Finland 100 years in 2017
 

We Finns are celebrating 100 years of independence since 1917 (6th December) and now is prime time for all kinds of happenings. Last night took off a spectacular fireworks event in Helsinki, hopefully some of FT people were there.

I thought starting a thread here to help FT'ers ask questions and seek advice for visits in Finland. I will start by adding a simple webpage to look for more information about the jubilee year, activities, spots, tips etc.

Here is the link for Finland 100 years pages in several languages

Hopefully we'll be there in 2017. It will be our first stop (flying in to Helsinki) on a 2 week trip throughout the Nordic countries.

I was in Helsinki just over a year ago,mind you it was VERY cold!! But I enjoyed it very much,even had a pint in the Pickwick Pub opposite the station,but had trouble finding a public toilet!But I loved the city,and will be back again in March!!!,but only a 'flying' visit after going to Tallin,hopefully will be a bit warmer!!

Mind you, I always tell people the COLD is not that bad, it can be fought back with warm clothing, but the only TRUE problem we have here up north is the darkness. Therefore, my advice for winter trips is, either you plan for aurora borealis or other darkness-watching thing, or you plan your trip short in order to avoid the depression ;) :D

If anyone happens to be in Helsinki this weekend, you cannot avoid paying attention to the LUX Light Festival going on the weekend.

Here is more information about the installation

I'm visiting Finland this August and didn't realize it was the 100th anniversary. I look forward to seeing what special events might be happening while I'm there.

We have a 9 day driving trip (early July) planned, we can start in either Oslo or Helsinki - both cities would cost the same number of AA miles. From what I read a Oslo start would involve a fair amount of extra driving to get to the most scenic locations, Finland seems more practical - also Helsinki has Hiltons so our first and last night would be free.

Would love some some input from you guys, we would want to see the usual stuff similiar to driving Highway 1 from Seattle to San Francisco.

You are right. If you want to see Helsinki and the area around Bergen, a driving trip starting in Oslo wouldn't make any sense. On the other hand, if you don't want to drive in Finland, why not take the ferry to Stockholm and start the driving from there.

Also 9 days is not a lot. I would plan as a minimum Hki 1 night, Ferry to Stockholm 1 night, Stockholm 1 night, Oslo 1 night, on way to Bergen 1 night, Bergen 2 nights, on way to Stockholm 2 nights, Ferry 1 night, Helsinki 1 night.

tsastor, are you in private communication with kmandrew, or what? I saw nothing in his message about wanting to go to Bergen, nor is there anything about not wanting to drive in Finland. Sorry, but where did you get these ideas?

I think 9 days is a good amount of time for driving, in Finland. A day or two in Stadi at the beginning; three or four days to the north: Tampere, Kuusamo, (... Kemijärvi ... Inari ...) Rovaniemi; and then three or four days back: Oulu, Jyväskylä. Maybe go across the border at Pello and come down through Haparanda, just for kicks. Lots of possibilities. Even Rovaniemi will still have the Midnight Sun in early July, and anywhere further north is even better.

Ok, maybe I misunderstood, I thought kmandrew wanted to see the most scenic parts of Norway along with Helsinki.

Last year we visited Copenhagen and Stockholm, I commented to my wife how we probably spend too much time visiting large cities and not enough time out in the countryside. We have never been to Finland or Norway so was thinking the first 2 nights in Helsinki/Oslo then rent a car for a week finally spending the last night at the airport. Henry999 has given us some good suggestions so I think I'll change our flight to OMA-HEL; the award reservation is on hold until Monday so we have to make up our minds this weekend.

Don't be shy about asking questions. People here will be happy to help you fine-tune your trip.

For interesting (not Norwegian) sights in the summer I would suggest the lake district in Southeastern Finland. Some really nice scenery, and many of the smaller cities are quite lively in the summer. Something along these lines:
http://www.travel-experience.net/selfdrive.htm

Finland awakens
 

Today at 11:58 would have been a great day to wake up in Utsjoki, Finland, after a good nights sleep from November 25th 2016, when the sun was up the last time. Today the sun was up for a total of 48 minutes, so after brushing your teeth and having breakfast, there would just be enough time for a nice vodka nightcap before turning in again.

I was able to book award tickets to Hel arriving July 4. We arrive on the late flight from LHR so will stay at the airport Hilton that night, I thought we might move to the Strand for one night to visit the city then rent a car and head out for 6 days of driving. I assume we want to go as far north as Ivalo, would love some advice on the 5 cities where we might stay so I can start looking at hotels. Thanks