Helsinki, Finland

December 17, 2014

Gateway to Scandinavia, the Baltics and Russia

Whether you plan on heading north to explore Scandinavia, south to visit the Baltic States or southeast to visit Russia, Helsinki is a great starting point for your trip. The Helsinki Airport makes it a major transportation hub for the region and with convenient bus service from the airport to the Helsinki city center just 9 miles away (30 minutes, 4.5 Euros), visitors should definitely set aside a few days to explore this beautiful city. From the modern bus terminal at the Kamppi Center in the city, you can choose from an array of side trips outside Helsinki, such as the day trip I took to the medieval town of Porvoo 30 miles east. If you’re heading on to St. Petersburg, Russia I recommend the comfortable, albeit expensive Allegro Train for the three and a half hour ride. Customs and other border formalities, such as passport and visa checks are conveniently carried out on board the Allegro Train by friendly, efficient customs officers. Helsinki is also a major stop for cruise ships plying the waters of the Baltic Sea, many of which can be seen moored in the harbor.

The Esplandi or Esplanade in the Helsinki City Center

What to See and Do in Helsinki

Much more than just a gateway city, Helsinki, Finland is a popular destination in itself. Despite being the capital and largest city in Finland, Helsinki is very walkable for reasonably fit travelers, especially if you divide your forays into different regions, explored over several days. Some of the main sights include the Finnish National Opera, the Sibelius Monument, the Parliament House, and the Olympic Stadium, site of the 1952 Summer Olympics. You will not want to miss the unique and spectacular Temppeliaukio Church or Church of the Rock in the same region. The city has many other churches worth visiting, including St. John’s Church, Mikael Agricola Church, Helsinki Cathedral and Uspenski Cathedral. During your walking tour of Helsinki be sure to stop and enjoy the many architecturally interesting homes and buildings along the way. One of my favorites is the glass Palm House arboretum built in 1889 in the University of Helsinki Botanical Gardens. Finally, be sure to set aside several hours to take the ferry (5 Euros round trip) to Suomenlinna Sveaborg, a park-like fortress covering six islands off the coast, which is also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Temppeliaukio Church or Church of the Rock, Helsinki, Finland

The Rivoli Jardin Hotel, A Great Place to Stay

Located just a short walk from the Central Railway Station where the airport bus lets you off, the Rivoli Jardin Hotel was the ideal place to stay for my three day sojourn in Helsinki. The full buffet breakfast was one of the finest spreads I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying in my travels. Since Helsinki is known as one of the most expensive cities in the world, I was not surprised that my hotel costs came in over my usual budget. My average nightly charge was $137.00. For that I got a clean, comfortable, safe room, a great location and a friendly, helpful front desk staff. The Rivoli Jardin is located just a few blocks from the Helsinki Esplanade and the center of town and has a convenient market almost right across the street. The Rivoli Jardin Hotel met all my criteria for an Awesome Accommodation and I can highly recommend it for your next visit to Helsiki, Finland.

The Rivoli Jardin Hotel, Helsinki, Finland

The Buffet Breakfast at the Rivoli Jardin Hotel in Helsinki, Finland

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The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia

A Western Russia Itinerary

3 Comments / October 14, 2014

Timing is Everything

Just a few months before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I took a three week, independent rail and bus journey through Western Russia and Ukraine. This fabulous trip began and ended respectively in the gateway cities of Helsinki, Finland and Kiev, Ukraine. In between, I visited the Russian cities of St. Petersburg, Moscow, Saratov, Volgograd, Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea and Rostov on Don before heading west into Ukraine to visit the cities of Yalta and Odessa on the Black Sea and Kiev on the Dnieper River.

Three Countries, Three Seas, Three Rivers

I learned that train travel in Russia, while safe and reliable, could be painfully slow. At times I literally wanted to get out and push the train to make it go faster when there was no apparent reason for it to be going so slowly. Fourteen hour bus trips were the norm. But these protracted sojourns gave me a wonderful opportunity to meet and get to know the friendly folks in Finland, Russia and Ukraine. Even with this fast paced trip covering a huge territory, there was still plenty of time to explore the Baltic Sea, the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. And I was able to check off one of my bucket list items by dipping my toes in the Volga, the Don and the Dnieper Rivers along the way.

City by City Itinerary

1) Helsinki, Finland (3 nights)

-arrived by plane from SFO

2) St. Petersburg, Russia (3 nights)

-arrived by train, 5 hours

3) Moscow, Russia (3 nights)

-arrived by train, 4 hours, 45 minutes

4) Saratov, Russia (1 night)

-arrived by overnight train, 15 hours, 30 minutes

5) Volgograd, Russia (1 night)

-arrived by train, 6 hours, 30 minutes

6) Astrakhan, Russia (1 night)

-arrived by train, 8 hours, 30 minutes

7) Volgograd, Russia (returned for train connection to Rostov on Don)

-arrived by overnight train, 10 hours

8) Rostov on Don, Russia (1 night)

-arrived by bus, 8 hours

9) Yalta, Ukraine (1 night)

-arrived by overnight bus via Simferopol, 14 hours, 20 minutes

10) Odessa, Ukraine (transfer to train)

-arrived by overnight bus, 14 hours

11) Kiev, Ukraine (2 nights)

-arrived by train, 8 hours, 30 minutes

Yalta on the Crimean Coast of the Black Sea in Ukraine

A Whirlwind Trip!

As you can see, this was not a trip for the faint at heart. It required sticking to a rigorous schedule, with many long hours on trains and buses, but it enabled me to see some fabulous places that tourists may not have an opportunity to see again for quite some time. Within months of returning from my trek through this area, Russia invaded the Crimean region of Ukraine, which it has occupied since. Russian troops are still marshaled on the border in the Rostov region of Russia. Within the same period of time, the train station in Volgograd, where I made several connections, was bombed by terrorists. Yet, I would not have wanted to miss this chance to explore Russia and the Ukraine and to meet the wonderful people who reside in these two counties. To a person, they were friendly, welcoming and interested in the American visitor traveling solo through their homeland. Stay tuned for lots more information about traveling through Russia in future articles on your favorite travel blog, Blue Orb Travel.

Perchersk Lavra Monastery on the Dnieper River in Kiev, Ukraine

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Five Museums You Must Visit in Europe

1 Comment / July 21, 2012

1) Tate Modern, London

A former power station located on the banks of the Thames river, the Tate Modern is one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the world today. If you’re staying in London for more than a few days, this is well worth a visit, as even someone who knows little about art can easily spend half a day in here, marvelling at the works on display. Art from Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Francis Bacon, Andy Warhol and many other famous artists make the Tate Modern an unmissable part of your trip.

2) Pergamon Museum, Berlin

The Pergamon Museum, on Berlin’s museum island in the centre of the city, is a breathtaking experience, featuring among other things, an entire reconstruction of the Pergamon Altar, made with the original stones from south-eastern Turkey. The Ishtar gate has also been reconstructed, and many hundreds of sculptures and other pieces of ancient art surround you at this amazing museum.

3) The Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen

A home to 14,000 years of Scandinavian history, the National Museum of Denmark is particularly concerned with the history of the Vikings and the first reindeer hunters who colonised the land. There are also exhibits of ancient items from South America and from Mesopotamia. To travel to your next destination by car, contact http://www.erento.co.uk.

4) The Vatican Museums

The Roman Catholic church has for centuries been collecting classical sculptures and paintings and putting them on display at the Vatican. Consisting of 54 galleries in total, you’ll see the works of Da Vinci, Raphael, Caravaggio and many others, before finally entering the world-renowned Sistine Chapel, with it’s spectacular frescos, including the ‘Last Judgement’ which took 5 years for Michelangelo to complete.

5) Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

Founded in 1800, this museum features many of the best works of the Dutch ‘golden age’ of painting. Pieces from Rembrandt, Vermeer and Steen will have you captivated, and after that it’s a short journey across the city to see the quite different art of Van Gogh, showing you that the Dutch have certainly given a lot to the world of art over the centuries.

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Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast, Cork, Ireland

1 Comment / June 8, 2012

The Place to Stay in Cork

Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast is the perfect place to stay during your visit to Cork, Ireland. As you saw in our previous article, Cork is a city you will not want to miss on your trip through the Emerald Isle. Not only is it a beautiful city in its own right, but it’s also the gateway to Blarney Castle where you can experience some of the history of Ireland and, of course, kiss the Blarney Stone, thereby acquiring the gift of Irish gab! I spotted Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast soon after arriving at the bus station and was delighted to learn that they had a room available for me.

Creedon's Bed and Breakfast, Cork, Ireland — Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast, Cork, Ireland

A Great Location

Located in the heart of town above one of Cork’s oldest pubs (The Welcome Inn), Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast is just a short walk from restaurants, shopping, and most of the major tourist attractions, not to mention its convenient proximity to all manner of transportation. The bus station is literally across the street and the train station is but a ten minute walk from Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast. There is also easy access to shuttle service to the Cork airport, which is just a ten minute drive away. Within minutes of checking in I was on a local bus headed for an afternoon of exploring Blarney Castle and in the evening I had only to step outside the door to begin my walking tour of Cork.

Room at Creedon's Bed and Breakfast, Cork, Ireland — Room at Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast, Cork, Ireland

Friendly Atmosphere

Owners Danny and Annette Creedon will greet you like family and help you get oriented to the city of Cork and the surrounding area. They have five rooms available and all have en suite bathrooms, television and WiFi connectivity. I paid $57 for a wonderful, quiet room that had a nice view of the city and for a small amount more I could have added a full Irish breakfast. Unfortunately, I had to catch an early bus the next morning for Dublin…the last stop on my trek through Ireland. Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast met all of my criteria for an awesome accommodation. It was clean, safe, comfortable, well located, operated by a friendly, helpful staff and a good value. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Danny and Annette and experiencing the Irish hospitality that comes so naturally to them. Take it from me…Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast is where you will want to stay on your next visit to Cork, Ireland.

View from Creedon's Bed and Breakfast with Bus Station at Far Left — View from Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast with Bus Station at Far Left

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Leen’s Bed and Breakfast, Killarney, Ireland

May 8, 2012

A Warm Welcome

Leen’s Bed and Breakfast in Killarney, Ireland was one of the nicest places I stayed during my trip through the British Isles. I arrived there at 9:30 AM by bus from Tralee in order to catch the 10 AM Ring of Kerry tour bus and the proprietors could not have been more accommodating. They gave me a warm welcome and allowed me to check in early so that I could freshen up and leave my main pack before setting out on the tour. I had arranged both the room and the tour bus the day before at the Tralee Tourist Office for a $7 booking fee. My accommodations at Leen’s Bed and Breakfast included a nice room with private bath and a wonderful full Irish Breakfast, all for $54, an excellent value for the price.

Leen's Bed and Breakfast, Killarney, Ireland — Leen’s Bed and Breakfast, Killarney, Ireland

A Great Location

Leen’s Bed and Breakfast is located in a nice, quiet residential area within easy walking distance of most of the major attractions in Killarney. There are four bedrooms available, including single, twin, double and triple accommodations and each room has an en suite bathroom. Each room also has television, wireless internet connectivity and tea and coffee tray. Leen’s can also accommodate groups at a reduced rate and as an added benefit for those traveling by rental car, private parking is available.

Bedroom at Leen's Bed and Breakfast, Killarney, Ireland — Bedroom at Leen’s Bed and Breakfast, Killarney, Ireland

All the Comforts of Home

My bedroom at Leen’s Bed and Breakfast was bright, clean, comfortable and modern and had all the comforts of home. It also had a nice window that looked out on the pleasant, peaceful surrounding neighborhood. The proprietor, Siobhan Leen, prepared a wonderful full Irish breakfast which I thoroughly enjoyed in the cheery breakfast room before heading off to catch the bus to Cork the next morning. Leen’s Bed and Breakfast had all the qualities I look for and more when considering a place to stay. It was clean, comfortable, safe, well located and operated by a friendly, helpful staff in addition to being a good value. I’m quite sure you will enjoy Leen’s Bed and Breakfast as much as I did on your next visit to Killarney, Ireland.

Breakfast Room at Leen's Bed and Breakfast — Breakfast Room at Leen’s Bed and Breakfast

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McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast

1 Comment / March 15, 2012

A Great Bed and Breakfast in Sligo, Ireland

The picturesque, quaint little town of Sligo, Ireland should definitely be a stop on your itinerary when you visit the Emerald Isle. I arrived there by bus from Londonderry around noon on a weekday last June and took the short walk from the bus and train station into the town center. In keeping with my usual modus operandi, I did not have a hotel reservation, so I asked a couple of locals who I passed on the street if they knew of a good bed and breakfast nearby. Without hesitation they enthusiastically pointed out McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan just a few blocks away. That turned out to be a great recommendation and within a very short time the friendly proprietor, Liam McGettigan, had me checked into a nice room with shared bath that cost $58, including a wonderful full Irish breakfast.

All the Comforts of Home

An Cruiscin Lan is an Irish (Gaelic) term meaning ‘The Full Jug’. The Bed and Breakfast has a total of 10 rooms, including 4 ensuite and 6 standard rooms, with a mix of single, double, twin and triple accommodations. Each comfortably appointed room has a television and a tea and coffee tray. In addition, with special arrangements An Cruiscin Lan can accommodate groups of up to 20 guests. The facility has Wi-Fi internet signal and guests are able to log on to the internet from the computer in the common lounge area. For those traveling with a rental car or camper, the ample, free parking on site will be a special attraction.

My Room at McGettigan's An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast — My Room at McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast

A Ride to Drumcliffe

Liam gave me some suggestions on what to see in town and also told me how to catch the bus going out to Strandhill Beach on the nearby Atlantic coast. When I asked him the best way to get to the poet William Butler Yeats’ gravesite outside of town, he offered to give me a ride! As it turned out, he was going to be driving right past it on his way to pick up a trailer and said he could drop me off on the way and then pick me up on the way back. This gave me just the right amount of time to explore the gravesite, St. Columba’s Church, the Celtic High Cross and the Round Tower of an ancient monastery at Drumcliffe. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride, especially chatting with Liam, who, as a lifelong resident of the area, was able to point out interesting things along the way and tell me a lot about the history of County Sligo.

Liam and Geraldine McGettigan of McGettigan's B and B — Liam and Geraldine McGettigan of McGettigan’s B and B

Meets All of My High Standards

McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast met all of my criteria for a great place to stay…and more! It was clean, comfortable, safe, well-located and a good value for the money. And if that wasn’t enough, the friendly atmosphere and wonderful host and hostess made it a real pleasure to stay there. At breakfast the next morning I got to meet Liam’s wife, Geraldine, and by the time I was heading out the door to catch the bus to Galway I felt like I had made some new friends. For anyone planning a visit to Ireland, I can’t think of a better way to be introduced to the friendly Irish people than to stay at McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast in Sligo.

The Full Irish Breakfast at McGettigan's An Cruiscin Lan — The Full Irish Breakfast at McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan B and B

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