Our small crew has journeyed from the countryside to the city by land, and now it’s time to set sail from Helsinki’s Halkolaituri pier. Surrounding the pier are numerous magnificent vessels adorned with various masts, plenty of ropes, fine details, and an aura of a bygone era. I’m no seasoned sailor, but standing on the […]
Nestled among the central Finnish pines at Kivijärvi (Rocky Lake), a peculiar sight rises. This dark cabin, with its sleek Scandinavian lines, appears almost floating between the trees, suspended halfway between the roots and the treetops. A comparatively light-structured pillar supports this grand spectacle, evoking images of a majestic bird feeder. However, this cabin is […]
Eagerly, I scurry towards the shore where a charming boat awaits at the dock. The evening in May is breathtakingly beautiful and bright, filled with the sheer joy of a boat trip, but the excitement is heightened by the anticipation of possibly spotting my first Saimaa ringed seals! We depart from the shore of Puumala […]
A cozy cabin, a seaside sauna, the lapping sea, and absolute peace. No one else around to disturb you. Just being. This dream that many harbor can become a reality, for instance, on the northern side of the Åland Islands at Sviskär, where you and any companions will be transported to a hermit’s cabin at […]
On the shores of Saarilampi pond, on the western edge of Nuuksio National Park near Helsinki, stands a red and charming cabin, Tikankolo, in splendid solitude. It is, along with its sauna, the only cabin pair on the entire wilderness lake. My husband and I had booked the cabin for our use through Natura Viva, […]
Dog sledding tours are offered in a variety of ways during the winter season in Finland’s snow-sure destinations. The most common are hour- or two-hour long dog sled rides, and there are also longer, even multi-day dog sledding treks, during which accommodations are made at different locations. Beginners can join short tours, and most are […]
This is surely Finland’s most incredible yoga studio: acres of snow, a fence lined by the forest, the winter sky as the roof, and the participants… a herd of reindeer. Before stepping into the enclosure, that is, the studio, we are given yoga mats, which are actually reindeer hides, and we hear instructions on how […]
In the evening darkness, the Snow Hotel is an impressive sight. A massive, windowless structure of snow, surrounded by illuminated ice sculptures and a magical atmosphere. It feels somewhat like being on the set of a movie, uncertain about how to behave or what you’re allowed to touch. A slight thrill. What is it like […]
We embarked on a soothing mini-journey to the Tetrijärvi lean-to and welcomed the New Year enveloped in the gentle silence of Karelian forests. This rest stop, maintained by Metsähallitus (the Finnish Forest Administration), is conveniently situated quite near the Petkeljärvi National Park and its hiking center, boasting excellent facilities. Tetrijärvi lean-to on a map Parking […]
The Aurora Trail is a just over two-kilometer loop through the nature of Lapland. The trail starts from the new, impressive gateway of Urho Kekkonen National Park in the village of Saariselkä, which is also accessible by bus from the directions of Rovaniemi and Ivalo. The wide path runs along the edge of a fell […]
