I stayed

Scandic Simonkentta Helsinki

Flag of Finland Helsinki, Southern Finland, Finland
Monday, December 24, 2012

Finally arrived in beautiful white Helsinki. Flew with Finnair, excellent airline with new aeroplane, very swish, & service brilliant. Arrived at 3.30pm to -10�c & heavy snowfall. Very cool in both meanings of the word. Took the easy option of a taxi to my hotel. Ultra modern & welcoming. Had a quick walk around but most places closed for Christmas eve. 4.30am & still awake watching snow falling outside. Still feels very surreal like I'm not really here! Merry Christmas to all!

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Comments

Cristina on

Pretty cool Christmas here too, considering your day of departure temp.
We all had a good day here, dad tucked into a pretty good serve of Christmas dinner, entree & main and after present opening he said he was hungry for dessert! Ate that too!
Evelina loved the reindeer 'jelly bean' poo. . . while mum (misa) wasn't watching, she had at least 6 jelly beans! (And one of Lil's xmas chocy cup cakes!) Then she went out the front garden and ran around in her red tu tu dress like a jumping bean, what a dag!
Heavy snowfall in 'Helsinki' looks beautiful, glad you've got a good coat!
tanti baci
ciao Cristina xxx

sonia72 on

Hope you took a photo of Evelina in her tutu & I hope you all tried a nip of vodka. Called mum in the evening, touched base & she hopefully could hear I'm fine ;)

Cinzia on

Garry took heaps of pics - will send some of our faves
eg: Nonno in funny hat with all his girls

Keep warm

tanti baci

ciao Cinzia

ps: Did you have Roast Turkey for your Chrissie dinner?
or were you brave and tried some of the exotic local cuisine eg: herrings . . . . .

Cinzia on

Oh hey!

Forgot to mention before you flew off into the big blue yonder
. . . if you hadn't bought me a birthday prezzie yet - I would love something from Finland (not a jar of pickled herrings) they are renowned for their modern design, jewellery etc.

I was reading up on shopping in Helsinki - refer to attached link
http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en/see-and-experience/shopping-in-helsinki

Reading that they have the largest Department store in Europe
'Stockmann's' - even if you don't buy anything - apparently it is worth the visit just to experience the lovely old building.

and there are also Flea markets e.g Heitalahti

ciao ciao Cinzia

sonia72 on

No Roast Turkey but a lovely dinner all the same, most places closed Xmas day so had it at the hotel restaurant, but as it's a 4 star hotel the meal was really nice. As a treat they gave everyone an appetiser of Roe Mousse & I was very brave & polite eating the whole thing.

Yes, Helsinki & Finland are renowned for modern design. it's evident everywhere. They have a museum/gallery all about it. Shops have been closed since I've been here but I'll check some out. Bear in mind though it's a very expensive country & you pay for design. I saw a necklace I liked & it was only 5000 euro

Cinzia on

Okay - so - a linen tea towel it is then? . . . made in China (not)