Liz

I am not interested in Churches and shopping but prefer to see the countryside and so I would like some idea of a nice days train ride through the country of Finland, preferable with something nice at the end of it to see before returning to Helsinki.<BR>I am not able to walk much and so I have planned a bus tour of Helsinki and perhaps a day trip to the zoo. I am going early next month so would also appreciate some idea of the temperature for the first week in May. <BR>Thanks in advance

elina

You could take a bus to Porvoo, a small wooden town about 30 kilometres east of Helsinki. Center of it is like stepping back in time. <BR><BR>In one day you really cannot get very far by train from Helsinki. Perhaps Turku, the old capital and the oldest town of Finland? It is in the south western corner of the country. <BR><BR>In Helsinki you can also take a ferry to Suomenlinna, an island fortress just 15 minutes from the market place. <BR><BR>The temperature in the beginning of May varies a lot from year to year. There have been May Days with zero temperatures and snow, and also May Days with +25°C. So lets just hope for the best.

liz

Many thanks for the information. I am looking forward to my trip there and really don't know what to expect. <BR>

gary

I have not been there personally but my friends highly recommended the day trip on the ferry over to Tallinn, Estonia. Very cheap compared to Helsinki.

elina

Check<BR><BR>www.hel.fi/english/<BR><BR>It is a site for tourists about Helsinki, with maps, links etc. It might give you some ideas.<BR><BR>As Gary suggested, a trip to Tallinn is also possible. There are over 30 daily ferries and catamarans between the two cities, and also many helicopters per day. A trip on a big catamaran only takes 1,5 hours. But don´t plan on Tallinn because it is cheaper than Helsinki. It is not much cheaper any more. Go there to see the old town, a lovely example of medieval town now beautifully restaured. <BR><BR>And again about the weather: Since it is really unpredictable, take a small umbrella, a windproof jacket and warm fleece or woollen sweater. Also gloves just in case. And if you are lucky and it is warm and sunny, you can just peel layers off and be happy in a T-shirt. <BR><BR>And one more suggestion about Helsinki: Seurasaari outdoor museum. It is an island where you go over a small wooden bridge. There are ancient houses from all over Finland, and from different centuries. I particularly like one of the Lappish ones: a small hut in a tree where you could sleep safe from wild animals.