A Look at Helsinki’s Top Attractions

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Visit the beautiful seaside city of Helsinki and you’ll experience a mix of culture, history and natural beauty.  Finland’s capital is a great city to explore on foot or by bike.  It also offers a public transportation system that’s both reliable and easy to navigate.  Here are a few must-see attractions awaiting you in this Baltic capital.

Fortress of Suomenlinna

This top Helsinki attraction is just a short ferry ride from Helsinki’s harbor.  It was built in the 18th century by Sweden as a defense against Russia.  The fortress is made up of a grouping of six islands.  Learn more about its rich history by taking one of the guided tours offered throughout the summer months. 

Rock Church

Though it’s known as Rock Church or Church of Rock its official name is Temppeliaukio Church.  This Lutheran church is built directly into rock.  As visitors approach this site, the only part of the church that is visible is the top of the dome as the church is built below ground level.  Natural light comes in through the windows surrounding the roof.  This unique church offers a peaceful rest after a day of sightseeing where you can take a seat and listen to its tranquil music. 

Senate Square

Senate Square offers a great vantage point at the top of its steps where you can sit and take in the views of the city.  The square is made up of four buildings, Helsinki Cathedral, Government Palace, University of Helsinki (main building), and Sederholm House offering fine examples of neoclassical architecture. 

Market Square

This is my favorite part of the city.  Market Square is the central square in Helsinki and borders the Baltic Sea.   You’ll be sure to find everything from fresh Finnish food to one-of-a-kind souvenirs, handcrafted by local artisans.  Canal tours around the Helsinki harbor frequently depart right from Market Square and offer an opportunity to explore the local islands during the summer months. 

Central Park

With 1/3 of Helsinki covered in green area, it’s no wonder one of its major sites is Helsinki’s Central Park.  What sets Helsinki’s park apart from other city parks is the fact that Central Park is more wild woodlands than manicured gardens.  The park offers many activities for the outdoor enthusiast and draws some 2 million visitors each year.  Whether you prefer to jog, bike, hike or use the archery range there are an abundance of ways to enjoy this city’s green space. 

Experience the Baltic area as a local by booking your next home exchange with International Vacation Home Exchange.  You’ll be just minutes from city center in this Helsinki flat or chose this luxury flat in Stockholm.  Find out what makes IVHE different from other home exchange options and learn how you can begin enjoying its benefits today. 

Thank you to travel writer Lisa Medeiros.  Follow her on Twitter @lisamedeiros_

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San Antonio in 24 Hours

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In a recent trip to Texas I found myself with a free day to explore the San Antonio area.  I had never visited that part of the country before so I was eager to check out what the area had to offer.  I found it to be a vibrant, up and coming and very picturesque part of Texas.  The Texas Hill Country reaches into San Antonio providing some of the most beautiful hilly vistas the state has to offer.  There is an abundance of great restaurants, shopping malls and attractions all around the city and surrounding area.  Here are a few of the highlights:

The Alamo which is officially known as “The Alamo Mission in San Antonio” is the most famous of the many missions built along the San Antonio River.  The historic battle of The Alamo took place in 1836.  You can learn all about its rich history on a tour that can be completed in under an hour. 

River Walk is a tree lined waterway running through the heart of the city and is one of the top tourist attractions in San Antonio.  It has an abundance of shops, bars and restaurants, offering plenty of opportunities to sample some of the best Tex-Mex around.  You might want to consider ordering the Chili as it’s known to be San Antonio’s signature dish.  Dotted with colorful umbrellas along the waterway, River Walk takes you right through the city where you can see all the city’s sites by either taking a stroll or by enjoying a boat ride. 

Natural Bridges Caverns is another top attraction.  It offers a great way to escape the Texas heat if you are visiting during the summer months as the temperature inside the cavern never gets above 70 degrees all year round.  Guided tours are available for a small fee.  While visiting the area be sure to check out the Wildlife Ranch and the Watchtower Challenge.  These are great activities if you are traveling with young children. 

If you find yourself in San Antonio with more than 24 hours on hand, there is an abundance of family fun activities such as Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Sea World, both located right in the city.  If you are a hoops fan then you’ll want to be sure to catch a San Antonio Spurs game at the AT&T Center. 

International Vacation Home Exchange is a great way to travel to see parts of the world you have yet to discover.  Click here to see how it works and to search properties located not only in Texas but all around the world.  With properties in 70 countries, that’s a whole lot of cities to uncover.  

Thank you to travel blogger Lisa Medeiros.  Follow her on Twitter @lisamedeiros_

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