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 […]
One of those spring Sundays that remind you why you bother going outside. Sun out, a gentle breeze in the trees, and Lake Iso-Valkee looking exactly as good as ever: clear water, forest all around, not a building in sight. Iso-Valkee trail info It was one of the first properly warm spring days when I […]
The April wind was biting, and a late-season cold snap was on its way, but deep within the forest, the world seemed to stand still, as it always does. This past Sunday, we headed to Somero, into the rural peace of Southwest Finland, to explore the Metsäkoivula Trail. If you’re looking for a destination where […]
Late winter in Finland is perhaps the most mysterious of all seasons. As the sun finally begins to warm, yet the ground remains covered in snow and ice, nature seems to hold its breath. We wanted to make the most of this exact atmosphere when we headed to Latokartanonkoski trail in Salo. I was accompanied […]
Ruissalo in Turku is an island connected to the mainland by a bridge, offering nature lovers plenty to explore. We visited Ruissalo for an afternoon outing with the intention of experiencing two very different worlds: the University of Turku Botanical Garden and, just a few kilometres away, the coastal area of Kuuva. The wildly shifting […]
In Teijo National Park in Salo, the autumn colors glow beautifully each fall. The area offers an easy and enjoyable autumn foliage destination in Southwest Finland, even for less experienced hikers, with trails around Lakes Matildanjärvi and Puolakkajärvi. A special feature of Teijo National Park is its charming neighboring ironworks villages, such as Mathildedal, where […]
The large, beautiful city of Salo, is gently waking up to spring. In Finnish, the word salo means a vast, wild forest, and true to its name, this coastal city between Turku and Helsinki has no shortage of woodlands. While browsing a topographic map near the villages of Kisko and Suomusjärvi, I stumbled upon something […]
As autumn colors creep into the wetlands, they create a rich palette of red, orange, yellow, and ochre, with even a hint of violet. The dampness of the mornings and evenings brings out the sharp scents of the bog, while the occasional midday sun adds to the aromatic beauty. Most of the mosquitoes are gone, […]
A summer morning dawned in Uusikaupunki, cloudy but warm. I’ve always loved sea trips, and today I was embarking on a special adventure: my first-ever cruise to Isokari Lighthouse. The itinerary promised a sea journey to the island, a guided tour, lunch, access to the lighthouse, and some free time on the island before returning. […]
In Kemiönsaari island, Southwestern Finland, you can stay in a real treehouse, where cozy beds and the gentle murmur of the Nordic forest lull you into a good night’s sleep. The atmosphere in the treehouse at Storfinnhova Metsäkylä is like a cozy nest. The afternoon light filters through the forest, warming the forest floor cooled […]
