Decisions, decisions…. which should I choose?
I have already done the cruise ship option so I think I will spend a night in prison.
Maybe I should clarify a bit here. Turku, Finland has some interesting options for places to spend a night or two. The cruise ship option is the “Bore” – a small cruise ship built in 1960 with a colorful past and now a hostel in the harbour. The ship offers small cabins with showers, but (as in my stay) it can be a bit tricky getting luggage up and down the narrow curved stairways and over doorways from outer decks. Do not look for elevators!
Located within walking distance of the ferry to Stockholm, the Bore is an inexpensive and convenient option if you are planning on taking the day trip through the archipelago to Sweden. Turku Castle is a short stroll away and the river walk is stunning.
The prison is “Hotel Kakola” . This privately owned hotel was built on the grounds of a prison built in the mid 1800’s. A bit more upscale from the cruise ship, but the hotel does offer “single rooms” for the more budget minded solo traveler. And it has elevators! The included breakfast offers a lot of options, with an emphasis on more traditional Finnish fare. (I admit it, this old broad probably broadened her butt in a gorge fest of joulutorttu (Christmas tarts). It should be noted that as the hotel is located on top of a hill, there are a lot of stairs from street level to the entrance or a steep driveway for vehicles.
Many female solo travelers have commented that getting seated in restaurants can be tricky. Sometimes they have been refused seating, or located next to the swinging door to the washroom (with aromas not conducive to enjoyable dining). Or, if seated, simply ignored. Not so at this hotel’s restaurant.
I decided to blow my budget to dine at the Restaurant Ruben. Keeping in mind it was prime dining time on a Friday night and reservations were recommended. I had just walked over 10 miles in freezing weather and I was, to put it mildly, looking like something a cat had dragged in – with a case of severe “toque” hair (Canadian for a knit winter hat, eh!) and a red, runny nose in defrost mode.
The staff didn’t so much as blink, found me a quiet corner table and my server was as attentive to me as the table of six (who were dressed to the nines, which in Finland means they could grace the cover of Vogue) And yes, the final tab meant I would be going a little bit hungrier for a few days, but maybe that is a good thing given the Christmas Tart feast.
More on my visit to Turku to come….