Finland -

Tallinn, Helsinki and Petersburg without visa – budget travel

Gosia — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 19:45:55 +0000

We weren’t planning the trip to Tallinn, Helsinki and Petersburg. Actually everything started from LOT special offer for the flights: Warsaw – Tallinn and Helsinki – Warsaw. From Tallinn to Helsinki we traveled by Tallink ferry, but it’s possible to go with other companies such as Viking Line or Eckero Line. You need to check in at least 30 minutes before the departure of the ferry. Check-in desk is located at the Terminal D. Tallink shuttles 6 times a day and the voyage takes around 2 hours and definitely it isn’t boring (you can read about it here). The ferry arrives at the West Harbor. To the city center you can go by tram no. 9 (in the direction of Pasila) and get off at Kaisaniemi stop. Ticket costs 2,5 euro if you buy it from the ticket machine or 3 euro from the driver. Every needed information you can find here. Definitely Helsinki is not a cheap city, so in order to minimize the costs we arrived there early in the morning and departed to Petersburg in the evening. We had all day to visit the capital of Finland and we didn’t have to book expensive hotel/hostel. We went from Helsinki to Petersburg by Princess Maria ferry operated by St. Peter Line. We had chosen the cheapest accommodation option, in a cabin below the deck and without any meals. The cabin was just right for two people and it was equipped with a bathroom. There was no window, but it was a good news for us, as we finally could have a good night’s sleep during the white nights. During an overnight voyage you can’t be bored there for sure. On Princess Maria you can spend your time in numerous bars, restaurants, duty – free shops, casino or even a swimming pool (for everything you must pay additionally). According to the Russian law, passengers who arrive to Russian harbors and stay there up to 72 hours don’t need to have a visa on condition that they are part of an organized trip. In view of the fact that Russian visa is expensive and obtaining it is connected with many formalities, we decided to take advantage of visa – free travel. Which conditions should be met to stay in Russian territory without visa? Firstly you have to book an accommodation and organize a tourist guide. Tourist guides are expensive but it’s possible to take advantage of a cheaper option. St. Peter Line organizes a bus transport which is regarded as an organized trip. It costs 25 euro and it shuttles from ferry terminal to the city center. You have to buy it during booking a ferry to Petersburg if you don’t have a tourist guide. Additionally passengers have to stay on the area marked by the route of the bus. As you can see on the map, it isn’t big thus we decided to take a risk and get lost 😉 During our trip, we visited Tsarskoye Selo and Peterhof without any problems (details soon on the blog). Ferry to Petersburg departs from West Terminal (at the same terminal as ferry from Tallinn arrives). After arriving to the terminal you need to go to check – in desk to get boarding card and Arrival and Departure Card. Documents needed at the border: passport, hotel/hostel booking confirmation, Arrival/Departure Card and Migration Card. You must remember that Departure Card is also the ticket for the bus. You are entitled to go by it unlimited times on the way: Sea Station Terminal, V.O. – Morskoy Slavy square – Sokos Vasilievsky – Sokos Palace Bridge – Saint Isaac’s Square, but it’s available within days of ships’ stay only. At the border, immigration officer checks passport, hotel/hostel booking confirmation and keeps Arrival Card and part A of the Migration Card. The rest documents you need to submit during departure. Bus stop is located in front of the entrance to the terminal, buses are marked with St. Peter Line logo. The departure is not so complicated. Additional check – in isn’t needed. Immigration officer checks passport and keeps Departure Card and part B of the Migration Card. More details you can find here. You must be wondering if trip to Petersburg is safe, especially in the current political situation. We had been really anxious about going there because our trip started just after the Ukraine crisis. We didn’t have any problems at the border. Petersburg turned out to be one of our biggest surprises. This city is famous for its European, cosmopolitan character. We haven’t met such welcoming and outgoing people anywhere else (maybe apart from Hawaii).Soldiers posed for the camera and people always helped us out, even when they couldn’t speak English. (more about trip to Petersburg you will find on our blog soon). How much does 9-day trip cost? Flight Warsaw – Tallinn, Helsinki – Warsaw – 38 euro Tallinn 3 nights – 38 euro Helsinki 1 night – 27 euro Petersburg 2 nights – 34 euro St. Peter Line return ticket (with 2 overnight stays included) – 145 euro Ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki by Tallink – 22 euro Total cost per person: 304 euro + personal expenses ” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]

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Hobbits’ stronghold in Helsinki neighborhood

Gosia — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 01:37:10 +0000

Suomenlinna stronghold, located in 6 islands, is a very important point in Helsinki touristic map. It was built in the half XVIII century by the Swedish in order to defense against Russians. In that times it was the biggest building in the kingdom and the second – largest city in Finland. After a long siege it was finally conquered by Russians in 1808. In view of its strategic location, Russians decided to move the capital of Finland from Turku to Helsinki in 1812. Fortress remained under Russians rule till 1917, when Finland regained independence. These days it doesn’t have military significance but it’s a very interesting historic monument. The most important attractions are located on two main islands: Iso Mustasaari and Susisaari in the lush verdant surrounding contrasting with intensive yellow flowers. The most interesting points are: stronghold museum, ramparts, cannons or underground bunkers resembling typical Hobbits’ houses On the stronghold area, in architecturally interesting houses live around 900 people. After intensive sightseeing, we can rest in atmospheric restaurants and cafes. What is the most important, Suomenlinna is not only a relic of the past but its’ also Finns’ favorite place of spending free time. We can get there by ferry which shuttles regularly from Kauppatori market (return ticket costs 4 euro). The tally on the ferry was a nice surprise for us. During journey, accompanied by seagulls, you can admire beautiful Helsinki panorama with the Lutheran Cathedral – Tuomiokirkko in the background. Ferry passes a lot of tiny, picturesque islets which are typical for the capital of Finland. ” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]

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Helsinki

Gosia — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 01:21:48 +0000

We stopped off in Helsinki during our journey from Tallinn to Sankt Petersburg. This city, well known for its leafy surroundings and interesting architecture merging Finnish minimalism with Russian grandeur, is actually an archipelago of more than 300 islands. The city is famous of white nights in June and July and intensive nightlife. Gathering information about Helsinki before our trip, I was surprised that regardless the highest alcohol prices, there’s the biggest sobering chamber in Europe! This riddle was solved during our ferry trip form Tallinn. The Finnish – Estonian border is very busy. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a lot of passengers trailing carts filled to the top with alcohol. Some of them decided to start the party before crossing so our journey elapsed in a cheery way. On the contrary to our playful friends, we started our sightseeing fresh and sober. Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral – Tuomiokirkko, located at the top of monumental stairs, is the central point of this capital. There’s also a monument of Tsar Alexander II who validate Finnish language in common with Russian. Mandatory point is famous market – Kauppatori, also called fish marketplace. Here you can buy fresh fish sold form cutters and typical Finnish souvenirs such as: woolen clothes, sheath knives or leather slippers. However the food is the main attraction there. Besides salmon sandwiches, herrings or sardines, we can buy there reindeer meat served as meatballs with potatoes and vegetables or even reindeer tongue – popular local delicacy. There are also jams and juices made of sea buckthorn, called Russian pineapple. In view of its medicinal properties it’s widely cultivated in Finland. Close to the market, there are: Town Hall, Presidential Palace, harbor and the main orthodox church in Finland– Uspenski Cathedral. Kauppatori is connected with famous boulevard called Esplanade where prestigious hotels, restaurants and cafes are located on two lanes separated by a park. With the population of 600 thousands residents, Helsinki almost sinks in greenery. It differs from other European capitals in view of its optimistic, calm and relaxing atmosphere. Apparently residents suffered from the shortage of this idyll because they decided to build Chapel of Silence (called Kamppi Chapel of Silence) in the city center. Chapel is ecumenical so everyone can rest here from the “noisy” city, regardless of the faith. I was scared to breathe inside this stark building in view of its absolute silence. Another interesting sacral building is a rock church – Temppeliaukion Kirkko. Don’t be misled by its inconspicuous look, resembling a bunker because inside you can find beautiful, atmospheric place. Its walls were forged from solid granite rock. Amazing pastel colors go with cupola built from glass panels and coiled copper wire. The interior is minimalist in a traditional Finnish way. Inside you can find only: stone altar, organ, pews and candles. This building has a perfect acoustics so there are often organized classical music concerts. Maybe Helsinki is a small city in comparison to other European capitals but this place is for sure an interesting alternative. Finnish minimalism “sinking” in the greenery sea, interesting city topography and amiable atmosphere make this city an ideal place to rest. ” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]

Artykuł Helsinki pochodzi z serwisu .