Karting (c) by dennis

Go-karting is a wonderful way of enjoying competitive racing on a small budget, meeting friends and having a lot of fun.  Helsinki has several recreation centers that offer guests the chance to race go-karts with their friends and family.

Go-kart amusement centers usually allow guests to rent the go-karts for varying lengths of time instead of charging them for individual races. Like almost anything else that charges for admission, group rates are usually cheaper than the cost for individuals. The following venues are four of the best go-kart tracks in Helsinki.

VM Karting Center

VM Karting Center has one of the longest indoor kart tracks in the Nordic countries. The track is seven meters wide and 530 meters long. In addition to 300cc go-karts for adults, VM Karting offers 180cc cars for children and mini-motorbikes for licensed drivers over 16. VM Karting Center prides itself on safety, using guardrails and allowing only 12 cars on the track at once. Safety gear is required and available for each racer.

VM Karting Center does not use a petroleum-based gasoline in their vehicles. Instead, they use CO2 emission-free Ethanol, which is produced from plants. There will be no arguing over who won a race at VM Karting Center; lap times are recorded and printed out after each race.

VM Karting Center website

Kart’in Club

Helsinki’s Kart’in Club is outfitted with custom-designed, French SODI karts. These karts were made with comfort and safety in mind, and each counts a neck support among their safety features. Kart’in Club’s track has a design that allows it to be customized on short notice. The safety features of the track are flexible, which provides an added layer of protection during a collision.

Kart’in club website (Finnish only)

Formula Center Helsinki

Racers who are interested in a unique experience should visit Formula Center Helsinki. This venue is one of the world’s only underground go-kart tracks. Formula Center Helsinki maintains exceptionally high emission standards and uses a powerful ventilation system to ensure the center’s air is safe and breathable. Because Formula Center Helsinki is indoors and underground, it is open year-round.

Formula Center website (Finnish only)

Helsinki Karting Track

Outdoor karting is available at Helsinki Karting Track. Also called Helsingin Kartingrata, this track is closed during the winter months when it is covered with snow. The track is more than 1,000 meters long and varies between eight and 13 meters in width. Security cameras watch over Helsingin Kartingrata 24 hours a day. Prices at Helsinki Karting Track vary greatly, depending on whether the driver is using their own vehicle.

Helsinki Karting Track website

Karting tracks on the map

Paddling (c) by ingridtaylar

Warm summer days are perfect for exploring Eastern Helsinki’s waterways. Calm waters and numerous resting places provide a wonderful kayaking or canoeing experience, even for beginners.

Anyone interested in a water-fueled adventure should stop by Finland’s premier kayak rental company and lesson provider, Natura Viva Vuosaari Paddling Center. A leading travel advice website ranks the Vuosaari Paddling Center’s kayak tour of Helsinki as the city’s number one attraction. This three-hour guided trip leads paddlers through the archipelago of Helsinki each day from June 1st through September 23rd. The trip is suitable for everyone, whether or not they have any previous kayaking experience. The cost of this kayaking day-trip includes all necessary equipment as well as lunch.

Other day-trips offered by Natura Viva include an introduction to paddling, a tour of Eastern Helsinki and a journey along the Nuuksio Forest Lake Trail. Perhaps the most unique day-trip available at the Vuosaari Paddling Center is the one that takes place not during the day, but in the middle of the night. The night paddling trip leaves at 10:00 pm and does not return to the center until 2:00 the next morning. This twilight trip includes a bonfire and safety gear, but participants will need to wear warm clothing and bring their own snacks and beverages.

Multi-day kayaking trips

Natura Viva Vuosaari Paddling Center offers multi-day trips to guests who wish to spend more time on the water. Intermediate trips include a sea-kayaking journey through the Gulf of Finland and a seven-day camping trip to Lake Saimaa. Advanced kayakers can enjoy a week-long trip to experience sea kayaking in a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the rocky west coast of Finland or a seven day trip that combines rough camping with the wind and waves of the Gulf of Finland. There is also a multi-day kayaking and tourism trip that is geared towards families, suitable for kayakers of all skill levels.

Self-guided trips are an option for experienced kayakers who do not mind camping. Natura Viva provides all rental customers with equipment, tents, stoves, compasses and maps in addition to detailed route information, weather forecasts and telephone support. Customers will need to supply their own food, clothing, personal equipment and sleeping gear.

Kayaking lessons

Natura Viva Vuosaari Paddling Center wants to make sure all of their kayakers are safe and confident in their skills. The center offers courses to those who wish to gain experience in a safe environment. Lessons in sea-kayaking, whitewater-kayaking and Eskimo rolling are all available through Natura Viva. The sea- and whitewater-kayaking lessons take place outdoors, but the courses for Eskimo rolling are held in an indoor pool for optimal safety conditions.

More information about the trips and courses available can be found on Natura Viva Paddling Center website. Advance booking is strongly recommended as most trips only have enough room for a limited number of participants.

Samba Carnival in Helsinki

Every summer since 1991, the world-class Helsinki Samba Carnaval has filled the streets of Finland’s capital with excitement and delight. Similar to Rio’s world-famous Carnival, this event is Europe’s largest Samba festival. Approximately 25,000 people attend the Helsinki Samba Carnaval each year.

The parade features performing groups, dancers and musicians from around Finland. Some of the entertainers include a children’s group, skilled Samba dancers and a percussion section. Each group of entertainers is called by their traditional name, such as the baianas, passistas and bateria.

The costumes, routines and atmosphere of the Helsinki Samba Carnaval work together to create an unforgettable experience. Festivities begin with an opening ceremony and the crowning of the Samba King and Queen. The parade the next afternoon is a combination of exhibition and competition featuring giant floats and Finland’s seven Samba schools. Each year one school is declared the best in Finland. The excitement doesn’t stop until the end of the Baile do Carnaval that takes place the following evening.

Hosted by the Association of Samba Schools in Finland (ASSF), the Helsinki Samba Carnaval was started as a way to promote samba and its rich culture throughout the country. More information about the festival can be found on the ASSF’s website.

In 2012 the Carnival will be held on June 15th – 16th in Helsinki Center, starting from Senaatintori and moving along North Esplanade. No admission fee.

Havis Amanda (c) by hsivonen

Helsinki’s Havis Amanda is a beautiful bronze statue of a nude mermaid rising out of a granite fountain. According to the statue’s sculptor, Ville Vallgren, the mermaid represents the birth of Helsinki and the city’s rise from the sea. Vallgren crafted this masterpiece in Paris in 1906, and it was erected in Helsinki’s Market Square in 1908.

The name Havis Amanda was given to the mermaid by Swedish newspapers and Vallgren shortly after the statue’s unveiling. The mermaid is fashioned in such a way that she appears to be standing on a bed of swaying seaweed. Fish resting at her feet spray water into the upper section of the fountain while the four sea lions around the fountain’s edge spray water towards the fountain’s lower pool. The entire piece is five meters tall.

Havis Amanda was regarded as inappropriate and lewd, especially by women, during its first few years of existence. The nakedness and seductive pose of the mermaid were strongly criticized, but eventually the people of Helsinki came to accept the fountain in all of its classic beauty. For the last several decades, Havis Amanda has been the center of many of Helsinki’s celebrations and festivals.

Havis Amanda and Vappu

The largest celebration in which Havis Amanda plays a part is Vappu. Celebrated the last day of April, Vappu is a festival that combines historical spring welcoming activities with International Labour Day and the traditional springtime joyousness of Scandinavian students. Photographs of Vappu celebrations in Market Square date back as far as the 1930s.

One Vappu tradition sees high-school graduates donning peaked, white caps as they party the night away. In the 1920s, some students thought it would be fun to give Havis Amanda her own cap. The prank became a tradition and Havis Amanda has received a cap each year since then. The cap was placed on her head in the middle of the night until the 1970s. At that time, the event’s popularity pushed the ‘capping’ ceremony into the early evening hours. It is also tradition that sees Havis Amanda bathed each year before the cap is bestowed upon her.

Today, climbing on the statue is forbidden for safety reasons. Since climbing was banned in the 1990s, a crane has been used to place the cap on the statue. As even banning the capping did nothing to stop the event from occurring, it is clear that this is one tradition that Helsinki will celebrate for years to come.

Havis Amanda on the map

Tomi Björck is the owner of two fine dining asian restaurants Gaijin and Farang. Boulevard Social’s chef will be Kristian Perkola, who is currently working in Gaijin and is also competing in the Finland’s Top Chef tv-show.

News from: Iltasanomat.fi

Sting is known as a solo musician and the lead singer of the rock band The Police. He has also occasionally ventured into acting, and has performed on many tv-series and movies. Sting has received sixteen Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, a Golden Globe, an Emmy Award, and several Oscar nominations.

The Helsinki Classic Festival also features British soul singer Rumer, and Latebird’s All Stars with artists including Jonna Tervomaa and Anssi Kela.

News from: Iltasanomat.fi

Linnanmäki (c) by vestman

Open for business since 1950, Helsinki’s only amusement park is Linnanmäki.  More than one million people visit the amusement park each year to enjoy the games, arcades, thrill rides, performances and restaurants of Linnanmäki Amusement Park.

The Wooden Roller Coaster, or Vuoristorata, is the park’s most well-known ride. It has been operating since 1951. The oldest ride in the park, the carousel, was built in 1896. It officially became part of Linnanmäki in 1954. Additional rides in the park include bumper cars, teacups, a pirate ship, and several kiddie rides. Linnanmäki is also home to the Peacock Theater. This venue hosts comics, musical productions and more.

Guests can satisfy their hunger at any of the park’s five restaurants. American-style food is served at the Jarrumies Café and Restaurant and the Safari Ravintolamaailma, including fried chicken, pizza and onion rings.  The Terrace Café KahVille and Papukaija Coffee House serve baked goods, lunch fare and specialty drinks.  Hamburgers and curly fries are available at the Lintsiburger Hamburger Bar. Kiosks and grills throughout the park offer traditional fair foods, such as popcorn and candy floss.

There is no charge for visiting Linnanmäki Amusement Park. Guests will need to purchase tickets or wristbands to gain access to the rides. While visiting the Linnanmäki Amusement Park, guests may want to visit the nearby SEA LIFE Helsinki.

SEA LIFE Helsinki aquarium

SEA LIFE Helsinki is next door to the Linnanmäki Amusement Park.  This aquarium holds more than 100 species and 1,500 animals in its 50 unique exhibits. Zebra and epaulette sharks, crabs, seahorses and tropical fish are just a few of the animals that can be seen at SEA LIFE Helsinki. Guests who want to experience the marine life up close can stop by the discovery pool or watch the daily feeding demonstrations. Ticket prices vary depending on age.

More information:
Linnanmäki’s website
SEALIFE Helsinki website

Linnanmäki on the map

Parachute (c) by Entrtaner

Extreme sports enthusiasts and thrill seekers alike love skydiving. Experienced skydivers claim there is nothing that can compare to the rush of a brief free-fall or the beauty of a controlled descent.

Skydiving is much safer than most people think, with a fatality rate of around one in 10,000. To put the numbers into perspective, the odds of dying in a car crash are closer to one in 1,000.

People who want to skydive in Helsinki should contact the Parachuting Club of Finland. This non-profit organization was founded with the intention of promoting parachuting sports in the country. It is run mostly by volunteers with the assistance of one secretary. The Parachuting Club of Finland currently has around 500 members.

People do not have to belong to the Club in order to participate in their skydiving events. Between 400 and 500 people each year try tandem skydiving with one of the Club’s tandem jumpmasters. Another 50 to 100 people become licensed skydivers through courses offered by the Club. Men and women are both welcome to experience the rush of skydiving with the Parachuting Club of Finland.

Uspenski Cathedral (c) by Aenneken

The largest Orthodox church in western Europe is the Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki. Resting on a hillside that overlooks the South Harbor as well as the city, this cathedral was built in the mid-1800s.

Alexey Gornostaev, a renowned Russian architect, designed the church but passed away before seeing his vision come to life. During the time that the cathedral was being built, Finland belonged to the Russian Empire. A plaque on the back of the church commemorates Russia’s ruler at the time, Alexander II.

This stunning example of Byzantine architecture features bricks that were transported from Bomarsund Fortress in Aland. The fortress was destroyed during the Crimean War, nearly 10 years before construction began on Uspenski Cathedral.

The church features a large dome that is supported by four granite pillars and thirteen golden onion domes. The golden onion domes represent Christ and His twelve Apostles. The interior of the church is ornate and beautiful just as one would expect from an Orthodox cathedral.

More than 500,000 tourists visit the Uspenski Cathedral yearly. There is no charge for admission to the church. Uspenski Cathedral opens at 9:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday. It closes at 4:00 p.m. during the week and 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The church is also open on Sundays from noon until 3:00 in the afternoon. Uspenski Cathedral is closed on Mondays from October until April.

Uspenski Cathedral on the map

You can ride with huskies in Unique Lapland (c) by arcticroute.com

It is possible to experience all of the fun that winter has to offer without ever leaving Helsinki. Unique Lapland is an indoor sports hall that is filled with artificial snow and ice. The temperature inside Unique Lapland is always just under freezing; ensuring guests will enjoy a wonderful, chilly adventure.

Unique Lapland’s visitors can test their winter driving skills with snowmobiles or experience thrills with the facility’s toboggans. Guests who love animals will love Unique Lapland’s husky sledging and reindeer. When visitors are ready to relax, they can head to the large ice bar or rent a room in the year-round igloo hotel.

Very few igloo hotels exist in the world, and Unique Lapland’s may be the best. This igloo hotel is decorated with colored lights and sculptures carved from ice and snow. The hotel’s cafeteria, gym, showers and saunas are in heated spaces. Guests staying at the hotel will be provided with a warm sleeping bag and bed linens.

Because Unique Lapland is cold year-round, dressing appropriately is important. Unique Lapland cares about the safety of its guests and warm, thermal clothing is available in the dressing hall. These clothes include socks, overalls and thermal boots. Thermal outfits are always offered during the summer months and are available upon request between November and April.

Guests interested in Unique Lapland’s guided husky rides must book their experiences at least two weeks ahead of time. Information regarding prices and operating hours can be found on Unique Lapland’s website.

Video of Unique Lapland Helsinki