2017 Winter Trip to Northern Europe | Flying from Germany to Finland, My First Steps on the Land of a Thousand Lakes
After a few wonderful days in Bavaria, Germany, from Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle, Königssee, Bamberg to Regensburg, each city left me with unique memories. However, this trip didn't end in Germany; instead, another exciting chapter in the Nordic world was about to begin—Finland.
At the end of November 2017, I set foot in this Nordic country, known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes," for the first time, flying from Central Europe to the Arctic Circle to experience a completely different natural landscape and pace of life.
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Regensburg, the turning point of the journey
I spent half the morning strolling through Regensburg, admiring the medieval cityscape along the Danube River.
Regensburg is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Crossing the 900-year-old Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge), visiting the magnificent St. Peter's Cathedral, and then savoring the 500-year-old Historische Wurstkuchl (grilled sausage) by the river, we created a last beautiful memory of our German journey.
In the afternoon, we returned to Regensburg Central Station and took the German Railway ICE train to Frankfurt Airport. The familiar Bavarian countryside scenery continued outside the window, but my anticipation for the upcoming Nordic journey had already begun.
Since we had an early flight the next morning, we chose to stay at the ACHAT Comfort Airport Hotel near Frankfurt Airport and used the hotel's shuttle bus to and from the airport, saving us the stress of catching our train the next morning.
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Flying to Scandinavia on Lufthansa
The next morning, we took the hotel shuttle bus to Frankfurt Airport Terminal 1.
I highly recommend the [traditional bakery] at the airport; their German bread is really delicious 😋.
This time, I chose to fly directly to Helsinki with Lufthansa. Compared to connecting flights, the flight time is only about three and a half hours, and it's a very convenient airline for traveling to and from the Nordic countries.
Shortly after takeoff, the German plains gradually disappeared beneath the clouds.
As we flew over the Baltic Sea, the scenery outside the window began to change. Vast forests, lakes, and scattered islands create Finland's unique landscape. Even though it was late November, there were still patches of snow on the ground, giving a taste of the Nordic winter.
When the captain announced that the plane was beginning its descent, I knew that my first trip to Finland had officially begun.
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First Impressions of Helsinki
Upon arriving at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, the first thing that struck me was the airport's brightness and simplicity.
While not as busy as a large international airport, it was very orderly, and the immigration process was very smooth.
After leaving the terminal, you can choose to take the airport bus or train to Helsinki city center, which takes about thirty minutes to reach the central station. Finland's public transportation system is quite comprehensive and easy to navigate, even for first-time visitors.
The streetscape is noticeably different from Germany's.
The roads are wider, the buildings have clean, simple lines, there are fewer cars on the streets, and pedestrians aren't as bustling as in other European tourist cities. The whole city exudes a quiet and unhurried atmosphere, making you unconsciously slow down.
After checking into the Omena Hotel in the city center and dropping off my luggage, I prepared to begin my first day exploring Helsinki.
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First Impressions of Scandinavia
My most profound impression of Finland on my first visit wasn't its magnificent scenery, but rather its "quiet."
The streets were rarely noisy; vehicles obeyed traffic rules, and pedestrians weren't in a hurry. Even in the capital, a rare tranquility was maintained.
In late November, the daytime temperature in Helsinki was only a few degrees Celsius, and it began to darken before four in the afternoon. The crisp air reminded me that I had arrived in a Nordic country at a much higher latitude than Germany.
However, the cold weather didn't rob the city of its warmth. Warm lights, clean streets, and an orderly pace of life instead revealed a different kind of Nordic charm.
This day, I didn't plan many sightseeing; I just wanted to slowly adjust to this unfamiliar city and transition from the pace of German travel to the relaxed lifestyle of Finland.
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Travel Tips
Travel Dates: Late November 2017
Transportation:
· ICE train from Regensburg, Germany to Frankfurt Airport
· Lufthansa direct flight to Helsinki
· Approximately 30 minutes by train or bus from the airport to the city center
Accommodation:
· Frankfurt: ACHAT Comfort Airport Hotel (near the airport)
· Helsinki: Omena Hotel Yrjönkatu (city center, walking distance to the central station)
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Travel Reflections
Every trip has a memorable turning point. For me, the flight from Germany to Finland was the most important dividing line of this European winter trip.
The first half of the journey took me to medieval German cities, while the second half revealed the tranquil and pristine beauty of the Nordic countries. Although it was only a three-hour flight, the scenery, the city atmosphere, and even the pace of life were completely different.
The moment the plane landed in Helsinki, I knew that the real Nordic story was just beginning.