AboutJim Coll Expertise I am an expert in traveling in Finland. I am especially interested in Lapland, nature and different activities. I also have a collection of hundreads of Finland internet links. Everyone seeking for good links should contact me.
Experience I am the manager of a free club named Finland Travel Club: http://groups.msn.com/FinlandTravelClub
Expert: Jim Coll Date: 1/14/2008 Subject: Visit January 2008
Question QUESTION: Hi Jim - I will be leaving for Helsinki next Friday 18th Jan and can see from the webcam there is snow on the ground. I would like to take photos of the setting sun across water, could you tell me the best places to find this sort of view without buildings in the way. I have heard that Lautasarri is a good place but can you walk around easily?
Also my daughter is celebrating her 18th birthday there and I would like to find a reasonable Italian restaurant. Is there one called Manala do you know? Would you be able to recommend a restaurant near the city centre.
thank you very much
Denise
ANSWER: Hi Denise,
Greetings from Finland. I am sorry that you had to wait for this answer a bit. I got four All Experts questions yesterday.
I am afraid that you can't take photos of the setting sun. It seems that the weather will be quite cloudy. You can check the latest weather forecast here:
I don't recommend Restaurant Manala. It is a very good place for young people who are a bit older than your daughter. And it isn't Italian. For more details see these pages, please:
Welcome to Finland! Happy Birthday to your daughter!
Jim
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QUESTION: Hello Jim, thanks for the very helpful information, I think we will eat at papagiovanni spaghetteria.
Looking at the weather map we will definitely have a winter experience - has the sea frozen in some places?
This will probably be my last question for now but you never know I may think of something else.
best regards
Denise
ANSWER: Hi again Denise,
Papa Giovanni is a nice place!
No, the sea hasn't frozen. There may be some ice in some places (small gulfs) but very little. Don't go on the ice, please!
Welcome!
Kindest regards,
Jim
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello Jim - thank you for all your help, I have a final question for you. I see from the excellent weather forecast website you sent me, that rising temperatures have melted the snow in Helsinki. We may get some when we are there, but if not, can you suggest some places where the snow will stay on the ground which are easily reached by train or bus in a day. I know that Lapland is the obvious place but too far for us. Oulu is a possibility but would prefer a journey of 2-3 hours maximum.
Thank you once again.
Denise
Answer Hello Denise,
I am very sorry but the snow situation is very bad in Southern Finland, and also in many places in Central Finland. We have lots of snow only in Lapland now. I think that we have never before had as little snow as now in January.
There is a small possibility that there could be snow in Tampere (1.5-2 hours by train from Helsinki) or at least in Jyväskylä (3 hours by train). You find train timetables here:
There are also ski centres quite near to the city of Helsinki. Ski centres have artificial snow and so you could see some snow also quite near to Helsinki. You find more details here:
