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DPChallenge Forums >> Out and About >> Heading to Helsinki
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06/23/2011 07:19:13 PM · #1
Well, after years of my wife telling me that I would never be in a job long enough to get long service leave, guess what!??
It's finally happened and we are heading off for our European odyssey next Sunday week for a whole two months!
Some of the sights will include Tuscany, San Sebastian, Paris, Brugge, Prague, Santorini and Hong Kong, to visit my son on the way home.

Our first port of call will be Helsinki, for three days. I have done a little research on photographic places of interest around the city and would appreciate any suggestions for locations and vantage points to capture the feel of the city. The main Cathedral seems to be the number one postcard shot but I'm sure the locals could tell me of many more.
I will post pictures along the way and aim to put together a pictorial coffee table book on my return.
I hope DPCers can help me with a few tips during my journey.
Nine sleeps to go!
So excited.
06/24/2011 02:53:47 AM · #2
Wow, first DPCer to head to my neck of the woods!

I'm a Brit living in Tampere, about 100 miles north of Helsinki, but I did live in Helsinki for 3 years, so could perhaps give you some tips :) But, I lived there, BC (Before Camera!). If you are interested, I would be happy to meet up with you for a mini GTG, although I suspect you may be there during the week when it is not so easy for me as I will be at work. I could meet you in the evening though, after work if you wanted? At this time of year, we have almost unlimited daylight (19+ hours) so evening shooting is a real possibility.

As for locations, the main cathedral is in Senate Square. It is a majestic building from the outside (not so interesting from the inside, but..) There is also the Orthodox Church which is quite interesting too. (Selection of my Helsinki challenge entries below). Helsinki has a wonderful market on the harbour. It is not just a tourist market (although these days it is very heavily biased towards tourism), but is a working market too. Fruit and veg stalls, all locally grown seasonal produce. You must get some of the fresh peas, and eat them out of the pods! You'll see the market place littered with pea pods. The local grown strawberries are usually plentiful and delicious.

One thing that I would recommend is to maybe take a boat trip to the zoo. Korkeasaari is where the zoo is. It is on an island in the archipelago. The zoo is a typical zoo, nothing special, but the location is rather nice and the trip by boat is lovely. Also, take the ferry across from the market square to Suomenlinna. This is another island off the coast of Helsinki. Suomenlinna Worth going here later in the afternoon and hanging around to watch the big ferries sail through the archipelago en route to Stockholm. Two vessels sail daily at around 18.00. It's worth watching.

I have to run out now, but will add some extras to the list when I get back later today. Feel free to contact me,

06/26/2011 07:49:03 PM · #3
Hey Sarah, thanks a bunch for the info.
PM'ed you.
06/26/2011 08:35:56 PM · #4
Make sure to stay in Bruges for a few days. It's magical. If you find room at Le Duc de Bourgogne, so much the better. It has one of the most amazing location, plus the restaurant next to it with delicious moulles et frites.
Too bad I forgot the spectacular place where we stayed in Santorini but... you can't get wrong really! Take lots of sunscreen and a large hat.
All these places are splendid. I'll be in Paris for a long time also.
Have a great vacation. Sounds wonderful.
Bon voyage!
06/26/2011 09:17:20 PM · #5
Thanks for your suggestions Mariuca. So looking forward to Bruges, and just had a look at the Le Duc de Bourgogne website. Spectacular, and now on my list of places to visit.
B.
06/27/2011 08:23:43 AM · #6
Originally posted by bcenu:

Hey Sarah, thanks a bunch for the info.
PM'ed you.

Hey Brendon, I replied with a bit more info.
07/04/2011 04:45:29 PM · #7
Finally arrived in Helsinki after an 8 hour flight delay. It is weird wandering around the streets at 10.30pm on a Monday night, in fading daylight!
Getting some rest now and cannot wait to start exploring tomorrow.
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