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 […]
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 […]
Article by Jussi Judin and Antti Huttunen Liesjärvi National Park is located less than a two-hour drive from Helsinki. Despite its easy accessibility and the exquisite nature, it remains quite serene. A canoe feels right at home on Liesjärvi lake and fits more than well with the ambiance of the park. This place is about […]
In Finland, we have easily accessible local nature all around us. This local nature offers us peace, beauty, and vitality. A nature spot doesn’t need to be vast to make us happy – even a small area is enough. Finland is sparsely populated, and there is plenty of space for everyone, as long as we […]
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 […]
If one Finnish winter condition had to be elevated above the rest, it would be the clear, bright sunshine that makes the crystallized frost snow sparkle on the slopes. No matter how cold, such weather simply makes it impossible to stay indoors. One of Finland’s most spectacular skiing destinations, and possibly the country’s most beautiful […]
During midwinter fell hikes in Lapland, when the weather is clear, you might see intense and beautiful colors on the opposite side of the landscape from the setting Sun. The upper one, a cool-toned redness, is called ‘Belt of Venus’ or ‘antitwilight’ – that is, the afterglow rising opposite the sunset. Beneath it, under certain […]
With the arrival of winter, Helsinki transforms into a true skiing city. During snowy winters, Helsinki delights skiers with a 200-kilometer network of ski trails, which allows one to traverse almost the entire city on skis from the central park. Paloheinä Paloheinä is a classic for skiing enthusiasts in Helsinki. Its diverse network of trails […]
Navigating through Finnish nature is often quite safe even under the cover of darkness. We don’t have animals to fear – predators usually avoid us without our knowledge, and there’s no need to worry about lurking poisonous insects in the dark in Finland. I decided to experience the enchantment and peace of a familiar nature […]
