Goal
Try living abroad in Finland for 30 days, probably Helsinki. Overlap with July vacation season.
Constraints
- Alaska: July 12
- School end: June 14
- Ollie: M & D
- Emma: Amanda?
Cost estimate:
- Airfare: $2K * 2 people = $4K ($2K Chris work expense)
- Lodging: $4K
- Transport: $1K
- Total: $9K
Related Notes
Checklist
- Flights booked
- Hotel booked
- Transportation booked
- Activities planned
- Food planned
- Packed
- Work PTO communicated
- Pet care ready
- Visa/Immigration ready (if international)
Location(s)
Transport
- Public transport
- Car for broader exploring?
Lodging
- Goal: 2 weeks in urban, 2 weeks in country
Rental car
- Costco not an option ("Rentals are offered in Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, the U.K., and the U.S., including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands." in FAQ)
Immigration
- 90 day limit without a permit. Sources: 1
Action Items
Notes
Lodging research (Airbnb)
Flights research
- Searches: Kayak
Rental car research
- Searches: Kayak
Activities research
Things to do:
- Linnanmäki Amusement Park: The oldest and most popular amusement park in Finland with a variety of rides suitable for all ages.
- Sea Life Helsinki: An excellent place to learn about marine life, featuring a variety of sea creatures from around the world.
- Suomenlinna Sea Fortress: A UNESCO World Heritage site, perfect for exploring historic fortifications, visiting museums, and enjoying a picnic.
- Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre: Located in Vantaa, Heureka offers interactive exhibits that make learning about science fun.
- Helsinki Zoo: Located on Korkeasaari Island, it's home to over 150 animal species and almost 1000 plant species.
- Nuuksio National Park: A great place for outdoor activities like hiking, bird watching, and swimming or canoeing in the beautiful lakes.
- Moominworld: A theme park based on the Moomin books by Tove Jansson, located in Naantali, about a 2-hour drive from Helsinki.
- Helsinki Children's City Museum: Offers interactive exhibits about the history of Helsinki, designed specifically for children.
- Paloheinä Forest: A great place for summer outdoor activities like hiking or having a picnic.
- Finnish Railway Museum: Located in Hyvinkää, about an hour's drive from Helsinki, this museum offers a fascinating look at the history of railways in Finland.
- Serena Water Park: The largest indoor water park in the Nordic countries, offering a variety of water slides, pools, and other attractions.
- Vantaa City Museum: Offers exhibits on the history of Vantaa and also hosts various events and workshops for children.
- Haltia - The Finnish Nature Centre: Located in Espoo, Haltia offers exhibits about Finnish nature and organizes outdoor activities such as guided hikes and nature-themed workshops.