Enjoy historic Helsinki on Baltic cruises

Posted: May 24, 2011 |Comments: 0 |

A sea in northern Europe may not seem like an obvious destination for a break, but thousands of passengers enjoy voyages round it on luxurious liners every year.

As well as seeing some beautiful scenery, the ports of call on Baltic cruises will allow you to visit some of the area's most famous historic cities, including St Petersburg, Copenhagen, Tallinn and Stockholm.

One of the highlights of any cruise holiday in the region is certain to be exploring the Finnish capital, Helsinki, which has a mixture of Russian-influenced architecture and modern attractions.

Helsinki was created in the 16th century, during the period the area that is now the country of Finland was under the control of Sweden. It only really began to prosper after Russia annexed the Grand Duchy of Finland in 1809 and, after realising the strategic significance of its location and potential as a trading port, the emperor made it the capital.

A number of magnificent buildings were constructed in Helsinki during the era of Russian rule and some are now major tourist attractions.

The best known of these is Helsinki Cathedral, which boasts an intricate white facade and green domes that make it one of the city's most recognisable landmarks. It was originally constructed as a tribute to Czar Nicholas I, but is now used as an Evangelical Lutheran church.

It is just one of the impressive structures to see as you spend a few hours touring the centre of Helsinki. The National Museum, Opera House and Olympic Stadium are all well worth seeing, but it is another of the city's churches that is likely to be the most memorable part of your visit.

Temppeliaukio Rock Church was blasted out of solid rock in the 1960s and is now one of the most inspirational places of worship in Europe. A glazed dome roof allows natural light to shine down on pews and an organ that are surrounded by spectacular rock walls.

To enjoy the rest of Helsinki you will need to take to the water, as much of the city is located on a group of islands. A boat tour will take you past some of the most interesting and picturesque spots, where idyllic beaches and waterfront saunas sit next to historic villas and fortifications.

A tour of the city centre and a boat trip around the archipelago will allow you to enjoy most of Helsinki's attractions before you head back to the cruise liner for another evening of good food and entertainment.

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