sjb9

Hi Fodorites! I am a 25yo Canadian female preparing to tour a bit of Europe this summer. I am starting with a 18-day trip around the Greek Islands and Turkey with a friend (but that's a topic for another post!). Following that, I'll be heading up by myself for 13 days in Scandinavia . I would appreciate any comments you have on the following itinerary and your suggestions for things to do and see! I have noted 7 specific questions here, but any other general comments you have would also be appreciated.

First, a bit about me so you know what I’m looking for...
* I have travelled “backpacker style” in Europe and Australia before.
* My budget is a step above shoestring... I look to keep costs low wherever possible, but do not stress out about money.
* I appreciate clean, safe accommodations in central areas (hostels or budget hotels).
* I am physically active and like to get around by walking, biking or taking public transit.
* I enjoy a huge variety of activities and sites from dense city centres, to historic buildings, to wide open natural spaces. On this trip, I want to see the main cities (Helsinki, Tallinn, Stockholm, Malmo and Copenhagen) and also would love to do some hiking and maybe some water activities (canoeing/kayaking) in the lake or coastal areas of Finland or Sweden.
* I have an educational background in Environmental Studies and Urban Planning and I am going to Scandinavian cities with a specific interest in seeing neighbourhoods/sites with aspects of energy efficiency and production (ex. Urban neighbourhood of Hammarby Sjostad in Stockholm, and redevelopment of the Western Harbour in Malmo, Sweden).
* Lastly, I am well aware that this is a bit of a rapid-fire itinerary, and YES, I am okay with packing up and moving around a lot.

TENTATIVE ITINERARY:

Thurs 8th - Arrive in Helsinki by plane from Istanbul, 7:50pm

** Question #1. Any recommendations for a place to stay in Helsinki? Looking to stay in a budget hotel or hostel in a central area.

Fri 9th – full day in Helsinki

** Question #2. What are must-do things to do and see in and around the city of Helsinki?

Sat 10th – Day trip to Tallinn via ferry, return to Helsinki to sleep

Sun 11th – Turku or smaller town outside of Helsinki?

Mon 12 – ?

** Question #3. For these few days I am wondering about two options. A) bus to Turku and spend a day and night there before taking the ferry to Stockholm from there. Is Turku well worth seeing? OR B) head out of the city of Helsinki to find somewhere “outdoorsy” to spend a day and night... are there any parks or small seaside or lakeside towns that you would suggest that are a relatively short trip out of the city that would be a good place to spend a few nights? I would like to possibly do some hiking, canoeing or kayaking, or maybe just a lot of staring at pretty lake views. Suggestions??? Then I would return to Helsinki to take the ferry to Stockholm from there.

Tues 13 – Depart from either Helsinki (5pm) or Turku (8pm) on evening ferry to Stockholm (Silja line)

Wed 14 – arrive on the ferry in the early a.m. in Stockholm ... spend the day touring around the city.

** Question #4 – Any recommendations for a place to stay in Stockholm? Looking for a budget hotel or hostel in a central area.

Thurs 15 – bus to Uppsala (I am meeting a colleague there for the day)

** Question #5 – I’m wondering about any places between Uppsala and Stockholm that would be nice to spend this night and the next day in (maybe even right in Uppsala itself)... it would be nice to spend some time near water (beach or lakeside).

Fri 16 – Return to Stockholm, depart around 11pm on overnight bus to Malmo

Sat 17 – Arrive in early a.m. on the bus. Spend day and night in Malmo.

** Question #6 - What should I do on a Saturday day and night in Malmo? Recommendations for a place to stay for one night?

Sun 18 – morning bus from Malmo to Copenhagen, spend the day in Copenhagen

Mon 19 – all day Copenhagen

** Question #7 - As a proponent of active transportation, I feel the need to experience Copenhagen by bike (let's hope for a decent weather day!). Does anyone know of any great guided city bike tours?

Tues 20 – depart 7:20am flight from CPH to London Gatwick, then LGW to Toronto.


Thank you all in advance!

lanejohann

tallinn is beautiful...a great daytrip...so many different cultures/ influences to see and experience

travelgourmet

I'm not sure I see the point of spending a day and night in Malmo. I would just move on to Copenhagen in the afternoon or early evening. CPH has better nightlife and one less hotel. Also, note that there is better train than bus service between the two cities.

Regarding a hotel in Copenhagen, Danhostel has two hostels in Copenhagen proper. I've never stayed in either one, but they look decent enough. The 'Downtown' location is fantastic; the 'City' location only slightly worse.

http://www.danhostel.dk/content/us/r...=1&RegionAbb=K

You might also check out the Cabinn chain. Tiny rooms, but if you are traveling alone, they might be a good choice. The City location is decent for Tivoli and relatively central, but not much nightlife around. Still, it is very central to much of the sites and not that far from going's on and, for location, is probably the best of the Copenhagen options, followed by Scandinavia and then Express. all three are still relatively central. The Metro (hotel) is out in Ørestad and not nearly as convenient, though the Metro (train) runs 24/7 and will have you downtown in no time.

http://www.cabinn.dk

At just under $100, the Hotel Opera and Hotel Maritim have great locations and are run by a very reputable chain. Perhaps not luxurious, but I would think clean, safe, and comfortable.

A bit over the $100 mark (again, assuming a single), there are some interesting options, including the very nice, very well-located (among the best locations in Copenhagen) Admiral Hotel at $140 on Saturday night and $106 for Sunday and Monday.

Can't recommend a specific bike tour, but you might also consider renting a bike, either from a shop or through the hotel. There are bike lanes everywhere and the city is really geared toward bikes.

Kay2

Turku--
I spent one day/night there a couple of years ago. I thought it was OK, but others seem to like it better. I saw the main historic sites and walked along the water, then was "done."

While in Helsinki, you might like to spend a day on the trails in the Otaneimi area of Espoo around Aalto University--interesting architecture and the garden city/trail concept is well implemented there. I think there may be places to rent boats/kayaks on the water there. Not rural, but pleasant.
I heard that Nuuksio National Park outside of Espoo is nice, but did not make it there.

bratsandbeer

Think you would be better off taking the overnight ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm
Turku has a university "Abo" and a church. We spent a day there visiting with friends. The train ride from Helsinki to Turku was rather boring - not much to see along the way.
I agree with Kay2 that perhaps there are more interesting places close to Helsinki.

Another suggestion would be to take the train from Stockholm to Oslo and train to Copenhagen.

Just some suggestion for itinerary if you decide to include Oslo.

8th arrive Helsinki evening
9th and 10th Helsinki
11th Day in Helsinki and taking the night ferry to Stockholm
12, 13 Stockholm
14 Day in Stockhom and evening train to Oslo
15 Oslo
16 Oslo with the night train to Copenhagen

17, 18 Copenhagen
19 Day in copenhagen and perhaps an evening flight to Gatwick
so you will be there for your flight to London.
OR
20 Fly to Gatwick.

If you need to fly to Gatwick a day early there is a great b&b where we stay. They can pick you up at the airport and take you back to the airport in the morning if you arrange for it. It is the Lawn Guest House and is 5 minutes from Gatwick Airport.