News
from Finnish Tourist Board (NY)
www.visitfinland.org/na
Source: Maria Conte

Archived press release

Helsinki Tourist Helpers offer advice and assistance in 20 languages.

Top 10 list of free and inexpensive ways to enjoy Helsinki this summer

NEW YORK, NY (2004) - Travelers seeking to maximize their travel budget will find a bounty of free and inexpensive things to see and do in Finland's exciting capital this summer. Summer fun includes free concerts, city cards good for discounts and free rides on trams and trolleys, roving tourist helpers and free bike rentals. These perks and more await the five million tourists expected to visit the capital between May and September when the average midday temperature is 72 degrees, the city's parks are lush green and the midsummer sun barely winks good night.

1. Helsinki Helpers. A Helsinki Helper is a valuable, and free, bonus to summer travels in Helsinki. Need to find a supermarket? ATM? special museum? Want some bottled water? The 24 specially schooled, mostly tow-headed Helsinki Helpers are ready to assist in up to 20 languages, including English, Japanese and Croatian. They are found 8 am to 8 pm in key tourist areas of city center such as the Esplanade and have been known to go to extremes to help visitors. One wayward gentleman from Connecticut, separated from his voucher-bearing wife, explained that he did not know where he was booked for the night. The Helpers called around until they found his hotel and escorted him there!

2. The "3T" Tour. Prefer sightseeing on your own? For less than 2 Euros (US$2.50) you can hop Tram No. 3 (in either direction T or B) and do a figure 8 through Helsinki. Tour past seaside Market Square (one of many fabulous Helsinki markets) where vendors of fresh produce and quality crafts hawk their wares and a fresh salmon and salad lunch will ring up at about 10 Euros (US$12). Also see the Opera House, the art deco Railway Station, the Natural History Museum, the Rock Church and Senate Square crowned by its imposing Lutheran Cathedral and University Library. Holders of a Helsinki Card may hop off and on the tram as they please at no additional charge.
www.hel.fi/HKL

3. Spårakoff Beer Tour Tram. The1950s red Spårakoff Beer Tram is a traveling bar serving fresh Finnish beer and more while you tour Helsinki. The attraction-chocked 40-minute ride starts from the Helsinki Railway Square. It operates Wednesday-Saturday from May 19 to August 14. The price is 7 Euros (US$8.40). www.sinebrychoff.fi  (press releases).

4. Dress Rehearsals for a Song. For a double dose of superb music and award winning architecture, all for only 2 Euros (US$2.40), try a dress rehearsal of the Helsinki Philharmonic at Finlandia Hall. Concerts start at 10 am. Dress rehearsal tickets are sold prior to the performance at the InfoShop in the main foyer of Finlandia Hall. www.hel.fi/filharmonia

5. Helsinki Card Perks. Nearly 90 percent of Helsinki Card users are foreign tourists accustomed to similar cards in other European capitals. In addition to familiar sights such as the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, the Olympic Stadium, Linnanmäki Amusement Park and Helsinki Zoo. The card offers free entry to most museums, complimentary use of the city's trams, shopping discounts and more. Costs for the 1-, 2- and 3- day cards are 24, 35 and 45 Euros (US$30, $42, $54, respectively).

6. City Bike Around. A Citybike is a practical way to get around town during summertime. Hop on one of the bright green bikes located at 26 stands in the center of Helsinki and tour the city as you please. There are well- marked bike paths throughout Helsinki, on its busiest streets and scenic districts such as Töölö Bay. Pay only a 2 Euros (US$2.40)deposit. After you have finished cycling, and return the bike to any City-bike Stand your 2 Euro deposit is returned. www.hel.fi/hkl

7. Designer Wares, Outlet Prices. Seeking good deals on designer glassware, tableware and kitchen items? Try a trip to the Arabia Factory in Hämeentie just outside Helsinki. Discounts of up to 30% can be had on a large selection of goods. Open daily. Take Tram No. 6 to Arabia.
www.iittala.com

8. Interesting Festivals. You will be thrilled while attending one of Helsinki's many and outstanding summer festivals:

As uplifting as they are plentiful the concerts of Helsinki's Organ Festival (June 6 through August 30) take you to architecturally rich and varied churches throughout the capital.

The URBO4 Urban Festival at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Kiasma, covers all forms of contemporary art July 28-August 8. Koneisto, the Festival of Electronic Music and Arts takes place August 13 and 14 at the Cable Factory, a magnet for established artists as well as up and coming talent.

Helsinki's largest and most diverse cultural festival, the Helsinki Festival, Aug 20-Sep 5 touts a huge rainbow of arts including magic acts, folk performances, art exhibitions, theater, dance, and music held at venues throughout the city and also under the huge "Huvila Tent" built just for the occasion; many performance cost 10-15 Euros (US$12-18).

www.festivals.fi

9. Great Museums. Finland's dynamic capital alone offers more than 80 museums and art galleries. These include Kiasma, the architecturally stunning museum of modern art and Ateneum, Finland's oldest museum housing art works from the 18th century to the 1960s. The new Bank of Finland Museum, which livens up monetary policy and the history of money with novel exhibitions, is free all year round. Almost all museums including Kiasma and Suomenlinna Fortress have admission fees ranging from 2 to 5 Euros (US$2.40-$6).

10. Try Sauna. In Finland the sauna is an institution revered by every Finn and the traditions involved are treated with respect. Most hotels have sauna, but for public saunas try the wood-heated Kotiharjun sauna, the Finnish Sauna Society or Cafe Tin Tin (where you can sauna and dine all in one place). Sauna rates are under 10 Euros (US$12).

For more information contact the Finnish Tourist Board 212-885-9700/1-800- FIN-INFO and e-mail mek.usa@mek.fi, www.visitfinland.org/na, www.finlandkingsroad.com.

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