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	<title>European Travel Blog &#187; Eastern Europe</title>
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	<description>Europe Travel stories and biking information</description>
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		<title>The White Mountains of Crete</title>
		<link>http://www.travelertour.com/eastern-europe/greece/the-white-mountains-of-crete.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.travelertour.com/eastern-europe/greece/the-white-mountains-of-crete.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:43:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Greece]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.travelertour.com/?p=378</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[An utterly spectacular mountain drive awaits you in Western Crete. From the city of Hania on the Northern coast, the roads go south through the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) to the soutern coast of the island. We hit Crete during a heat wave in the dead of summer, so we got a rare oppurtunity to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><font face="verdana,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"><font face="verdana, helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><font face="verdana, helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">An utterly spectacular mountain drive awaits you in Western Crete. From the city of Hania on the Northern coast, the roads go south through the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) to the soutern coast of the island. We hit Crete during a heat wave in the dead of summer, so we got a rare oppurtunity to take in these mountains without any snow around. They&#8217;re called the White Mountains because they almost always have snow at the peaks. Not this time.</p>
<p>Depending on which mountain road is taken, one can wind up at Xyloskalo (the beginning of the Samaria Gorge), or at the isolated beach town of Sougia on the southern coast. The roads get a little hairy at times, with a 100 meter drop right off the edge.</p>
<p>Making its way through the Lefka Ori, the road twists and turns its way through uncompromising peaks and tranquil valleys, and you&#8217;re presented with a constantly changing myriad of scenery. One minute you&#8217;re bissecting a plateau spotted with dark green shrubs, the bushes evenly scattered like polka-dots, while the next minute you&#8217;re moving along a steep precipice of nothing but silvery-grey rock, falling off the edge in a 50 meter drop. For one mile you&#8217;re scooting along a flank of bright reddish mahogany, while the next mile you&#8217;re suddenly drenched with a symphony of colorful wildflowers&#8211;some cherry-colored, some bright yellow, and some lavendar. One minute you notice the mysterious breeds of goats and sheep meandering along in sporadic herds, the stench being so bad that you have to roll the window up. Then, upon merely turning a few corners up the road, you&#8217;re immersed in intoxicating aromas of sage and rosemary.</p>
<p>The road also changes frequently. Sometimes it&#8217;s marked and paved, while sometimes it isn&#8217;t. Several man-made dirt roads veer off in various directions and we noticed one that traversed the entire valley, swiching back several times and heading all the way to the top of one of the peaks.</p>
<p>In the Lefka Ori, you&#8217;ll drive through small villages, like Moni, Agia Irini, Laki, and Fournes that have been inhabited by families for generations. About 12 km from Sougia we stopped at a local tavern where the proprietor offered us complimentary shots of Raki as a greeting, a common Cretan custom.</font></font></font></p>
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		<title>RHODES</title>
		<link>http://www.travelertour.com/eastern-europe/greece/rhodes.html</link>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:40:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Greece]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.travelertour.com/?p=361</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you like to mix beaches, medieval history, art and architecture, shopping, eating, drinking and exploring the natural beauty of Greece, then Rhodes is the perfect place. Throw in at least 9 months a year of swimming, 12 months if you&#8217;re ambitious, and you have another incredible Greek Island. Rhodes is, of course, a popular [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000">If you like to mix beaches, medieval history, art and architecture, shopping, eating, drinking and exploring the natural beauty of Greece, then Rhodes is the perfect place. Throw in at least 9 months a year of swimming, 12 months if you&#8217;re ambitious, and you have another incredible Greek Island. Rhodes is, of course, a popular tourist destination and, with good reason. Rhodes has two major impressive archaeological areas, the Lindos Acropolis and Old Town. </p>
<p>Of course, the Colossus of Rhodes area, at the entrance of the harbor to Rhodes (the city) is the first thing you want to see. The sixth oldest of the Ancient Seven Wonders of the world, the Colossus actually lasted only 53 years. A bronze statue built to honor the patron god Helios, it stood 110 feet tall, raised another 50 feet by its pedestal. An earthquake toppled it in 226 BC and it lay in waste for over 800 years. <img hspace="4" vspace="8" align="right" alt="Grand Masters Palace, Rhodes" src="http://www.travelertour.com/wp-content/uploads/grandmastersentrance.jpg" />In 654 AD, after a successful invasion, Arabs sold the pieces abroad. There are several opinions as to where the statue stood; the only thread of agreement in any of them is that it stood at the entrance to the city. For detailed information,</p>
<p>The Old Town of Rhodes is a bustling neighborhood of some 6,000 people, who live and work in the same buildings in which the Knights of St. John lived and worked over six centuries ago. This restored, walled city is fascinating; the old and the new blend quite well. Walking tour brochures are readily available and information on each of the points of interest is abundant. </p>
<p><b>You can visit museums like the Decorative Arts Museum</b> and then have a glass of wine in an outside caf&eacute;. Wander to the cobble stoned Street of the Knights which was built in the 14th century. It is lined on either side with the Inns of the Knights of St. John, once used as eating spots and temporary residences for visiting dignitaries. Architectural details on each fa&ccedil;ade reflect the resident country; on one side of the street are the Inns of Italy and France, on the other, the Inn of Spain. Today these buildings house offices and foreign embassies. </p>
<p>Palaces, monasteries, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants all share the same area. The summer home for Dictator Benito Mussolini of Italy has been fully restored and is worth a look &#8211; the central courtyard and mosaic floors are lovely to behold. On down the way, the 1523 Mosque of Suleiman sits opposite the Turkish Library. The intertwining of cultures continues all over the Old Town and is captivating to mingle with. </p>
<p><b>At the Lindos Acropolis </b>stands the Sanctuary of Athena Lindia with some impressive ruins of buildings. Have a look at </font></font></font></font></span><font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000"><a target="_blank" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20060322095957/http://www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21122n/e211vn08.html"><span style="font-size: small;">www.culture.gr</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> for an in-depth description and photos of this impressive area which also includes the Temple of Apollo. Intriguing, and well worth a visit, is the Aquarium of Rhodes found in the Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes in Rhodes at the northernmost tip of the island. </p>
<p>A museum is here too. This research facility conducts a wide range of research activities in oceanography, fisheries and inland waters through its corresponding Institutes. The 40 tanks, of 80,000 litres total capacity, house a multicolored population of interesting Mediterranean invertebrate and vertebrate marine species such as sea anemones and plants, urchins, algae, corals, bivalves, lobsters, octopuses, numerous fish, sea turtles and others. </p>
<p>Unique in its layout and natural decoration, the only public aquarium in Greece gives to its visitors the impression that they share the same environment with the hosted species. The Museum displays stuffed sea-mammals, large fish and other Mediterranean marine organisms, in addition to a collection of oceanographic instruments. </p>
<p>You can easily spend a good day visiting both these exhibits and, if you have a chance to talk to one of the research staff, you are likely to be offered a glass of wine or a cup of tea or coffee while you listen to descriptions of the current studies taking place. </p>
<p><b>Annual music festivals and art festivals,</b> attracting musicians and artists worldwide, take place here on a regular basis. It is difficult to visit Rhodes at any time without finding an international festival honoring some aspect of the arts taking place. A very active night life persists and includes discos, coffee shops and bars, pool, tavernas, Greek folk music, internationally known entertainers or, if you prefer, quiet outdoor and indoor cafes with plenty of liquid refreshment and Greek food to tease your palate. </span></font><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"></p>
<p>The Sound &amp; Light Show, given during the summer months, takes place in the old Fort in Rhodes. It is presented in various languages and gives a nice, dramatic historic sketch of the island. Don&#8217;t miss this. It is quite impressive and informative. There is a casino, including slot machines, in Rhodes and it is open 24 hours a day. Food and drink are abundant at the eatery of your choice. You cannot be bored on the Island of Rhodes.</font></span></font></font></font></p>
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		<title>Crete Tourist Information</title>
		<link>http://www.travelertour.com/eastern-europe/greece/crete-tourist-information.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.travelertour.com/eastern-europe/greece/crete-tourist-information.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:47:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Greece]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crete]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.travelertour.com/?p=261</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mountainous and boasting over 3,000 caves, the largest Greek island, Crete is positioned between Europe, Asia and Africa, therefore being subject to political, cultural and conflicting attitudes. It has been repeatedly invaded and periodically conquered, diminishing some ways of life and adding others. The Minoan Civilization is strongly perceptible in ruins and records. King Minos&#8217; [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: small;"><img hspace="4" height="247" width="211" vspace="8" border="0" align="right" src="http://www.travelertour.com/wp-content/uploads/create-globetrotter.gif" alt="Crete (Photo credit Globetrotter Map of Crete)" /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mountainous and boasting over 3,000 caves,</b> the largest Greek island, Crete is positioned between Europe, Asia and Africa, therefore being subject to political, cultural and conflicting attitudes. It has been repeatedly invaded and periodically conquered, diminishing some ways of life and adding others. The Minoan Civilization is strongly perceptible in ruins and records. King Minos&#8217; Palace of Knoss&oacute;s is intriguing. A 1300 room palace, with a pressure water system, it existed thousands of years ago. Portions of it have been restored and it is worthy of several days of exploration. I suggest a visit first to the Archaeological Museum in Iraklion. It houses the most expansive, magnificent collection of Minoan art and cultural records anywhere. </p>
<p>You can briefly view everything in the museum in several hours; to my thinking, several days would be more like it. Why not acquire books and pamphlets for the museum and two major Minoan sites on Crete, digest the information, explore the museum, and then visit the excavations at Phaestos and Knoss&oacute;s? You can spend days absorbing these ruins. The museum covers 5,000 years of colorful history on Crete; take time to enjoy the exhibits. Knoss&oacute;s includes the Great Palace, The Little Palace, A Royal Villa, The House of the High Priest, The Caravan Seral and the Royal Temple Tomb-Sanctuary, and many other smaller excavations are ongoing. Phaistos is an extremely well maintained archaeological area. Just at Iraklion, it is easily accessible and a desirable destination for anyone interested in the history of the island. </p>
<p><b>Another museum worthy of at least a few hours</b> is the Historical Museum in Iraklion, covering the early Christian era to current cultures; the museum of Natural History also is worthy of a few hours. Iraklion, the home of these museums, is the biggest city in Crete and the main port of entry. A modern airport and a competent seaport ensure ease of entry onto the island. Lodging is easily available for any budget, tourist agencies abound and the island inhabitants are warm and friendly. You can rent a car, a driver, a boat, a motorbike, hiking equipment, caving equipment, fishing equipment or just about anything you can think of. </p>
<p>There are plenty of ATM machines, credit cards and travelers checks are widely accepted, electric current is 220V (North American appliances require a transformer and British ones need an adaptor); currency is the Euro, Internet cafes flourish, even in small villages &#8211; the usual rate is about 1.5 euros an hour; English is widely spoken; raki is the local drink (sometimes called tsikoudia, it is to Crete what ouzo is to the rest of Greece). </p>
<p>Should you need a toilet in a restaurant or a cafe, look for the WC sign. Inside the toilet you will notice a waste basket or bin.     <font face="Verdana" color="#000000">This is where you should throw the toilet paper because the delicate Greek waste pipes will get blocked if you throw the toilet paper in the toilet bowl; drinking tap water is not recommended so stick with bottled water, readily available. Driving is on the right, as in the United States. You must be 21 to rent a car and must possess an International Driver&#8217;s License. Crete is a big island and renting a car may be your best bet. Gasoline is available usually at least in one station, 24 hours a day, in most towns.</p>
<p>Available outdoor activities include diving, fishing, and hiking, 4X4 Jeep tours, canyoning, caving, rock climbing, horseback riding, cultural walks, mountain biking, outdoor games, rappelling, river trekking and even yoga. White sandy beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, five-star accommodations to primitive camping are available. For full information on these and more, have a look: http://www.explorecrete.com Shopping is interesting and abundant; you can even print out coupons from this web site to lessen your financial burden. Folk art, textiles, pottery, leather goods are plentiful; buy some fresh vegetables, mostly organic and pesticide free on this island. The honey here has a different flavor, it is clean and pure. I was told that pesticides are just not used anywhere on the island.</p>
<p>Exantas Restaurant is located on the north coastal road of Crete, between Panormo and Bali, at the 25th km marker of the new national road. The views are pleasing of the mountains and valley; this &quot;taverna&quot; is known for its tasty food and ambiance. The wine selection is excellent with their own production, and the owners operate on an ecological basis, using solar energy and natural soils to produce much of what is served in their restaurant. They produce their own milk, vegetables, oil, meat and honey. They use no pesticides and are truly a &quot;natural food&quot; taverna. A signature sound in Crete is a herd of sheep or goats heading out to pasture; listen, you&#8217;ll hear it here. </p>
<p>Mrs. Kristalia Psoma, of the Exantas Restaurant,  shares her recipe for a house specialty,  Marathopita  (Fennel) Pie:</p>
<p></font></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<blockquote><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><b>Ingredients:</b> 3 bunches fennel, &quot;some&quot; wild horta (greens) or spinach, 2 shot glasses of olive oil, 1/2 kilo (about a pound) of all purpose flour, plus 2 tablespoons; 1 shot glass of raki and salt and pepper to taste.</p>
<p><b>Preparation:</b> Make pie dough: Mix &frac12; kilo (1 lb.) all purpose flour with raki, 1 shot glass olive oil, &frac14; teaspoon salt and some lukewarm water until dough is ready. </p>
<p><b>Filling:</b> Wash greens and drain well. Then chop and toss lightly with salt, pepper, 1 teaspoon oil and 2 tablespoons flour. Separate dough into small round pieces the size of tennis balls. Make a small cavity in the middle of each and add a tablespoon of filling. Enclose the filling and work into balls again. With a floured rolling pin, press each ball into a thin round, the size of a small plate. Brush each side with olive oil and cook in a stick-free frying pan over very low heat for several minutes on each side until golden brown. NOTE: In years past, housewives would cook them on a stone or sheet-iron over a wood fire, and accompanying wine was a must.&quot; </font></font></font></p></blockquote>
<p><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><br />
For a special discount on a meal at Exantas Restaurant, go to </font></font></font></span><font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000"><a href="http://www.exadas-crete.com/offer.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">www.exadas-crete.com</span></a><span style="font-size: small;">and print out your coupon.</p>
<p><b>The Arkadiou Monastery </b>between Rethymnon and Iraklion is a 5th century holy site that became a symbol of Cretan resistance in November 1866 when hundreds of refugees and revolutionaries chose death over surrender to the Turks. They blew themselves to pieces with the gunpowder that was being stored there by the Cretan Revolutionaries. The monastery was rebuilt and is well worth a visit.</p>
<p>The Holy Monastery of Preveli is south of Prefecture of Rethymnon and it is the most sacred part of the Holy Diocese of Lambis and Sfakion. The monastery consists of two main building complexes, the Lower (Kato) Monastery of Saint John the Baptist and the Rear (Pisso) Monastery of Saint John the Theologian which is in operation today. The icons here span a period from the first half of the 17th to the end of 19th centuries and there are a considerable number of vestments and other relics. This very active monastery is worth going to see.</p>
<p><b>The beaches are, of course, wonderful.</b> There are nude beaches and if you are interested in knowing where they are, a comprehensive list can be had at </span><a href="http://gogreece.about.com/od/cretebarebeaches/Nude_Beaches_and_resorts_on_Crete.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">gogreece.about.com</span></a></font></font></font><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000">Whether you go nude or don a bathing suit, you&#8217;ll want to spend some time soaking up the beautiful sunshine and splashing in the clear waters before you rest for all the night life you want&hellip;or none at all. It&#8217;s all here; you have but to pick and choose. This island offers mountains, valleys, deep gorges with rocky coasts, vast sandy beaches and pebble shorelines. Villages are awash in whitewash against various shades of green; ruins, monasteries, old castles and simple homes dot the landscape. The air is clean, warm and inviting. Sheep, goats, cattle and other animals enjoy their idyllic life. People do too. I hope your time in Crete is as splendid as mine was.</font></font> </font></span></p>
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		<title>Luosto Finland</title>
		<link>http://www.travelertour.com/eastern-europe/finland/luosto-finland.html</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:28:57 +0000</pubDate>
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				<category><![CDATA[Finland]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[By way of an introduction, Finland is situated between the 60th and 70th degree of latitiude, covering an area of 130,000 square miles &#8211; 10% of this area is covered by water. It has a population of approximately 5 million people. The land in the north of Finland forms part of Lapland, an area inhabitated [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>By way of an introduction, Finland is situated between the 60th and 70th degree of latitiude, covering an area of 130,000 square miles &#8211; 10% of this area is covered by water. It has a population of approximately 5 million people. The land in the north of Finland forms part of Lapland, an area inhabitated by the Lappish people and their Reindeer (220,000 Reindeer, 200,000 people). The principal town of Finnish Lapland is called Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle, and 150km north of Rovaniemi is Luosto.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img width="300" height="186" border="1" src="http://www.travelertour.com/wp-content/uploads/_skidoo back.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<h4>&#8230;but think of the poor idiots behind!</h4>
<p>Luosto is primarily a ski resort and has around 200 permament inhabitants. The town consists of a few hotels, a few shops and quite a few log cabins, all centred around the foot of the Luoston fells where hiking in summer and skiing in winter are the main attractions. If you want to know more about Luosto, please use the link opposite to access the official website &#8211; <a href="http://www.luosto.fi">www.luosto.fi</a> .</p>
<p>Our journey to Finland and Rovaniemi was made possible by the national airline of Finland &#8211; Finnair. Although we had some unforgettable flights (see diary pages) we were looked after nicely and the price hike on the ticket so close to the millennium wasn&#8217;t as extortionate as it could have been. You can find Finnair&#8217;s website at <a href="http://www.finnair.fi">www.finnair.fi</a> .</p>
<p>Our stay in Luosto was very special. Our accomodation was a log cabin, centrally positioned and within snowball throwing distance of the world-famous Hovi. The cabin had four on-suite bedrooms, each with two large bunk beds and a personal drinks cabinet (some people call them fridges) together with table and chairs. Other facilities in the log cabin included; Sauna, open fireplace, changing area, fully fitted kitchen, overhead projector(?!), TV and stereo. The view from the open french windows out into the wintery wilderness was excellent.</p>
<p>The Hovi was our main haunt at night, the bar was always open well into the early hours, serving Lapin Kulta and Hoff beer. Special nights were laid on, including a Karaoke night, and it must be said that the best place to be on the night of the new millennium was on the steps of the Hovi, watching fireworks explode in the snow-ridden heavens. The Hovi&#8217;s web site is at <a href="http://www.luostonhovi.com">www.luostonhovi.com</a> .</p>
<p>Some nights were spent cooking, but it soon became apparent that cooking time got in the way of drinking time and so the establishment on the right was visited regularly. The speciality of the restaurant Kerttuli was melt-in-the-mouth Reindeer with the world&#8217;s softest mashed potatoes, but for those of us who couldn&#8217;t bring themselves to eat Rudolph there was a wide variety of European dishes that were just as tasty. The Kerttuli website is at <a href="http://www.luoston-kerttuli.fi/in_english/">www.luoston-kerttuli.fi</a> .</p>
<p>A special mention must be made to the supermarket in Luosto, the Tupasvilla. This is the place where we bought food to cook ourselves and all the other essentials like big bags of crisps and crates of Lapin Kulta. We were warned when organising our trip to Finland that the price of beer and food was astronomical, so maybe we fell lucky on having such a value for money place right on our doorstep. What&#8217;s with the internet in Lapland when a supermarket has got it&#8217;s own site? (<a href="http://tupasvilla.luosto.fi">http://tupasvilla.luosto.fi</a> ).</p>
<p>Finally, entertainment during the day was provided by the ski resort (for skiing, snowboarding and sledging) and the Snowgames company, who kindly let us break a few of their snow mobiles. Snowgames can be found at <a href="http://www.snowgames.fi">www.snowgames.fi</a>.</p>
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		<title>Helsinki Tram Tour</title>
		<link>http://www.travelertour.com/eastern-europe/finland/helsinki-tram-tour.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.travelertour.com/eastern-europe/finland/helsinki-tram-tour.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 25 May 2008 01:11:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Finland]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Take the Tram A tram tour, lasting about an hour, goes for the price of a tram ticket. The tram does a figure 8 to pass all the major city sights. They provide a brochure in English, which includes a well-marked map. Be sure to ask for &#34;Helsinki Sightseeing 3T&#34;. The comprehensive and economical Helsinki [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><b>Take the Tram</b></p>
<p>A tram tour, lasting about an hour, goes for the price of a tram ticket. The tram does a figure 8 to pass all the major city sights. They provide a brochure in English, which includes a well-marked map. Be sure to ask for &quot;Helsinki<br />
Sightseeing 3T&quot;. The comprehensive and economical Helsinki card allows you to jump on and off the well-run, neat and comfortable trams as often as you like. It also allows you to use any public transport, including trains, the metro, buses and trains. Purchase the card at the Helsinki City Tourist Office and hop aboard any tram marked 3T along the route. Fares run about $17 for adults and half of that for children. Two day and three day passes are also available.</font></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><br />
</font></span><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><img width="450" height="300" src="http://www.travelertour.com/wp-content/uploads/Tram240_070809-331.jpg" alt="Tram in Helsinki" /></font></span></p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000">You can spend the day using the tram if you get off at various stops to visit places such as the <b>Temppeliaukio Church</b>, often called the Rock Church. It is built out of solid rock and is one of a kind. The Sibelius&#8217; bust, located in a beautifully wooded park, is backed by welded steel tubes resembling organ pipes. The <b>Olympic Stadium</b>, the new <b>Opera House</b>, the <b>Finnish Sports Museum</b> and <b>Linnanmaki Amusement Park</b> are all suggested stops. Each offers a tour, informative maps, food, souvenirs and or more. Hakaniemi Square is a second &quot;downtown&quot; &#8211; you can spend hours roaming through the stores, shops and selecting a restaurant from many. A pedestrian mall, Iso Roobertinkatu, connects several lines of the tram and is worth a visit.</p>
<p>The tram takes you through posh neighborhoods, along the waterfront and alongside the Kaivopuisto, an area of mansions, embassies and parks leading down to the water. Shown on the map are sites used in movies such as &quot;Dr. Zhivago,&quot; &quot;The Kremlin Letter,&quot; &quot;Russia House,&quot; &quot;Foxfire&quot; and others.</p>
<p>Starting in the summer of 1997, Helsinki inaugurated the Kohl Pub Tram which offers an hour-long tour of Helsinki starting from Rautatientori &#8211; in front of the restaurant Fennia near Railway Square. The fare is around five Euros for adults and four Euros for children and includes a Koff beer or other refreshment. This tram operates Mon-Sat between 10am and 3pm. If you don&#8217;t have time for the more leisurely regular tram ride, this tour is a must.</p>
<p>Helsinki&#8217;s tram system allows you to see a lot in a short time. The trams are quiet, smooth, comfortable and inexpensive. </font></span></p>
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		<title>Finnish Fish</title>
		<link>http://www.travelertour.com/eastern-europe/finland/finnish-fish.html</link>
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		<pubDate>Sun, 25 May 2008 00:15:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Finland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.travelertour.com/?p=244</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We&#8217;ll finish this with a Finnish dish of Finnish fish like this&#8230; Perch Fillets with Mushroom and Sweetbread Stuffing The Finns love to drink and they love to eat. Perch, the Finnish national fish, is prepared delicately. The following recipe is the absolutely preferred recipe for the first perch of Spring: Ingredients 1/4 cup prawns [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" color="#ff0000">We&#8217;ll finish this with a Finnish dish of Finnish fish like this&#8230;</font></font></span></strong><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"></p>
<p>
Perch Fillets with Mushroom and Sweetbread Stuffing</p>
<p>The Finns love to drink and they love to eat.<br />
Perch, the Finnish national fish, is prepared delicately. The following recipe is the absolutely preferred recipe for the first perch of Spring:</p>
<p><strong>Ingredients</strong></p>
<p></font></font></span><font size="1" face="Verdana" color="#000000"><font size="1" face="Verdana" color="#000000"></p>
<table border="0" style="width: 618px; height: 106px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="50%">
<ul><font size="1" face="Verdana"></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">1/4 cup prawns</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">1 lb. small perch, cleaned</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">4 cups water</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup morels</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">chopped leek</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 stick butter</span></li>
</ul>
<p>                </font></ul>
</td>
<td width="50%">
<ul><font size="1" face="Verdana"></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup onions</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">parsley for garnish</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">1 cup sweetbreads</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">2 Tbs. whipping cream</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">salt &amp; pepper from the mill</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">chopped dill</span></li>
</ul>
<p>                    </font></ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>        </font><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><br />
        </font></span></font></span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"> Fillet the perch, remove bones. Season fillets and fry them quickly in butter; set aside (handle carefully so the pieces don&#8217;t break up). Cut sweetbreads into small cubes. Boil the morels (mushrooms) at least twice in two different changes of water, to rid them of toxins. Fry morels, onions, slices of leeks and sweetbreads lightly in butter. Add whipping cream and simmer until the cream thickens; season with salt, pepper; add a pinch of dill; add some prawns which have been cleaned; cook until just done. Place a perch fillet (skin side down) on a plate, put some hot stuffing on top, cover with a second fillet, (skin side up); decorate with boiled potatoes and vegetables. Add an Alsace Riesling to drink.<i>-</i></font></font></span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><br type="_moz" /><br />
        </span></p>
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		<title>Helsinki Tourist Attractions</title>
		<link>http://www.travelertour.com/eastern-europe/finland/helsinki-tourist-attractions.html</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 24 May 2008 20:59:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Finland]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Finland is located in Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north, Russia in the East and Estonia in the south. The 7th largest European country, Finland is mostly forests &#8211; over 2/3 of the country is covered in trees. There are almost 200,000 lakes containing 100,000 islands and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><b>Finland is located in Northern Europe.</b> It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north, Russia in the East and Estonia in the south. The 7th largest European country, Finland is mostly forests &#8211; over 2/3 of the country is covered in trees. There are almost 200,000 lakes containing 100,000 islands and the coastal waters boast another 80,000 islands. Helsinki is the capital and the most common destination of tourists.</font></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000">Other attractions include the<b> </b><b>University Botanical Gardens (</b>Greenhouses boasting an amazing variety of flowers and plants), the <b>Winter Garden of the City, Parliament House, </b>and<b> </b><b>Helsinki/Linnanmaki Amusement Park, which</b> features<b> </b>rides, booths, crafts, food, and shows (seasonal hours).</p>
<p><b>Market Square</b> is Helsinki&#8217;s outdoor center of activity, especially during the summer. There is a huge fish market which also has fur coats, dresses, artwork and crafts for sale. The covered Market Hall is a spotless fresh-fish and coffee emporium. You can pick up the tram (see below) at Market Square.</p>
<p><img width="212" vspace="8" hspace="4" height="162" align="left" alt="Helsinki, Finland" src="http://www.travelertour.com/wp-content/uploads/helsinki2.jpg" /><b>Senate Square </b>is perhaps Helsinki&#8217;s most photographed area. Here stands the equestrian statue of Czar Alexander II, the Petersburg look-alike cathedral and government palace. The University, designed in neoclassical style in the early 19th century by C.L. Engel, was started in 1818 and completed in 1852. The bright pastel colors of the buildings create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.</p>
<p>Also of interest is <b>Aleksanterinkatu, </b>Helsinki&#8217;s &quot;Fifth Avenue&quot; where the most upbeat addresses, stores and restaurants are found. In the summertime, many of the restaurants extend their tables out onto the sidewalks. Spend an hour with a stein of Koff, people watching. Visit Stockmann&#8217;s, Finland&#8217;s most important department store. Across from Stockmann&#8217;s, in front of the Old Student House and the statue of the Three Blacksmiths, musical groups perform al fresco.</font></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><b>The Zoo on Korkeasaari Island</b></p>
<p>The Zoo features snow leopards, pandas and mustelides among its specialties; many species only found in Northern Europe live here. There is a restaurant and cafe open May 1 to August 31. Opens 10 am all year round, closes 4pm in winter, 8pm in summer. <b>Access:</b> Bridge connection from Mustikkamaa during zoo hours throughout the year. Motorboat connection in summer from Hakanierni Square every half hour. Admission fee. Phone 1 99 81.</font></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><b>Light Festival Activities</b></p>
<p>In November and December, the annual Light Festival offers entertaining activities, including Helsinki Philharmonic concerts, antique &amp; art fairs, chamber music, fashion and beauty shows, world-famous artists such as Luciano Pavarotti in concert, dog shows, agricultural fairs, special seasonal markets, an auto show, piano and other music competitions and exhibitions. While summertime may be enticing, the line-up of wintertime activities is tantalizing and diverse. Information on all activities during the Light Festival can be had at 169-3757 (The Tourism Office).</font></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Eating Out in Helsinki</title>
		<link>http://www.travelertour.com/eastern-europe/finland/eating-out-in-helsinki.html</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 24 May 2008 20:08:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Finland]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Eating Out Food is consistently good. The favorite bar snack is a black sausage with a hard bread, accompanied by a hearty beer. Major hotels have a variety of international cuisine; the only casino in Finland is in the Ramada Presidentti Hotel located in downtown Helsinki, next to the Parliament House. Any of this hotel&#8217;s [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><b>Eating Out</b><br />
Food is consistently good. The favorite bar snack is a black sausage with a hard bread, accompanied by a hearty beer. Major hotels have a variety of international cuisine; the <u>only casino</u> in Finland is in the Ramada Presidentti Hotel located in downtown Helsinki, next to the Parliament House. Any of this hotel&#8217;s four restaurants offer excellent food.</p>
<p>There are two Inter-Continental Hotels with superb restaurants. There are also many small, family owned restaurants and cafes.  </p>
<p>A local favorite is Molly Malone&#8217;s, an Irish Bar right next to the railway station. English is spoken here, the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, and frequent bands play Irish music. You can sing along if you like. An occasional lone musician will sing Irish ballads.</p>
<p>For authentic and delicious Finnish food, try Zetor&#8217;s in Kaivopiha. Locals say it&#8217;s the &quot;stuff our mothers fed us&quot; and there is always a party atmosphere here.<br />
</font></span></p>
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		<title>Helsinki Tour Operators</title>
		<link>http://www.travelertour.com/eastern-europe/finland/helsinki-tour-operators.html</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 24 May 2008 19:39:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Finland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.travelertour.com/?p=242</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Tour Operators Sightseeing tours by bus, of the city and surrounding points of interest, are available year round. Tours from an hour to all day are available and the buses make pickups at your hotel. During the summer months, a waterbus tour of the Helsinki shoreline operates about once an hour from the Market Square [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><b>Tour Operators</b></p>
<p>Sightseeing tours by bus, of the city and surrounding points of interest, are available year round. Tours from an hour to all day are available and the buses make pickups at your hotel. During the summer months, a waterbus tour of the Helsinki shoreline operates about once an hour from the Market Square from 10am on. There are evening cruises, commentary in several languages and arrangements can be made for group tours. Several of the tour companies are: <br />
</font></span></p>
<ul><font size="1" face="Verdana" color="#000000"></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Ageba Travel Agency, phone 669 193</span></li>
</ul>
<p>    <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
    </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Suomen Turistiauto Oy, phone 5885 166</span></li>
</ul>
<p>    <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
    </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Helsinki Tourist Association, phone 601 966 (offers guided city walks in addition to regular bus tours)</span></li>
</ul>
<p>    </font></ul>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><b>Getting There</b><br />
    <b>Air:</b> Finnair and Delta have daily flights leaving from JFK Airport in New York at 5:55pm. Several airlines offer flights into Helsinki from European cities.</p>
<p>    <b>Rail:</b> Intercity service to Helsinki is limited by its waterbound location. Among major cities, only St Petersburg and Moscow offer direct land-only train service to the Finnish capital.</p>
<p>    <b>Ship: </b>Helsinki can be reached via an overnight boat from Stockholm on the Silja and Viking ferry lines. A much shorter ferry ride (about 4 hours) will get you there from Tallinn (Estonia).<br />
    </font></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><br type="_moz" /><br />
    </span></p>
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		<title>Helsinki Museums</title>
		<link>http://www.travelertour.com/eastern-europe/finland/helsinki-museums.html</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 24 May 2008 15:59:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Finland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.travelertour.com/?p=239</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I doubt you will find as many museums anywhere else in the world; following is a partial listing of museums available in the Helsinki area. Most are open during normal working hours all year round; some have guided tours. Fees, if any, are reasonable, and exhibits are excellent. The Finns are proud of their art, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000">I doubt you will find as many museums anywhere else in the world; following is a partial listing of museums available in the Helsinki area. Most are open during normal working hours all year round; some have guided tours. Fees, if any, are reasonable, and exhibits are excellent. The Finns are proud of their art, culture and history and preserve them well. </p>
<p></font></span></span></p>
<ul><font size="1" face="Verdana" color="#000000"></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Arabia&#8217;s Museum</b>: Exhibitions of utility and<br />
        decorative china. </span></li>
</ul>
<p>    <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
    </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Helsinki City Museum</b>: The history of Helsinki</span></li>
</ul>
<p>    <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
    </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mannerheim Museum</b>: Former home of Carl Gustaf<br />
        Mannerheim, Marshal of Finland</span></li>
</ul>
<p>    <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
    </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Military Museum</b>: Military history, collections of weapons &amp; uniforms</span></li>
</ul>
<p>    <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
    </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Museum of Finnish Architecture</b>: Changing exhibitions of architecture, picture archive and library</span></li>
</ul>
<p>    <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
    </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>National Maritime Museum of Finland</b>: History<br />
        of shipbuilding and life aboard ship</span></li>
</ul>
<p>    <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
    </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>National Museum of Finland</b>: Archaeological<br />
        finds, religious art, furnishings and ethnological materials</span></li>
</ul>
<p>    <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
    </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Urho Kekkonen Museum Tamminierni</b>: Home museum of President Urho Kekkonen</span></li>
</ul>
<p>    </font></ul>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><br />
    There are also many art museums. Listed below are a few.<br />
    </font></span></p>
<ul><font size="1" face="Verdana" color="#000000"></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Amos Anderson Art Museum</b></span></li>
</ul>
<p>        <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
        </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Modern Finnish Art Museum</b>: Includes special exhibitions of international art</span></li>
</ul>
<p>        <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
        </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Finnish National Gallery</b>: Finland&#8217;s largest collection of paintings, sculpture and graphic art.</span></li>
</ul>
<p>        <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
        </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Helsinki City Art Museum</b>: 20th century Finnish art; holds frequent exhibitions of contemporary artists.</span></li>
</ul>
<p>        <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
        </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Reitz Museum</b>: French paintings from the 19th century</span></li>
</ul>
<p>        <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
        </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Museum for Foreign Art</b>: Collections of International Art</span></li>
</ul>
<p>        <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
        </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Museum of Applied Arts</b>: Industrial art, handicrafts and industrial design collections.</span></li>
</ul>
<p>        </font></ul>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000"><br />
        </font></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
        </span></p>
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