2015 Dec. Finland. Helsinki.

Experiencing the beautiful white winter wonderland and Christmas magic in Arctic Circle was a memorable experience. I had initially planned to fly to Moscow and then travel to Finland by train, only to find out that travelling to Moscow in Dec is a really bad idea. Changed my plans and went on a packaged tour with EU Holidays instead due to cost and logistic considerations, my first taste of packaged tour, and hopefully the last too. 🙂

Flew in to Helsinki and arrived really early in the morning. Had a cuppa and bought local sim card and data plan at the airport, before the tour bus took us into Helsinki city centre at daybreak. The changing light conditions at dawn was simply gorgeous.

It was too early to check in to the hotel, so we started the city tour and visited Uspenski Cathedral,  the largest orthodox church in Western Europe. With its golden cupolas and redbrick facade, the church is one of the clearest symbols of Russian impact on Finnish history.

We also visited Sibelius Park, and this is where our tour guide M made his biggest and worst boo-boo. He did not check and the tour bus drove off, leaving behind an old couple in the park! When we turned back and found them almost an hour later, needless to say, the Auntie was furious. Oops, bad start. 🙂

Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church) is one of Helsinki’s most popular tourist attractions, quarried out of natural bedrock. Interior walls are created naturally by the rock, and natural light flood into the beautiful ethereal space. The church, opened in 1969, was designed by architects Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen.

When we visited Senate Square in December, Christmas Market was held and the atmosphere was festive and happy, despite the cold weather. The square is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel between 1822 and 1852: Helsinki Cathedral, Government Palace, University of Helsinki, and National Library of Finland.

When I chanced upon the interior of this bookstore, I immediately felt that the space was very special, and indeed it was. The architect was Alvar Aalto, one of my favourite! My bad for not doing homework beforehand, or I could have missed viewing his masterpiece in person.

Shopping in Helsinki was nice. While there isn’t a big selection, nordic designs and merchandise are so minimal and beautiful, and a pleasure to look at. This is Stockmann’s Department Store. Other shopping venues include Sokos, Kamppi, Galleria, Forum, etc.

Kamppi Chapel of Silence is located in a corner of Narinkkatori square in Helsinki, at the entrance of the Kamppi shopping center. The Chapel is intended to be a place where people can have a moment of silence and meet each other.

The beautiful and historically significant Helsinki Cathedral is an Evangelic Lutheran church, and symbol of Helsinki for many.

Esplanade Park, lighted up for Christmas, is located in the heart of Helsinki. It is next to the shopping street and a place to relax for both tourists and locals.