Europe in 2011 - Helsinki

As I kick off with my series of European review, I will go backwards, starting from the place I have hit very last, to the very beginning. This trip was a tough one for I have to go to 5 places in 9 days but given Hong Kong people have less holidays then anyone else in the go, that's our life.

So, here we are - Helsinki, the place chanting the Scandinavian culture as well as a place of experiencing Europe in the late 80s. The place is beautiful in the summer for its weather and almost non-fainting nights. I was there during the commencement of the weekend and people holding cars from the 50s and 60s drove their cars our for a car show right at the pier. Everyone is having a good time and I recall it was almost midnight and my cousin and myself were still looking at all the great cars our there. The magic of this brilliant time of travelling is that the only thing you have to worry about is the closing hours of the attractions, not the time where the places get too dark and you don't get to see it. It's day the whole day (and night!).

What impresses me most of this wonderful country is simplicity. A church can be very decorative, but if you come to Helsinki, simplicity is the clear. From the airport to the city, the Finns keep it simple, nice and clean. Be it a very simply Sibelius monument to the beautiful church on the Rock, everything is simple and beautiful. Even if you head to the Suomelinna castle, a world's heritage, you will observe that they keep their lives very simple. Speaking of which, the museums in Suomelinna stores some of the best history stories for those of us who has minimal knowledge of Finnland. You will get to know the story of Finnland in just half an hour. Of course, if you like to dig more, the museums are always there for you.

Food is not the best thing in town but obviously salmon that interests you. For people in Hong Kong, with the price of buying a Norwegian salmon in supermarket, you will be able to feast here in Helsinki already! Imagine that!

Travelling in Helsinki is not much of a big hazzle. The trams takes you everywhere. But as my cousin says, stick with line 3T and you will win the horses. It is true! Make your life easier by simply travelling on 3T. It is, afterall, the tourust line that takes you to almost every spot in town.

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Travelling to Finnland from Hong Kong

- Cathay Pacific's One World partner Finnair flies directly from Hong Kong to Helsinki daily

- Chepaer flights can be made by flying to London by CX and then connecting with a BA flight to Helsinki (note: Helsinki flights depart from Terminal 3 of Heathrow)