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 Porvoo River, Porvoo by starship
Of the population, about 92% speak Finnish, while only 6% speak Swedish. Signs and most definitely maps frequently are written in both Finnish and Swedish. I feel quite foolish about just recently understanding that "Helsingfors" means Helsinki in Swedish!!
A few helpful words in Finnish:
Hello ~ hei
Thank you/Please ~ kiitos (pronounced 'key-toes')
Where is ~ Missa on ....?
You're welcome ~ tervetuloa
Restaurant ~ ravintola
Unlike most of the surrounding Scandinavian countries, Finland has adopted the Euro as their unit of currency (EU - European Union). Finland adds a VAT (Value AddedTax) to the sales price of goods. If you live outside of of the EU countries and Norway, and you spend 40 Euros or more in one store, you can recover the money charged as VAT. Present the merchandise and sales receipt (s) at the appropriate office in the airport. Or, present your cruise card or passport for identification before reboarding your ship, and ask for the appropriate "Global Refund Check" which you can cash on the pier or receive a credit on your credit card account. The refund is between 10 - 16% of the purchase price. For more info. on this, check the following website:
www.globalrefund.com
Most shops are open from 9am to 9pm; open-air markets 8am to 8pm with some closing for about 2 hrs. 2pm to 4pm.
The natural beauty and peacefulness of Finland is etched on my mind! The verdant and very serene countryside, the mirror-like "Porvoonjoki," River was an unparralled sight. The friendliness and the excellent English spoken by many Finns had a special way of making us feel at home. It's just a beautiful country! Leave a Comment
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Visiting Helsinki?
Read reviews about Helsinki Hotels
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 by Gili_S
They usually speak minimum of 4 languages.
The official Helsinki tourist office is located at:
Pohjoisesplanadi 19
Tel: +358 (0)9 169 3757
Fax: +358 (0)9 169 3839
E-mail:tourist.info@hel.fi
info Leave a Comment
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 Helsinki - The Cathedral
interiers by Kuznetsov_Sergey
In 1748 Swedes constructed the sea fortress Sveaborg, nowadays Suomenlinna, on small islands of Wargskaren and the city became more protected from the sea. It was a turning point in history of Helsinki: the construction of a fortress on Baltic drew attention to the port. The city began to grow rich, trade and seafaring began to extend.
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 Helsinki - Senatorial square
architect ensamble by Kuznetsov_Sergey, 2 more photos
The new general plan of the city was made by the native of Helsinki - Johan Ŕlbreht Erenstrom. Karl Ludvig Engel was invited as the main architect of Helsinki. He took part in construction of the cities of Tallinn and Petersburg.
Engel executed designing of new public buildings in magnificent style of neoclassicism. The ensemble of the Senatorial square with buildings surrounding it was formed during 1818 - 1852.
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 Helsinki - Alexander II
monument by Kuznetsov_Sergey
In 1812 after the grandiose fire which devastated the city of Turku (Abo), the Russian tsar Alexander I carried to Helsinki the capital of the Great princedom Finnish. After that the population of the city became fast grow from 4 thousand in 1810 up to 60 thousand in 1860.
The city began develop even more quickly after a construction of railways Helsinki - Hamenlinna (1862) and Helsinki - St.-Petersburg (1870). The population of Helsinki already achieved 80 thousand by the end of the XIXth.
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Visiting Helsinki?
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 Helsinki - The Luteranian
Cathedral by Kuznetsov_Sergey
Next years Helsinki turned to the important trading, industrial and cultural center of the independent country.
During the Second world war the city was exposed to the massed bombardments. After war the Finnish capital began fast rates to extend due to numerous suburbs.
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 Helsinki - Panorama from the
Uspensky hill by Kuznetsov_Sergey
The central part of this settlement with a church was in the territory of the modern city of Vantaa.
The city of Helsingfors (the Finnish capital is named so in Swedish) was founded in 1550 by the Swedish king Gustav Vaza on a place of a small fishing port. Gustav Vaza wanted it compete to Revel (nowadays Tallinn, the capital of Estonia).
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 Downtown Helsinki by starship
1809 ~ Russia invades Finland after Tzar Alexander I makes a deal with Napoleon. Finland becomes a Grand Duchy of Russia.
1917 ~ Finland declares independence from Russia at the end of World War I
1939 ~ "Germany and the Soviet Union sign a "non-aggression" treaty in case there might be war. The Soviet Union is granted "rights" to Finland and the Baltic countries. As Hitler invades Poland, Stalin attacks Finland and the Finnish people suffer greatly during the Winter War."
1941 ~ Finland in turn launches its own war against the Soviet Union
1943 ~ Stalingrad falls to Germany as Finland begins peace negotiations with the Soviet Union.
1952 ~ Finland hosts the Olympic Games.
1994 ~ Finland joins NATO
1999 ~ Finland joins the European Union and eventually the Euro is adopted for currency.
2000 ~ The Finns elect Ms. Tarja Halonen, a Social Democrat, as its first female President. Leave a Comment
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 Helsinki - Panorama at an
island in front of port by Kuznetsov_Sergey
bThe name of the settlement Helsin-ge-Fors founded by Swedes (Helsinge Fors) in translation from Swedish meant "Thresholds on the river Helsinge". However the city remained small for a long time.
When in 1561 Swedes won Revel (Tallinn) this small Finnish city lost its value at all. The well-known Swedish general-governor Per Brage advised to carry the city close to the sea. In 1640 the city moved to the south - on the cape Vironniemi (Vironniemi, modern area Kruununhaka, Kruununhaka, near to the city centre). This place is more accessible from the sea.
However the city still badly developed, suffering from different misfortunes.
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Before visiting Helsinki, I had read that the Finnish people tend to be shy and withdrawn. In my experience, that is only partially true. I agree that the Finns are not as outgoing as many other people of the world -- and they will generally leave you alone if you don't approach them. However, after I took the initiative to introduce myself, most Finnish people whom I met were kind and generous.
Fortunately, most of the Finns that I met spoke English very well (I was told that English is a mandatory subject in Finnish schools). I enjoyed many interesting conversations. Also, on more than one occasion, a Finn bought me a drink as a gesture of friendship -- and expressed sincere appreciation that I chose to visit Finland on my vacation. My recommendation when visiting Finland is to take the initiative to start conversations with local Finns -- and to enjoy their friendship and goodwill.
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- Scandic Grand Marina
Katajanokanlaituri 7, Helsinki - Scandic Hotel Marski
Mannerheimintie 10, Helsinki - Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa
Kalastajatorpantie 1, Helsinki - Scandic Gateway Helsinki Airport
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport Helsinki-Vantaa Ulkomaantermin, Helsinki - Anna Hotel
Annankatu 1, Helsinki - Scandic Hotel Simonkentta
Simonkatu 9, Helsinki - Comfort Pilotti Hotel
Veromaentie 1, Helsinki - Atel Avion
Malmin Asematie 6, Helsinki - Hotel Linna
Lönnrotinkatu 29, Helsinki - Accome Parliament
Museokatu 18 (formerly Accome Tolo Apartments), Helsinki - Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre
Elielinaukio 5, Helsinki - Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel, Helsinki
Ruoholahdenranta 3, Helsinki - Martta Hotelli
Uudenmaankatu 24, Helsinki - Palace Hotel Sello
Leppävaarankatu 1, Helsinki - Holiday Inn Helsinki
Messuaukio 1 Rautatieläisenkatu 3, Helsinki
Local Merchants in Helsinki
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