Helsinki City Transport leave bikes throughout the city centre each summer.

Summer visitors to Helsinki can explore the city on two wheels thanks to an excellent scheme provided by Helsinki City Transport. Each summer they deposit bikes at various points throughout the city centre. The bikes are free of use following payment of a €2 deposit which is returned upon return of the bike to any of the bike stands.

Helmets can be loaned free of charge from Jugendsali (Helsinki City Information) at Pohjoisesplanadi 19.  

Ten rules to follow when using a citybike.

1.  For a deposit of 2 euros you can get a Citybike from a Citybike stand to your own use whenever you want. Put a 2 euro coin in the coin slot and remove the bike from the stand.

2.  You can use the Citybike anywhere within the permitted area of use (see the Map).

3.  After using the Citybike, return it to a Citybike stand and remove your deposit.

4.  You may only lock a Citybike with a Citybike stand lock. You are not allowed to use your own lock.

5.  If you find an abandoned Citybike, you can earn the 2 euro deposit by returning the bike to a Citybike stand. You can also report an abandoned Citybike to the number 050-559 1999.

6.  Citybikes are intended for common use. Do not steal or damage the Citybike or its stand.

7.  When riding a Citybike, please follow the traffic rules and show courtesy to others.

8.  Always use the cycle path or the roadway, not the sidewalk.

9.  The use of a bicycle helmet is recommended. You can borrow a bicycle helmet from Jugendsali on Pohjoisesplanadi 19.

10. When using a Citybike, you are responsible for it. Take good care of it and the next user will also enjoy riding it.

The use of the bikes is restricted to central Helsinki. Click here to link to the map showing the area and location of bike stands.

To visit Helsinki click here.

Santa will wave off runners at this popular Rovaniemi event!

The evening of Saturday 30 June 2007 will see competitve and fun runners from around the world setting off on the marathon from Santas office and crossing the Arctic Circle. Santa will be there to watch the start..

This light hearted event welcomes everyone whether competing in the the full, half marathons or 12km race. Everyone sets their own pace, even if that involves walking. It is an opportunity to enjoy the great scenery and make the most of the Lappish endless summer days.

The marathon route winds around Rovaniemi, crossing the Ounasjoki and Kemijoki rivers. The finish will be in Lordi Square, named in honour Laplands newest heros.    

For further details click here.

Let the holidays begin!

As the midsummer weekend approaches, Finlands favourite holiday weekend, it signals the start of summer. For many Finns this is when they start their summer vacation whether that be for a couple of weeks or even for months.

The children have finished school and will not return until mid August. Parliment finished yesterday and will not sit again in Helsinki until until 11 September.

Today sees the mass exodus out of the cities to summer houses throughout the countryside. This is the one day of the year when Finlands usually sedate road network will be struggling and travellers are facing the prospect of horrendous traffic jams!

The weekend ahead will be spent celebrating with family and friends. Eating, drinking, taking saunas and swimming in lakes. 

Maybe this is a holiday that we should be raising the profile of in the UK!

and want to know more about Finland visit the Our Land! photography exhibition.

This excellent exhibition is the compilation of work by 23 photographers documenting the changes in the lives of Finns both at home and abroad from the 1960's to the present day. It shows the dramatic changes in everyday life during the period and in developments in photography.

The exhibition is on at the Tennis Palace Art Museum located in the heart of Helsinki close to the bus station and 500m from the central railway station.

Entrance is €7 but the good news is that entrance is free on Fridays!

To link to the Tennis Palace Art Museum click here

To visit Helsinki click here.

Visit the beaches on Helsinki's door step.

As the temperatures rise and you find that you have had enough of Helsinki's wonderful museums, shops and bars why not join the locals on one of Helsinki's beaches. Yes, really, beaches.

The beaches offer clean water and good facilities for swimmers and sun bathers. There are several beaches, the most popular are mentioned below.

Hietaranta Beach: A popular location close to the city centre that can be reached by bu 55A that departs from a stop next to the central railway station.

Pihlajasaari Island: The island can be reached by boats that depart from the bottom of Laivurinkatu close to the city centre. The island is a popular recreation and swimming destination and even boasts a nudist beach. Restaurants and cafes available on the island.

Uunisaari Island: just off the southern tip of the city, opposite Kaivopuisto park. It is a short hop by boat from Meritori.  The island has a restaurant and summer terrace.

Seurasaari Island: this beautiful recreation island slightly further away. It offers a number of beaches including nudist beaches. 

December getaways to Lapland with direct flights from Gatwick and Manchester.

For those who want to get away for a short break in December and benefit from beautiful locations, romantic accommodation, great activities, direct flights but do not want to be part of a group or to visit Santa, Emagine is offering four Exclusive Arctic breaks locations. They will appeal to couples wanting to get away from the crowds or families that may have visited Lapland before and this time wants to do things at a more leisurely pace. Departures available pre Christmas, over Christmas and for the New Year!

Hotel YllasHumina in Akaslompolo / Yllas, western Finnish Lapland, is a small family run hotel with cosy cabin room accommodation for one to four people. It allows easy the excellent ski slopes or you can choose from a wide range of optional activities. You set the pace.

Direct flights from: London Gatwick with holidays from 4 to 6 days.   

Departures: 07 Dec, 10 Dec, 14 Dec, 17 Dec, 21 Dec, 23 Dec, 27 Dec.

Activities available in the resort: Skiing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, reindeer safaris, husky safaris.

Hotel Kakslauttanen near Saariselka, Finnish Lapland. This is a popular location for those looking for a quiet romantic break. Accommodation is in pretty cabins set among the forest all with private sauna and fireplace. Meals are take in the log cabin restaurant in front of roaring fires. Explore the area on cross country skis or joining one of the exhilarating safaris. A highlight of staying at Kakslauttanen is the opportunity to overnight in their unique glass igloos while watching out for the Northern Lights!

Direct flights from: London Gatwick with holidays from 4 to 6 days.   

Departures: 07 Dec, 10 Dec, 14 Dec, 17 Dec, 21 Dec

Activities available from the hotel:  cross country skiing, snowmobiling, reindeer safaris, husky safaris.

Hotel Jeris – Adult Activity break 10-14 Dec 2007.

A chance to experience amazing activities and stay in a wonderful, quiet setting deep in the forest either in a hotel or in a lakeside wooden cabin. Jeris is located in western Finnish Lapland.

We are aware that some adults are looking for longer activities that are just not possible when there  are children in tow they have designed this trip with longer safaris and just for adults.  

Direct flights from: London Gatwick for a 5 day holiday..   

Departures: 10-14 Dec.

Activities included in your holiday: 50km snowmobile safari & 5 hour husky safari.

Other activities available from the hotel:  cross country skiing, reindeer safaris, ice hole swimming, snow shoeing.

Hotel Rukahovi in the wonderful resort of Ruka in Northern Finland.

18-22 Dec 2007.

This is a great location for anyone wishing to ski or snowboard. The slopes and lifts are just a few steps from your hotel door. If that doesn’t appeal join a great range of safaris, the activity company is next to the hotel. Ruka always has a great buzz about it, with a great range of cosy bars and diverse restaurants to relax in after an energetic day. The dates make this the ideal trip to start your holiday break allowing you to get some pure fresh air and exercise before the Christmas gluttony!

Direct flights from: Manchester for a 5 day break   

Departures: 22 Dec 2007

Activities available from the hotel:  Down hill skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, reindeer safaris, husky safaris.

For further details of the holidays click on the headings above of click here.

As the number of foreign visitors to Finnish resorts continues to increase.   

Finlands most popular ski resorts, Yllas and Levi, located in Lapland, will see the addition of new lift systems over the coming months to meet the demands of the ever increasing number of domestic and foreign skiers.

Further south in the resort of Ruka a new lift system is already in place and plans are in place to make the resort car free. Further investment also sees the addition of a new apartment hotel by the slopes.

For the full story in Helsinki Sanomat click here.

To visit Yllas click here.

Tonight sees the start of the Genesis 50 date World tour!

Genesis kick off their ‘Turn It On Again’ tour in Helsinki’s Olympic stadium on 11 June 2007.

The band, who sold 130m albums during the 1970 and 1980’s, have said that the tour is not about making money. It is about playing classic songs.

The tour will include 50 dates across Europe and North America.

Tour dates:

June 11 - Helsinki, Finland Olympic Stadium

June 14 - Herning, Denmark Messecenter  

 June 15 - Hamburg, Germany AOL Arena

June 17 - Berne, Switzerland Stade de Suisse

June 19 - Linz, Austria Gugglestadium

June 20 - Prague, Czech Republic Strahov Football Stadium
June 21 - Katowice, Poland Slaski Stadium

June 23 - Hannover, Germany AWD Arena
June 24 - Brussels, Stade Roi Baudouin
June 26 - Dusseldorf, Germany LTU Arena 
June 27 - Dusseldorf, Germany LTU Arena
June 28 - Stuttgart, Germany Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadium

June 30 - Paris, France Parc Des Princes
July 1 - Amsterdam, Holland Arena 
July 3 - Berlin, Germany Olympiastadion
July 4 - Leipzig, Germany Zentralstadion

July 5 - Frankfurt, Germany Commerzbank Arena 

July 7 - London, UK, LIVE EARTH CONCERT

July 7 - Manchester, UK Old Trafford Football Stadium 
July 8 - London, UK Twickenham Stadium 
July 10 - Munich, Germany Olympiastadion
July 12 - Lyon, Gerland Stadium
July 14 - Rome, Italy, Circo Massimo

North America Dates:
Sept. 5 - Toronto, Ontario (Canada) PRODUCTION REHEARSAL

Sept. 7 - Toronto, Ontario (Canada) BMO Field
Sept. 8 - Buffalo, NY HSBC Arena
Sept. 9 - Pittsburgh, PA Mellon Arena
Sept. 11 - Boston, MA TD Banknorth Gardem
Sept. 12 - Albany, NY Times-Union Center
Sept. 14 - Montreal, Quebec (Canada) Olympic Stadium
Sept. 15 - Ottawa (Canada) Scotiabank Place 
Sept. 16 - Hartford, CT Hartford Civic Center  
Sept. 18 - Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center  
Sept. 19 - Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center 

Sept. 20 - Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
Sept. 22 - Columbus, OH Nationwide Center  
Sept. 23 - Washington D.C. Verizon Center
Sept. 25 - New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Sept. 27 - East Rutherford, NJ Giants Stadium
Sept. 29 - Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena  
Sept. 30 - Detroit, MI Palace of Auburn Hills
Oct. 2 - Chicago, IL United Center  
Oct. 3 - Chicago, IL United Center
Oct. 4 - Chicago, IL United Center
Oct. 6 - Denver, CO Pepsi Center
Oct. 9 - San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
Oct. 10 - Sacremento, CA ARCO Arena
Oct. 12 - Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
Oct. 13 - Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl