Please review Christmas trip Itinerary to Finland,Tallinn, Sweden, London
Aug 8th, 2010, 06:50 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Please review Christmas trip Itinerary to Finland,Tallinn, Sweden, London
This is my families (with two college students) annual holiday trip to Europe.
12/18 Sat Fly LAX to Helsinki
Sun arrive Helsinki and take ferry to Tallinn
Mon Tallinn
Tues Tallinn
Wed Tallinn
Thurs take ferry to Stockholm
Fri Stockholm
Sat Stockholm
Sun Stockholm
Mon Stockholm
Tues Fly to London
Wed London
Thurs London
Fri London
Sat London Christmas Day
Sun London
Mon London
Tue London
Wed London
Thurs Fly London to LAX
Comments or thoughts. A problem is what to do on Christmas Day?
Suggestions?
Thank you
12/18 Sat Fly LAX to Helsinki
Sun arrive Helsinki and take ferry to Tallinn
Mon Tallinn
Tues Tallinn
Wed Tallinn
Thurs take ferry to Stockholm
Fri Stockholm
Sat Stockholm
Sun Stockholm
Mon Stockholm
Tues Fly to London
Wed London
Thurs London
Fri London
Sat London Christmas Day
Sun London
Mon London
Tue London
Wed London
Thurs Fly London to LAX
Comments or thoughts. A problem is what to do on Christmas Day?
Suggestions?
Thank you
Aug 8th, 2010, 07:41 PM
#2
Fri and Sun in London will be semi-dead. Christmas eve some things close and many places that are open will close early. The 26th/Boxing Day being on a Sunday means some things that normally open will be closed.
And Saturday -- Christmas Day will be just about 100% totally dead. On the 25th, nothing is open, there is no public transport, no theatre, no clubs. Where are you staying? If in a hotel - make sure that they offer Christmas dinner. Otherwise you'll have to find one of the few restaurants that open on Xmas - but it will need to be w/i walking distance of where you're staying.
Have you considered leaving London for a few days? Paris for instance has much more open/possibilities on Christmas. You could go to Paris or Amsterdam or someplace on Friday and return to London on Sunday night or Monday. But if you do want to travel on the 24th and 26th or 27th, you'll want to book quite early.
And Saturday -- Christmas Day will be just about 100% totally dead. On the 25th, nothing is open, there is no public transport, no theatre, no clubs. Where are you staying? If in a hotel - make sure that they offer Christmas dinner. Otherwise you'll have to find one of the few restaurants that open on Xmas - but it will need to be w/i walking distance of where you're staying.
Have you considered leaving London for a few days? Paris for instance has much more open/possibilities on Christmas. You could go to Paris or Amsterdam or someplace on Friday and return to London on Sunday night or Monday. But if you do want to travel on the 24th and 26th or 27th, you'll want to book quite early.
Aug 9th, 2010, 10:23 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just wondering--why are you planning so many days in Tallinn without stopping in Helsinki for the first day, seeing a few sights, then getting some sleep (it will be dark by 4pm)? Have you been to Helsinki before?
You'll fly into HEL, then take taxi to harbor or else bus to city center/train station and then taxi or walk or tram to harbor, then board a boat for a sailing, then take taxi or bus or walk to your hotel. That is a alot of travel and transfers while jetlagged. I haven't sailed over to Tallinn in the winter, so don't know what it is like that time of year.
You'll fly into HEL, then take taxi to harbor or else bus to city center/train station and then taxi or walk or tram to harbor, then board a boat for a sailing, then take taxi or bus or walk to your hotel. That is a alot of travel and transfers while jetlagged. I haven't sailed over to Tallinn in the winter, so don't know what it is like that time of year.
Aug 9th, 2010, 05:11 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Kay2,
Thank you for the reply.
Allow me to make this adjustment in the itinerary: arrive in Helsinki on Sunday 12/19 stay the night and on Monday 12/20 at approximately 6 PM take the ferry to Tallinn.
My last trip to Tallinn was very enjoyable and I am anxious to return. Tallinn is less expensive than Helsinki and with a great atmosphere in the old town.
Thank you for the reply.
Allow me to make this adjustment in the itinerary: arrive in Helsinki on Sunday 12/19 stay the night and on Monday 12/20 at approximately 6 PM take the ferry to Tallinn.
My last trip to Tallinn was very enjoyable and I am anxious to return. Tallinn is less expensive than Helsinki and with a great atmosphere in the old town.
Aug 9th, 2010, 06:25 PM
#7
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,049
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To answer your question - I have no idea what to do on Christmas Day in Stockholm. Perhaps the tourist board or opera house has a schedule of events and there may be something that would be fun to do.
Do you have something special you want to do in Tallinn? I have been in Helsinki a few times and have taken a day trip to Tallinn but never thought of spending much time there. This will be a very dark time of year. My relatives in Finland complain every year about the darkness.
The Silja Line has an overnight ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm. The buffet was wonderful. Not sure what the schedule is for the winter months.
Do you have something special you want to do in Tallinn? I have been in Helsinki a few times and have taken a day trip to Tallinn but never thought of spending much time there. This will be a very dark time of year. My relatives in Finland complain every year about the darkness.
The Silja Line has an overnight ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm. The buffet was wonderful. Not sure what the schedule is for the winter months.
Aug 31st, 2010, 02:09 AM
#8
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have been to Helsinki and Tallin and would never want to go in winter. In the dead of winter the problem is not just the cold but it is very dark because those countries are near the Arctic Circle. Different strokes for different folks, but I would rather go in summer when it is light most of the day.
I really loved Finland when I went. Tallin is good for a couple of days. I wouldn't budget it for more than that unless you want to drive around the countryside. The easiest way to visit Tallin is by ferry from Helsinki for the day. In winter, however, only the big ferries go because the Baltic Sea can have ice and the smaller ones can't handle it.
I really loved Finland when I went. Tallin is good for a couple of days. I wouldn't budget it for more than that unless you want to drive around the countryside. The easiest way to visit Tallin is by ferry from Helsinki for the day. In winter, however, only the big ferries go because the Baltic Sea can have ice and the smaller ones can't handle it.
Sep 1st, 2010, 03:53 AM
#9
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm afraid Stockholm will be very very quiet, not just on Christmas Day but for the whole period. Swedes celebrate on Christmas Eve, so shops on Friday will shut at lunchtime, very few restaurants will be open on Christmas Eve and practically none on Christmas Day. All museums are shut on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Both they and shops may open for Sunday afternoon but you'll have to check.
You'll have the city practically to yourselves, so wandering about (if it isn't too cold) could be fun. The only sight i can think of that you'll be able to see is the amazing Skogskyrkogarden, Stockholm's world heritage site cemetery, with extraordinary landscaping and modernist architecture. Of course, that may not be your bag at all, but at least it will be open. Bring a lot of warm clothes whatever, because you'll be outside a lot.
Are your plans very fixed? Are you into skiing/winter wonderland stuff? Flying up to either Lappland in Finland or taking the train to Åre in Sweden would give you much more of an insight into Scandinavians having fun at Christmas time. And absolutely everything will be open there!
You'll have the city practically to yourselves, so wandering about (if it isn't too cold) could be fun. The only sight i can think of that you'll be able to see is the amazing Skogskyrkogarden, Stockholm's world heritage site cemetery, with extraordinary landscaping and modernist architecture. Of course, that may not be your bag at all, but at least it will be open. Bring a lot of warm clothes whatever, because you'll be outside a lot.
Are your plans very fixed? Are you into skiing/winter wonderland stuff? Flying up to either Lappland in Finland or taking the train to Åre in Sweden would give you much more of an insight into Scandinavians having fun at Christmas time. And absolutely everything will be open there!
