Tuesday June 25

Helsinki was voted design capital of the world in 2012 and it's obvious why. Brands such as Marimekko, Iittala, Arabia dinnerware are both innovative and stylish. So we visited the Design Museum to see some of the innovative design that has come out of Finland in the past 150 years. Then we took the tram to the outskirts of the city where the Iitala & Arabia Design Centre is after first dropping in to a Marimekko shop in the city to look at their fabrics.

Uspenski Cathedral Helsinki

Uspenski Cathedral Helsinki

Uspenski Cathedral Helsinki

Christ Church Lutheran

Iittala glass - with the mould below the display case.

Helsinki Design Museum

Paradies Lost Shield, Helsinki Design Museum

Helsinki Design Museum

Helsinki Design Centre Museum

Helsinki Design Centre Museum

Z Topelius, author of Fairy Tales and History books

Helsinki Railway Station

Interesting design with sunrooms hanging out from the walls

Iittala Arabia Design Centre

Iittala Arabia Design Centre