A sunny day in Helsinki
Many people who visit the Baltic States also take a day or two to visit the closest Nordic country and its capital, Helsinki. That’s exactly what I did this summer when, between a week in the Baltic States and another in Poland, between a ferry and a plane, I took a breath for one day (and one night) in Helsinki. It had little time for nothing more than a couple of short walks, so all I can conclude for now are some brief impressions.
Helsinki is a small town dressed up like a big city. Helsinki’s secret is the proximity of the water just about everywhere. Finnish summers are short but, in summer, the midnight sun really does shine and then life is being experienced outdoors. The sun, warmth and white nights are being channeled into summertime through fascinating urban culture, joy, laughs, and pleasure. Helsinki knows a thing or two about design. Helsinki has a beautiful yet eclectic taste in architecture, where Art Nouveau meets modern minimalism, with many historic buildings reminiscent of Swedish and Russian styles of architecture. People dress really well and mostly in black. Helsinki smells of coffee everywhere – Finland is the highest per capita consumer of coffee in the world. Bicycles are very much a part of Helsinki’s culture. Everyone speaks perfect English. Helsinki is Wi-Fi Heaven! There are a lot of dogs in Helsinki! Helsinki is eco-friendly. Supermarkets reward customers if they collect plastic, glass, or paper cartons. Another secret of Helsinki: its silence and calmness and its laid-back and exciting appeal in summertime. People are not hurrying, they seem balanced, healthy and content with their lives. Helsinki is a city where people live for its design and culture, the art and nightlife, and for its quality of life.
A sunny day in Helsinki
Many people who visit the Baltic States also take a day or two to visit the closest Nordic country and its capital, Helsinki. That’s exactly what I did this summer when, between a week in the Baltic States and another in Poland, between a ferry and a plane, I took a breath for one day (and one night) in Helsinki. It had little time for nothing more than a couple of short walks, so all I can conclude for now are some brief impressions.
Helsinki is a small town dressed up like a big city. Helsinki’s secret is the proximity of the water just about everywhere. Finnish summers are short but, in summer, the midnight sun really does shine and then life is being experienced outdoors. The sun, warmth and white nights are being channeled into summertime through fascinating urban culture, joy, laughs, and pleasure. Helsinki knows a thing or two about design. Helsinki has a beautiful yet eclectic taste in architecture, where Art Nouveau meets modern minimalism, with many historic buildings reminiscent of Swedish and Russian styles of architecture. People dress really well and mostly in black. Helsinki smells of coffee everywhere – Finland is the highest per capita consumer of coffee in the world. Bicycles are very much a part of Helsinki’s culture. Everyone speaks perfect English. Helsinki is Wi-Fi Heaven! There are a lot of dogs in Helsinki! Helsinki is eco-friendly. Supermarkets reward customers if they collect plastic, glass, or paper cartons. Another secret of Helsinki: its silence and calmness and its laid-back and exciting appeal in summertime. People are not hurrying, they seem balanced, healthy and content with their lives. Helsinki is a city where people live for its design and culture, the art and nightlife, and for its quality of life.
