Europe

WHERE TO GO.

Two Hours From Helsinki:

One Hour From:

If you’ve got a) kids and b) time, before you fly out of Helsinki’s Vantaa airport, stop by the Heureka Science Museum, where you can get in touch with your inner self. Literally. Its ‘Wind in the Bowels’ exhibit is exactly what it sounds like.

Heureka Science Museum:

The postcard-worthy cuteness of
Porvoo’s historical town centre is practically tailor-made for strolling. The second-oldest city in Finland (established in 1380, after Turku around 1300) is famed for its picturesque 18th-century houses and its historic museum, Holm House, which displays all the accoutrements of a wealthy Finnish family in 1763.

Porvoo:

The measure of success in Finland
is neither fame nor fortune, but more
quiet time in nature. If you haven’t built
your requisite Finnish cottage yet, head to Nuuksio, a microcosm of the Finnish
landscape: quiet, unassuming, filled with forested paths and two dozen of Finland’s 187,888 lakes.

Nuuksio National Park:

The postcard-worthy cuteness of
Fiskars started as an ironworks
company in the 1600s, but Fiskars Village has turned into an artists’ colony. Dozens of working artisans sell jewellery, furniture, pottery, and other handcrafted designs.

Fiskars village:

One of the closest Swedish-speaking towns to Helsinki is Hanko (Swedish: Hangö), a cute-as-a-button beach resort town. Brightly coloured buildings and a boardwalk running along the scenic rocky coast make this a delightful day trip, especially in summer when the sandy beaches are filled with sunbathers thawing out after the long Finnish winter.

Hanko:

Two Hours From:

Do the happy puppies want to go for a
run? Do they? Yes, they do! On your 2km ride on a dog sled across wintry terrain, you won’t be sure who’s more excited about the exhilarating experience, you or the puppies.

Gegwen Husky Rides:

Got kids? Like warm-hearted
entertainment that’s good for the soul? This waterfront amusement park is filled with all things Moomin, the hippo-like creatures that Tove Jansson created in her beloved book and television series. Open daily in summer but check the website for off-season opening times

Moomin World:

Once Finland’s capital, Turku’s medieval streets are now filled with stately historic buildings and shops frequented by the free-spirited city’s artists and students. The imposing Turku Castle was built in 1280 by invading Swedish conquerors as a military fortress, but now hosts more tourists than invaders.

Turku:

Lonely Planet presents the best trips within three hours of 60 of the world’s most popular cities.

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