Astute visitors to Finland can’t help but notice the recurring theme of red and yellow colors throughout this beautiful country. Rather more of a ‘katchup and mustard’ combination, these striking hues are featured on everything from houses and buildings to trains and boats and even to flower beds and the clothing fashions worn by the Finns themselves.
Red and Yellow Tulips in Helsinki, Finland
The origin of this tradition is difficult to trace, but could be related to the colors of the unofficial flag of the Swedish-speaking Finns or the temporary state flag used from 1917-1918. The red and yellow color scheme is so pervasive that it even extends to an area near Las Vegas, Nevada called Little Finland, which is known for its red and yellow rock formations.
Porvoo, Finland
Enjoy this gallery featuring shades of red and yellow captured with my camera around Helsinki, Porvoo and Suomenlinna Sveaborg.
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 CenterUspenski Cathedral, Helsinki, Finland
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.
Suomenlinna SveaborgTemppeliaukio 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, FinlandThe Buffet Breakfast at the Rivoli Jardin Hotel in Helsinki, Finland
The 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
The entire free world is celebrating with Germany this week as they commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Watching the joyful celebrations must send a chill up the spines of those who watched on TV that wonderful day in 1989 as young Germans climbed the wall and chipped away at this wretched symbol of communism. The peaceful reunification of East and West after the wall came down is a tribute to the leaders this great country and a testament to the desire for peace by all Germans. The people, culture, history and sights of Germany have made it one of the greatest countries in today’s world…and one of my favorite places to visit!
The Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, GermanyCheckpoint Charlie, Berlin Wall Crossing
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.
The Medieval Town of Porvoo, Finland
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.
The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia
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
Straddling one of America’s major thoroughfares, Elko is a great place to stop on Interstate 80 between Reno, Nevada and Salt Lake City, Utah. Elko is a friendly ‘cowboy town’, so don’t be surprised when you’re greeted with a pleasant ‘hello’ by strangers passing on the street. Elko County is the third largest ranching county in the United States and is known for raising grass-fed calves. Bing Crosby had several ranches here where he enjoyed relaxing and getting away from the bright lights of Hollywood. In fact, Bing was honorary mayor of Elko until his death in 1977. Elko was settled by cattlemen and sheep herders in the mid-1800s and lies on the Humboldt River, the Immigrant Trail and the Transcontinental Railroad. Many of the first settlers in Elko were Basques from the Pyrenees region between France and Spain and their influence is still very much present in the region, especially in the many fine Basque restaurants to be found in Elko.
Elko County Ranchlands with Ruby Mountains in BackgroundRanch in Elko County, Nevada
What to See and Do
Whenever I’m near Elko, my favorite side trip is to drive about 20 miles south through the rich, beautiful ranchlands of Spring Valley on the Lamoille Highway (227) heading toward the Ruby Mountains. On the way I stop at the picturesque town of Lamoille, basically a one street hamlet lined with cute little houses and a couple of unique hometown restaurants. There’s a special treat waiting for you at the end of the road…a beautiful little church that looks like it should be a scene on a Christmas card! Continuing south from the town of Lamoille you will come to Lamoille Canyon, one of several glacier carved canyons extending up into the ‘Rubies’, as they are called. This stunningly beautiful region seems to be known only to locals, but is a must see for anyone who enjoys the mountains. And it’s an ideal place for hiking, picnicking and camping, too. Back in the city of Elko, there are several museums chronicling the frontier history of the area. Right on Idaho Street, the main drag, be sure to stop at the Visitors Center and the Northeastern Nevada Museum. About eight miles west of Elko on Interstate 80 is the California Trail Interpretive Center, where there is no admission fee to visit the indoor and outdoor exhibits highlighting the history of the immigrant trail in the northern Nevada region.
Little Church of the Crossroads, Lamoille, NevadaLamoille Canyon in the Ruby Mountains
Where to Stay and Eat
There are many fine accommodations in Elko, running the gamut from budget motels to elegant hotels with flashy casinos. Whenever I’m in the area I stay at the Click for Contact Information, because it’s centrally located, has reasonable rates and comes with an excellent breakfast. And if you’re traveling with an RV, there are a number of good RV parks right in town. If you savor food from south of the border I can recommend a great little Mexican restaurant, La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant, on Commercial Street and for a taste of Basque cuisine, try The Star Hotel on Silver Street. Located in a historic, 100 year old property, the dining room serves family style meals with portion sizes that have almost everyone leaving with a doggie bag. Whether you’re just passing through or coming specifically to visit the beautiful high desert country of Northern Nevada, be sure to take time to stop and explore the wonderful little city of Elko.
The California Trail CenterJohn on the Immigrant Trail
The historic mining town of Virginia City, Nevada is a great place to get a glimpse of life in the old west. The nearby Lake Tahoe/ Reno area is one of four side trips within a few hours’ drive from the San Francisco Bay Area that visitors will want to include on their Northern California itinerary. The other three are Yosemite National Park, Carmel-by-the-Sea and, of course, the Wine Country of Napa County.
South Lake Tahoe, California
On a recent camping trip with family and friends to South Lake Tahoe we took a side trip to Virginia City, Nevada. Less than 90 minutes from all the action at Lake Tahoe, the drive took us over the beautiful eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and out into the open desert of Nevada. Once there you’ll find the streets of Virginia City lined with historic buildings such as Pipers Opera House, unique restaurants like the Mustang Ranch Steakhouse and interesting shops with western wear and souvenirs. As you stroll the main street you can watch a Wild West shoot out, stop to sip a sarsaparilla at the Bucket of Blood Saloon and take a gander at a $65,000 gold nugget.
The Main Street of Virginia City, Nevada
Mark Twain Slept Here
After silver was discovered in the Comstock Lode in 1859, Virginia City literally sprang up from the desert, eventually reaching a population of 25,000 at its peak. Plagued by extremes in temperature, devastating fires and declining output from the mines, Virginia City saw its best days come and go in less than 20 years. One of Virginia City’s most famous inhabitants was Samuel Clemens who lived there from 1862 to 1864 and it was there that he first used his more familiar pen name, Mark Twain.
Bucket of Blood Saloon, Virginia City, Nevada
No trip to Virginia City would be complete without a visit to Boot Hill, which is located at the northeast end of town. Wandering among the tombstones you will find everyone from outlaws who were hanged to Civil War Veterans to pioneer families buried here. Speaking of veterans, hats off to Virginia City for honoring its veterans, past and present, with banners on the lamp posts lining the main street!
Boot Hill, Virginia City, Nevada
Planning Your Trip
Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area you will take Interstate 80 East to Sacramento, where you can stop and visit the California state capitol. Continuing east on Highway 50 now, you will enter the foothills made famous by the ‘gold rush’ of 1849. Midway between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe make a pit stop at the town of Placerville for a look at some of the old buildings dating back to the gold rush era. Placerville was originally known as ‘Hangtown’ for the many hangings that took place there during this lawless period in California history. Moving east into the Sierra Nevada Mountains you will eventually descend into the Tahoe Basin, arriving at South Lake Tahoe.
Virginia City, Nevada
The attractions and activities at South Lake Tahoe are limitless and include visits to secluded Fallen Leaf Lake, fabulous Pope Beach with it long stretch of clean, white sand, the historic Baldwin Estate and the casinos at Stateline on the California-Nevada border. Hiking, biking, swimming, boating and fishing are all available here. For campers and glampers, I recommend the nearby Fallen Leaf Lake Campground. So, if you’re fortunate enough to have a few extra days while in Northern California, the Lake Tahoe/ Reno area is a great place to spend it and nearby Virginia City, Nevada will give you a taste of the Wild West.
