The Christmas holidays, a grey sky, the lack of snow, and daylight lasting only a few short hours had wrapped Liesjärvi National Park in complete stillness when we arrived at the courtyard of the Korteniemi heritage farm on Christmas Day. The drive from Helsinki takes only about an hour and a half. We first walked […]
The heart of Liesjärvi National Park can, in a way, be found at its southern edge, where the Korteniemi Heritage Farm is located. This old forest ranger’s homestead serves as a beautiful, atmospheric starting point for hikes into the national park, radiating the spirit of times past. From one corner of the Korteniemi yard, you […]
Snowshoeing, in the right conditions – above all on a firm, load-bearing snow crust – is a fun and fitness-boosting activity that will make you break a sweat even in freezing temperatures. In the Pallastunturi fells, there is a great destination for both beginners and more experienced snowshoers alike: Palkaskero. The route from the nature […]
Ruissalo in Turku is an island connected to the mainland by a bridge, offering nature lovers plenty to explore. We visited Ruissalo for an afternoon outing with the intention of experiencing two very different worlds: the University of Turku Botanical Garden and, just a few kilometres away, the coastal area of Kuuva. The wildly shifting […]
This year again, it looks like there won’t be any snow in the southernmost parts of Finland for who knows how long. My sympathies to all of you who have travelled to Finland & Helsinki only to discover that the white winter wonderland you imagined is nowhere to be found. Instead, you’re greeted by grey […]
In Finnish Christmas traditions, going to the sauna — joulusauna a.k.a. the Christmas sauna — has long been one of the most important rituals. Old folk beliefs were filled with elves and spirits, and various charms were performed to ensure a good harvest in the coming summer. Most modern Finns no longer have flax fields […]
From the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia it is easy not only to set off on short local trails, but also to head towards the more wilderness-like parts of Nuuksio National Park, such as the areas around Lake Urja and Lake Orajärvi. There are no marked trails in this part of the park, so you need […]
A cruise or ferry trip to Turku, Helsinki, Tallinn, Stockholm, or Mariehamn is an easy – and even luxurious – way to experience the Baltic Sea. However, boarding a massive cruise ship and finding your way around isn’t always straightforward if you’ve never traveled on one before. Here, we’ve gathered some general guidelines and links […]
About a 20-minute drive from Mariehamn lies the charming ruins of Lemböte Chapel, beautifully situated by the sea in a peaceful forest setting. The medieval chapel has been stylishly restored, and even today summer services and other events are still held there. Visitors can explore the site independently, and although the chapel itself is usually […]
The shores of the Baltic Sea are, in my opinion, among the loveliest places in Finland to visit in autumn—and even in winter. Winter is a long, dark season here in the north, and when everyday life keeps spinning, the mind now and then starts to crave a brisk refresh. Any nearby forest happily works […]
