Planning your trip to Helsinki, Finland

By Andrew Bender, Special to The Los Angeles Times
12:01 PM PST, February 22, 2008

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Helsinki, Finland

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THE BEST WAY

From LAX, connecting service (change of planes) to Helsinki is available on Air France, American, British, KLM, Lufthansa. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $630.

TELEPHONES

To call the number below from the U.S., dial 011 (the international dialing code), 358 (the country code for Finland) and the local number.

WHERE TO SHOP

Design Museum,

23 Korkeavuorenkatu; www.designmuseum.fi.

Design Forum Finland,

7Erottajankatu; www.design.

Secco, 33 Frederikinkatu; www.seccoshop.com.

Hanna Saren, 45 Frederikinkatu; www.hannasaren.com.

Ivana Helsinki, 15 Uudenmaankatu; www.ivanahelsinki.com.

Hundpark, 17-19 Iso Roobertinkatu; www.hundpark.net.

Artek, 18 Etelaesplanadi; www.artek.fi.

Marimekko, Kamp Galleria,

31 Pohjoisesplanadi; www.marimekko.com.

Iittala, 25 Pohjoisesplanadi; www.iittala.com.

WHERE TO EAT

Cafe Aalto, 1 Keskuskatu; 9-121-4446, www.cafeaalto.fi. The cafe is inside the Aalto-designed Academic Bookstore. Cool your jets over a lunch of salmon pie. Entrees $11 to $14.

Demo, 9-11 Uudenmaankatu; 9-2289-0840, www.restaurantdemo.fi. This Michelin-starred restaurant in the Design District serves inventive, contemporary international cuisine. Four-course dinner $79.

Lasipalatsi, 22-24 Mannerheimintie; 20-7424-290; ravintola.lasipalatsi.fi. Try the Helsinki menu (grilled elk, perch, and a pancake of Lappish cheese for dessert). Entrees $23 to $41.

TO LEARN MORE

Scandinavian Tourist Boards, (212) 885-9700, www.gofinland.org.