Scandinavia and Baltic trip help!

Posted by Mala (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) on 05/31/16 07:13 PM

Our family of 4 ( 2 Adults and 2 children ages 8 and 4) are doing a scandinavia and Baltic trip this summer ( early july) for little over 2 weeks
Our itinerary looks somewhat like this
3 days 2nights in stockholm
Overnight ferry to Hellsinki ( Viking Line)– 6 to 7 hrs in Hellsinki
Overnight Ferry to St Petersberg (no visa option on St peters line)– One night in St petersberg (1.5 days in St petersberg)

Overnight night ferry to Helsinki – depart to Tallinn at noon – Overnight on Tallinn
Fly to Oslo for a couple of days - Norway in Nutshell to Bergen – couple of days in Bergen before flying to Copenhagen –
Fly back home from Copenhagen after couple of days there.

Yes – it does look rushed – but didn’t while I was making my reservations
My question is we will have our luggage with us during the day in Helsinki before catching the overnight ferry to St petersberg – Are there any cloak rooms where we can store our luggage before venturing out or should we rent a car for the day in Helsinki?
Also since we just have 1.5 days in St petersberg – do you recommend guided tour our would be able to venture out on our own? I checked Alla tours – they seemed pricey for a private tour and a group tour seemed too aggressive with our 4 year old. We would like to venture out on our own pacing our day n a half there – or can we rent a car or taxi it ??
Our family is vegetarian ( Avo, Lacto) bit worried on our food options esp on the ferries.
What are your recommendations for our trip – Welcome any suggestions
Thanks in advance
Mala

Posted by Laura

Rick Steves' Europe

05/31/16 07:37 PM

16893 posts

Here is locker info for the ferry terminal: http://www.portofhelsinki.fi/passengers/west_terminal.

I don't know about food options on each line, but Viking Line to Helsinki will certainly have plenty of options and St. Peter line also mentions some vegetarian options.

Posted by Val

Long Beach, USA

05/31/16 07:59 PM

252 posts

Hi,

Yes I do think it is rushed. I am a solo traveller and I often pull off busy trips (and love them). But with a family perhaps cut a country? I see so many couples/families fighting when I travel solo that it is sad. I would think...less rushed...less tired and chances of fighthing.

I did most of St Peterburgh alone and was ready for it. It is easy to cover a lot by foot. Would stat more than 1,5 days...when will you go visa free to Russia again? I'd stay the maximum 3 days if possible. If not, still worth it.
I did 1/2 tour with ULKO tours (affordable and very nice) for the Pushkin palaces tour. Love them!

I love Helsinki and have many friends there...so I would spend more time if you can. I disagree with those who think you can see it all in a day. I don't think a car is necessary at all if you do end up there 6-7 hours. Please check but I think they have lockers at train station which is nearby port.

Do go to eat at the market near water in Helsinki! Cheap and very nice!

Why not bring food on ferry so you have all your kids love?

Let me know if you have more questions.

Thanks!
Val

Posted by Edgar

Medford, OR, USA

05/31/16 08:18 PM

5835 posts

I agree with Val's Helsinki comment: "I disagree with those who see you see it all in a day".

The folks who think you could see Helsinki is a day are the "Check of the sights" kind of tourist who miss out on absorbing the ambiance of walking and experiencing around the town.

The big ticket sights suggested by Rick Steve's include:
▲▲▲ Temppeliaukio Church Awe-inspiring, copper-topped 1969 "Church in the Rock."
▲▲ Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral Orthodoxy's most prodigious display outside of Eastern Europe.
▲▲ Lutheran Cathedral Green-domed, 19th-century Neoclassical masterpiece.
▲▲ Seurasaari Open-Air Folk Museum Island museum with 100 historic buildings from Finland's farthest corners.
▲▲ Suomenlinna Fortress Helsinki's harbor island, sprinkled with picnic spots, museums, and military history.
▲ Senate Square Consummate Neoclassical square, with Lutheran Cathedral.

I would add an extra "star" to the Seurasaari Folk Museum that you can reach with a short bus ride from downtown, ad the Suomenlinna Fortress Island that you can reach by a short ferry ride. The short ferry ride is a sightseeing experience in itself.

I also enjoy just walking around Helsinki, a compact walkable town. For walking tour suggestions see:
http://www.visithelsinki.fi/sites/visithelsinki.fi/files/files/Esitteet/EN/see_helsinki_on_foot.pdf
I in particular enjoyed Route "1" that includes Senate Square and circumnavigatng Katajanokka Island and past the ice breaker fleet. (I would include a detour through the Fish Market at the head of the harbor.

RE Shipboard Food and Drink. Finns tell me that the Stockholm - Helsinki overnight run is an ovefrnight booze cruise party but I don't do cruises so I have no first hand experience. The bars and night clubs do apparently stay open to as late (early) as 4:30 on weekend voyages: http://www.sales.vikingline.com/en/aboard/food-drinks/