The Åland islands are a bit of an oddity. Culturally Swedish, the islands are an autonomous part of the Finnish Republic and rather handily outside of the EU for customs purposes. Yep, you can get duty free on the ferry from Turku-Mariehamn. Also the huge Stockholm-Helsinki ferries call in here. Seeing all four vessels manouevring in the harbour is, shall we say, interesting. (Except that it doesn't seem to happen any more.)
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| Amorella on the approach to Mariehamn |
For this trip we're travelling with Viking for the 5 1/2 hour journey. Compared with the Finnlady, the Amorella is both huge and much more geared to passengers. Not surprising given that there will be a lot of booze cruisers. Can't remember the exact figures but only a tiny percentage of the passengers that travel to Åland actually stay on the islands. But the islands clearly earn a good living from being a tax haven helpfully located between two high tax countries.
We stayed at the Hotel Arkipelag. Comfy, friendly and they put your national flag out for you - honestly.We noticed the Union Jack had appeared and asked the receptionist about it on check out.
Highlights of our stay
Dinner at FP von Knorring - fab meal on a boat in the harbour
Great weather for wandering
Saturday night in the nightclub - we're easily pleased but it is an experience.
Leaving the islands took us on a new route Eckerö - Grisslehamn. Best way I can describe the difference between Viking/Silja and Eckerö Line to compare Tivoli with Bakken. Definitely at the more working class end of things. The short crossing to the Swedish mainland was followed by a 2 hour coach trip to Uppsala. Least said bout that the better.
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