Helsinki for New Years... Help needed.

[Akashalives]

Hi there, my friend Liz and I have enjoyed going over the forum and decided to join. We are both coming to spend New Years in Helsinki, We already have tickets for the Helldone festival, so that pretty much takes care of 3 nights of partying. (and also gives some idea on our music taste).

But we need help on what else to do. We have a reservation for Zetor on friday the 28th for dinner. We both are arriving on the 27th and leaving very early on Jan 2nd (too bad we cant go to the quiz, sounds like lots of fun).

Liz is from Melbourne Australia and Im from Mexico, we are meeting in Helsinki for the first time to go to Tavastia/Helldone. Help would be appreciated on dancing/music listening places (no hip hop R&B, rap please), heavy dancing bass and house are welcome.

Best way to get from the airport to Scandic Simonkentta hotel.

We want to try authentic Finnish food. And some shopping.

Thanks in advance and can't wait to go there!.
Ely.

Thanks guys

[karen]

Welcome-in-advance to Finland!

Authentic Finnish shopping... practice your "outrageous prices" look. Remember that you can shop tax-free as long as you have your purchases wrapped when you buy them and get the refund check. The check can be cashed at the airport. I know for sure Stockmann in the airport cashes them. I'm not sure if every retailer does that.

Zetor should take care of your desire for Finnish food. Simonkentta is very conveniently located to everything. I know of at least two McDonalds restaurants within a block.

There is a bus from downtown to the airport. It's at the bus station near the train station, very easy to find. It's right behind a big yellow building marked "Vlatva" or something like that. Getting there from the airport is very easy. Just find the stop outside the international arrivals and get on the bus that is marked for Helsinki, then ride it until you get to a place that looks like a bus station/train station.

[raamv]

Best way to get from the airport to Scandic Simonkentta hotel.

Finnair city bus is the fastest apart from a TAXi.. Regular buses stop everywhere.
The Finnair city bus tops in front of the Scandic Simonkenta Hotel( Bus stop).
http://www.helsinki-vantaa.fi/bybus

We want to try authentic Finnish food. And some shopping.

Your best bet is to go to the Restaurant manala and try the Reindeer Soup!!

[Akashalives]

Thanks, those maps for the buses were great.

I'm sure that the McDonalds will be used in emergencies if at all. *shudders*

Karen, Stockmann will change the checks of merchandise purchased at Stockmann only? or other retailers? Do you know?

Thanks for the help guys.

[karen]

Stockmann will cash all of the Tax Free checks.

[Rosamunda]

Here's a website which is great for locating restaurants and checking opening times:

http://www.eat.fi/?str=5&setLang=3

unfortunately it doesn't list the Finnish eateries as a separate item....


But, in this

http://www.helsinkiexpert.fi/flash/hels ... _week.html

you will find all the Finnish menu places, the list is on p 57. You can pick up the paper version at the airport when you arrive or at your hotel.

[Akashalives]

Thank you guys so much!.

I think that will have us set... Now for other clubs to go to.

Too bad we're going to miss Sonata Artica though.

[scottledeuce]

Thanks very much, the info above has been very helpful to me too as me and some friends are also traveling to Helsinki form Ireland for the Helldone festival.

From what I've heard from a few friend's in Finland is that Christmas can be quite enough Bar/Club wise but i have to see this for myself yet!

Snowboarding is another activity you can think about, We have plans to go to Talma as it's supossed to be where most the pro's go.
http://www.talmaski.fi/

[karen]

Unfortunately, "thinking" may be the only activity related to snowboarding if
we don't get some snow.