Finally have time to sit down, organize the photos in chronological order to detail down every single memory for my blog readers. If you can't wait for it, watch my YouTube Shorts first.
This would be our 2nd trip to Europe and chosen this country for his 50th birthday and to satisfy my northern light chasing.
So we took an overnight flight to arrive in Helsinki early morning on 8 December 2024. After gathering all the tour members (yes, we are on package tour again), our adventure in Finland began with Porvoo.
This charming and historic city is located in the southern part of Finland. Being one of the six medieval towns of Finland, it is known for its well-preserved old town, cobbled streets, and colorful wooden houses. The combination of its historical charm with modern amenities makes it popular with visitors who want to explore Finland's cultural heritage.
PORVOO OLD TOWN
The picturesque district of Porvoo Old Town (also known as Vanha Porvoo) is famous for its narrow streets, unique architecture, and the iconic red-painted wooden warehouses lining along the scenic river (Porvoo River) to add its charm. No wonder it is a popular place for strolling in tranquility, shopping at handcraft shops, or dining at a restaurant with a view.
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| Red Shore Houses along Porvoo River |
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| So unreal like coming out from a postcard |
By the way, it was Sunday and most shops were closed which is quite common in Finland because is family day. Even if it is not Sunday, shops closes early too. The latest I seen was 8pm if I'm not wrong. So on the other side of Porvoo Old Town, I can only stroll and immerse in the colourful-looking houses along the street with the snowy view. I can't emphasize enough of the snowy sight.
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| First thought: Like Cowboy Town without cowboys and horses |
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| A typical shop front in Porvoo looking woody chic and Christmasy |
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| Rivitalo - A single-story long building with 3-6 units |
One of the oldest museum in Finland, Porvoo Museum has a regional responsibility in Eastern Uusimaa that fosters, maintains, researches, and conveys material and immaterial cultural and natural heritage of Porvoo and Eastern Uusimaa. The museum operates in two buildings, the Old Town Hall and Holm House.
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| Porvoo Museum that connects in many ways to Old Town Hall |
The church is situated on a hill overlooking the town covered in snow. The beautiful sight is simply awesome and makes one feel so cozy and warmth. The distinctive brick exterior and historical interior reflect the town's deep-rooted Christian heritage. The church became a cathedral in 1723 when the diocese of Vyborg was transferred to Porvoo. Nowadays, the cathedral is Porvoo's Finnish-speaking parish' central place of worship, and the main church of Porvoo's Swedish-speaking parish and Diocese. Oh by the way, if there is a mass going on, you can't go in for a visit. And we didn't manage to get a glimpse on the inside.
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| The historic and gothic exterior of Porvoo Cathedral |
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| Parts of the original survived till date since the 1st incarnation in the 13th century |
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| The cathedral up on the hill overlooking the snowy town |
THE SENATE SQUARE
Senate Square and its surroundings make up the oldest part of central Helsinki, like Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, University of Helsinki's main building and the Sederholm House. In the 17th and 18th-centuries, the site was the location of a graveyard before designating as the main square for the new capital of Helsinki in the city plan in 1812.
A statue of Alexander II located in the center of the square was erected in 1894 to commemorate his re-establishment of the Diet of Finland in 1863 as well as his initiation of several reforms that increased Finland's autonomy back then.
By the way, Helsinki Christmas Market 2024 edition was held at Senate Square from 29 Nov 2024 to 22 Dec 2024.
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| Helsinki Cathedral overlooking the Senate Square |
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| Helsinki Christmas Market at Senate Square |
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| Alexander II monumental statue |
Also known as the Church of the Rock, this active Lutheran church was built directly into solid rock and thus becoming a popular tourist sight. Although an entrance fee of 8 euro per adult, they won Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards Winner 2024 which means to see no one actually will deter from visiting this tremendous architecture in Helsinki. The church hall, covered with a dome, lined with copper was supported on the rock walls by reinforced concrete beams, with the interior walls are of rugged rock and rubble wall as seen in my photo.
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| View inside Temppeliaukio Church from 2nd storey |
SIBELIUS MONUMENT IN SIBELIUS PARK
The Sibelius Monument is dedicated to the famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius and is located at Sibelius Park. The Monument resembles organ pipes that consists of over 600 hollow steel pipes welded together in a wave-like pattern to represent the essence of Sibelius' music. And also a sculpture of the composer on one side. A smaller version of the monument can be found at UNESCO HQ in Paris to pay homage to the composer.
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| Sibelius Monument |
HELSINKI STAY - ORIGINAL SOKOS HOTEL VAAKUNA
Asema-aukio 2 00100 Helsinki, Finland
The tour agency arranged for our group to stay in this hotel, which is located right opposite Helsinki Central Railway Station (or Rautatieasema Jarnvags Station). You will find a fast-food chain, Hesburger and a supermarket, S-Market. Also this hotel is surrounded with shopping streets, plus walkable distance to Senate Square, which we ended up at the wrong direction back to the hotel after checking out Stockmann for Louis Vuitton (haha...). I heard Louis Vuitton is much affordable here because of the tax refund, so you know the drill. I will advise buying bigger items like bags to see the difference (as told before by my SA from Dior).
The room was okay for us though for some, it might look small. Hotel room view was good, exactly what you see when you go out of the hotel (but from top down view). And do you know that this hotel was built for the 1952 Summer Olympics that was held in Helsinki? I bet you don't know.
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| Entrance into the hotel |
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| I wish my home is that big to have such cozy corner |
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| I started to love the Salcar star because of Finland |
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| The rooftop corner and if there is a fireplace beside it, a perfect view and vibes |
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| Made my own Croissant Sandwich at breakfast buffet |
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| 8+am in the morning outside the hotel |
The weather in Porvoo and Helsinki was comparable to our 2023 Winter trip to Hokkaido. But for the rest of the trip, it got a little intense with the temperature getting lower to below negative. Didn't experience snowing but snow has piled up everywhere probably days before our arrival or overnight snowing when we hit the sack. Basically stepping on snow everyday which is not possible at all in our country.
We saw many Burger King and Hesburger fast food outlets but not much of Mcdonald's. And for Starbucks fan, I absolutely regretted not to get my mug at Helsinki airport when we arrived because I simply can't find any throughout the trip. So please listen to my advice, grab at the airport and lug through your trip.
So that's a short post for Porvoo and Helsinki which actually we did all the visiting to the attractions in a day. Watch my Youtube Shorts to supplement your travel bug if you haven't visit Finland yet.
Let me now get ready for the next post on Tallinn, Estonia. Stay tune!
Disclaimer: Not a sponsored post. All the above were paid by the writer.