Jaunted - Tag: Finland Travel

Helsinki: Angry Birds in an Airplane! Kinda Sorta.

jetflyboy — 2012-02-09T11:40:02-05:00

We're not going to lie, but Angry Birds might still be our favorite game to play on a plane. It can be played when in airplane mode (ahem, Alec Baldwin) and is the only game that makes us occasionally laugh aloud, all while flinging birds towards mean little pigs. Well, the creators of the game have already announced opening up theme parks designed around the game, but there's more (of course).

If you're huge fan and you've already got Angry Birds flip flops, hoodies, keychains and all those little tchotchkes, our recommendation for your next layover in Helskini is to stop pulling the slingshot and hit the new shop for your favorite characters. The Finnish masterminds behind the game have opened up a little plane-shaped Angry Birds kiosk-shop in the middle of Helsinki International Airport.

The Next Stop for Angry Birds: Their Own Theme Parks in Finland

kjb — 2011-12-21T08:40:02-05:00

Those ubiquitous Angry Birds are at again, and this time they’re on the move in their homeland of Finland. Making the jump from mobile app to stuffed animal and even apparel was easy, but now they’re entering the real world with their very own theme park—kind of.

Rovio—they make the game—along with Lappset have an agreement to build two new parks focused on those birds, the pigs, and their world in two Finnish cities. To us, the spots sound more like fancy playgrounds than true theme parks, but developers do promise to integrate both the virtual and physical worlds into something new and fun.

Watch Out Finland! Starbucks is Set to Invade Your Country, Beginning at the Airport

kjb — 2011-07-27T09:36:11-05:00

Those Nordic countries better watch out, as Starbucks is about to invade. Residents of Sweden have already started to add Mocha Frappuccinos to the cup holders of their Volvos, and now it looks like Norway and Finland are next on the list. Awesome local coffeeshops need not be too threatened; for now the expansion seems to be limited to just the airports.

It all goes down in 2012, so if you have a plan to visit next summer to take advantage of the warmer temperatures and long, long days you’ll be able to do so with an overpriced latte. Starbucks officials have already announced their plan to add a location at the Gardermoen Airport in Oslo, Norway. Their most recent announcement reveals that they have plans for two locations at the airport in Helsinki, as there will be one place to grab a coffee after security and one welcoming passengers in the arrivals hall.

Helsinki: Helsinki is Developing a Loving Feeling for Foodies

TuijaSeipell — 2010-12-23T16:20:44-05:00

Helsinki is perfect for a winter holiday for those who are not afraid of snow and some nippy weather. Over this week and next, Jaunted’s Vancouver-based, Finland-born contributor Tuija Seipell of The Cool Hunter, will report on some of her recent finds in the cold temps of her homeland.

Helsinki’s restaurant culture is really starting to “arrive.” We've seen more and more great food, inventive menus, authentic atmosphere, consistency and real value begin to arrive at the city's eateries, both pricey and budget.

Recently, we found a great breakfast buffet at Klaus K Hotel, the only hotel in Helsinki that's part of the Design Hotels network. Delicacies such as smoked trout, sauna-smoked ham, special local cheeses, free-range eggs, mushroom salad, oven-baked barley porridge and homemade blueberry soup were on offer. Additionally, the printed menu’s map of Finland shows the location of the small farms where each item originates. Amazingly, the buffet is included in the room price, but costs 21 Euros if you are not a guest of the hotel. If you eat late (the buffet closes at 10), you can easily skip lunch for the day.

Helsinki: Keeping Warm with Coffee: Where to Sip and Shop in Helsinki

TuijaSeipell — 2010-12-21T15:04:26-05:00

So far this year, Helsinki has not managed to break its all-time December snow record of 27.5 inches (70 centimeters), from 1915. Yet. There are still quite a few days left in the month! So, while you are shopping in the wintry wonderland of Finland's capital, you will want to stop for a latte or hot chocolate and a light lunch at the very least, in the name of keeping warm. We've got a few favorite cafes of our own, and since we're in the holiday spirit of sharing...

· Caf� Kakkugalleria: Among the many shops in the Helsinki Design District is the Design Forum Shop at No. 7 Erottaja Street (Erottajankatu) mentioned in our last story on Helsinki shopping. It has the most diverse selection of designer wares and a bonus feature: the in-house Caf� Kakkugalleria (Finnish for Cake Gallery), maker of arguably the yummiest and prettiest cakes in Helsinki. Tasty quiches and other savory treats abound, too. If you really want to indulge, go to Kakkugalleria’s newest shop nearby, at No. 41 Fredrik’s Street (Fredrikinkatu), for the daily all-you-can-eat cake buffet.

Helsinki: Where to Shop in Helsinki for the Best of Finnish Design

TuijaSeipell — 2010-12-16T15:51:13-05:00

If you have only a short time to spend shopping in Helsinki, don’t worry because if there's one great thing about having a compact and highly walkable downtown core of the city, it's that you will find shops for all of the best-known Finnish brand names in a small area.

Take the city map and find the Main Post Office (Posti) and the main Market Square (Kauppatori) and then walk from one to the other, sidestepping three or four blocks in each direction, and you will have spotted most of the best shops. Along the way, you will also see quaint one-of-a-kind local fashion boutiques, global brand boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants.

Christmas Markets are a Solid Reason to Brave the Cold in Helsinki

TuijaSeipell — 2010-12-14T16:15:43-05:00

Helsinki is the World Design Capital 2012 and although we will eventually talk design later in this series, for now we’ll look at some downtown Helsinki Christmas markets.

For those who do not live in Helsinki, the massive snowfall Helsinki has received this winter (and last year!) has made the city both beautiful and fun. For locals, the weather is a big hassle. But it makes the visits to the annual St. Thomas Market (Tuomaan Markkinat) in the Esplanade Park (Espan Puisto) next to the main Market Square a real fairy-tale experience.

The snowy path is lined on both sides with more than 140 tiny red wooden huts where artisans, artists and yes, designers, offer high-quality handicrafts. According to tradition, all Christmas preparations must be completed by St. Thomas’s Day (December 21), but this market stays open until the 22nd.