Introduction

Finland just recently gained its independence from Russian after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917.

There is many different religious monuments in Helsinki such as the Uspenski Cathedral which is Orthodox and the Lutheran Cathedral. Lutheran is the state religion.There are many museums to see as well.

Surrounding Finland on three (3) sides is the Baltic Sea.

Port Orientation

The ship enter and exit the commerical port through a chain of small islands.

Transportation

There taxi's you can take to get into the heart of city, the cost is about $15.  The cruise may offer a shuttle betweet the ship and city for about  $5-$10.   If you want to tour the sights there is a double decker tour bus that will take you to the major sights for approximetly $25.

Sigthseeing

There are hour long to full day excursions taken by boat.

There is an indooroutdoor market on the Helsinki's waterfront.  Here you can eat at cafes, grab a coffee and just see the sights.

There are many beautiful churches and interesting museums to see, so try to leave time for that as well.

Helsinki Card

The Helsinki Card is an ideal way to explore Helsinki without the hassle of having to queue and pay directly at the attraction. It is a perfect way to see Helsinki and save money.

This card is available for sale on Expedia or you can view this site for full details and purchase locations:  http://www.helsinkiexpert.fi/helsinkicard/

The Helsinki Card offers you free access to over 40 attractions in Helsinki. There is something for everyone with museums and the zoo, city and boat transportations, botanical gardens and sightseeing tours and much more and all for one purchase price. Once you have purchased your Helsinki Card you gain fast track entry to over 40 of Helsinki's attractions free of charge. The Helsinki Card also offers great value discounts on different services, for example concerts, opera, sports, sauna, rentals etc. You will also receive a guide book with information on the attractions which are included in your Helsinki Card.

Yarn Shops

Menita

The largest yarn shop in Helsinki. If you only have time to go to one, take this one. You will find Drops, Sandnes, Lopì,as well as domestiv brands sich as Wetterhoff and Pirkanmaa. I also found the most delicate lace weight yarn from Grignasco in silk/merino. Opposite the shop is the Design museum.   Korkeavuorenkatu/Högbergsgatan 20 - Open: mon-fri 10-6, sat 10-3.

Novitas

Factory outlet for Novita yarn, which is probably the equivalent of Lion Brand. Some pure wool or cotton, but a lot of acrylic also. Not all that exciting, in my opinion.

Website: http://www.novita.fi

Kiviaidankatu 2 C, Lautasaari, buss 65A or 66A (men ska snart flytta till/soon relocating to Vattuniemenkatu 20)   Opening hours: mon-fri 10-17, sat 10-14

Salutorget

On the market square by the harbor you can find all sorts of touristy things. But if you're lucky you may also find "Riihivila's" stall with the nice bearded man. (He speaks some English.) There is naturally dyed yarn and mitten kits, as well as ready-made knitware.

Kauppatori/Salutorget vid hamnen

Open: mon-fri 6.30-18, sat 6.30-16, sommarsöndagar/Sundays in the summer 10-16

Helsky

A shop selling finer handicraft, not too touristy. In a tiny room at the back there is a wall of shelves with yarn, mostly Pirkanmaa. I also found a fascinating boucle mohair in lovely colours.

Phone: +358-9 677 703  Opening hours: mon-fri 10-6, sat 10-4.

Vihreä Vyyhti

Ett litet bås på den övre våningen i gamla Hagnäs saluhall. Hit tar man metron eller spårvagn 1, 3, 6 eller 7. Det finns inte så mycket garn, mest från Online, men däremot Susanne's ädelträstickor till det facila priset av 7 euro för raka och lite mer för runda. Just nu ganska utplockat, men till hösten (2005) kommer mer.   Saluhallen i sig är annars värd ett besök.

A tiny stall on the second floor of the market hall at Hakaniemi. Take the Take the metro or the trams 1, 3, 6 and 7. Not that much yarn, mainly OnLine. But I found Susanne's knitting needles in rosewood for only 7 euros! More sizes will be in the autumn, the nice lady assured me. The market hall in itself is also worth a visit.   Website: http://www.vihreavyyhti.fi

Hakaniemen halli/Hagnäs saluhall

Opening hours: mon-fri 11-5, sat 10-2.

Hakaniemen halli, 2. krs.  00530 Helsinki

Puh. (09) 753 7504 tai 040-5466 889

Sypressi

Nice little place in the Kiseleff house, where you can find all kinds of handicraft. This shop has Drops alpaca, Lopì and Pirkanmaa yarn among other things. There is also readymade knitwear. The staff speaks English and are very helpful.

Unionkatu 27B/Kiseleff talo

Opening hours: mon-fri 10-6, sat 10-4

Helsinki City Market

City market next to the harbor; has booths selling knitwear (especially fruit caps), hand-dyed handspun yarns.

 
I was contacted by this knitter who has a small business selling 100% Finnsheep yarn dyed by hand with plants and mushrooms.  She sells her yarn at the marketplace Kauppatori in Helsinki. There are also other hand made crafts at the market.

One of the highlights of this elegant city is Kauppatori Market Square, gently swept by sea-winds and attractively set against the backdrop of Helsinki's 19th century harbour. The produce is fresh and well presented. Fish is a specialty, and for the more adventurous shoppers, there's a chance to purchase Finnish delicacies such as cured reindeer meat, cloudberries and lingonberries. The market takes place every Monday to Saturday morning throughout the year but in the summer months it also opens in the afternoon. And when you're all shopped out, you can sit yourself down in one of the many surrounding cafes and simply enjoy watching the crowds bustling from stall to stall and the gulls wheeling over the waterfront.

Riihivilla's Booth at the Market

In Riihivilla's booth, you can find soft yarn from 100% Finnsheep wool in 8 natural colors of sheep and also yarn dyed with plants and mushrooms, lots of colors, but not very big amounts of each color, because they are hand dyed and unique. There are also kits for mittens with this yarn and instructions and pattern in English. Some ready made mittens and hats, but mostly yarn.   Pictures and more information of the Riihivilla yarn and booth are in the website:  http://riihivilla.blogspot.com/

Average Temperature

Average High Temperature

Average Low Temperature