I have been to Helsinki! The weather was bright and clear and hovering between -10 degrees and -15 degrees. My first stop was to Marimekko to buy an extra warm coat…mission accomplished and I set off to explore one of my favourite cities.
My friend Jodie took a photo of me in my new coat. She takes great photos. You can follow her on Instagram…Together in Finland.
Finland does Christmas well. This is not surprising as Santa’s official residence is in Rovaniemi in northern Finland, where we went a few years ago to see Santa.Merry Christmas from Santa’s Village in the Arctic Circle
Helsinki is beautifully decorated for Christmas. It gets dark quite early so the lights are a welcome way to brighten the city.
Christmas markets are buzzing down by the harbour. There was a mean wind the morning I went there so the photos are few. My fingers were too cold to be uncovered for long.
Stockmann is the large department store in the centre of Helsinki. It’s Christmas windows attract families in droves. I love watching the little faces light up as they stare into the Christmas story.
Fazer, the famous cafe, also does a fun Christmas window.
I spotted these green figures in another window. Unfortunately I don’t know the significance of the figures, but I found them delightful.
Here are some random photos of wintery Helsinki.
Our friends, Jodie and Allan, took us to Porvoo, a beautiful old town full of wooden buildings. It is about one hour from Helsinki. It was snowing lightly, making the town even more beautiful.
It was great to be back in Helsinki after almost 2 years. I loved the cold weather, the snow, eating food that is not Italian and greeting Jim who arrived from Australia after finally being allowed out. We are now in rainy Bagni di Lucca.
We had Christmas in the Arctic Circle a few years ago. Here are some of the posts.
So pleased you not only managed to get back to Finland, but Jim is now with you as well. Lovely to look at snow. Massive storm here last night and as you know well, today will be hot and humid.
By: Sandra Robbins on December 9, 2021
at 9:08 pm
Helsinki is one of my favourite places to visit. Jim was pleased to finally get out of Australia. I follow the news and weather in Australia and a friend calls most days with all the latest. I am happy not to be there with the heat and humidity. I am planning to come home for a lovely Brisbane winter.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 10, 2021
at 5:41 am
Looks so festive – like Canada but I do not miss that cold! Lovely photos and super coat!
By: Andrina on December 9, 2021
at 9:38 pm
Helsinki does Christmas very well. I don’t mind the cold, but I’m not sure I would say that after a few months of it.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 10, 2021
at 5:42 am
I just love your photos, and your coat – so colourful, perfect for the snow.
Europe sure knows how to celebrate Christmas, the decorations are amazing.
I am still looking for a apartment in Bagni de Lucca.
By: Maxene Page on December 9, 2021
at 10:40 pm
I didn’t want a plain black coat, so I was delighted to find this one. There are lots of apartments for sale in Bagni di Lucca. I hope you find one you like.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 10, 2021
at 5:44 am
What a lovely pictures of Christmas decorations!
By: Annelies Monnereau on December 9, 2021
at 11:54 pm
Helsinki looks beautiful at any time, but particularly at Christmas.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 10, 2021
at 5:44 am
Gorgeous. It looks like a very pretty city. Too cold for me, though. I can only just manage Melbourne, so thanks for the photos.
By: Coral Waight on December 10, 2021
at 2:23 am
Helsinki is lovely. It was very cold for this visit. It is expected to warm up a bit soon with lots more snow to come. I don’t mind the cold, but I don’t think I would like it for months.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 10, 2021
at 5:46 am
I expect Jim was glad to escape the ‘Well-appointed Open Air Prison’ that is now Australia.
By: Irene Hay on December 10, 2021
at 3:53 am
He is very happy to be out. In many ways he was more restricted than I have been.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 10, 2021
at 5:46 am
I remember being in Tromso in Norway – we loved all the snow and wintery atmosphere although I am not fond of the cold it was fun especially as it’s such a novelty for us Australians – just for a holiday not to live –
By: Elizabeth Valerie Litzow on December 10, 2021
at 7:22 am
I like the snow and can handle the cold, but several months of it would be tiresome.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 10, 2021
at 8:17 am
Fairyland 🍄 must put one in good spirits. Had great trip to Naples .. hope to be in Bagni sometime. 🎄 Merry Christmas to you
By: Helen on December 10, 2021
at 10:15 am
Merry Christmas to you too. I’m pleased you enjoyed Naples. I love that city.
Helsinki is lovely at Christmas. It was cold, but manageable with the right clothes.
Today we have snow and rain in Bagni di Lucca. It is a good day to sit beside the window with a heater and look outside.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 10, 2021
at 12:38 pm
Deb I know how you love Helsinki in any season but this is the most beautiful of all the seasons you’ve been in there I am sure.
Glad you and Jim got to enjoy it together and now you are home in BDL for perhaps a white Christmas too. 🎄😍🧑🎄🙏chat soon
By: Dianne CANT on December 13, 2021
at 4:41 am
What beautiful decorations throughout the town. I think I will take down our fairy lights now after seeing all of theirs. Wonderful photos of all the buildings & river under snow. PS It has been boiling hot here last few days.Have a very Merry Christmas Deb & Jim.
By: Camillus Davall. on December 10, 2021
at 11:08 am
Give me cold any day over heat. Maybe -15 is a bit extreme, but you can always put on more clothes.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 10, 2021
at 12:39 pm
Oh, Wow! How magical. Robin and I have been decorating our Christmas tree which is against a window that gets the afternoon sun and we were sweating! So all the snowy, crisp, fairy lit landscapes made us just say – oh wow! So glad Jim is now there.
By: Jan on December 11, 2021
at 3:58 am
Christmas in Australia is a different experience!
By: Debra Kolkka on December 13, 2021
at 5:16 pm
Such a beautiful place! I’d love to visit someday. 🙂 Hope you are well. Happy Holidays!
By: thirdeyemom on December 14, 2021
at 3:47 am
Finland is a great country to visit. I hope you go one day soon. Happy holidays to you and your family.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 17, 2021
at 7:10 am
Oh how magical! one year I’d like to go to Finland for Christmas but I’m also petrified of being cold so there’s that haha. Perhaps I need a super warm Marimekko coat.
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on December 17, 2021
at 5:05 am
According to Finns there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes. Cold weather doesn’t bother me, especially now with my new coat.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 17, 2021
at 7:11 am