Helsinki had been on my list for a rather long time. I had made a couple of attempts to visit the city in the past, but all of them failed. I once landed in Helsinki enroute from New York to Warsaw as I flew with Finnair. Finland, therefore, had been the last country of the European Union that I had yet to visit. And one of the few last states in Europe, actually.

So, as I found myself working nearer Finland in 2011, it was an excellent opportunity to embark on a short escapade to Helsinki. Finally! The choice of the 6-8 May weekend was made. I did not do much planning, but from what I sketched, there was just about enough time to see everything over the weekend. Provided I could find everything.

I almost expected Helsinki to be a large place. It was not. The centre was compact and it was possible to walk everywhere. Weather was perfect for walking - about 15C and a lot of sunshine. The city was located on mainland and a number of small islands and islets.

The Senate Square in the heart of the older part of the city was definitely a winner in terms of looks and ambiance. It was complete with a snow-white and imposing cathedral, a couple of palaces in Sankt Petersburg style and a curious monument to Alexander II, also known as Alexander the Liberator - a curious name for an oppressor of Belarussians, Lithuanians, Livonians, Poles and Ukrainians, who prohibited the use of their native languages...