This morning, pulling on a pair of wool socks, I realized autumn has unmistakably arrived. So I sat down and made a list of some genuinely traditional Finnish signs of the season — things that hold true all across Finland, even though the practical details of getting ready for autumn vary somewhat depending on what […]
The mid-morning sun is already shining at full strength, but the thermometer reads only about ten degrees of crisp warmth. The air drifting over the bog smells of autumn. The forest floor around us is blanketed in blueberry and bog bilberry shrubs turned red, and the pale lichen coat covering the rocks is cold and […]
I had been waiting for quite a while for a day when all of the following elements would line up at once: fine weather, a weekday, good company, a reason to be in Turku, and a free schedule. When such a day finally arrived, I knew exactly what to do: I would walk the route […]
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 […]
Autumn in Finland isn’t just about beauty and vibrant fall colors. It’s also the time of year when many people start to feel more tired and low-spirited. The days grow shorter, the rain becomes constant, and the cold seeps into your bones. No wonder moods can dip and energy levels drop. Some even experience what’s […]
Oulanka National Park is a true paradise for hikers and nature lovers, mesmerizing visitors with dramatic landforms, towering cliffs, and mighty rapids. Its vast network of trails offers something for every level of ability, and the park is dotted with an abundance of rest areas and wilderness huts. Famous for its suspension bridges, rugged canyons, […]
Finnish bilberry pie (mustikkapiirakka, sometimes also called blueberry pie) is a beloved Nordic dessert made with wild bilberries, offering a rich, tangy flavor straight from the Finnish forests. Try our traditional recipe and discover the best tips for baking this Finnish classic. Learn how bilberries differ from cultivated blueberries and how to enjoy them in other delicious Finnish treats!
The winding forest floor, adorned with white-barked birches, beckoned me to step off the path, to wander into nature and see if there were any lingonberries to be found. The evening was already turning dusky, the sun still glowing on the horizon but making it clear that its time to slip away was near. Would […]
Silence. It’s a concept that has become increasingly rare in our daily lives. In a noisy world, I often find myself longing for places where the clamor of human activity is blissfully absent, replaced by the tranquil soundscape of nature, sometimes even absolute silence. Fortunately, in Finland, there are still many places where you can […]
When you drive between Helsinki and Turku on the motorway, you pass through the over 2-kilometer-long Karnainen tunnel. Few would guess that above the motorway lies an entire hiking destination with ponds and lean-tos. Once you cross the small hill from the Karnaistenkorpi parking area and step into nature, you immediately find yourself in a […]
