Helsinki MUST be boring, no-one has come to its defence!

Are you also going to Japan in the spring ? If so, I'll answer your other thread with cherry blossom pics and many others, too...and a ron of recomendations.(I lived there for two years long before you were born(1946-48).

We did not find Finland boring...perhaps we're polyannish, but we've never found any of our world-wide travels to 75+ countries boring..maybe one place more relaxng than another, but boring, no. Suggest you rent a car while in Finland to get a look at the scenic birch-tree-laden, lake-filled countryside (see pix).

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Finland#

Stu Tower

Yes, we are going to Japan All advice/pics gratefully received!

I hadn't thought about going much outside of Helsinki. Your Finnish pictures are cool - did you scan them? Your scanner must be good, I always get mine squint!

Thanks

I found enough to do in Helsinki for two or three days. If you like Art Nouveau you should definitely go, and if you start in Helsinki you'll get to take the ferry.

For my trip to the Baltic click on my name for my TR on Fodors, or start here: https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2011/09/04/helsinki-rain-and-shine/

Thanks Thursdaysd. I'm leaning towards going to Helsinki, but perhaps giving it less time than the other 3 cities.

mebanana..yes, I use a Dell 926 (printer/scanner) and I'm very pleased with the results..and the editing function on Google/Picasa is superb. Have a fun trip to wherever you're heading.
stu

I ADORE Helsinki! Every time I go to Finland I try to go there although I didn't succeed last year but intend to this year.
Why?
The cathedral glistening in the sunlight but majestic even if its cloudy,
The quayside and its food stalls with all sorts of offerings,
the huge ships ready to sail out to the baltics and Stockholm- and I mean huge,
The design shops which so grab the Finns,
Walking along the waterfront on the other side of the city,
Eating outside a restaurant in a country which is so much further north than mine ( where you can rarely do it!)
The food
The church in the rock
and so on.....

We have done that exact itinerary. Helsinki was OK for us.

It's an easy air or boat trip, Helsinki to Tallinn.

Travel between Tallinn, Riga and Vilnus was by bus.

Be sure to get your bus tickets a day or two early, especially if you want an early departure.

www.eurolines.com is a very good company.

For a bit of information on three of the cities, www.inyourpocket.com

Thanks iris1745 and Frances!

Think we will def go to Helsinki and make up our own minds We love interesting food for one thing, and some of the restaurants look amazing!

Not sure yet whether to bus or fly between Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius - flights are pretty cheap just now. Had a look at Eurolines but their schedule isn't out for July as yet.

Alas, my husband can only get a week this summer, not two - so back to the drawing board! Like this itinerary, though - will shelve it for another time. Thanks for your help!

Where to go for a week? Hmmmm....

I agree with the above posters, I would not miss Helsinki.
There is a lot to see and do, more so if you are well organized.

Many of the major sites are walkable from the Market Square, except the Rock Church and
even that is walkable,but not the Sebelius Monument.

Soumenlennia Island tour starts right by the Market Square.
Let us know if you are going to do Heksinki and we can help you with the sites you might want to see.