If you find yourself in Helsinki you should really try and take a days boat trip to Suomenlinna Island. The island was built in the mid 18th century as a sea fortress when Finland was part of Sweden. 800 people still live on the island.
There’s a brewery, museum and plenty of cafes and restaurants on the island.
Our day trip to Suomenlinna
You can buy your tickets for the boat trip to Suomenlinna from this office by the harbour where the boat embarks.
Our boat.
If you can hack the cold it’s great to sit on the open top deck to admire the view.
The moored Viking Line ship that we eventually took to Stockholm.
The boat at Suomenlinna Island.
A rather icy harbour and sea. The sound of the boat tearing through the ice is one of the most satisfying things i’ve ever heard.
Trying hard not to fall over on the very slippy and icy harbour.
Unusual cloud formation.
Within minutes the weather had changed.
A rather large cannon.
Yours truly doing what I do best. It was absolutely bloody freezing. Approx -16 with the sea breeze wind chill factor.
A frozen pond.