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Here is a quick overview on Finland |
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General Information
In the United States you can contact the
Finnish
Tourist Board for information. Travelers from other countries should also click on
Finnish Tourist Board as their
site is in several languages. In America, you can contact them at: P.O.
Box 4649, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163-4649, Tel: (212) 885-9700,
Fax: (212) 885-9710, or by email at:
mek.usa@mek.fi.
In Canada, contact the Finnish Tourist Board at: P.O. Box 246, Station Q,
Ontario, Canada M4T 2M1. These sites will also give you information:
http://www.finland-tourism.com
and
http://www.finlandkingsroad.com.
While you are in Finland you can find local tourist offices, called Matkailutoimisto,
in the major cities. They provide
information on sightseeing, accommodations and other tourist services in towns
and cities throughout the country. They are centrally located and easily
identified by the sign displayed outside.
Passports and Visas
Citizens of the United States and Canada need only a valid passport to enter Finland. No
visas or vaccinations are required. Citizens of other countries should check
with the nearest Finnish Consulate before traveling.
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Medical Services
It is advisable to take any
prescribed medications with you, along with any of your favorite
over-the-counter drugs, in your hand baggage. This is true for anytime you
are traveling outside of your own country. It can also be helpful to
have the generic name of prescription drugs in the event that you need them,
since drugs are often sold under different brand names in different countries.
Finland has some of the most advanced medical care in the world. Should you need
medical services, ask your hotel reception for help. Pharmacies are called Apteekki in
Finland, and some are open 24 hours in larger cities.
If you need medical care while you are away, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company and that you will therefore to pay in full for your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local embassy or representative. For compensation, you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. Visit the Getting Away Health and Safety Tips for Travelers page for additional information about insurance.
Travel
Etiquette
Behavior and customs vary greatly from country to country. We
discuss the correct travel etiquette so that you won't be caught out.
TravelEtiquette was formed to offer a unique reference
point on essential etiquette advice and information for worldwide
travel. Our features and articles are written by professional
journalists and experts - who have a particular interest, or a
background in this area. So – know before you go. Visit
TravelEtiquette so you will know how to, as the old adage states, “When in Rome,
do as the Romans do.”
Currency
and Money Matters
The euro is the single currency of the European Monetary Union, which was adopted by 11 Member States from 1 January 1999. The 11 Member States are Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Finland. Greece became the 12th Member State to adopt the Euro on 1 January 2001. The name "euro" was chosen by the European Heads of State or Government at the European Council meeting in Madrid in December 1995.
There will be 7 euro notes and 8 euro coins. The notes are in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5 euro. The denominations of coins are 2 euro, 1 euro, 50 euro cent, 20 euro cent, 10 euro cent, 5 euro cent, 2 euro cent, and 1 euro cent.
If you have used "foreign" currency in the past in your travels, you will find that, just like using than old national currency, it is pretty much the same. The real difference you will see is when you travel to other countries in the euro area. There will be no more currency exchange - which means no more exchange commission to be paid - no more time spent calculating price comparisons, and no more time wasted shopping around for the best exchange rate.
Click on
Quest for just about all the information you will need for the euro. Check my page,
Planning
the Perfect Getaway, for more information and tips about money while traveling
overseas.
Visa,
Visa
Plus,
Eurocard,
MasterCard and CIRRUS can be used at cash dispensers
(ATM) marked "Otto." At the Forex Exchange Offices in Helsinki,
Tampere and Turku one can receive cash with American Express, Visa, MasterCard,
Eurocard and Diners Club. Your American Express Card can be used at American Express
Travel Financial Services in Helsinki and at area offices (in Turku, Tampere,
etc.).
Banks generally offer the most favorable exchange rates. Banks are
open Monday to Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Outside regular banking hours,
travelers' checks and foreign currency may usually be exchanged at Helsinki-Vantaa
International Airport, at the Katajanokka terminal in Helsinki's South Harbor,
and at some railway stations.
As for tipping, restaurant checks always include a service charge of 14% on weekdays,
and 15% on weekend evenings and holidays. However, I often find a few coins
should be left on
the table as well, if the service has been good. Sauna attendants and hotel
porters expect a tip of a few marks, but taxi drivers, barbers and beauticians
do not receive tips.
Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare. Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! Current Exchange Rate: Check Today's Exchange Rate
Post Offices and Mailing Information
Post offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to
Friday. Just before Christmas, special mailboxes for Santa's mail may be found
in Helsinki. Santa Claus' Post Office: Arctic Circle, FIN-96930 Rovaniemi,
Finland.
Climate and What You Should Pack?
Climate: Finland's climate is temperate, with warm summers (average 72°F in
July). In summer, the lakes are warm enough to swim in. Average midday temperatures in Helsinki:
Jan. 26°F May 56°F Sept. 59°F
Feb. 25°F Jun. 66°F Oct. 47°F
Mar. 32°F Jul. 72°F Nov. 37°F
Apr. 43°F Aug. 68°F Dec. 31°F
Finland is one of those places where you may want to take clothing that can be
layered -- put on and taken off as the temperature varies. Check my page
on Tips For Packing for additional
information on how to pack for any European vacation or holiday.
From June 7 to July 7, the sun is continuously above the
horizon on the Arctic Circle (Rovaniemi). In the far north, the sun is up from
May 17 to July 28. This, of course, is known as
The Midnight Sun.
Time Difference
Finland has one time zone, and is seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Telephone Information
The Country Code for Finland is 358 and the area code for Helsinki is 9.
To telephone Finland from the United States, dial 011 358, then
the number. If the number starts with a 0, drop the 0 when you dial.
To telephone within Finland, use 0 to make a long distance call, then
follow it with the rest of the number. To call home and to charge your call or
to call collect using AT&T service, dial 9 800 100 10 from any phone where
you have a dial tone (you do not need coins to use this service).
Don't be
concerned by the fact that Finnish telephone numbers can have from 5 to 8 digits
apart from the local area code. The number of digits can vary, even in the same
town.
Shopping in Finland
Finland's businesses generally work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Most stores are open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Department stores and shopping malls are usually
open till 9 p.m. during the week, and till 6 p.m. on Saturdays. All stores are
closed on Sundays, except in Helsinki, where you can shop on Sundays in the
underground shopping center at the Helsinki Railway Station, at some of the
shops on the Esplanade, or at the Senaatti and Forum Shopping Centers (July to
August only).
Travelers' checks are widely accepted in Finland. However, exchange rates
can be bad and several businesses also add service charges. Try to use
local currency or your credit card. Most Finnish hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies and shops
accept major credit cards: American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Diner's Club.
Duty-free shops are located at Helsinki-Vantaa International
Airport and on board the cruise ships which sail from Finnish ports. You may
also make tax free purchases in Finnish stores, under certain conditions.
Language
Finnish and Swedish are the official languages of Finland, but English
is widely spoken and understood.
I have found that it helps to know at least a little bit of the language as I travel in other countries. You do not have to be able to be a fluent speaker, but knowing a few key words and phrases will really help. I have found that, although almost everywhere I go I can find someone who speaks English, knowing just a few words of the local language can really be a help. And, it lets others know I am at least interested in their language. Visit the Getting Away Language Learning Center where you can find out how to learn another language, or where to purchase books, dictionaries, electronic translators, software and more
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
Books, Maps, and Other
Resources
My favorite guidebooks when I am traveling is
Fodor's. I find them to be quite complete, easy to use, and almost always on the
money with helps and tips for traveling in the country I am visiting. Click on
Fodor's Travel Guides
to find the perfect guidebook for your travels.
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I always research the destinations to which I intend to travel with books and maps. I normally use Fodor's as I find their guidebooks very informative and easy to read and understand. Click on the Amazon logo to search for travel books and maps. If you don't find what you are looking for, click on the Getting Away Travel Bookshelf to find some of my favorites! Still can't find what you need? Contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com |
