10 or so days holiday in May

cranberry · Post by **cranberry** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 10:03 am

Hello,

My friend is coming to Helsinki on the 20th of May and we have accommodation until the 31st of May, after which we will be flying out to travel central/southern Europe.

My question is whether 10 or so days is enough time to comfortably show him a bit of Tallinn, St Petersburg and Riga, but also Lapland for a bit (early midnight sun), whilst still experiencing Helsinki enough?
If not, would it be a better experience to show him around Helsinki more and ditch Estonia, St Petersburg and Latvia trip for Lapland?

We only have until the 31st

Thanks!!

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Rip · Post by **Rip** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 11:21 am

With a schedule like that you're not perhaps planning to stay overnight in Tallinn or st. Petersburg? If you do not need to make bookings much in advance I'd consider making some of your plans weather dependent. Ski Lapland if the weather isn't good there, reduce the time in Helsinki, Tallinn + St Petersburg if its raining on these latitudes.

cranberry · Post by **cranberry** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 2:39 pm

Yes maybe an overnight stays, but maybe more like 2 days in Riga, Latvia and/or st petersburg seeing as they are close together? Lapland would need at least 2days min? And maybe just consider the weather to be good for now, if it is bad weather plans will most likely change i think

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riku2 · Post by **riku2** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 5:08 pm

I would drop one of tallin or riga and spend more time in st petersburg. Comparing st petersburg with those two is like comparing Lyon with Paris. And there are not just the things in the centre of st petersburg but large palaces just outside it also (Peterhof and Catherine palace for example). I would allow three whole days there at least.

It really depends what else you and your friend have seen. For someone who's been to the rocky mountains or the alps in switzerland (or even Norway) then lapland is rather tame. The Hermitage on the other hand would impress even the people who work at the Louvre.
On the other hand being shown around a city where your host lives is much better than going somewhere where both of your are tourists in a foreign land (something you can really do anywhere anytime).

atas · Post by **atas** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 7:33 pm

First of all, I would leave Riga out. I haven't been there, but since it is let's say in the same level with Tallinn (I have heard some good words about Riga) but more far away from Helsinki, I would leave that one out. Tallinn, you could do in just one day trip. I wouldn't exclude it altogether since it is so close to Helsinki and quite an interesting town.

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 8:27 pm

but maybe more like 2 days in Riga, Latvia and/or st petersburg seeing as they are close together

Looking from Helsinki they are not close together. The only way you can visit St Petersburg without getting a visa in advance is to use a specific boat from Helsinki. With your schedule you'd visit Riga by plane or not at all. Assuming it does not have much better weather than the other alternatives, I'd skip it (Nothing wrong with it as such, but it is not Finland, not as close as Tallinn and hardly can compete with St. Petersburg for sights).

cranberry · Post by **cranberry** » Tue Dec 17, 2013 4:24 am

Cool thanks a lot for that info! I guess 3 or 4 days St Petersburg and it's surroundings as well as a day trip to Tallinn sounds most recommended!

I'll look into it more over time and return with more questions!

Cheers!

Flossy1978 · Post by **Flossy1978** » Wed Dec 18, 2013 9:26 am

Tallinna puts Helsinki to shame. Look at the cool "small skyscrapers" they have there these days in the city LOL.

cranberry · Post by **cranberry** » Wed Dec 25, 2013 3:20 am

Flossy1978 wrote:Tallinna puts Helsinki to shame. Look at the cool "small skyscrapers" they have there these days in the city LOL.

Hahaha! I have heard about those mini towers! Sounds awesome

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