The Perfect Financial Finnish – Helsinki Offers Dollar Stretching Options for Visitors

Helsinki definitely got the memo about the current American economy. With the dramatic dip in the dollar getting as much page time as Paris, Hilton that is and the continued strength and sexiness of the almighty Euro getting equally as much face time, it’s good to know that Finland is not leaving it’s America tourists in the economic dust.

Tourists from all financial walks of travel will find a bounty of free and inexpensive things to see and do in Finland’s capital city Helsinki through the end of September, from free concerts to city cards good for discounts. It’s easy to take in all of the city’s sites with free rides on trams and trolleys, roving tourist helpers and free bike rentals.

With an average midday temperature of 72 degrees in these late days of summer, Helsinki is a great place to take in 24 hours of sunlight in summer. The fall still offers cool temperatures and great benefits before the winter freeze. 

Helsinki Helpers are a valuable, and free, bonus to travelers in Helsinki. The 20+ specially schooled, mostly tow-headed Helsinki Helpers are ready to assist in up to 20 languages, including English, Japanese and Croatian. They are found daily in key tourist areas of city center such as the Esplanade and have been known to go to extremes to help visitors.

The “3T” Tour is for those who prefer to sightsee on their own. For about 2 Euros (US$3) you can hop Tram No. 3 (in either direction T or B) and do a figure 8 through Helsinki past South Harbor’s Market Square (a fabulous Helsinki market) where vendors of fresh produce and quality crafts hawk their wares and a fresh salmon and salad lunch will ring up at about 10 Euros (US$15).

Also see the Opera House, the art deco Railway Station, the Natural History Museum, the Rock Church and Senate Square crowned by its imposing Lutheran Cathedral and University Library. Holders of a Helsinki Card may hop off and on the tram as they please at no additional charge.
 
Spårakoff Beer Tour Tram – The1950s red Spårakoff Beer Tram is a traveling bar serving fresh Finnish beer and more while you tour Helsinki. The attraction-chocked 40-minute ride starts from the Mikonkatu tram stop, near Helsinki’s Railway Square; there are five stops including the Helsinki Opera House. The tram operates Tuesday-Saturday May 1-August 31, 2008; departures every hour from 2 PM to 8 PM. The price is 8 Euros (US$12).

If you’d like a dress rehearsal for a song, you can get a double dose of music and award winning architecture, all for only 2 Euros (US$3). Try a dress rehearsal of the Helsinki Philharmonic at Finlandia Hall.  January through May concerts start at 10 am. Dress rehearsal tickets are sold prior to the performance at the InfoShop in the main foyer of Finlandia Hall.
 
In addition to free entrance to nearly 50 sights and museums including Suomenlinna Sea Fortress a UNESCO World Heritage site, Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, the Olympic Stadium, Linnanmäki Amusement Park and Helsinki Zoo, Helsinki Card Perks   offers free entry to most museums, unlimited free travel on public transportation, discounts at: restaurants, concerts, tours, and shopping.  Costs for the 24-, 48- and 72-hour cards are 24, 35 and 45 Euros (US$36, $53, $68, respectively).

A Citybike is a practical way to get around town during summertime. June through August you can hop on one of the bright green bikes located at 26 stands in the center of Helsinki and tour the city as you please. There are well-marked bike paths throughout Helsinki, on its busiest streets and scenic districts such as Töölö Bay. Pay only a 2 Euros (US$3) deposit. After you have finished cycling, and return the bike to any City-bike stand your deposit is returned.

If you’re in to designer Wares at outlet Prices, try a trip to the Arabia Factory in Hämeentie just outside Helsinki. Discounts of up to 30% can be had on a large selection of goods. Open daily. Take Tram No. 6 to Arabia.

While attending one of Helsinki’s many and outstanding festivals that take place spring to fall, many performances are free; otherwise the average price range is 10-15 Euros; US$15-$23.

Finland’s dynamic capital alone offers more than 80 museums and art galleries. These include Kiasma, the architecturally stunning museum of modern art and Ateneum, Finland’s oldest museum housing art works from the 18th century to the 1960s. The new Bank of Finland Museum, which livens up monetary policy and the history of money with novel exhibitions, is free all year round as is the Kirpilä Art Collection of Finnish at. Almost all museums including Suomenlinna Fortress have admission fees ranging from 4 to 10 Euros (US$6-$15). 

Finland’s dynamic capital alone offers more than 80 museums and art galleries. These include Kiasma, the architecturally stunning museum of modern art and Ateneum, Finland’s oldest museum housing art works from the 18th century to the 1960s. The new Bank of Finland Museum, which livens up monetary policy and the history of money with novel exhibitions, is free all year round as is the Kirpilä Art Collection of Finnish at. Almost all museums including Suomenlinna Fortress have admission fees ranging from 4 to 10 Euros (US$6-$15). 

Additionally, there are many free attractions in Helsinki. The Seurasaari Open-Air Museum with folk buildings; the Cable Factory center for art galleries, an endless offering of traditionally interesting cafes and cultural events; City Winter Garden established in 1893 with a cacti and palm laden conservatory; the famous “Rock Church” carved in granite as well as the lavishly Byzantine-Slavonic style Uspenski Cathedral and the austere Cathedral; Old Hall Food Market at South Harbor brims with fantastic Finnish herring, cold cuts, fruit, fresh berries and bakery items. are but a few. 

In Finland the beloved sauna is an institution revered by every Finn where the traditions involved are treated with the utmost respect. Most hotels have saunas, but for public saunas try the wood-heated Kotiharjun sauna, the Finnish Sauna Society or Cafe Tin Tin (where you can sauna and dine all in one place). Sauna is a uniquely Finnish cultural experience and rates are generally under 10 Euros; US$15.

For a visual gift, take an urban walk. It’s free and the eye is forever inspired by the Finnish backdrop. An Art Nouveau Walk around Helsinki’s fanciful Jugendstil districts is aesthetically stunning. Themes from nature (flowers, vines), rounded doors and windows, artful hinges and metal and wood combos underscore Finland’s national identity. Katajanokka and Eira are favorite districts, but Jugendstil is everywhere.

Finally, at the Grand Casino Helsinki two Euros gains you entrance to the 1920’s glamour, 30 gaming tables, 300 slot machines, 3 restaurants, 3 bars, shows and live music and unlimited amusement in a tastefully decorated palatial setting. The casino is open 363 days a year from noon to 4 A.M.
   
For more information about Finland visit www.visitfinland.com or call 877-GOFINLAND (877.463.4652). For more information Helsinki visit  www.visithelsinki.fi 

 By Karen Loftus