Nigel

Hi,<BR><BR>I'm off to Helsinki on business next week,<BR>what are the must see/must do things on a budget?<BR><BR>Nige.

Elina

You should go to see Temppeliaukio church (a church built inside a rock), Uspensky Cathedral and the Dome Church. You should stroll in the main market place (Kauppatori) before noon and watch the fishmongers and other people who sell their stuff there despite the below zero temperatures. If you are interested in art, visit Kiasma, the modern art museum, and Ateneum, the National Art museum. And if you come before 13th Jan, there is a great exhibition called Ultima Thule (lots of interesting things from the great northern expeditions) in the corner of Salomonkatu and Fredrikinkatu. If you are into clubbing, you´ll have plenty of good choices. Check www.inyourpocket.com and www.aktivist.fi<BR><BR>Lots and lots of clean white snow also in Helsinki!

Davidx

Tram 3T takes you past most of the main sites and you can get a guide on what to see from it at the tourist office.<BR> I am going to try to send you a folder of notes by e-mail as it will be quicker thaan repeating it all.

Patrick

Depends if you are a theatre buff, but we loved the tour of the opera house. Although the place looks like a giant refrigerator on the outside, it is absolutely beautiful on the inside. Their backstage tour is one of the most complete I've ever been on, seeing them actually working on scenery, making wigs, and even making their own ballet shoes there in a cobbler shop. Our real favorites other than those were all outside, but not sure about those in January!!!!! Bundle up.

Nigel

Thanks to all for your help.<BR><BR>Nige.

Nige

We'll it was great!<BR><BR>The architecture, the people, everything! Saw Jokerit play Ice hockey - and win, not quite sure of the rules but got the jist. Kiasma were showing ARS01, some intersting pieces on show. Dinner and clubbing at the convered theatre was good. Snowball fights while walking to the Sibalius monument and Temppeliaukio church were all well worth it too. Open air ice skating in the evening, with my travelling partner nearly breaking my wrist with a death grip.<BR><BR>My disappointments:- <BR>1) Stomp were playing the following week, and it's the second time i've just missed them.<BR>2) Well it's sale time or 'ale' in Finnish, the Body Shop had a wonderful sign in the window "ALE" and underneath "You know you want it". Well I just had to ask if they had a spare or two - nope *sniff* (<BR><BR>So, if work ask me if I want to go back and train some more, have a guess at my reply, even if it is -10c <BR><BR><BR>[an aside - i'd been in the Tate Modern UK on the Tuesday! and saw a Warhol exhibition in Warsaw the folling week. Three capitals and three lots of modern art - saw more than the last ten years in a week! Excellent!!]<BR><BR>~~ Nige ~~