Europe Travel Blogs

Visiting Helsinki, Finland

Find out what it’s really like to visit Helsinki in Finland.

A very grand overnight cruise transported our Busabout group from Stockholm to Helsinki. 41 EUR gained us a two-hour feast in the Grand Buffet (including wine). We gorged on everything from smoked salmon, to roast beef to chocolate mousse! Delicious! After dinner, we checked out the on-board entertainment, before dancing the night away in the nightclub!

Check out Part 2 of the video of my Scandi-Baltic Adventure now, and scroll down to read all about my time in Helsinki.

On arrival in Helsinki there were a few sore heads, but with little over 24 hours there, we were all keen to explore the city.

Being so fond of Stockholm, I expected to love Helsinki too, but it had a very different vibe. As most of the city burned down in 1801, it was redesigned from scratch in a Neo-Classical style – full of big boulevards and grand buildings.

One of my favourite discoveries was Signora Delizia – a cute Italian café in Katajanokka, just around the corner from Moomin creator Tove Jansson’s childhood home. It used to be a tobacco store, and was full of quirky charm, plus the coffee was excellent.

In July 2015, I went on an amazing Scandi-Baltic Adventure with Busabout. Over 8 days I visited Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Finland and Estonia, checking out the sights, sampling the local delicacies, and enjoying the nightlife!

Visiting Stockholm, Sweden – Viking Tours And More

Find out more about visiting Stockholm in Sweden.

When I heard we were taking an overnight ferry from Riga to Stockholm for stop 3 of our Busabout adventure, I pictured something similar to the Dover to Calais ferry. What we boarded was a huge cruise ship filled with shops, bars, restaurants, a spa and entertainment. While the cabins were small, it was an entertaining evening, and the time flew by!

Check out Part 2 of the video of my Scandi-Baltic Adventure now, and scroll down to read all about my time in Stockholm.

Stockholm is one of my favourite cities. I’ve got to know it reasonably well over the last few years as my sister lives there. During this trip I was keen to revisit a few tourist areas, but also explore some new hidden gems.

A photo posted by Holidays Sunshine (@wanderlustchloe) on Aug 3, 2015 at 2:56pm PDT

One of my favourite activities was the Viking Walk. Buda The Ballbreaker led us through the streets of Gamla Stan (Stockholm’s old town) telling us everything from the Viking origins of the city, political setup and the royal family (including their scandalous relationships with ex-Big Brother contestants and personal trainers!) to Schnapps, Smorgasbords and Swedish santa – Tomte. Whilst exploring the beautiful old town, we donned Viking helmets and scared off other tourists!

Time to travel around Riga in Latvia.

Stop two on my Scandi-Baltic Adventure was Latvia’s vibrant capital. Riga’s reputation preceded it… I knew it was a prime location for rowdy British stag dos looking for a cheap weekend with buzzing nightlife. Thankfully, I found there was plenty more to the city.

Check out Part 1 of the video of my Scandi-Baltic Adventure now, and scroll down to read all about my time in Riga.

We stayed in the old town, close to the picturesque 17th Century Powder Tower – previously used to store gunpowder. Around a third of the population of Latvia live in the capital, but it didn’t feel congested or horribly built up. I think this was partly due to the number of squares and green spaces (particularly Bastion Hill Park by the Freedom Monument) – something very important to the Baltic and Scandinavian countries. Latvia’s treacherous past was visible – with the Latvian Riflemen Monument and the Freedom Monument standing tall in different parts of the city.

A photo posted by Holidays Sunshine (@wanderlustchloe) on Jul 26, 2015 at 12:27am PDT

Unofficial “tourist attractions” include the Radisson Hotel – which, as the tallest building around, was once inhabited the KGB. McDonalds also holds some significance in Riga as it was the first to be opened in the Baltic countries. It was seen as a symbolic moment – marking the end of communism. In fact, the queues on its first day stretched around the block!

Time to travel around Lithuania.

When I jetted off to Lithuania’s capital Vilnius to start my Scandi-Baltic Adventure with Busabout, I didn’t really know what to expect. Over 8 days I would be visiting 4 countries I’d never set foot in… along with one of my favourite places – Sweden. The whistle-stop tour was designed to provide an introduction to The Baltics and Scandinavia… but with so little time, how much would we really get to see? And with 9 other tour mates – would we all be looking for the same kind of adventure?

Check out Part 1 of the video of my Scandi-Baltic Adventure now, and scroll down to read all about the first part of my trip!

In all honesty, when I told friends I was flying to Vilnius, I was met with rather blank expressions. Is that Bulgaria? Romania? Poland? I’ve travelled a lot over the last few years, but The Baltics had remained something of a mystery to me. Not obvious holiday destinations, and not at the top of my bucket list. However, this trip has really opened my eyes to some countries I’d like to explore further, and a few I would return to in a heartbeat.

Our Busabout guide was bright, bubbly South African Pasqual, who was full of enthusiasm and information, and created a well-balanced tour – with time for learning, relaxing and partying.

Holidays Sunshine Busabout Scandi Baltic Group 2015 1 — Scandic-Baltic group with Busabout guide Pasqual (in red)

Over the next few blogs and videos, I’ll be revealing all about my trip, and recommending some amazing places to add to your bucket list! First stop… Lithuania…

LITHUANIA

Vilnius’s medieval old town is packed with beautiful architecture, large squares, tall spires and cobble streets. While walking along the main street, I checked out the market stalls, which sold locally-made items including woolly boots and hats, and pretty bags. I’d seen photos of Cathedral Square before, and was looking forward to seeing the tall white bell tower for myself. This is where crowds gather at Christmas and New Year, when you’ll also find an enormous Christmas tree! The bright white glowed against the blue sky.

These are all of my Europe travel blogs!

Visiting Helsinki, Finland

Find out what it’s really like to visit Helsinki in Finland.

VIDEO: Scandi-Baltic Adventure with Busabout

Visiting Stockholm, Sweden – Viking Tours And More

Find out more about visiting Stockholm in Sweden.

Busabout Scandi-Baltic Adventure: Riga, Latvia

Time to travel around Riga in Latvia.

Travel In Lithuania

Time to travel around Lithuania.