Discount Airfares to Helsinki
Helsinki (pronounced with the stress on the first syllable in Finnish: ['helsiŋki]), or Helsingfors in Swedish ("Stadi" in local slang) listen ▶ (?) ("Stadi" in local slang), is the capital of Finland. It is located in the southern part of Finland on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, at 60°10′ N 24°56′ E. Helsinki forms a conurbation with three other cities, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen, which are together called the capital area. This area has about 975,000 citizens. The Greater Helsinki area contains a lot more municipalities and has a total population of 1,232,741 (2004).
Helsinki spreads around a number of bays and peninsulas and over a number of islands. Some of the most important islands include Seurasaari, Lauttasaari and Korkeasaari – which is also the country's biggest zoo – as well as the fortress island of Suomenlinna (Sveaborg) and the military island of Santahamina.
The city is small and intimate; lively but not bustling. Its size makes it easy to walk around and cafés, markets, and the nearby islands are its summer delights.
The main districts around the center include Katajanokka, Eira, Kamppi, Kruununhaka, Töölö, Punavuori and Kallio.
Suomenlinna is a large fortress built on one small group of these islands in the mid-eighteenth century. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular tourist attraction.
Another popular sight is the Helsinki zoo located on an island named Korkeasaari.
Seurasaari is an outdoor museum area. It contains log houses and items collected from various parts of Finland.
Töölö district, situated close to the city center, hosts many of Helsinki's tourist attractions.
The new opera house of the Finnish National Opera, which opened in 1993, is close to the city center in Töölö.
Kaivopuisto is the most popular park in Helsinki.
Linnanmäki is Helsinki's fun fair.
If you are into architecture, Temppeliaukion kirkko is worth seeing. Built inside of stone, this unconventional church is regularly visited by tourists.
Sibelius-monumentti (The Sibelius-monument), a modernist work by sculptor Eila Hiltunen , memorializes Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and is a popular tourist attraction.
Kiasma is the museum of contemporary art, designed by Steven Holl. The museum hosts a number of exhibitions.
The Uspenski Cathedral is the main Orthodox church in Finland.
Hietaniemi is a popular beach within a walking distance from the downtown.
Kauppatori (The Market Square) is situated in the heart of Helsinki and in the summertime the numerous stands sell all kinds of Finnish crafts and foods. The traditional herring market in October is a particularly popular event, as the fishers from the archipelago sail into the harbour and sell their products, traditional foods and crafts of the Finnish coast.
Nuuksio is the piece of wilderness closest to Helsinki. This area is suitable for day trip hiking. There are lots of tiny lakes, rock, swamp and pine forest.
Heureka (actually located in Vantaa) is a science center featuring exhibitions and an IMAX theater.
The botanical gardens are worth seeing as well.
Tarvaspää, the home and atelier of the renowned Finnish painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela, lies further away from the centre, but is certainly worth a visit. The museum has many paintings by one of the central artists of Finland's "Golden era" and a nice cafe.
Air travel to Helsinki is via the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Helsinki also has popular ferry links with Stockholm,
Sweden and
Tallinn,
Estonia.
Silja,
Viking and
Tallink are the biggest ferry operators.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki
Airfare Sales to Europe!
| From | To | Valid Departing Dates | Airfares From | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | London | 06/01/2008 | - | 08/31/2008 | $939.00 |
| Chicago | Madrid | 06/01/2008 | - | 08/31/2008 | $1163.00 |
| Los Angeles | London | 06/01/2008 | - | 08/31/2008 | $1125.00 |
| Miami | Frankfurt | 06/01/2008 | - | 08/31/2008 | $1210.00 |
| San Francisco | Berlin | 06/01/2008 | - | 08/31/2008 | $1258.00 |
| Miami | Rome | 06/01/2008 | - | 08/31/2008 | $1567.00 |
| Seattle | Istanbul | 06/01/2008 | - | 08/31/2008 | $1363.00 |
| Los Angeles | Rome | 06/01/2008 | - | 08/31/2008 | $1516.00 |
| Atlanta | Athens | 06/01/2008 | - | 08/31/2008 | $1279.00 |
| Dallas | Amsterdam | 06/01/2008 | - | 08/31/2008 | $1252.00 |
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