Tag Archives: Nature

A visit to Porkkala and 1950’s Era Russia

I was lucky enough to accompany Global Degree and Day With A Local on a tour of the Porkkala region in Southern Finland as part of a YouTube series that will be released next year. After catching an early train from Helsinki we arrived in Kirkkonummi where we were driven to Sjundby Manor. When weContinue reading “A visit to Porkkala and 1950’s Era Russia”

Autumn in Helsinki

The last few weeks in Helsinki has seen the city change, the weather is cooler and the leaves have begun their autumn journey. In Finnish there is even a name for this short period of time during the autumn season, ruska. Ruska applies to the time when the leaves are at their most colourful andContinue reading “Autumn in Helsinki”

Sibelius Monument

Jean Sibelius was born in 1865 and was a composer of classical music, his music is often credited with giving Finland a national identity as they struggled for independence from Russia. Sibelius’s image was on the 100 mark note before Finland adopted the euro and his national day is celebrated on his birthday, December 8th.Continue reading “Sibelius Monument”

Repovesi National Park in Autumn

I found myself in Repovesi National Park for the second time this year. My previous visit I walked the enjoyable but short fox trail during summer, this time I set my sights a little higher and planned to spend two nights in the National Park. Along with a friend we arrived in the park late,Continue reading “Repovesi National Park in Autumn”

Seurasaari

Seurasaari is a small island close to the Helsinki city center and serves as an open air museum. You are only allowed to enter the island by foot and once there you can enjoy the natural surroundings. Throughout the island there are different buildings which have been brought from all over Finland to show howContinue reading “Seurasaari”

Repovesi National Park

Repovesi National Park is a few hours drive from Helsinki but worth the trip if time allows. For a day trip I would recommend the Ketunlenkki Trail, a 5km circuit that takes in some of the best spots in the park. and the route that I took. After leaving the car park the Ketunlenkki or fox trailContinue reading “Repovesi National Park”

Helsinki Ghost Town in Kruunuvuori

Helsinki Ghost Town is far from the tourist trail but well worth a visit. To get there I would suggest going by bike, it’s a great ride connected by cycle paths all the way from the city. It is possible to get there by public transport, metro to Herttoniemi and then a bus, I won’tContinue reading “Helsinki Ghost Town in Kruunuvuori”

Sculptures of Helsinki

I have always enjoyed seeing the variety of art as I walk around Helsinki, be it a statue, mural or sculpture, they often have a story to tell or a place in history, sometimes both. Since Helsinki Museum launched a new sculpture database my interest has increased and I have set out on a mission toContinue reading “Sculptures of Helsinki”

Beer Floating in Helsinki

It’s that time of year again when every rubber boat in Finland is bought and taken down to the river so many people can go beer floating through Helsinki for the afternoon. The following is a post I wrote a few years ago about the annual Beer Floating event that took place this weekend. The aim was to highlight that even thoughContinue reading “Beer Floating in Helsinki”