Helsinki-
We spent five lovely hours in Helsinki today, and that we just enough. Helsinki is a wonderful town, whose highlight is certainly the journey to the city rather than the city itself.

Our boat docked at 10:00 this morning, and we piled off. After walking a bit, we ate an over priced sandwich (this whole Scandinavian tax everything to death is not so cute anymore!). Instead of taking the painfully expensive guided bus tour of the White City, we opted for the cheaper self guided tram tour, where we paid two euros and hopped on a tram that looped around the city.

The charm of Helsinki lies in its old center core, which hugs the rocky harbor. Unlike most European cities I visited this trip, Helsinki was not developed until the 18th century, when the Russians hired a German architect to build a new St. Petersburg in Finland. Just over two centuries later, the city boasts a unique blend of edgy Scandinavian architecture as well as an old Russian flare.

I enjoyed seeing the Parliament and Presidential Palace buildings of this small but powerful country. Finland is the one country in Europe that does not seem to be struggling with globalization, immigration, and unemployment. With high growth, a healthy social system funded by equally robust taxes (I think the price of my sandwich could fund an entire hospital), and low immigration rates, this country has become the gem of Europe. With Helsinki set to assume the Presidency of the European Commission, it will indeed be interesting to see if all the diplomats and policy wonks flocking to this cozy city will be able to adjust course for Europe.

So, verdict on Helsinki: It was worth a good five hours, but I was happy to step back on board the ship for Stockholm which is cleaner, livelier, and more entertaining.