Finland (well, Helsinki +) – a little disappointing
The fact that it's taken me so long to get around to making this post on Helsinki says a lot about my views on the place … not a city to really impress me. Not helped by the fact that so much of it seems to be currently under restoration or redevelopment, from the main city cathedral (above) to many of the city tram lines and therefore the streets and squares, but that aside, there really didn’t seem to be all that much to see, at least compared to the very impressive cities of Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn. The highlight was a visit to the UNESCO-listed fortifications on the island of Suomenlinna, which were impressive. Built in the 18th century by Sweden, partly financed by France for some reason that escapes me now, they apparently played a significant role in Swedish, Russian, and Finnish history. Lots of old walls and bunkers remain, and old cannons, as well as a few of the interior passages inside the walls. But my enjoyment of it was really helped by the b...