The Japanese term ‘hanami’ is often associated with admiring cherry blossoms, but the word refers more broadly to the appreciation and enjoyment of flowers in general. In Finland, too, there are cherry trees and cherry groves here and there, whose blossoming is a magnificent sight — though a fleeting one. A somewhat longer window for […]
Cherry blossoms are blooming in southern Finland right NOW. Hanami, the Japanese tradition of admiring flowers, has quietly taken root in Finland. After months of darkness, cold, and snow, Finns greet spring with open arms and hearts. The fleeting bloom of the cherry trees coincides with the moment spring begins turning into summer, and Finns […]
Crowded trails and overflowing car parks are every hiker’s nightmare. But Finland’s national parks hold secrets that many visitors never discover. Karoliina Kaski, Development Director at Finland, Naturally, shares her hard-won advice on finding genuine solitude even in the country’s most beloved parks. Embrace the nightless night Finland’s midnight sun is one of the country’s […]
Have you ever wondered what excellent wine tastes like when the walls of a restaurant disappear, replaced by the gentle rustle of leaves, the song of birds, and the fresh scent of pine needles? The Finnish wilderness is best experienced when you engage all your senses. Finland, Naturally invites you to the heart of Nuuksio […]
For many travelers visiting Helsinki, the bustling design districts and seaside markets are just the beginning. To truly understand the Finnish soul, one must step into the forest. In Finland, nature is a way of life, a source of peace, and a historical sanctuary. At Finland, Naturally, we bridge the gap between the urban pulse […]
The sun peeks out from behind the bay, and the crisp morning air is filled with the intense raucous calls of a black-headed gull colony. Up in the bird tower, a couple of spotting scopes are already visible with birders in tow – the crack of dawn is the best time for birdwatching. The photos […]
A friend invited me on a winter trek for Valentine’s Day weekend. Since she didn’t have much experience with winter camping yet, she was looking for a more seasoned companion to join her. I loved the idea immediately—of course we’re going! Article by Jonna Viitaniemi The forecast for the weekend promised biting cold, with temperatures […]
This year, our Finland, Naturally team is taking part in the “Sleep Outdoors Every Month” challenge, and for February the turn was claimed by Marja Lahti, who works at the Koli Nature Centre Ukko. At Ukko, you can find Marja providing customer service, guiding visitors through exhibitions, or outdoors in the terrain of Koli. She […]
Lapland is often promoted as a region with not just four familiar seasons, but as many as eight. From the south, it may be difficult to grasp these subtle shifts, but after living through even one full cycle of the year in Lapland, you truly begin to tell them apart. Each of the eight seasons […]
From the front yard of the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia, you can step straight into the wilds of Nuuksio. With the snow now plentiful and winter wonderfully beautiful, it’s the perfect time to slip on a pair of snowshoes. A three-kilometre snowshoeing trail has been marked in the nearby nature around Haltia. It largely follows […]
