Although it might sound extreme, plunging into an icy lake is more than a thrill—it’s a way to unwind and reset. In the icy embrace of winter waters, daily worries fade, and inner peace emerges. Here’s a step-by-step guide to what this unique experience feels like. 1. A Warm Start in the Dressing Room The […]
The Vantaankoski Nature Trail is a one-kilometer loop trail that runs along paths, boardwalks, stairs, and bridges by the shores of Vantaanjoki river. The destination is easily accessible via direct bus connections from Helsinki and is beautiful even in winter. I walked the trail myself on a January morning when the sun rose magnificently behind […]
One of Finland’s most beautiful and easiest snowshoeing trails runs through the national landscapes of Koli, and despite its short distance, it is impressive. The Koli Peaks Snowshoe Trail is an official route maintained by Metsähallitus, intended solely for travel by snowshoes. Its length is 1.9 kilometers, although you can also deviate on foot onto […]
Finland offers a striking contrast between light and darkness across its seasons. Midwinter and midsummer represent two extremes, and the experience of these seasons varies greatly depending on whether you’re in southern Finland, Lapland, or somewhere in between. Read this article to learn what to expect when visiting Finland in midwinter or midsummer. Artcile by […]
Even if you live in a warm country, you’ve likely seen snowfall at least in movies or documentaries. During snowfall, snow drifts from the sky to the ground, and if it’s cold enough, it begins to accumulate into an increasingly thick layer on the ground and, for example, on tree branches. But there is something […]
Powder snow is wonderfully soft and light, eagerly anticipated until the snowpack becomes as deep and fluffy as ever. It can be described in words and pictures, but you truly understand its fun and charm only by experiencing it firsthand. On the morning of February 1, just as the sun was preparing to spread its […]
Dusk descended on the Archipelago Sea as the Utö ferry plowed through the blue-gray sea as valiantly as one might expect from a vessel originating from Iceland. The ferry was sparsely populated, and it felt good to settle by the window and attune to the rhythm of the Baltic Sea. Every call of a seagull, […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
