The last time I was in (frozen) Helsinki

Helsinki, March 2018

Back in the day, when I enjoyed spending most of my time abroad (while at work), Helsinki was my favorite layover. This was my very last one there before I transitioned to the widebody fleet in September 2018.

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Putte's Bar & Pizza

For dinner, we chose this italian restaurant in Kalevankatu...

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Grotesk

... and to have a drink later in the night, Grotesk bar was our choice. Despite the alcohol being so expensive in Helsinki, there are lots of good options for bars and night clubs.

Nice detail of a frozen... water flow! It was March but it was still very cold and icy in this city.

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Rautatientori

The nice Railway Square...

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Helsinki Cathedral

... and a photo of the Helsinki's Cathedral organ.

A 3D map of Helsinki...

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Uspenski Cathedral

Uspenski, is the main orthodox cathedral in Finland. 

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Kaupattori

An icy view from the Market Square...

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Kamppi Chapel

Also known as the Chapel of Silence, this was one of the last spots I still had in my "Want to go" list in Helsinki.

Just before the pandemic, the Helsinki route, which was year-round, turned into a seasonal destination before closing down completely. What a shame... I really miss Helsinki!

Night out in Belém, Brazil

Belém, January 2026

Going on a night out is not really my thing these days... But when there's no better alternative, I just go with the flow with my younger colleagues!

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Bar da Katedral

First venue of the night was "Bar da Katedral".

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Vitrine Lounge

We ended the night at Vitrine. After drinking lots of corona beer at Katedral, I think it was a wise decision for me not to drink anymore alcohol omn this second place!

Layover in Milan: visiting Lago di Como

Milan, January 2026

Last time I visited the city center of Milan was in 2017 and since the weather forecast was favorable, I considered doing it again. But some members of the crew suggested going to Lake Como instead - something I have never done before. And so we caught the train to Como. From Saronno to Como (last station) it takes around 30/40 minutes.

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Como City

Lake Como panorama

Tempio Voltiano

Tempio Voltiano is a museum dedicated the inventor of the electric battery, Alessandro Volta. I didn't visit it, but I'm curious to do it on a next time here.

Palazzo del Broletto / Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta

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Lake Como

Our initial idea for this trip was to take a boat to the famous Bellagio, but tickets for the public boat were already sold out. So we chose Cernobbio instead.

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Cernobbio

As soon as we arrived in Cernobbio, we had lunch at osteria Cantina Frasca, a lovely place where I had some very good gnocchi and an Aperol Spritz.

After that we visited the Giardino della Valle, a garden that was previously an illegal landfill.

Celtic spirals on the ground...

... and a nice representation of a snail.

Chiesa Prepositurale del Santissimo Redentore

Before going back to Como, some photos of Piazza Risorgimento where the ferry terminal is:

Monumento ai Caduti di Cernobbio

Chiesa di San Vicenzo

Seaplane tours also seem to be a thing in Lago di Como, since I saw many flying over the lake!

Snowstorm in Berlin (but we escaped it)

Brandenburg Airport, January 2026

When we landed in Berlin, the tarmac was absolutely clean. As soon as we parked the aircraft, it started snowing without stopping. With the ongoing delay I was afraid that the airport would close and I would be stranded again without clothes like it happened in 2023, in Munich. But the snowstorm eventually spotted and we took off towards Lisbon with almost a four hour delay!

This was my second flight this new year - aircraft was the Airbus A321-211 registered CS-TJF and named Luís Vaz de Camões.

Last flight of 2025 to São Vicente

São Vicente, December 2025

Let's say goodbye to 2025 with a smooth turnaround flight to São Vicente. This island really makes me willing to spend one holiday period to pay a visit to it. Maybe one day!

The aircraft was the A320neo, registration CS-TVO and named Garcia de Orta.