And, to get along in Finland without being able to speak finnish, english is a good way.
We spent our summer holidays in Finland this year!
some statistics on our road trip:
southernmost city: Helsinki - northernmost: Rovaniemi.
km driven: about 3000
route: Helsinki - Turku - Pori - Kokkola - Oulu - Rovaniemi - Kuusamo - Kajaani - Joensuu - Mikkel - Helsinki
15 days (11.-25.o6.)
day 1: (wed)
By ferry we arrive in Helsinki and take the road straight to Turku. The weather's really nice to us, and so we make our way to the archipelago in our summer clothes. Since we are not interested in hopping on another ferry to reach the other little islands, we park our car and have a nice, relaxing afternoon in the sun on a rocky beach with almost no other people around.
Time goes by and so we head back for a short walk in the city by the river. Though quite a lot of people are busy here, the atmosphere is still relaxed. I get a feeling, these holidays are going to be great ones!
distance Helsinki - Turku: ~170km
day 2: (thu)
Turku time!
Finland's oldest city has quite a story to tell, so we walk over to Turunlinna. This more than 700 year old castle provides information on Turku, medival Finland's connection to the rest of the world and life in general at these times. It seems to be bigger on the inside, so there really is a lot to be seen. On our way back, we also visit the pharmacy museum (this might be more vested interest: I work at a pharmacy) nearer to the city centre. This place offers more than a historical view on pharmacy, it also has preserved a town house from the 18th century. Beautiful antique furniture can be admired here, so lovely!
Just a short walk from there, the dome of Turku is located. And still there is so much more to see, but not for us today. We have ourselfs a relaxing evening.
day 3: (fri)
We're leaving Turku in the direction of Pori.
First stop: Askainen with castle Louhisaari, birthplace of C.G.E. Mannerheim. Our next stop is Uusikaupunki, where we just have a coffee and simply enjoy the ease.
We're recommended to visit Rauma with it's framehouses, and so we stop by there next and have a walk through the city. And then we're already in Pori. Quite a lazy day, but hey - we're on our holidays here ;)
distance Turku - Pori: ~150km
day 4: (sat)
Today's destination is Kokkola!
best weather, right?
We take a break at Kristiinankaupunki, where a village fair takes place. While lingerning around, we find Ulrika-Eleonora-church, so pretty from the inside with rokkoko-interior; but also offering an interesting view from the outside with it's steeple bending to the west.
(yeah, it's not so obvious in this picture. But just take a look at the sky! What a color!)We drive on, passing Närpiö and Vaasa, and arrive at Pietasaari. When you're around in that area: Visit Fäboda! Why? See for yourself :)
But not only being lazy at the beach, Fäboda also offers the remarkable Nanoq Museum. I recommend to take the guided tour. I dind't knew I wanted to know so much about polarexpeditions. But I did. Excellent!
In the evening, we reach Kokkola. After our evening meal, we take an enjoyable walk around the city.
distance Pori - Kokkola: ~310km
day 5: (sun)
Heading to the white town of the north: Oulu.
There's a great place to check out: Hiekkasärkät, northernmost sand dunes.
ok, I won't bother you with more pictures, you get it already I assume ;)
It's not a secret I'm a big fan of finnish band "sentenced", so we decide to drive through Muhos before we reach Oulu (yes, man. I'm a fangirl. You didn't knew? You know now.).
And then Oulu. Unfortunately we're here on a sunday, we would have loved to spend an evening at the Nuclear Nightclub. So, the next morning we shop a little and then leave by now. Quite a pity, right?
distance Kokkola - Oulu: ~200km
