I visited European wellness haven with gorgeous nature parks, huge theme park and foraging walk just 3 hours from Dublin
Well forget Santa and snowball fights, this trip was all about saunas,
Advertisement
5
Fiona travelled to Helsinki with husband James and daughters Lily, 7, and Rosie, 4
Credit: Collect image through journalist
5
The SkyWheel in central Helsinki
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
5
Linnanmäki, which boasts over 40 rides, is Finland's oldest and most popular amusement park
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
From gorgeous nature parks and sea views to daily saunas and tasty fare, you begin to see why the Finns are so happy.
Flying with
Finnair operates up to ten flights a week from Dublin to
Our journey began with a 9.45am departure from
Advertisement
READ MORE IN TRAVEL
After our three-hour flight, it was to the Scandic Park Helsinki
The hotel has a playroom right by the
On the first day we met with our guide Karin, and off we trotted to the impressive Helsinki Central Library Oodi, a modern architectural marvel.
More than a library, Oodi offers visitors creative resources and a space to engage with the city's diverse urban life. For the girls there were several playgrounds around the library which is also close to the picturesque Töölö Lake.
Advertisement
MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN
Another highlight of the trip was a foraging walk on Seurasaari island.
Guided by Anna Nyman - a biologist, forager and herbalist - she showed us a world of wild edible plants and herbs.
FINLAND'S OLDEST AMUSEMENT PARK
We nibbled on heart's-ease pansies, ground elder, and wood sorrel. Rosie particularly liked the flowers of the blueberry plant.
Then, in contrast to the relaxing morning spent being at one with nature, we set off to do something a bit more high-octane.
Advertisement
Linnanmäki, which boasts over 40 rides, is Finland's oldest and most popular
The girls were still too young to go on the park's wilder rides, such as Swingi, which swings visitors from side to side at nearly 100 km/h, or the rollercoaster Taiga - that throws you upside down four times per ride with a top speed of 106 km/h.
But we did try some more of the sedate spins and the girls enjoyed being budding truck drivers on Rekkaralli, and spinning around on Propelli.
While in Helsinki we also took the ferry across to Suomenlinna, the historic sea fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site, steeped in maritime history and charm.
Advertisement
The entire area of Suomenlinna has about 200 buildings spread over 80 hectares of land. The fortress alone has about 6km of walls and over a hundred cannons.
WELLNESS TRADITIONS
You can enjoy Suomenlinna with just the price of a ferry or water bus ticket, as there is no entrance
Capping off our cultural adventure we immersed ourselves in Finnish
It was so good we went twice in our five days in Helsinki. The pool is open all year round and is a just a stone's throw from the Market Square. It's a great way to enjoy the
Advertisement
It has three saunas, two warm water pools and one sea water pool, into which water is pumped from nearby streams and filtered clean.
One of the pools is perfect for kids, with tummy-height water levels for them. Floaties and pool noodles are available from the lifeguards.
We spent hours there on both visits and had dinner and
Saunas really are a must for visitors to
Advertisement
But the real question is: does everyone walk around nude? The answer is - kinda. Actually, it depends which area you are in. Check the dress code and remember, wearing a towel is always ok.
'EASY TO BE ACTIVE'
Just one minute in cold water after the sauna boosts your happy hormones.
When you alternate the heat of the sauna with a 30 to 60-second dip in the sea, lake, or a cold shower, your body responds with a rush of feel-good hormones. The girls loved it too!
Right across from the pool is the funky restaurant Toppa, on the top floor of the outstanding 'Sugar Cube' building designed by Alvar Aalto.
Advertisement
Food here is meant to be shared and we feasted on Bo ssam, a fresh and crunchy
It's so easy to be active in Helsinki. The city has 34 public
Children were warmly welcomed wherever we went and Finnish people are very friendly.
It was our second visit to Helsinki. James and I got engaged here 10 years ago, and next time – we won't wait another decade to experience it all again.
Advertisement
5
Rocky Cove at the Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress in the south harbour
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
5
Suomenlinna became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
19 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
The hidden gem seaside town nestled in the UK with the ‘greatest' castle and local puffins
IF you're contemplating a UK break over the summer holidays, there's a town that you may not have heard of which is perfect - and it's one of Europe's top 50 hidden gems. Beaumaris in Wales took the tenth spot on an expert list of discovered destinations in Europe, thanks to its long 4 Beaumaris is one of Europe's hidden gems, taking tenth spot on a new list Credit: Alamy 4 A neighbouring island has scores of puffins to watch, perfect for nature enthusiasts Credit: Getty According to holiday rental site The town is said to be ideal for "the explorer who's enchanted by rugged shorelines, medieval castles, and boat trips to wild islands". Beaumaris is a seaside town on the Isle of Those looking for a more cultural break are also in luck, as it has a stunning It's known as the greatest ever built because it was the last of the royal strongholds created by Edward I in Wales – and perhaps his masterpiece. The castle is surrounded by a moat and has spellbinding views over Beaumaris has a beach for those keen to get some steps in, but its not advisable for swimmers as it's near the Menai Straits - known for strong tidal currents. One visitor raved about the town on Most read in News Travel The up-and-coming English seaside town with cheap booze and huge beaches 4 Beaumaris has one of the 'greatest' castles Credit: Alamy Another added: "This small beach with backdrop of pastel painted houses has some absolutely stunning views of the mountains." Near the beach is Beaumaris Pier, which originally opened in 1846 and rebuilt in 1872. These days it's a popular spot for crabbing and has a small kiosk near the entrance where you can nab an ice-cream or hot drink, plus souvenirs and beach toys. From Beaumaris you can easily get to Puffin Island, an uninhabited area off the eastern tip of Anglesey, on one of the regular boat trips or cruises. It's a wildlife hub for Atlantic grey Although most definitely a hidden gem, Beaumaris also has the backing of The Welsh town came in 25th place with a reader vote of 74 per cent. Plus, the And the Europe's Top 10 Best Hidden Gems Tomar, Portugal Brisighella, Italy Nafplio, Greece Puy-l'Évêque, France Bremm, Germany Beynac-et-Cazenac, France Valdoviño, Spain Sibiu, Romania Labeaume, France Beaumaris, Wales, UK 4 Beaumaris is number 10 of Europe's hidden gems Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I visited European wellness haven with gorgeous nature parks, huge theme park and foraging walk just 3 hours from Dublin
WHAT'S the first thing you think of on mention of a family trip to Finland? Snow and Santa, right? Well forget Santa and snowball fights, this trip was all about saunas, Advertisement 5 Fiona travelled to Helsinki with husband James and daughters Lily, 7, and Rosie, 4 Credit: Collect image through journalist 5 The SkyWheel in central Helsinki Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 Linnanmäki, which boasts over 40 rides, is Finland's oldest and most popular amusement park Credit: Getty Images - Getty From gorgeous nature parks and sea views to daily saunas and tasty fare, you begin to see why the Finns are so happy. Flying with Finnair operates up to ten flights a week from Dublin to Our journey began with a 9.45am departure from Advertisement READ MORE IN TRAVEL After our three-hour flight, it was to the Scandic Park Helsinki The hotel has a playroom right by the On the first day we met with our guide Karin, and off we trotted to the impressive Helsinki Central Library Oodi, a modern architectural marvel. More than a library, Oodi offers visitors creative resources and a space to engage with the city's diverse urban life. For the girls there were several playgrounds around the library which is also close to the picturesque Töölö Lake. Advertisement MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN Another highlight of the trip was a foraging walk on Seurasaari island. Guided by Anna Nyman - a biologist, forager and herbalist - she showed us a world of wild edible plants and herbs. FINLAND'S OLDEST AMUSEMENT PARK We nibbled on heart's-ease pansies, ground elder, and wood sorrel. Rosie particularly liked the flowers of the blueberry plant. Then, in contrast to the relaxing morning spent being at one with nature, we set off to do something a bit more high-octane. Advertisement Linnanmäki, which boasts over 40 rides, is Finland's oldest and most popular The girls were still too young to go on the park's wilder rides, such as Swingi, which swings visitors from side to side at nearly 100 km/h, or the rollercoaster Taiga - that throws you upside down four times per ride with a top speed of 106 km/h. But we did try some more of the sedate spins and the girls enjoyed being budding truck drivers on Rekkaralli, and spinning around on Propelli. While in Helsinki we also took the ferry across to Suomenlinna, the historic sea fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site, steeped in maritime history and charm. Advertisement The entire area of Suomenlinna has about 200 buildings spread over 80 hectares of land. The fortress alone has about 6km of walls and over a hundred cannons. WELLNESS TRADITIONS You can enjoy Suomenlinna with just the price of a ferry or water bus ticket, as there is no entrance Capping off our cultural adventure we immersed ourselves in Finnish It was so good we went twice in our five days in Helsinki. The pool is open all year round and is a just a stone's throw from the Market Square. It's a great way to enjoy the Advertisement It has three saunas, two warm water pools and one sea water pool, into which water is pumped from nearby streams and filtered clean. One of the pools is perfect for kids, with tummy-height water levels for them. Floaties and pool noodles are available from the lifeguards. We spent hours there on both visits and had dinner and Saunas really are a must for visitors to Advertisement But the real question is: does everyone walk around nude? The answer is - kinda. Actually, it depends which area you are in. Check the dress code and remember, wearing a towel is always ok. 'EASY TO BE ACTIVE' Just one minute in cold water after the sauna boosts your happy hormones. When you alternate the heat of the sauna with a 30 to 60-second dip in the sea, lake, or a cold shower, your body responds with a rush of feel-good hormones. The girls loved it too! Right across from the pool is the funky restaurant Toppa, on the top floor of the outstanding 'Sugar Cube' building designed by Alvar Aalto. Advertisement Food here is meant to be shared and we feasted on Bo ssam, a fresh and crunchy It's so easy to be active in Helsinki. The city has 34 public Children were warmly welcomed wherever we went and Finnish people are very friendly. It was our second visit to Helsinki. James and I got engaged here 10 years ago, and next time – we won't wait another decade to experience it all again. Advertisement 5 Rocky Cove at the Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress in the south harbour Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 Suomenlinna became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
I visited Greece's biggest island with olive oil shots, TUI hotels and restaurants with free desserts
I KNOCK back my glass, swirling the golden liquid around in my mouth before swallowing. It tastes very smooth at first, then comes a subtle bitterness that catches the back of the throat as it slides down — this is a sign of a high quality extra virgin olive oil, I'm told. Advertisement 7 Hersonissos in the north of Crete, Greece Credit: Getty 7 Relax with a gong bathing session on floating aqua boards Credit: Mark Hodge/Supplied I'm not surprised it's so good. After all, I am standing in the birthplace of Greek olive oil: I'd booked my excursion through National Geographic, which offers small guided tours to the family-run Agno. The business owns thousands of trees spread across 40 different sites, where olives are hand-picked and processed into oil in less than six hours, ensuring the freshest, highest-quality product possible. Unsurprisingly, their oil has been awarded first prize by the International Extra Virgin Olive Oil organisation — which is a bit like winning the Champions League, but for salad dressing. Advertisement Read More on Travel Nearly 900,000 Brits holidayed in Crete last year, sampling its mix of During my visit, I enjoyed a delicious three-course meal with wine for just £19 per head and stayed in a five-star hotel which, including flights, set me back a breezy £855 for a week all-inclusive. I was staying at the TUI Blue Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace Hotel which caters for both lazy sun-worshippers and holidaymakers who demand an endless choice of stimulating activities. The sprawling property has wine tasting and cooking demonstrations along with fitness and wellness classes, enabling guests to burn off calories just as easily as piling them on. Advertisement Most read in Beach holidays Exclusive I embraced it all from day one, kicking off my holiday with a gong bathing session. I was instructed to wear swim shorts and head to the pool area, where floating aqua boards were awaiting. Secret hack for free dessert Laying down on the board, I shut my eyes while the instructor at the edge of the pool softly banged the gong, lulling me into a 45-minute slumber. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival Yes, it may sound silly, but the experience was pure bliss. I've never felt such profound relaxation. Juicy lamb chops The following day, still in a sleepy state, I was reluctantly dragged (or not) to a wine tasting session, another activity on the Tui Blue programme. Advertisement I learned how wine making in Crete dates back thousands of years, with producers now selling their product around the world. My favourite was Viavano Gavalas — a white wine using a grape that can only be found in Crete. It's aged in oak barrels and has a smooth, creamy flavour which goes well with meat and fish. You can pick a bottle up online for as little as £10. Advertisement I also had the privilege of attending a cooking class while I was here, accompanied by one of the hotel's chefs who hails from Crete. We learned how to create some classic The dish is made by mixing shredded cucumber, crushed garlic, fresh herbs and salt in yogurt before adding red wine vinegar and olive oil. If you're not into cooking your own food, the hotel's all-inclusive package includes access to two buffet restaurants as well as its Oregano Greek Tavern and a Tex Mex joint. Advertisement After taking advantage of all the excellent dishes, I was feeling even more grateful for my swim-up suite, which enabled me to jump into the hotel's meandering pool straight from my balcony. I could have spent an entire week without leaving the Atlantica Caldera Palace Hotel, but it was worth tearing myself away for a brief visit to Hersonissos, on the east side of the island and about 20 minutes' drive from the city of Heraklion. 7 The Sun's Mark Hodge surrounded by booze and corks during a wine tasting Credit: Mark Hodge/Supplied 7 Tuck into traditional dishes at tavernas in the Old City Square Credit: Getty Advertisement 7 The well equipped rooms at Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace Hotel Credit: christos drazos The pretty Old Town is an ideal place to spend a day, strolling in the historic streets flanked by old stone buildings and brimming with little restaurants serving properly authentic cuisine. I somehow found room in my second stomach for a meal at Sofas restaurant, where tables are spread across the bustling village square. On top of flavour-packed mezze dishes like vine leaves and fried squid, I tucked into juicy lamb chops and chicken kebabs barbecued to perfection. Advertisement When the waiters asked about a third course, we waved our napkins like white flags, admitting surrender. But little did we know that in doing so, we had unlocked a secret Cretan dining hack: Free dessert. Without saying a word, the staff delivered a selection of puddings including a lemon tart topped with a blow-torched meringue as well as a chocolate, caramel and peanut pastry. Apparently it's a common tradition across the island — a bit like the limoncello shots dished out for free in Italy. Advertisement Best of all, this hearty meal set us back only £38pp. What a bargain. After a week in Crete, my stomach really was ready to surrender. But this time, my napkin remained firmly in my lap. GO: CRETE STAYING/GETTING THERE: Seven nights' all-inclusive at the 5H TUI BLUE Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace is from £843.58pp, including flights from Birmingham on October 16 or from £1,206pp including flights from East Midlands on August 28. See National Geographic tours can be booked through TUI Musement. A western Crete with winery and olive oil tour costs from £59 per adult and £30 per child. See 7 Mark enjoys a cooking lesson at the hotel Credit: Mark Hodge/Supplied 7 Tuck into Greek favourites like tzatziki, a yoghurt mezze dish Credit: Getty Advertisement
