Finland is a sovereign state in Northern Europe. The country has land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east. To the south is the Gulf of Finland with Estonia on the opposite side. Finland is a Nordic country and, together with Scandinavia, is situated in the geographical region of Fennoscandia. Population: 5.495 million Area: 338,400 km² Capital: Helsinki
Flag of Finland
Our week in Finland was very relaxing to say the least. From the moment we got to Helsinki everything was calm, organised, clean, efficient and easy. Nothing is overstated and yet they have a lot to offer. The people are polite, and the children are seen but not heard. It is the first country we noticed a lack of multiculturalism, a great variety of food but not of people. Except of course when a cruise ship hits town. The weather was unseasonably warm for May which was great for us. Our Airbnb was in walking distance to Hietaniemi beach. When people picture Helsinki, they probably think about anything but a beach, although not as good as some of our Australian beaches it was still very nice. I did not know that Finland was once ruled by Russia, there are still traces of that era around the city.
Monument to Celebrate Finland 100 years of Independence from Russia
Hietaranta Beach in Helsinki
We did a ferry trip out to Suomenlinna, or Sveaborg, translation Finland Castle, it is an inhabited sea fortress built on six islands which now forms part of the city of Helsinki, the ferry trip is very pleasant if it is a nice day. You can buy a day pass that allows you to hop on and off each island. Worth a trip.
Around the harbour is always a hive of activity with markets, food stalls, locals and tourist soaking up the atmosphere. Approaching Helsinki from the sea, the skyline is dominated by the white Lutheran Helsinki Cathedral and the redbrick Uspenski Cathedral, the largest Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe.
Helsinki and Uspenski Cathedrals
Helsinki Townhall
Old Market Hall
Monument to the famous composer jean sibelius
One wonders are the finish people trying to keep this wonderful calm understated country to themselves? and then again who can blame them !!!
And the final picture of Finland “the piss boy at the port” are they trying to tell us something Ha Ha
The Capital of Russia is Moscow, Russia is one of the few countries with a negative growth rate, and its 2018 population is estimated at 143.96 million, a decline from an estimated population of 146.3 million in 2015. It’s currently the 9th most populous country on earth, despite being the largest by area, at 17,125,200 square kilometres, covering more than one-eighth of the Earth’s inhabited land Extending across the entirety of Northern Asia and much of Eastern Europe, Russia spans eleven-time zones and incorporates a wide range of environments and landforms.
Flag of Russia
We were able to get an overnight ferry from Finland that allowed us to stay 3 days in St Petersburg without going through all the hassle of getting a visa. You can only apply for a visa from your place of residence 3 months before your visit, but this was no good for us as we have been on the road now for over 2 years. St Petersburg is a beautiful city, we did a lot in our 3 days, from visiting the Hermitage, Faberge Museum, Peter and Paul Fortress, several Cathedrals and Castles.
Peter and Paul Fortress
St Isaac’s Cathedral (picture on the right)
The Church of the Saviour on the spilt blood
The Troitsky Cathedral
Palace Square with the Hermitage Museum
Faberge Museum
We also spent some time in the beautiful summer gardens. I have always thought any city surrounded by water is beautiful and St Petersburg is no exception with the Neva river and a multitude of canals water is everywhere.
Summer Gardens
A few things to note about Russia, Uber is very cheap and eating out is very affordable. When we got off the ferry at St Petersburg Russia, the customs and border patrol was chaotic, there was no organisation what so ever. A 3 and 4-star Hotel in Russia seem more like I or 2-star hotel in Australia (actually I am not sure if we even have 1 or 2-star hotels in Australia. This being said it is still a wonderful place to visit. Russia is getting ready for the soccer world cup, it will be interesting to see how it goes as it is hard to find a local that speaks English, but then again why should they, when in Rome !!!We also spent some time in the beautiful summer gardens. I have always thought any city surrounded by water is beautiful and St Petersburg is no exception with the Neva river and a multitude of canals water is everywhere.
Estonia
The territory of Estonia consists of a mainland and 2,222 islands in the Baltic Sea, covering a total area of 45,227 km², water 2,839 km², land area 42,388 km², and is influenced by a humid continental climate. Population: 1.316 million. For the last 300 years Estonia’s been linked to Russia, but the two states do not have much in common. Estonia is located in Northern Europe and shares a border with Latvia and Russia. Estonia became the 17th member of the Eurozone on the 1st of January 2011, when the Euro replaced the Estonian Kroon (EEK). Estonia seems very happy to be part of the EU and the EU are happy to have them.
Flag of Estonia
After 3 days in Russia we got back on the overnight ferry and continued our journey to Estonia Tallinn. We stayed in the old medieval town of Tallinn Estonia, like some of the other countries we have visited we did not know much about Estonia, well only that they were in the Eurovision Song Contest when I was a kid 😂. It really is a lovely place and the medieval town is one of the best we have seen. Our Airbnb was right in the centre of the old town square, a great location.
Our Airbnb was in the triangle section of the building in the photo the old town square
We spent most of our time in the old town as there is so much to see and do, we visited the Freedom Square, the beautiful Alexander Nevsky Cathederal, walked around the walls of the old town, had dinner in a Medieval establishment, climbed up Toompea Hill to see the views of the city and castle. My favourite thing to do was to stroll through the cobble streets, window shopping and stopping for a coffee or glass of wine.
Alexander Nevsky Cathederal and Freedom Cross and square
Walls and towers of the old town of Tallinn
Alexander Nevsky Cathederal
View from Toompea a limestone hill in the central part of the city of Tallinn
Medieval Restaurant
Martin loving this medieval restaurant
Love this place and the weather was a perfect 24 degrees.
Estonia’s ability to accommodate a large number of cruise ships makes it a popular destination. I am surprised that the locals do not get annoyed with the amount of tour groups traipsing through their town, but I suppose for some of them, tourism is their bread and butter.