Day 7, Finland, Helsinki

A word about the Glo Hotel: I cannot recommend it more highly, not only is it one of the best in Helsinki it is one of the best I have stayed in anywhere in the world. It "Glows" in luxury, location and service.

Our last day in Helsinki we spent shopping, and you could also use this time for museums markets or a bus tour. Having seen all the essentials in the first day in Helsinki, you are now at your leisure. Stockmann department store is the biggest department store in Scandinavia, and although not my favorite, it is worth a look. Also along the same road is H&M, and other familiar stores. Souvenir shops you will find on the Senate Square. By now you would have been up and down the shopping streets, but here is a walking itinerary I found on the net that works well:

Turn right at the hotel Glo door, walk through Esplanade Park to the Market Place, past the Presidential Palace to the Russian Church (Uspenski), turn back walk Aleksanterinkatu to the Alexander's statue and Cathedral (Suurkirkko) and further back to the hotel.Can be done in 1 hour, and you will see all the shopping areas, and a lot of the main sights. As for museums, try the Ateneum Art Museum (2 hours) Finnish National Museum (2-3 hours) or the Cable Factory museums 2-3 hours depending on your taste. Perhaps you prefer markets, and there are a few in the city:Hietalahti Market, Hakaniemi Market (Hietsun Kirppis) or Valtteri Market. If you didn't get a chance to just wander around I always leave the last day to doing just that. Go back to places you would like to revisit, or shops you passed in a hurry. Try a cafe or two, and perhaps the Kynsilaukka Restaurant dedicated to garlic.

Then it is a late flight out or an early evening in to prepare for a morning departure.

Photo by Tomorrow Bystander