Helsinki

We have a 36 hour stopover in Helsinki on our way to the UK. Luckily, our accommodation allows us an early check-in - much appreciated as we’ve taken the red eye flight and, contrary to expectations, Aelie did not sleep well (read: none of us did)!

Helsinki is a delightful, small city of grand, neoclassical buildings as well as some very cool contemporary numbers (here I google ‘architecture in Helsinki’ and giggle as results come up for the Australian band of the same name). We’re surrounded by water that sparkles in the sunshine and adds gorgeous ye olde yachts and great hulking cruise ships to the visual tapestry.

In the short time available, we get the sense of a country that cares deeply about its young people, with a delightful children’s museum and the absolute stand-out Oodi Library which, besides being gorgeous to look at and welcoming, provides the following for hire: music equipment and recording rooms, 3D and large format printers, sewing machines, a vinyl cutter and fully equipped gaming rooms!

On the morning of the day we fly out, we take a ferry to visit Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, an 18th century living museum with artillery and defensive walls spread across 6 linked islands. It makes for a lovely wander in the sunshine amongst old bunkers and stone ramparts with fun tunnels to sneak through. 

Next stop: Edinburgh