This is why you need to visit Finland as soon as possible

In my previous post I talked about why it is so incrediblyeasy to live in Finland. But that is not the only reason why you should at least have visited this beautiful country up here in the North. And if you like it, which I bet you will, just stay here right away 😉

The Mökki – the coziest place on earth

Everyone talks about the need for taking some downtime, reconnecting with nature and living off the grid for a while. Well, here in Finland this is reality every summer. After midsummer Finns traditionally leave their city home to pretty much move back into the woods for often several weeks. They head to their summer cottage, or Mökki, how they call them in Finnish. You either go there with your family or friends. And you enjoy the quiet and simple life in nature. 

Who needs Netflix if you can look at the calming lakeside panorama or listen to the cracking of the firewood in the bonfire while making some delicious Loimulohi (lit. “blazed salmon”)? Suddenly time does not play a role anymore, forgotten is the fast city pace and you can just relax. 

A sauna wherever you go

 

 

Finns are just crazy about their sauna. You literally find them everywhere in this country. No kidding, there are over 2 million saunas in Finland. That is especially impressive when you take into consideration that Finland has only a population of 5.3 million people. Meaning everyone can comfortably fit into one at the same time. Of course, you find a sauna in pretty much any summer cottages, I mentioned before.

By the way, going to sauna means something quite different compared to the sauna culture elsewhere. It is so much more than just a health and wellness activity. The sauna is an integral part of society here. You go there with friends, you chat, you relax together. You go for a dip in the lake or roll in the snow in between. And of course, you should not forget the obligatory sauna beer (one is enough though, especially for sauna newbies).

The most magnificent natural spectacle ever -  the Northern lights

 

Pixabay

This is just such a breathtaking experience. When you look up during a clear winter’s night and you see all shades of green, yellow and sometimes even red dancing across the sky. I promise you, it is a sight you won’t forget so fast. During the cold and dark time of the year you can see Northern Lights actually all around the country. Even down here in Helsinki. The lights of the city make it much tougher to spot them and they are rarer. 

To get the full experience, I recommend you pay a visit to beautiful Finnish Lapland. Up there you can see them almost every night. I remember how during my first visit up there I used to stand in front of the house for hours in the cold night just to not miss any of the mysterious shapes the sun flares were painting on the night sky.

Santa Claus lives here

 

The Americans believe Santa Claus lives at the North Pole. That is of course utter nonsense though. Since it is proven that he comes from Finnish Lapland. Don’t believe me? Then book your flight to Rovaniemi and pay him a visit at the Santa Claus village. And if you are not so keen on spending your day a Christmas amusement park together with thousands of other tourists, then rather go up there in the winter and go for a walk at Korvatunturi, Santa’s true home. And who knows, if you are lucky you might meet him feeding is reindeer on your stroll through the woods.

Oh, and while you are up in Lapland, don’t miss out on all the other amazing things you can do here. Apart from skiing, snowboarding and snowshoe walking, you can also explore the winter wonderland on a husky or reindeer sled. Best places for all those activities are Levi and Ylläs. They have excellent skiing areas and are hubs to many snow expedition operators.

There are still a million other things why Finland is unique and why it should be far up your list of countries to visit. If you want to find out some more reasons, check out some of my earlier posts.

And then don’t waste time to book your flight. I’m looking forward to seeing you up here soon!

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This post has been supported by a cooperating with the Labour Mobility in Europe ESF-project. More info here. Thank you!

Helsinki's coolest sauna

After months of construction a new pearl on the Helsinki coast has opened a couple of weeks ago. Löyly, the new sauna and terrace in Hernesaari is worth a visit. Its builders spared no expense to make the place as nice as possible.

The philosophy behind Löyly is to have a sauna next to the sea that is open for everyone. For that reason the owners also decided against a VIP opening party with selected guests but just opened for public right away.

Apart from the sauna Löyly is also home to a beautiful new restaurant and bar overlooking the Baltic Sea. During the summer months visitors can take advantage of the spacious terrace and enjoy food and drinks in the sunshine. During the winter months a cozy fireplace in the middle of the restaurant and the sauna heat up the guests.

Happy New Year!

The new year is here! HelsinkiIn wishes you all an awesome 2016!

Have a wonderful first day of 2016!

Red sky

Now the November as we know it in Helsinki has really started. The sun only comes out occasionally, it's wet and getting colder. The northern part of Finland already got the first snow. But from time to time, when the clouds move away during the evening hours, the sky glows in the most amazing colors.

Have a nice weekend despite the grey November weather. And let's hope for a few rays of sun in between.

Early sunsets

Today it is a late post for a change. Darkness comes early these days. But the setting sun also paints some beautiful colors all over the sky.

Have a good start into the week!

Sunday boat watching

Enjoy today's sunny weather before we have a rainy week ahead. Maybe with a cup of coffee or a walk along the sea. Along Kaivopuisto you can watch the boats pass by before the boat owners slowly start taking them out of the water.

Have a nice and relaxed Sunday!

Sunny weekend

Seems like fall doesn't come to Helsinki just yet. The weather forecast for this weekend looks very promising and a lot of sun and temperatures close to 20 degrees can be expected.

Enjoy the weather outside in nature and at the sea and have a great weekend!

Fully equipped islands

Did you know that there are a couple of public islands in the Helsinki and Espoo archipelago? Apart from the ones you can reach by ferry there are also a couple of others that you can visit with a boat.

The amazing thing is that they are pretty well equipped for visitors. You will almost always find toilets, as well as a fireplace with pots and pans. And you will even find islands with a public, always heated sauna. And if you fancy, you can also bring your tent and stay over night.

Find an overview of the islands on Espoo's and Helsinki's websites.

Chill out by the sea

Many restaurants, cafes and bars by the sea pop up during the summer months in Helsinki. Another new one joined this year and opened in Hernesaari.

Hernesaaren Ranta has a slightly different concept from most other places. Much like Allas you can find food and drinks here from several small kiosks that all offer something different.

No matter if you want to have a relaxed glass of wine or spoon some delicious ice cream by the sea you will find what you were looking for here.

There is even a free shuttle connection from the center leaving next to Ateneum at the full hour that gets you straight there. You can otherwise also take bus 14 from Kamppi.

Check it out and have a nice Sunday!

Have a nice weekend!

A nice weekend to all of you! Yes, the weather doesn't look too good right now. But there is a chance for some sunshine again during the weekend.

Don't miss out on the closing ceremony of the Gymnastrada on Saturday!

Enjoy the time off and (despite the weather) the Finnish summer!

Down by the harbor

The Southern harbor is ice free again. It it time for a boat trip already? What do you think?

Have a good start into the week!

Sunset over Lauttasaari

This February brough quite some sunshine and some bautiful sunsets as well.

Have a nice Sunday!

Here comes the spring

Spring with its warm sunbeams seems to slowly arrive to Southern Finland. At least it looks like it and for the next two weeks the temperatures are not likely to fall below zero anymore.

Have a nice day!

Sun breaking through

More and more sunny days are coming up now. And the sun doesn't just break through the clouds but also slowly starts breaking the ice. Some parts of the Helsinki shorline are already ice free again. At other places the sea is still covered with a thin layer. 

So don't try to walk on the ice anymore but rather enjoy the beautiful scenery from a save distance.

Have a great Sunday and don't forget that today is Restaurant Day!

Patchwork of ice sheets

Due to the relatively warm weather in combination with occasional minus temperatures the sea looks quite special these days. Instead of the usual thick layer of ice many small sheets of ice float on the water. Some have also frozen together again during some cold nights.

What do you think? Will the ice now melt away completely or will we still get some really cold days during February or even March?

Sunday sunshine

Yes, indeed. There is no sunshine today. But there has been some during the week. And here is a picture to remind you.

The good news is that the darkest time of the season is over and you'll get to see the sun now much more often.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Melting ice

The layer of ice on the sea is slowly melting again. But this is very unlikely to be the end of the winter already. 

The coldest time of the year is probably still to come. It might well be in February or March. So don't put the warm winter cloths away just yet.

Have a nice Sunday!

Unsettled winter weather

After cold winter weather with ice and snow the last days' rain and temperatures above zero have caused the last snow to melt. A mild weekend lays ahead that might only bring some new real winter weather during Sunday.

Have a nice weekend and hopefully catch a glimpse of the sun as well in between.

Hello 2015!

HelsinkiIn wishes all readers a good and happy 2015!

Did you have a great celebration? Did you celebrate at home with friends and family or rather with thousands of other Helsinkian in the city center at the Senat Square?

The sea is still open

The temperatures are still too high for an ice cover over the Baltic Sea. During the day the sun should come out. Maybe you have time for a nice walk.

Have a nice Sunday!