Pre-NYE Winter Warm Up: Bombay, Kerala, Venice, London, Helsinki AC/AI/QR/BA/AY J
Dec 19, 2019, 7:35 am
#61
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Join Date: Dec 2009
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Dec 19, 2019, 9:03 am
#62
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Helsinki
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 406
Thanks for a great report.
Taxi situation in Helsinki is currently quite awful. It used to be strickly regulated and you never had problems with the taxis. Just paid what the meter said (not cheap but trustable). Previous government unleashed most of the regulations and now the situation is horrendous. Locals know which taxis to take, but visitors obviously don't. Most of these unmetered taxis lurk customers in the vincity of Kämp Hotel and railway station. Next time you visit Helsinki, I recommend to use "Taksi Helsinki". You can load their app or call them. From the airport, you can choose between the meter or flat rate (around 40 euros to centrum). Lähitaksi is another option.
I am glad to hear that you enjoy visiting Helsinki, my hometown. This is a very depressing time tourist wise to come here. Dark amd gloomy and no snow (hopefully we get some soon). But once you know you way around and dig deeper, it can be quite interesting experience even during the darkest month of the year. Obvioulsy summer months are another story.
Taxi situation in Helsinki is currently quite awful. It used to be strickly regulated and you never had problems with the taxis. Just paid what the meter said (not cheap but trustable). Previous government unleashed most of the regulations and now the situation is horrendous. Locals know which taxis to take, but visitors obviously don't. Most of these unmetered taxis lurk customers in the vincity of Kämp Hotel and railway station. Next time you visit Helsinki, I recommend to use "Taksi Helsinki". You can load their app or call them. From the airport, you can choose between the meter or flat rate (around 40 euros to centrum). Lähitaksi is another option.
I am glad to hear that you enjoy visiting Helsinki, my hometown. This is a very depressing time tourist wise to come here. Dark amd gloomy and no snow (hopefully we get some soon). But once you know you way around and dig deeper, it can be quite interesting experience even during the darkest month of the year. Obvioulsy summer months are another story.
Last edited by teme; Dec 24, 2019 at 3:35 am
Dec 23, 2019, 4:10 pm
#67
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Glad you enjoyed!
It certainly seems to be the best season to visit, thanks!
Dec 25, 2019, 2:30 pm
#68
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Baltic Sea
Programs: AY, BT, DY and SK. Scandic, Radisson, Marriott and HHonors. ClubONE
Posts: 5,890
Great photographs! Thank you for the report! Some notes. Clean, deserted beaches can be found in South Goa as well, at least in the fall. Very laid back. I've heard central and northern Goa is not the same. Venice, maybe the weather could be a good reason to visit closer to the summer. Even August wasn't too crowded, IMO. YMMV. Finally Helsinki taxis. Too bad no one understood to warn you. The previous extreme right wing government made several mistakes, although they did manage to revive the economy. They even tried to outsource the public healthcare system into private venture capitalist hands (it is already quite private). The new Finnish government is, maybe subsequently, far left. But once you privatize or free something from government control, in these days it is almost impossible to get it regulated again. Additionally I suspect they may think that taking taxis is only for the rich so why bother...
Dec 26, 2019, 7:31 am
#69
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 2,334
Great TR - thanks for that!
I had this year the pleasure to fly the QR Q suites for the first time - needless to say that all my flights to India or SE Asia are now via Doha instead of using the lousy BA product....
I had this year the pleasure to fly the QR Q suites for the first time - needless to say that all my flights to India or SE Asia are now via Doha instead of using the lousy BA product....
Dec 26, 2019, 8:51 am
#70
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
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Posts: 6,798
Great photographs! Thank you for the report! Some notes. Clean, deserted beaches can be found in South Goa as well, at least in the fall. Very laid back. I've heard central and northern Goa is not the same. Venice, maybe the weather could be a good reason to visit closer to the summer. Even August wasn't too crowded, IMO. YMMV. Finally Helsinki taxis. Too bad no one understood to warn you. The previous extreme right wing government made several mistakes, although they did manage to revive the economy. They even tried to outsource the public healthcare system into private venture capitalist hands (it is already quite private). The new Finnish government is, maybe subsequently, far left. But once you privatize or free something from government control, in these days it is almost impossible to get it regulated again. Additionally I suspect they may think that taking taxis is only for the rich so why bother...
Glad you enjoyed! I would say Q-Suites blow BA F away so obviously it's not even a competition with the current Club World product. I haven't tried the new BA Club Suite though so perhaps that will put BA back in the discussion.
Dec 28, 2019, 9:30 am
#71
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Baltic Sea
Programs: AY, BT, DY and SK. Scandic, Radisson, Marriott and HHonors. ClubONE
Posts: 5,890
Arossim Beach. Heritage Village Resort & Spa which may be one of the only all-inclusives there.