Helsinki is the World Design Capital 2012. Finland has always been famous for design and this year the whole city is a showcase.
Many shops and businesses have special displays to celebrate local design. I especially loved the pop-up Finnish Design Shop at the Old Customs Warehouse beside the harbour. (See a recent post at Beautiful Helsinki for more on the shop)
Many would be aware of brands such as Marimekko, Iitaala, Arabia, Artek and Nokia, without knowing they are Finnish.
I took the number 6 tram to the old Arabia factory which now houses an outlet store for several of these brands.
What a curse having an almost full suitcase. One day I am going to come here with an empty one.
As well as being cool, it was actually cool….temperature wise. Even though it is summer I arrived to cold weather and pale skies.
I did my usual walk around Tooloonlahti to see the beautiful gardens.
The bay was full of gorgeous birds.
It was great to see families of Canada geese.
The babies are grey balls of fluff.
The harbour market was in full swing.
With all the delicious summer fruits on display.
The Helsinki mermaid was popular with seagulls.
I did my usual doorway spotting.
And I ate lots of delicious food.
The sun came out on my last day so I walked the entire city again.
Helsinki is beautiful in summer….even if it cool.
Keep an eye on Beautiful Helsinki over the coming weeks to see more of my stay in Helsinki.
Have a look at the cool guy playing music on bottles.
I have travelled to Helsinki many times, in all seasons, and I love this city. There are several other posts on my visits, take a look in the Helsinki category and take a look at Beautiful Helsinki.
Thank you WordPress for Freshly Pressing my post, what a lovely surprise!
I love the photos of the doorways!!!
By: margieinitaly on June 26, 2012
at 3:08 pm
I likes every photos
superb
By: Handyortung on July 3, 2012
at 5:40 pm
There is a whole post on Finnish doorways…I love them
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 11:22 pm
What a wonderful place, Deb. I would love to visit..in summer! 🙂 Adore the Iitaala range, but it costs an absolute fortune here – $60/plate!
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on June 26, 2012
at 7:39 pm
It isn’t as expensive in Helsinki and Marimekko is very reasonable here, particularly the fabric. I usually buy enough for a table cloth when I come.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 26, 2012
at 7:49 pm
OMG, those baby geese are DARLING! Does it get any cuter than that!? By the way, do you know what to spiky, purple-pink looking flowers are called? I’ve never seen anything like them.
Hugs,
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on June 26, 2012
at 7:57 pm
I have no idea what they are either. Perhaps someone out there will know.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 26, 2012
at 8:03 pm
This post makes me want to go to Helsinki.
By: Just Add Attitude on June 26, 2012
at 8:58 pm
It is a beautiful city, I hope you go there for a visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 28, 2012
at 10:15 pm
Loved reading about the Arabia – I have a wonderful set of Arabia brown and navy nuts print from 1964 wedding gifts – love it still -in perfect order – and use it occasionally. Marimekko – well that amazing fabric never ever wears out – had it for Danielle in the early seventies when she was tiny and those dresses got passed on to litttle relatives and friends .. Wonder where they are now. Thanks for trip down memory lane.
By: dianne Cant on June 26, 2012
at 10:00 pm
I have some Arabia pieces that I bought 40 years ago and I still use them and love them.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 28, 2012
at 10:16 pm
It really looks beautiful, Debra. In San Francisco I think of you each time I go to “Crate & Barrel” a great shop that stocks all Marimekko fabrics. They are so colorful!!!!
By: mulino dominillo on June 26, 2012
at 10:10 pm
How nice to be associated with colourful Marimekko fabric.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 28, 2012
at 10:17 pm
Helsinki looks interesting. It’s obviously not a big city if you were able to walk it in a day. I must head north one day!
By: jenny@atasteoftravel on June 27, 2012
at 12:02 am
Helsinki is gorgeous, full of beautiful Art Nouveau buildings. It is mostly flat and very easy to navigate. You must go!
By: Debra Kolkka on June 28, 2012
at 10:18 pm
Wow, wonderful … so many pretty things to look at. Love the Helsinki mermaid shot.
By: sheof108names on June 27, 2012
at 6:38 am
The mermaid is by the beautiful harbour, keeping an eye in things.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 28, 2012
at 10:19 pm
I recall reading that Helsinki is not old like many of European cities. Is that true? Cheer to the bottle player!
By: aFrankAngle on June 27, 2012
at 1:09 pm
Much of Helsinki was built between 1890 and 1930, which is why it is full of gorgeous Art Nouveau buildings. The original city burnt down in 1808 and wasn’t capital until 1812. It is a beautiful city, you should visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 28, 2012
at 10:39 pm
I have been to Helsinki in winter and didn’t like it 🙁
After reading I thing I must revisit it 🙂
By: Victor Tribunsky on June 27, 2012
at 5:26 pm
You should go back, it is a gorgeous city.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 28, 2012
at 10:40 pm
I bet you appreciated the cool weather after the heat wave in BDL.
Great pictures; now I want to visit Helsinki.
You have an eye for spotting the beautiful wherever you go!
By: Diane on June 27, 2012
at 7:15 pm
It is easy to find beautiful things in Helsinki.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 28, 2012
at 10:41 pm
Helsinki with your post makes me to travel there too… I loved them all. Thank you dear Debra, love, nia
By: niasunset on June 27, 2012
at 9:16 pm
Helsinki is a great place to visit. I go 4 times a year, on my way to and from Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 28, 2012
at 10:42 pm
stunning! love the babies and mermaid : )
By: Elena on July 3, 2012
at 10:01 am
The goslings were gorgeous and not frightened at all.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 10:09 am
Elena I viewed ur web Site; you that Girl on that show!!!
lets connect Harris is The Producer G
By: rocha harris on July 3, 2012
at 8:21 pm
nice place and countries…I am very interested in the contents of this post, I wait for the updates
By: Benda Bertuah on July 3, 2012
at 11:04 am
Nice work.
By: APOML on July 3, 2012
at 11:37 am
Thank you. Helsinki is a beautiful city.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 11:38 am
Beautiful photos, what a beautiful city! Man and nature at its best!
By: A Gracious Life on July 3, 2012
at 11:39 am
I went back the next day and the goslings were nowhere to be seen. I hope they were asleep in their nests.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 11:47 am
Thank you so much for coming to visit Helsinki, and I’m really glad you enjoyed the experience. Finns (and Finland) are like night and day depending on whether you visit in summer or winter! You girls picked the right one! 🙂
By: jarn on July 3, 2012
at 12:06 pm
I have been to Heksinki a dozen times in all seasons and I love it! I have also travelled all over Finland from Hanko to Inari and from Oulu to Lapeenranta and had a great time.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 8:45 pm
All from your story, I do really love it. It is so beautiful and nice place “Market, Garden, City and Fruits”.
For one who got the dream to travel the world ,they should do tour to Helsinki.
By: Asiatravelinfo on July 3, 2012
at 12:09 pm
Helsinki is a wonderful city to visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 8:46 pm
I will go there in next, after I got enough money for air ticket…..
I try to work hard…. starting from now.
By: Asiatravelinfo on July 6, 2012
at 3:16 am
Oh, Deb, I just noticed your post was FP! Congrats, my friend, you deserve it!
Hugs,
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on July 3, 2012
at 12:10 pm
Thank you, it was a bit of a surprise….a good one.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 8:46 pm
Very good taste. Thanks.
By: Maria Lúcia Dário on July 3, 2012
at 12:34 pm
Helsinki is a beautiful city.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 8:47 pm
Haha, yea, i think this summer has been pretty cool in Finland, usually it gets warmer, let me say between +20 and +25 degrees. Winter is a whole different thing though, but anyways worth visiting in my opinion, since there are some cool and special winter things to do in Finland! So you should try that one too sometimes, just remember to wear a lot of warm clothes.
By: mmimosa on July 3, 2012
at 12:38 pm
I have been to Finland a few times in winter and I love it! I was there in February this year and I will be back there later this year as well. There are some winter photos of Helsinki on my Beautiful Helsinki blog.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 8:49 pm
Love the photos of Finland – my husband has been trying to convince me to do a trip to FInland.. and seeing the photos I’m more keen to go.
By: Ilze - South Africa on July 3, 2012
at 12:58 pm
Finland is beautiful, you should visit. The people are friendly and very good looking.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 8:51 pm
Oh i wish I can visit the place too. 🙂
By: akvividphotography on July 3, 2012
at 2:10 pm
Finland is a beautiful country….you should go.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 8:53 pm
How many times you’ve been Freshly Pressed? Congratulations!!!!!
By: rommel on July 3, 2012
at 2:25 pm
3 plus once on Bella Bagni di Lucca. It is a lot of fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 8:54 pm
It isn’t too often that you here of Helsinki, but what a beautiful place! Your photographs are gorgeous.
By: Carlie Chew on July 3, 2012
at 2:37 pm
Helsinki is a beautiful city, with lots to see and do.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 8:57 pm
I’ve been wanting to go to Helsinki ever since I saw my first Kaurismaki film. I enjoyed your post!
By: cigarettesandmovies on July 3, 2012
at 2:48 pm
Thank you. I hope you visit Helsinki one day.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 8:58 pm
Oh how i wish i could visit this city someday. You have some beautiful clicks here. Great post.
By: if i ever cross your mind on July 3, 2012
at 3:01 pm
Thanks, Helsinki is a great place to visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 9:00 pm
Sounds wonderful! And lovely photos. Thanks so much for sharing! Inspiring.
By: Alaina on July 3, 2012
at 3:13 pm
Helsinki is a lovely city to visit, I have been many times in all seasons and I love it.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 4:23 am
Amazing post! Love the photos. Sounds like a really incredible time. I really like your blog, can’t wait to see more from you!
~Kay
By: thekaydays on July 3, 2012
at 3:28 pm
Helsinki looks beautiful! I especially love the doorway photos.
By: npkate on July 3, 2012
at 3:33 pm
The photo os the baby ducks is adorable! Great, great work!
By: OneWeekToCrazy on July 3, 2012
at 3:58 pm
Thank you for sharing ,i like nice post
By: andy on July 3, 2012
at 4:10 pm
Beautiful pictures! It’s so different to see Helsinki ‘in the summer’ – even though it’s still cold. The only time I got a chance to visit was in frosty January.
By: backpackerina on July 3, 2012
at 4:31 pm
I agree; most beatuflist lady… art is so surpreme.. you feel me…the pictures are travel
By: rocha harris on July 3, 2012
at 8:15 pm
I love it in the winter as well.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 9:08 pm
Splendid photos! I’ll go there sometime in August.
By: Kathy on July 3, 2012
at 5:19 pm
It should be lovely in August. Have a great time.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 8, 2012
at 12:49 pm
Lovely! I’ll add a link to your blog on my blog. Very inspiring pictures, btw!
By: Alessandro Paiva on July 3, 2012
at 5:34 pm
Thank you for the link, I will slide over to your blog and take a look.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 4:24 am
Reblogged this on Welcome to cynthiafrancis!!!.
By: cynthiafrancis on July 3, 2012
at 5:39 pm
I’m going there next year. Lovely pictures!
By: frugalnature on July 3, 2012
at 6:07 pm
Have a great time.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 8, 2012
at 12:48 pm
Hi Debra, What beautiful digital pictures. Thanks for sharing! http://www.segmation.wordpress.com.
By: segmation on July 3, 2012
at 9:32 pm
Totally enjoyed my time in Helsinki, its surroundings and other places in Finland in cities and between them. So did my son who was thrilled to be there as well. We were there in summer, have numerous fotos, but also want to return in winter to see new views of places we’ve seen. Be sure to check Savolinna where there’s a splendid opera festival each summer. Even if you don’t like opera music, its an incredibly beautiful town with so much to experience….just like the rest of the country. I started learning Finnish for my return visit LOL Complex language but also rewarding.
By: Red Haircrow on July 3, 2012
at 9:45 pm
I tried to learn Finnish when I was a child from my grandfather, but I didn’t get far. I can count to 6 and say hello and thank you and that is about it.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 11:17 pm
You’ve been Freshly Pressed! Congrats this post among many others deserves it! Any decent spas in Helsinki? Im thinking of a 5 day vacation after the summer season. Hope all is well! 🙂
By: Jennifer Avventura on July 3, 2012
at 10:13 pm
Finland is famous for sauna. Every house and hotel will have a sauna. I don’t know of any spas, but there must be some good ones.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 3, 2012
at 11:12 pm
I hadn’t heard of Helsinki before listening to Architecture in Helsinki, ever since then I’ve wanted to travel to Sweden and visit ♥
By: faithmrljak on July 3, 2012
at 11:32 pm
That’s great, but Helsinki is in Finland.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 4:13 am
*Sweden and Finland, I pressed enter too early lol sorry
By: faithmrljak on July 4, 2012
at 9:11 am
An easy mistake. Sweden is gorgeous too,actually I have only been to Stockholm, but I liked it.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 9:20 am
I love your entire blog, great photography and wonderful spirit. I am European, ( Germany) migrated to the U.S. over 20 years ago, I am a photographer and some more, Italy is the only country I am getting homesick for, I’ve been there so many many times. When I looked at your post of San Gimingnano I could smell the city and hear the little swallows flying around, the sound of the Vespa’s and all that reminded me when I spent there a week about uhh, almost 30 years ago. Somehow your entire work speaks to me. Good luck. Cornelia
By: corneliaweberphotography on July 3, 2012
at 11:41 pm
Thank you, Italy is special and if you love it, it is very hard to not want to be there.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 4:14 am
Great shots, it’s on my list of places I want to travel to!
By: befaster on July 3, 2012
at 11:54 pm
You should go to Finland, it is a beautiful country.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 4:14 am
The photos of fruit are so awesome!
By: margieinitaly on July 4, 2012
at 12:51 am
Those strawberries were delicious….they tasted as good as they look.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 4:16 am
Convincing, I have to go! And I. want. those. dishes. Oh, & that duck!
By: tycobeans on July 4, 2012
at 1:55 am
Helsinki is a great city to visit….you should go.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 4:17 am
Beautiful!
By: welcometomylayoff on July 4, 2012
at 2:47 am
Thank you.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 8, 2012
at 12:47 pm
Helsinki has never been on my list for travels but may have to add it soon. Thanks for the great pictures….and thanks for sharing your tour. You Matter! Smiles, Nancy
By: juststartwithmonday on July 4, 2012
at 5:37 am
I hope you visit Helsinki one day. You will love it.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 9:18 am
I am from Helsinki but living now in Ukraine. Get homesick after looking these pictures.
By: Mirjam on July 4, 2012
at 5:55 am
I hope you get to visit home soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 8, 2012
at 12:50 pm
Thank you for opening my eyes to this beautiful place!
Wonderful photo’s, they bring the city to life.
By: Mountain Gypsy on July 4, 2012
at 9:51 am
I hope you visit one day.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 11:47 am
Now that I live in Lithuania, I will surely visit Finland and Helsinki.
By: Andreas Moser on July 4, 2012
at 10:10 am
It isn’t too far away for you.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 11:47 am
Wow…the birds were so beautiful…loved helsinki…trillion liked 🙂
By: Akanksha on July 4, 2012
at 11:51 am
There will be more on the birds soon on Beautiful Helsinki.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 9:18 pm
Makes me smile to read these comments about my home country 🙂
During the winter tourists should head up north or east of Finland. Helsinki isn’t too nice during the winter.
Great fotos, specially berries!
More Finnish art can be found from my blog site…
By: Hannu Hirvonen on July 4, 2012
at 12:37 pm
I have been in Finland in the winter. I love the snow, but I can imagine that it would be difficult to live with this for months at a time. Thank you for the link to your blog.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 9:21 pm
i’ll be there next month, coincidentally. guess i will be very excited. love all the birds btw…
By: GalonTrip on July 4, 2012
at 5:21 pm
I’m sure you will love Helsinki. I hope the sun shines for you.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 9:23 pm
thanks, i hope so too. so excited for the coming summer holiday and see helsinki with my own naked eyes…
By: GalonTrip on July 5, 2012
at 4:16 pm
thanks, i’m so excited! thanks for posting and giving some ideas
By: GalonTrip on July 5, 2012
at 4:17 pm
What a gorgeous city! Thank you for the pictures. I especially love the one of the mermaid and the birds. I follow a blogger who lives in Helsinki and I always love the photos he shares, if you’re interested in seeing more. http://ifrimphotography.wordpress.com/
By: Erin McNaughton on July 4, 2012
at 5:54 pm
Helsinki is a gorgeous city. Thank you for the link to the blog.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 9:29 pm
Congratulation on being freshly pressed!
By: Sam on July 4, 2012
at 6:45 pm
Thank you, it is a lot of fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 4, 2012
at 9:30 pm
Thanks for making us travel with you through your beautiful photos!
By: topfashionitas on July 5, 2012
at 7:39 am
I hope you visit Helsinki one day.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 5, 2012
at 12:30 pm
Wonderful post as always Debra! I had this one sitting and waiting in my inbox to read later and saw it was FP so dove straight in. Congrats and as alwasys your posts never disapoint! Thanks for sharing ! N
By: thirdeyemom on July 5, 2012
at 12:39 pm
Being Freshly Pressed is always a surprise and excellent fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 5, 2012
at 1:13 pm
It’s amazing how some people can take such beautiful pictures with instagram! I love looking at them too!
By: fashionterritory01 on July 6, 2012
at 5:44 am
These are not instagram photos, I don’t even know what they are.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 6, 2012
at 7:35 am
Finland, the land of 1000 lakes! I am from a neighboring Estonia, and I am glad you found Finland and Helsinki so charming 🙂 Congrats on Freshly Pressed!
Yulia
By: In Search of Perfect on July 7, 2012
at 5:37 pm
I think there are many thousands of lakes in Finland. I go several times a year and I love it. I have another blog called Beautiful Helsinki.Being Freshly Pressed is fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 7, 2012
at 10:26 pm
nice. Will have to make my way to Helsinki soon before it gets into winter. I’m not that far away too.
By: Av on July 8, 2012
at 6:21 am
Helsinki is lovely in summer when everything is green.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 8, 2012
at 9:29 am
on the contrary i’m actually waiting for winter..Northern Lights.. 🙂
By: Av on July 8, 2012
at 9:43 am
Great shots.thank you for sharing.
By: Marg Swarnabhoomi on July 16, 2012
at 10:51 am
I enjoyed my long ago visit to Helsinki and the rest of Finland. Thanks for sharing.
By: RAK on July 16, 2012
at 10:50 pm
I go to Finland 4 times a year. I love it!
By: Debra Kolkka on July 17, 2012
at 6:01 am
Reblogged this on chaotiqual.
By: chaotiqual on August 10, 2012
at 3:18 pm
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