Sure Travel Journey 6.1 Summer 2020 | Page 35

Previous spread: Old Town with Uspenski
Orthodox Cathedral in the background.
Clockwise from below left: Incredible
architecture and design is part of everyday
life in Helsinki, as seen in the stairwell of
the Oodi Library. Getting around is never a
problem. Bad, bad boy, a three-story-high
sculpture in downtown Helsinki. The best
way to spend a summer afternoon in the
Finnish capital.
© AGNIHOTRI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
A few other personalities followed in
rapid succession,
incomprehensible
but
Sweden,
Suomenlinna
– literally translated
admirably
different;
her
features
shifted
as the “Fortress of Finland” – is a declared
and changed
expressive
came
Unesco
World as Heritage
Site beings
that stretches
and went. I was thoroughly rattled when
across six small islands and, over its
it was time for the cleansing and blessing.
250-year history, has been integral in
The mãe de santo took a lit candle to
defending Helsinki from naval attacks.
each visitor, tracing the ame around each
It’s a history well told along the fortified
body, sometimes in silence, sometimes
ramparts, with a clearly marked walking
murmuring (oh, to understand!). It was
route from the jetty barracks to the
a remarkably practical exercise, with
impressive King’s Gate.
no theatrics. I would love to say I felt a
While the fortress was opened to
weight shrivel away to lightness or had
the public in the mid-1970s, it remains
a ash of clarity, but it would be untrue.
a Nonetheless,
military base,
and transformed.
a handful of naval
I felt
areas
off-limits
to tourists.
Regardless,
The are
lights
came on,
and we were
herded
it’s
grown
into
one
of
Helsinki’s
main
to a kitchen table. Children crowded
attractions,
as well bottle
as being
a popular
round, expectant;
after
bottle of
destination
in
which
local
Finns
like open.
Fanta and lemonade were cracked
to
walk,
run
and
picnic.
Entrance
to o ered
A large, at cake was carved up and
Suomenlinna
is
free
of
charge,
and
in the
about, and voices lled the corners of
the
summer
months
public
ferries
(€5)
run
room. Even mothers of the saints have
from
Kauppatori
pier out out
to that
the island
birthdays,
and it turned
today
throughout
day. her with lemonade,
was hers. We the
toasted
THERE: Helsinki is
Q GETTING
served with regular flights from
all major European hubs.
VISAS: SA passport holders require a
Schengen visa to visit Finland.
COSTS: Finland, like much of
Scandinavia, is expensive to visit.
Save money by travelling off-peak,
self-catering and using the Helsinki
Card [www.helsinkicard.com] to save
on transport and sightseeing.
GO THERE WITH SURE: Sure Travel
offers a wide range of flights to Finland
and can customise any itinerary to
take in the best of this Nordic jewel.
Visit www.suretravel.co.za to find your
nearest agency, or call 0861 47 48 49.
MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE // 35
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