Work today, fly tomorrow • January 2016
Six reasons to stay on in Helsinki
From saunas to smoked reindeer, Finland is a feast for all your senses. Resident Satu Kalajainen, British Airways’ key account manager in the region, shares her hottest (and coolest) spots with The Club
Deer for dinner
For traditional Finnish cooking, grab a cab out of the city centre to Lehtovaara. Expect starched white tablecloths and old-school waiters, plus a menu featuring seasonal ingredients (try the elk tournedos with cold smoked reindeer and winter vegetables). The glass patio, with its romantic lighting, is especially inviting on dark winter days. After dinner, take a stroll to the city’s famous Sibelius monument. Last month marked the 150th anniversary of the musician’s birth.
Finn fun
Who said the Finns were shy and reserved? To see the locals letting their hair down after dark, visit Kaarle XII. Nicknamed ‘Kalle’, the venue is home to seven different bars set over two floors. Visit the Suomibaari (Finnish bar) where you can dance on the tables to Nordic pop tunes. On your way in, look up and admire the building – it was built in 1901 and resembles a museum or church, more than a nighttime hotspot.
Streets of style
Find all the big Finnish design and textile names along Pohjois-Esplanadi. Visit Marimekko for fashion, Aarikka for jewellery, and Iittala for chic Nordic furniture and accessories. There are plenty of cafes in this area, too, so you can sit and enjoy a tynkä (flat white) if you start to flag. As you wander down the street, you’ll notice the pathways are free of snow and ice, thanks to the clever underground heating system.
Seaside sightseeing
Watch the city wake up, with a cup of coffee and a traditional cinammon bun, in the Kauppatori market square. Many of the coffee stalls here near the harbour open from 6:30am all year round. Get there for 10am during the winter and you’ll see the Silja and Viking cruise ships arriving into the harbour from Stockholm.
In with the new
Kallio is the Finnish equivalent of London’s Soho. It used to be known for its nightlife, but it’s increasingly somewhere for families to visit too. The area is also popular with students and couples who want to visit independent restaurants, cafes, and shops. Oma Maa is an organic shop selling fruit and vegetables bought directly from local farmers.
Hot under the collar
Embrace the Finnish love of solitude with a trip to a traditional wooden sauna. For a population of nearly 5.5 million, the country boasts an estimated two million saunas – found in people’s homes, sports centres, hotels and even offices. Kotiharjun is the last public heated wooden sauna and it’s worth the trip. Strip off, relax, and discover the truth behind the Finnish saying: “A sauna is the poor man’s pharmacy.”
This article has been tagged Destination, Travel Tips