October trip to St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Helsinki?
Sep 4th, 2015, 08:12 PM
#1
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October trip to St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Helsinki?
Hello All,
I am trying to figure out a last minute solo vacation and came across St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Helsinki.
Can anyone tell me if the first half of October is a good time to travel to these places?
I am into photography, so my time will be spent taking pictures. Are these three locations easy to get around by walking and/or public transportation?
How many days would you suggest in each location?
Thank you!!
I am trying to figure out a last minute solo vacation and came across St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Helsinki.
Can anyone tell me if the first half of October is a good time to travel to these places?
I am into photography, so my time will be spent taking pictures. Are these three locations easy to get around by walking and/or public transportation?
How many days would you suggest in each location?
Thank you!!
Sep 4th, 2015, 11:47 PM
#2
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I haven't been to Tallinn yet, but found it very easy to visit St. Petersrbug and Helsinki on my own on foot or by public transportation.
I gave St. Petersburg about 5 full days and wish I'd given it more. I gave Helsinki just 2 days and wish I'd given it more. But people differ so much in their interests that I really don't think you can make plans for yourself based on that input. I recommend that you get some good guidebooks (always a good investment, IME, or spend some time with a few in your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Then pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from your lodging, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). And then see how things fit together.
For climate info (including sunrise, sunset, temperatures, etc.), see
http://www.timeanddate.com
I gave St. Petersburg about 5 full days and wish I'd given it more. I gave Helsinki just 2 days and wish I'd given it more. But people differ so much in their interests that I really don't think you can make plans for yourself based on that input. I recommend that you get some good guidebooks (always a good investment, IME, or spend some time with a few in your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Then pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from your lodging, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). And then see how things fit together.
For climate info (including sunrise, sunset, temperatures, etc.), see
http://www.timeanddate.com
Sep 5th, 2015, 09:02 AM
#3
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You should have a look at the weather - this can easily be the start of winter in thee places.
I was in St Pet the 2nd week of September and the first couple of days were not bad but the 3rd day it turned cold. Highs were in the 40s and I ended up wearing every layer I had - and with the winds off the gulf it was just freezing. The locals turned up wearing their winter coats and boots and apparently were settled in for the winter.
Cities should be OK for walking with proper clothing and photos of city scapes should be fine - but don;t expect flowers, leaves and pretty countryside.
I was in St Pet the 2nd week of September and the first couple of days were not bad but the 3rd day it turned cold. Highs were in the 40s and I ended up wearing every layer I had - and with the winds off the gulf it was just freezing. The locals turned up wearing their winter coats and boots and apparently were settled in for the winter.
Cities should be OK for walking with proper clothing and photos of city scapes should be fine - but don;t expect flowers, leaves and pretty countryside.
Sep 5th, 2015, 10:40 AM
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We spent five days in Helsinki in July and enjoyed it very much. We're interested in city planning and design so there was plenty to keep us occupied but many would prefer a shorter stay. The public transport was fabulous. They have a wonderful tram system and you can buy a day pass which was very reasonable.
Helsinki is a relatively moderns city and isn't obviously "charming" but there are lots of interesting Art Nouveau buildings though they are in the Jungend style which is very restrained and quite masculine, not the curvy French/Belgian Art Nouveau that many think of. There are some nice walks along the water and along the edges of the canals and there's a lot of building in old warehouse districts. We visited lots of design shops, Alvar Aslto's house, his Olympic Stadium and a number of the museums.
We were in Tallin years ago in the middle of December and very much enjoyed our stay though the days were quite short. It's a very charming inner old town which we enjoyed. I remember there was an extensive bus system we used too. The advantage of going to these places off season is that you avoid the ubiquitous and overpowering cruise crowds that blow into town and turn the place into a touristic night mare. In this regard I think October dates could be great.
I can't help on ST Petersburg. I was only there once in 1984 on a school trip in February, it was VERY COLD! I'm sure October will be much better!
Do look into the visa situation as the Russian visa can take time. You could start in Tallin, take the ferry to Helsinki and then the train to St. Petersburg or vice versa.
Helsinki is a relatively moderns city and isn't obviously "charming" but there are lots of interesting Art Nouveau buildings though they are in the Jungend style which is very restrained and quite masculine, not the curvy French/Belgian Art Nouveau that many think of. There are some nice walks along the water and along the edges of the canals and there's a lot of building in old warehouse districts. We visited lots of design shops, Alvar Aslto's house, his Olympic Stadium and a number of the museums.
We were in Tallin years ago in the middle of December and very much enjoyed our stay though the days were quite short. It's a very charming inner old town which we enjoyed. I remember there was an extensive bus system we used too. The advantage of going to these places off season is that you avoid the ubiquitous and overpowering cruise crowds that blow into town and turn the place into a touristic night mare. In this regard I think October dates could be great.
I can't help on ST Petersburg. I was only there once in 1984 on a school trip in February, it was VERY COLD! I'm sure October will be much better!
Do look into the visa situation as the Russian visa can take time. You could start in Tallin, take the ferry to Helsinki and then the train to St. Petersburg or vice versa.
Sep 5th, 2015, 10:41 AM
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It's always a good time to go to these cities. I've been to all 3 in all seasons. If early October is when you can go, then nothing should stop you, it is not as if you are going in mid winter and even then, St Petersburg is beautiful in the snow.
Sep 5th, 2015, 12:21 PM
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I was in SP in July ...four full days and could have stayed longer
but...I am a slow traveler and my interest was
history of the city during the WWII. ( in addition to distant past ).
Metro is very easy to navigate ( signs are in Latin alphabet)
I used bases as well.
The city is gorgeous, very tourist orientated , feels European.
but...I am a slow traveler and my interest was
history of the city during the WWII. ( in addition to distant past ).
Metro is very easy to navigate ( signs are in Latin alphabet)
I used bases as well.
The city is gorgeous, very tourist orientated , feels European.
