Dissatisfied with your everyday life? Move to Lapland!

This is not the exact reasoning I followed in the moment I decided to leave the country I was living in, but it is the one that turned out to be true afterwards. At first, I just wanted to move away from my previous country to study abroad without any concrete idea in mind about where to go. I did not even know what to study. So I picked up my laptop and, being a person who cannot really sleep at night, within a couple of sleepless nights spent surfing the Internet in my electronic friend’s company, I found the right Degree Programme for me. Only after that I checked where the university offering that Programme actually was located. On the webpage it said “Rovaniemi”. It sounded familiar, but I couldn’t recall where from. I googled it and the first thing that appeared on my laptop’s screen was a picture of Santa waving at me. That was the moment I realised that I was going to apply to a university in Santa’s hometown and, being a winter and Christmas atmosphere lover, this fact only strengthened my wish to move to the administrative capital of Lapland.

I applied to Lapland’s University of Applied Sciences, I did the entrance exam and after about two months I got the email I was most waiting for at that time: I got accepted to study in Rovaniemi.

As soon as I landed in Rovaniemi, I felt at home. I felt so good, and my feelings after almost a year living here are still the same, that I don’t even really want to go back to my other home country because I would feel homesick from here.

Life in Lapland proved to be amazing to me. There is no way of getting bored in here. There is always something to do and a lot to discover. This is the region that has 8 seasons and as many reindeers as inhabitants, if not more.

This is the region where sleepless nights turn into breathtaking experiences by admiring stunning Northern Lights from late autumn till spring

and the astonishing Midnight Sun in summer.

This is the region of colours: white winter wonderland; bright red, yellow and orange with all of their nuances during Ruska in autumn; Northern Lights’ green, yellow, pink and purple shining in the darkness of winter nights; different shades of blue during the “blue moment” or “Kaamos” in the same period as Northern Lights; beaming sunlight in summer. This is the region of happiness to me.

Every ordinary day can be turned into an extraordinary one here in Lapland. My average day could simply be waking up in the morning, having a coffee, going to the university, having lunch there, going back home after the lessons, having dinner, studying for a while, sleeping and repeating this over and over again. But no. This is not how things work here. Of course, they can go like this if someone wants to have a standard life with a basic and, in my opinion, quite boring routine. But Lapland offers far more to the ones that are willing to be Above Ordinary, which is also the region’s slogan. You can enjoy the view of beautiful landscapes simply while walking or cycling to move around; you can pet and make friends with adorable huskies and reindeers

and have a ride on a sleigh pulled by them in the farms that provide safaris with them; you can pick berries and mushrooms in autumn

and go fishing in summer or ice fishing in winter; you can ski or ice-skate on frozen lakes and rivers in winter and do many other kinds of winter sports;

you can attend hockey matches; you can go hiking from spring to autumn; you can enjoy homemade blueberry juice almost anywhere or coffee and pancakes prepared in a traditional way in a Kota outside in a forest, in a park or along a hiking path; you can have sauna anytime – if you do not have one in your own apartment you will have at least one in your building for common use – and make friends with Finns there or simply enjoy a relaxing moment;

you can hunt Northern Lights or wait till midnight to see the sun approaching the horizon and rising again according to the season and so much more. All of these incredible activities can be included in your everyday life when living in Lapland. Moreover, as I mentioned before, nights are not only meant for sleeping in here and they have an added value, thus enlarging the concept of everyday life also to “everynight” life.

So, to everybody who wants to make a change in their lives and feel Above Ordinary: Lapland is waiting for you. Even if not for living, but just for enjoying a shorter stay with extraordinary everydays and exceptional experiences that will probably turn into lifelong memories, Lapland is ready to host you and to be discovered.

Anyone can choose what to be and how to live. I chose to be and live Above Ordinary. What about you?

Blog Post competition with Lapland University of Applied Sciences

This blog post has been written by another of two winners of our blog post competition. Gofinland organised a competition among the students of Lapland University of Applied Sciences. The students are studying tourism in international degree programme. In the future, they will be the professionals in International Tourism.

Isabella Victoria Borgogni is sharing her inspiring experience in Finland.

Read also the blog post of another winner of our competition: Minh Hieu Nguyen wrote a great article about how hiking. Minh’s insight gives aid how to relax in nature and improve your wellbeing.

This is the story of Sebastian’s journey to Finland and our wonderful culture where nature and spending time in summer cottages are essential .

Straight after arriving in Helsinki we got our rental car and drove north. Ahead of us was a 10 day journey through the southern part of Finland. My expectations of this beautiful country were fulfilled immediately after leaving the city and entering the remote nature of Finland. We drove for around 3 hours north, one hour was driving on a gravel road straight into the forest until we reached our cottage directly at lake.

A Finnish BBQ in the forest.

After a day of hiking and exploring the area we finished the day by making a campfire on a hill with views over the lake. To be honest, I couldn’t imagine a better place for a fire. The nature and the remoteness of that place even made it more beautiful. A cold beer and some sausages on the stick really made a perfect evening.

Amazing view on the National Park of Repovesi

After leaving the remote cottage behind, we made our way to explore Repovesi National Park. In the park there are a lot of hiking trails and some great views over lakes and forests. There are also some campgrounds, where families spent the night. Unfortunately we didn’t bring our own tent, so we had to leave the park at dawn to sleep in our B&B.

Roadtripping in Finland

After another night at a campfire at the B&B Pinus in Mäntyharju, we made our way more north to Koli National Park where we stayed on a farm for 2 nights. The view from the top of Koli National Park was even more breathtaking than the views we saw before. After a good day of hiking, we had one of the best burgers ever at Kolin Ryynanen, close to the park.

Scenic sunset in Finland.

On our way to the West Coast we stopped at another cottage directly at a lake. As many times before in Finland we were all by ourself. We took out the paddle boat for a sunset cruise before sitting at the warm campfire again.

Lovely view from pier. Time to jump in!

The west coast was a bit disappointing. There was no road directly at the sea and we missed our days at the lakes so much, that we headed back inwards on our way back down south to Helsinki.

Helsinki City overview.

Our last couple of nights we spent on an organic farm with an awesome breakfast. Holidays in Finland is pure nature and relaxation. If you want a lot of action, this is the wrong place. But if you are looking for untouched nature and wilderness, this is one of the best places I have visited so far.

Helsinki is a charming capital, with lots of good bars, restaurants and great cultural activities. I liked Finland so much, that I came back a couple of months later to see it in autumn. The weather was more moody but definitely as beautiful as in summer.

Sebastian made a short video while exploring Finland. In the video Sebastian experiences the Finnish nature and cottage culture at the fullest.  It’s worth checking out. Sebastian creates fantastic short films about traveling in different locations and takes quite spectacular photos while traveling!

You can follow Sebastian in Instagram: sebpic_

Finland is one of the prettiest countries in the world. It is known for the amount of contrast that you get to see in its landscape. It is here that you can see the four seasons in true earnest. It is at Finland that you would be able to see the Midnight Sun as well as the Northern Lights.

Pyhä-Luosto National Park

The first name that needs to be taken in this context is the Pyhä-Luosto National Park. These are basically rugged hills that have been there for a long time and they have been cut at various places by gorges that happen to be really deep. The best thing that you can do over here is trekking. You can easily walk to the top through these forests that have been there for an eternity and more. The top areas of this park do not have any trees and there is plenty of wind to contend with as well. The skies here are vast as you would find elsewhere in Lapland.

The scenery is especially breathtaking during both summer when you have the Midnight Sun, and winter when the skies are being lit up by the Northern Lights. You would also see some Siberian jays that are really friendly if you happened to stop for a picnic while hiking.

Aland

Aland happens to be the perfect weekend getaway if you happen to be in Finland. No matter who you are with this is the best place to have some great time. You can relax at the sauna, go hiking around the archipelago which is naturally inspiring, or just walk around and take in the sights and sounds over here.

One of the various things that you should certainly do whilst you are at this place is to take part in one of the fishing trips. You can hire a local fishing guide for the purpose – this is one experience that is always going to stay with you. The food over here also happens to be exceptional. It is highly recommended that you visit the local Art Museum and Cultural History Museum, and the Aland Maritime Museum. If you are here you might catch hold of the Northern Lights as well as one of the many storms.

Uto Island

Uto Island is located right in the southernmost part of the country and is the last inhabited island in that part of this archipelago. You can get there with the help of a free ferry that takes around five hours. The island is small as such and is there right on the Baltic Sea. A lot of people visit it during the winter season – a time when it happens to be as cold as hell. You can also visit it during spring and autumn where you would see many migratory birds.

The island is a rocky one and occupies an area of just a square km. All around the year over here, you would not find more than 50 people on an average. There are normally around 150 people during the summer season. The island was vacated in 2005 by the Finnish armed forces.

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

One of the various things that you can do in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is trekking. You can easily visit one hilltop from another this way. All the way you would be passing through Arctic fells. This also happens to be the finest hiking trail in the country.

Apart from hiking, skiing is also one activity that you would really enjoy doing over here. You can stay at the Lappish villages that have plenty of history apart from lodgings where you can haul up without compromising on your comfort. It also helps that they are really welcoming. In fact, it is said that this part of Lapland has the best air in the whole world with regards to freshness. Once again this is a great place if you wish to see the Northern Lights. You can easily visit the national park by way of a car and other modes of public transportation.

Koli National Park

The Koli National Park is located in northern Karelia and as such is well known for its natural scenery that comprises hills covered in trees. One of the best views that you can get from here is that of the Lake Pielinen from atop the Ukko-Koli Hill.

This is one reason why over the years so many artists, nature lovers, and photographers from across the country have been attracted to the spot. The scenery is as splendid as they come and as such it fills you with a sense of serenity unlike anything else. You just feel a sense of wonder when you come here. In fact, the lakes and hills over here create such a setting that you would enjoy it no matter which time of the year you come over here. You can access this by car as well as public transportation.

Oulanka National Park

The national park is located at Kuusamo and happens to be one of the most popular members of its fraternity in the country. The national park is also known to have a commendable collection of falls and rapids. The most prominent name among these is the Kiutaköngas rapid that is located in the Oulanka River.

The Jyrävä fall and the Myllykoski fall at the Kitka River are worth mentioning in this context as well. The national park itself is part of the Karhunkierros trail, which is known for its rough terrain. There are plenty of choices if you wish to go trailing over here – the hanging bridges only add to the charm of the entire region as such. In fact, the waterfalls over here are said to be among the most impressive of their kind in the entire country. There is plenty over here for the nature photographers.

Some other options that may be mentioned in this regard are a village named Saramo, Riisitunturi National Park, Repovesi National Park, and Kilpisjärvi, where the borders of Finland meet those of Norway and Sweden.

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The writer Sarah Bennett is a senior content curator in HolidayFactors.com, a leading holiday portal in Dubai, UAE

Do you want to spend a holiday in Finnish Lapland, but don’t know which would be the best destination for your needs? Don’t worry – it is possible to see the most popular ski resorts in Finland during the same holiday! This article gives you valuable tips for an arctic road trip in Finland!

Cottage life in Finland can be totally different depending on the location. We listed some stunning cottages and villas that offer unforgettable experiences for your holiday in Finland.

Holiday on an Island – Enjoy the Fresh Air of the Sea

Finland is often said to be the Land of a Thousand Lakes, but there are plenty of islands, too! Renting a cottage in one of the 180,000 islands gives a good chance to get away from everyday life.

Finland, known also as the Land of a Thousand Lakes, is famous for its natural beauty and quiet landscapes. While the natural surroundings serve as a playground for many holiday activities, the cities and towns offer many interesting cultural attractions. Finnish photographer Juha Kalaoja shares his list of ten most beautiful landscapes in Finland. 

10. Porvoo Old Town

Photograph: VisitFinland

The Old Town of Porvoo is famous for its colorful buildings and its maze of streets which date back to the Middle Ages. Even if the town has suffered many devastating fires during the past centuries, the original atmosphere is still present in the area. Nowadays, Old Porvoo attracts a lot of visitors from all over the world, and it is no wonder – the town is astonishingly beautiful both in summer and in winter.

Text and photos: Marjaana Tasala

This year 2017 is very special to us Finns, because our beloved home country is turning respectably 100 years old! There have already been all kinds of celebrations going on through Finland, but one major occasion worth mentioning is the newest addition to Finnish National Parks – Hossa. Oh Hossa, a true paradise for anyone keen on pristine northern wilderness. Its clear waters lure you to hop on your kayak and enjoy the peaceful stillness. Its meandering paths through wild green forests and rugged rocks invite you to a nature adventure you will never forget. Hossa National Park truly is a sight to see.

Fascinating nature attractions with diverse wildlife

Imagine a mystical landscape full of ridges formed by Ice Age glaciers, and a mosaic dotted by over a hundred crystal clear lakes and ponds. Some of them might be the most clear ones you have ever seen! Like Lake Öllöri, which is situated next to Hossa Visitor Centre. Or narrow Muikkupuro Stream, which campfire site is one of the most attractive places to have a well deserved break between your hiking or paddling trip through Hossa National Park.

Julma-Ölkky canyon lake in Hossa National Park

Finland’s biggest canyon lake, Julma-Ölkky, and its 50 meters high rocky walls can be found from Hossa, too. This massive natural formation is actually best viewed from the lake, so grab a canoe and paddle in your own pace or hop on a cruise boat, which will take you to a 30 minute long ride from shore to shore.

The wildlife in Hossa is like nowhere else, because the king of Finnish forests lives around there. While you are unlikely to meet a brown bear on the park’s hiking paths, you are almost sure to encounter one on an organized bear safari. Santa’s little helpers, reindeers, also belong to Hossa’s scenery along with the Siberian jay and many other bird and wild animal species.

Unique history telling its stories from the stone age

Finlands former president Urho Kekkonen loved Hossa’s scenery so much, that he was planning to be a permanent resident there after retiring. Unfortunately, he didn’t ever have the chance to move there, but as a passionate fisherman he visited Hossa several times.

But historically the most valuable thing in Hossa might be the famous Värikallio rock paintings. On the surface of the rock wall along an ancient water route are over 60 separate figures illustrating the traditional northern worldview. The paintings are estimated to be even 4500 years old and are a definite must see destination if you are visiting the area.

Activities whole year round (and for families too)

On summer time clear waters and whispering pine forests invite Hossa’s visitors to activities like diving, trekking, canoeing, fishing, supping, berry and mushroom picking – you name it. There are 100 kilometers of marked hiking trails, so all the best natural spots are easily accessible by foot or cross-country bike. If you would like to roam Hossa’s wonders with a canoe, 60 kilometers of water routes will provide you enough canoeing for days.

Or is stillness something you are looking for? You are definitely in a right place. Hossa’s peaceful atmosphere will calm you down and instructed yoga and mindfulness moments are of course available too. Relaxing quietness of the wilderness will charge your batteries like nothing else before.

Hossa is an excellent destination for families with children too! Most of the marked hiking routes are easy and perfect for little feet to lumber. The National Park also provides trails that are suitable for people with reduced mobility, so these routes are accessible by baby carriage or wheelchair.

During the snowy white winter months cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snow shoeing are one of the most popular activities. But you mustn’t forget a true Finnish winter experience – a refreshing dip in icy water! Because believe it or not, swimming in a hole in the ice leaves you feeling fantastic. And of course you can do it straight from the warmth of a wood heated sauna.

Where to stay and how to get there?

There are several resorts and other accommodation possibilities in the surrounding area. You can choose to lodge in one of the cozy cabins, lean-to shelters or wilderness hut or even hotel and of course camping is possible too. But remember, campfires are only permitted in spots designated for this purpose.

Was that convincing enough for you to pack your bags and travel to north-eastern Finland? Flights from Helsinki to Kuusamo and Kajaani will take you quite near, and from the airport it is easy to reach the park by a rental car.

Accommodation in Hossa: check out the large selection of rental cottages near Hossa National Park

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Marjaana Tasala co-writes two blogs: RIMMA + LAURA (www.rimmalaura.com) and Fall into Finland (www.fallintofinland.com). We recommend you to follow her amazing photos on Instagram, too.

The Archipelago Trail is a 250 km long sea route that allows you to visit the beautiful Finnish archipelago even if you don’t know anything about sailing or boating. Today, The Archipelago Trail, or the Ring Road, is one of the country’s most popular tourist routes, which attracts around 20,000 tourists annually.

Photographer: Juha Kalaoja

The ring road can be travelled either by car, bicycle or motocycle. If you’re feeling lucky, you can even try hitchhiking! Whatever the mode of transport, there are plenty of interesting cultural attractions which are worth exploring along the beautiful trail.

The whole Archipelago Trail can be accessed only in the summertime, as the ferry crossing between Houtskar and Iniö operates from the beginning of June to the end of August. If you haven’t got enough time for the whole ring road, the Small Archipelago Trail offers an alternative way to explore the archipelago along its 100 km long route.

To get you started, we listed some of the most interesting stopping points in the archipelago.

Continue reading

Salla – in the middle of nowhere, as their official slogan goes – is a heaven for the peace and nature -loving traveler. Whether you’re traveling alone or with children, winter or summer, you will find lots of places to see, things to experience and history to discover.

Text and photos: Laura Rumbin

In the south of Finnish Lapland lies the small village of Salla. Salla is most known from its Ski Resort, which is no wonder: Salla is actually the place where skiing was born in Finland. The first downhill skiing and slalom competitions were held in Salla’s sister fells Sallatunturi, Välitunturi and Rohmoiva in 1937, but there is even older evidence of skiing in Salla. The world’s eldest ski, that has been tracked all the way to the Stone Age, has been found in Salla!

After the Second World War the three sister fells had to be given to the Soviet Union, but this didn’t kill the skiing culture in Salla – after all, it had roots deeply in the ground of the area, but also in the blood of the people. Even nowadays the Salla Ski Resort employs mostly local people and not seasonal workers. This really shows: customer service is genuine and full of Lappish warm-hearted style. In Salla you really feel like home on holiday.

Winterfun

You don’t have to be a ski enthusiast to be able to enjoy Salla, though. The wilderness area and views in Salla are just breathtaking, and there are multiple ways to enjoy the great outdoors. You can, for instance, rent a pair of snowshoes, pack your backpack full of goodies and warm drinks, and walk your way on top of the fell. The are many marked routes there, visible also in the wintertime. The cross-country skiing facilities in Salla are amazing: there are over 140 km of well maintained tracks, of which 40 km have lightning. Equipment can be rented from the ski shop if you haven’t got your own skis, boots and other essential stuff. Even a teacher can be organized in no time!

The silence on top of the fell is truly something to appreciate. Close your eyes, breath in some of the world’s cleanest air, and feel the change in your body and mind. Suddenly you’ll find yourself free from stress, feeling relaxed and invigorated.

When in Lapland, you might want to experience also a snowmobile safari. This can be easily done in Salla, and the friendly folk at Napapiirin Safarit will organize a safari that suits your interests and needs. Even families with small children are covered: a comfy shuttle, that is attached to a snowmobile, fits easily a couple of adults with children. When attached to a shuttle, the snowmobile is always driven by a professional guide, so there is no need to worry about drifting off the marked route in the nature.

Good times in the summer sun

Summer in the Finnish Lapland is something unique and a thing everyone must experience at least once in a lifetime. The polar nights – or nighless nights as we say – are unbelievable. Imagine a beautiful summer day that never comes to an end, and you’ll get the picture. You see, the sun doesn’t set at all in the summertime. This might be tricky considering a person’s need for sleep, but then again: who wants to sleep when there is so much to do and see!

Photo: Graham Schmidt / VisitFinland Image Bank

First, you might want to go mountain biking – there are 444km paths for biking of which 46km for mountain biking only. If biking isn’t your cup of tea, there are many intriguing hiking routes to explore close to Salla. Only a short drive away from the village there is also the beautiful  Oulanka National Park, where you can, for instance, experience some of the most amazing canyons in Finland. There are wilderness cottages in the nature for sleeping but you can also sleep in a tent.

If you wish to experience a place that is still unseen by many, you might want to navigate your way to Naruska, Northern Salla, where the Kullaoja waterfall lies hidden in the woods. Imagine an enchanted forest and the purling sound of water running in the streams. As you walk on, the sound gets stronger but still stays gentle as a summer day. There are signs that will guide you to the right direction from the car park, but there is no visible path to the waterfall – you’ll just have to listen and follow your ears to get to this beautiful waterfall.  But it is really worth it. The serenity of Finnish nature can truly be found in places like the wilderness of Naruska.

As you can imagine by now, Salla is a great destination any time of the year. If you wish to read more about Salla, click here!

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Laura Rumbin is a travel blogger and an adventuring mom, who loves nature and wants to see mountains when traveling abroad. She co-writes two blogs: RIMMA + LAURA (www.rimmalaura.com) and Fall into Finland (www.fallintofinland.com)