arriving in Helsinki
The last time I was here was in 1996. I wonder if it's much different (or if I remembered much from 10 years ago, other than the cathedral and the Russian submarine)
(OK, updating this while in Tallin) Flights were on time, and we did not lose our luggage. A taxi took us to the hotel downtown, the driver gave us a quick intro of Finland. A little more than 5 million people in the country, about 1 million in Helsinki and immediate surroundings, the streets were not very crowded and the highway from the airport to Helsinki was almost deserted at 6pm, they were not very used to traffic or big crowds. Street signs were in the 2 official languages, Finnish and Swedish. Finland being part of Sweden in history, before being part of Russia, it was autonomous under Tsar Nicholas, and eventually gaining independence in 1917. About 89% of the population are Lutherans, 1% Russian Orthodox, 1% Jewish and the rest non-religious.
We got to the hotel just in time to change and go to our welcome dinner for the tour group. The dinner was very good (appertizer was Orange seasoned duck terrine with apricot pure, the lobster bisque with lobster-artichoke salad was good as well as my grilled fillet of lamb with dark olive sauce and the dessert of Milk Chocolate-Raspberry mousse with raspberry sorbet) and we were introduced to our group of about 30 travellers. 2 couples had the misfortune of losing their luggages! The pleasures of airline travel, one was on Air France, the other was Lufthansa (we were going to blame Air France because they lost our luggage last time, but I suppose even the Germans can not keep track of luggages at times).
After dinner, my husband Kevin and I and my parents took a walk around the hotel, and the esplanade park at the center of town.
Internet access from the hotel was 7 euros per hour or 20 euros for 24 hours from the room, the business center cost 5 euros every 15 minutes. We gave it a try the next day.
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The hotel Kamp is supposed to be the best hotel in Helsinki. It is centrally located, within walking distance to the train station, Senate Square, the harbor, dining, shopping-Galleria Kamp is right around the corner with lots of shops, in addition to shops on the esplanade, and the big department store about 2 blocks away. The lobby is not huge but well furnished.
The room we stayed at had 2 of the most comfortable beds, extra pillows and fluffy comforters. There is a sitting area near the window, and a nice desk with internet connections. The room has an entry area with closets on both sides. The bathroom has a separate shower and tub and is a good comfortable size. The good-night chocolates were delicious!
We were told if we had stayed extra nights outside our packaged tour it would have cost us about $300 per night! In-room internet is 7 euro per hour or 20 euro per 24 hours. At the business center it's 5 euros every 15 minutes to access their computer (only 1).
