Finland - Sweden

[patrick_mac_donald]

Finland and Sweden are great places... although it gets fairly cold the snow is dry, and there is not alot of humidity so it doesnt feel as cold as the temperature reads. It can actually be stunningly beautiful with a blanket of snow over the cities. If you are in Scandanavia here are some things that my friends and I enjoyed doing.

- "Booze Cruise" Viking Lines and Silja Lines operate cruise ships every day from Helsinki to Stockholm. They are very cheap, and on the boat the alcohol is tax free! Compared to the ridiculous liquor prices in Scandanaiva this will save you alot of money. Its best to travel in a group of four, as you are given a room with bunks beds and a bathroom/shower. They are small, but oyu wont spend so much time in there so its not a problem. On the boat there is a large bar with live entertainment, then usually some karaokee, and finally the disco goes until the early morning. The intent of most people on these boats is to get wasted and try to pick up, so it can make for some interesting stories!! The price of a cruise is very cheap. For 60 euros, we got a return journey from helsinki and one night in a very nice hotel in Stockholm walking distance to the city center. So really it is three nights accomodation for 60 euros, plus transportation!!! Both cities are beautiful, and have exceptional nightlife. Especially Stockholm, any guy will think he is in heaven. However be prepared to pay if you are out on a Saturday night as booze can cost anywhere from $10 to $20 a drink in a club! Helsinki is a bit cheaper, and entrance is sometimes free before 12.

- Tallinn is probably my favourite spot I have been in Europe. It is very easy to get to from Helsinki, boats run every day. If you take the express boats it is only a 1.5 hr journey. The city is in the country of Estonia, formerly part of the USSR. Be prepared for all your stereotypes to be smashed to pieces, as the only thing that brings attention to its history is the old soviet trains running through the city, and a few Russian churches. The old town is absolutely beautiful, a medieval part of the city which is one of the best preserved in Europe. You really feel like you are taking a step back in time walking through their old streets and admiring the architecture. Go in winter time if possible, you may have to bundle up but the snow just adds to the atmosphere. Prices are very cheap here especially compared to Finland and Sweden. For example a very nice meal at a Italian restaurant in the city center will cost you $10. Im not sure what the name of the place is, but if you are in the city square (you cant miss this place) then you will see the sign.

Get out of the old town and you will discover brand new hotels and shopping centers, with all the latest fashions and designer names. Shopping is around the same price as the rest of europe, although some lesser known names and estonian designers offer very nice clothing for good prices.

At nighttime the city really comes alive, with a healthy assortment of bars, lounges/cafes, clubs, and of course strip clubs! There is a very high number of strip clubs and I tihnk the prices are decent although i didnt spend any time there. Theres lots of lounges/cafes that are very nice. think of them as sports bars with good music except with Scandanavian designed interiors ie Ikea everywhere - they have a very nice atmosphere. If you are clubbing, then be prepared for a long night! Clubs are open until at least 5 or 6 although i never seemed to last to the end of the night!! There are some very very nice clubs (Club Hollywood is recommended for tourists!) stocked full of tall, blonde, blue eyed girls!! And as stats show estonia has the highest females to male ratio in the world so it is not uncommom to see a group of 6 super model girls sitting by themselves! It seemed that Estonians were much like the finns in that they dont like small talk, except when drinking!

- If you have a chance take a trip to some of the resorts which are only a short trip from Tallinn. Here the prices are very cheap!!! I havent yet done this but have heard from friends that it is a very good idea!

- Also consider the other Baltic countries Latvia and Lithuania. Prices are dirt cheap in Latvia (hostels for 5 euros) and there also a very very happening club scene there!! In Riga you will see many more reminders of the soviet rule, however I have heard that they are slowly getting rid of most of it.

- St Petersburg is accesible by train from Helsinki. This place is very very impressive!!! It is the cultural capital of Russia and is where the Russian Revolution had its seeds. You can visit so many places there that you will need some time, however i was only there for a few days. You will need a visa to get into the country and beware of these agencies on the internet claiming they will get you sponsorship if you go through them, i have heard of many scandals. So stick to your own ebassy/consulate. I had no security problems in St Petersburg but I have heard some bad stories. There are police but for the most part they will not help you if you are in danger. I even had one friend who was robbed by an officer. It is a very big city so as you know crime is just a inevitable part of large urban centers, so use caution at all times. The alst thing is that the Russians will not be very happy to speak english with you, alot of them are not good at the language and others just dont like to speak wiht foreigners. However in the very tourist areas it will be possible to get by. In terms of nightlife st petersburg seemed very alive although i didnt have much chance to sample it.

If you need any advice for travel in this region feel free to contact me