This is Finland

If you read this blog you are post probably interested in getting to know more about Finland. In that case you should definitely also check out thisisFINLAND.fi.

This informative and well structured page of the Finnish Foreign Ministry gives you a broad overview over what is going on in Finland. Following their motto they tell you thing you should and shouldn’t know about this beautiful country.

ThisisFINLAND is available in seven different languages. Take a look! It’s just one click away.  

Best falafel in town

If you want to try real good falafel there is no way around Fafa’s. Their diner in Iso Robertinkatu is already well known and always crowded. Recently they opened a second place in Kallio on Vilhovuorenkatu. This one is pretty small but also offers the same amazing food. And it’s as fresh as it gets since here they also bake the bread that is used in both diners.

To make the waiting easier they always serve a small snack of olives and roasted bread. But keep some hunger left for the main dish. It’s great! Go e.g. with the Falafel & Halloumi. Of course you can also get your pita with kebab meat.

Enjoy!

Sun again!

As Ilta Sanomat announced this is the darkest winter in Finland in over 50 years. During the last 2.5 months Jyväskylä which is around 3 hours north of Helsinki has just had 18 hours of sunshine all together. In some parts of the world you get this amount of sunshine within two days.

But it seems like the winter wants to make up for those dark times now. The sun came out again. And the good news is that the worst part is over. Spring is ahead even though it doesn’t always feel like it.

So be patient and enjoy every minute of sun you can get.

Christmas everyday

Christmas is over, right? Well, not everywhere. There is a small shop in Helsinki that has Christmas every day.

Kankurin Tupa on Esplanadi is a big and well organized souvenir shop – ideal for tourists. What makes this shop so special though is its lower level. As soon as you come down the stairs you enter a winter and Christmas wonderland. Down here it is Christmas all year long. The music, the decoration, the trees, the Christmas elves all make you feel like it was Christmas again. Just a few minutes down there will completely get you back into the Christmas feeling. 

Give it a try! It’s fun!

This was the first Restaurant Day in 2013

Did you enjoy yesterday’s Restaurant Day? Again over 200 restaurants opened in and around Helsinki. Here are some pictures of the first Restaurant Day in 2013.

Borg at Katajanokka offered traditional Italian food.

Normally this is a recording studio.

Blini&Caviar at Kaivopuisto

Delicious blinis with smetana, onions and two different kinds of fish roe

Traditional French Crêpes at La Crêperie in Kapteeninkatu

An art gallery in Punavuori turned into Potjack Juice Bar.

A street soup kitchen in Punavuori

Cafe&Bakery Lisbon at Kamppi Kauppakeskus served Portuguese pastries.

You could enjoy your waffles while listening to the choir Lyran at Laulavat Vohvelinpaistajat.

Even a trip to the outskirts of Helsinki can be worth it.

The Heavenly Scent Cellar Cafe offered jams and jellies on fresh bread and pastries.

Soup and burgers at an apartment in Arabia.