Cruises: don't fall in the traps!

Silja Symphony heading towards Stockholm

Helsinki is ideally located in the Gulf of Finland, close from Saint-Petersburg (Russia), Tallinn (Estonia) and Stockholm (Sweden). A lot of boats are schuttling back and forth between Finland's and Estonia's capitals from early morning to late evening 7/7. The cities are just separated by 130km of water. It is the perfect destination for some shopping (especially alcoholic beverages as the prices in Finland are really high), enjoying a spa massage or having a walk in the picturesque old town. Going to Stockholm means for many people partying on the boat in the clubs and bars until late. Some of them won't even disembark. Since a couple of years, the company St Peter Line is offering visa-free trip to Russia for a stay shorter than 72 hours.

This article is not about telling you which trip is the best, which company is the cheapest. No, it's about the traps that you should avoid.

New in Helsinki

There are a couple of novelties in Finland's capital this summer. The most visible is undoubtedly the 40m high Finnair Sky Wheel at the Southern harbor. After a year and a half under renovations, the old market hall has reopened its doors just a few days ago with old and new shops. The little island next to Suomenlinna, Lonna is finally open to the public. AmazingFinland went to all of them and is writing about them. Are they worth a visit?

Watch out for birds!

Very aggressive male bernacle 

In May-June birds are nesting a bit everywhere. As nature is never far from the urban life, some birds might create their nest in unappropriate places. They need peace. When you see a goose with an aggresive behavior (showing the tongue, running over people, opening wings, biting or flying to the face), it means that there is a female with eggs or babies very close. It is extremely important to explain the situation to children and prevent any attack. The wingspan of a adult bernacle can be up to 2m. In Helsinki, they are particularly numerous on the islands such as in the zoo of Korkeasaari, Suomenlinna, Lonna and Seurasaari which are very much visited by families.

Helsinki turns into Rio for a few hours

The spirit of the famous carnival of Rio is coming to Helsinki! Império do Papagaio will resonate between the buildings of the city center for a few hours for the 24th time. The Samba carnival brings its rythms, vivid colors and happiness! Over a thousand dancers from different samba schools in the whole country will parade from the Senate Square at 3pm and contines to Unioninkatu, Pohjoisesplanadi (North Esplanade), Mannerheimintie and Aleksanterinkatu. But do not miss the preparation of the teams from 1pm on the same square.

The little festival with an amazing lineup

The show is always splendorous with Toni Kakko, singer of Sonata Arctica

Kivenlahti Rock is one of the first music festivals to start the summer season. Located in the sport stadium of Leppävaara in Espoo at the border with Helsinki, it has one of the most impressive lineup of all festivals! The most famous Finnish artists are on the program: The Rasmus, Sonata Arctica, Jenni Vartiainen, J. Karjalainen, Indica, Haloo Helsinki and so on. It will be rock and metal but also hiphop with Cheek and JVG.