Text: Pekka Krook, photographs: Sauna From Finland / Hanna Söderström

Meik Wiking, the Danish happiness researcher, is known for the term “Hygge” because of his bestseller book “Hygge – the book of good life“. The book contains the ten-point Hygge Manifesto, which highlights the importance of gratitude. The writer sums up gratitude with an expression, “maybe there’s nothing better than this”. Do we remember to be grateful for everything we have in our lives?

As a sauna specialist and the Chairman of the Board of Sauna from Finland, my aim is to develop as relaxing sauna experience as possible. Sauna has always been almost a sacred place in Finland – a place where you can clean your body and mind after a hard day’s work. Genuine Finnish sauna experience is based on well-being and relaxation that is complemented by the purity and safety of the saunas.

Cover photo by Visit Finland

Easter in Finland is an exciting mix of flavours, history and traditions. The religious roots of the Christian feast are still visible today. Besides celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, Easter in Finland is all about welcoming the long-awaited spring after the dark and cold winter months. It’s often considered as planting the seeds for happiness and health for the approaching summer season.

No, absolutely not! Did you know that winter swimming can keep you in a good shape? More than 150,000 Finns are enjoying this activity on a regular basis during the season. All you need is a swimsuit and a hole in the ice of a frozen lake, river or pond.

It is a sport that has been practiced more in the past by elderly people but it is now gaining terrain also among younger generations. If you fancy trying new things, this post is for you.

3,3 millions! This is the most recent number of existing saunas in Finland. Ain’t that enough to express how important the Finnish sauna culture is for Finns?

Our modern urban way of life has changed the way we resource ourselves. But from Helsinki city center to Nuorgam, the northernmost village in Finland, every Finn remain loyal to one thing: The Finnish sauna tradition.

Do you want to know more about it?

Finland has four very distinguished seasons and they all have their own perks. Maybe that’s why we don’t have so distinguished travel seasons. People want to experience different sides of Finland and they plan their trips according to that.

Most traveling peaks happen during Finnish holidays, like Christmas and school holidays. Finns usually have one week off in the wintertime and that’s called the skiing holiday. In the summer adults usually have four weeks off and school kids a few weeks more.

However, high season doesn’t mean that everything is fully booked and the attractions are unavailable due overcrowding! Skiing holidays are held different weeks at different regions, so even though the ski centers are busy, they aren’t full. The summer vacations spread pretty well over the whole summer and Finns tend to spend them at the summer cottage anyways.

The biggest tourist season is around Christmas and new year, when especially the Russian tourists are traveling to Finnish ski resorts. The other Finnish seasons are not that crowded, but there is no reason why they should be! Let me tell you why.

The midsummer celebration is an important event in the Finnish calendar. This festivity, which takes place on Friday and Saturday from the 19th to 26th of June depending on the year, is synonymous with good food, the midnight sun, bonfires and party.

So let’s dive in to see what you can expect from the midsummer party à la finlandaise.

There is a great amount of events going on in summer all around Finland. Wherever you go, you will find opportunities to meet with the locals and have an enjoyable time.
From the funniest Wife Carrying Championship to the intriguing Silence Festival, there are events for every taste. Here is a list of 5 cultural events to add on your list when visiting Finland during your summer holidays.

Air Guitar World Championships

Photo: Juuso Haarala

Have you ever dreamed to play guitar on stage in front of a boiling crowd? Then you should stop by the city of Oulu and join the Air Guitar World Championships.
Last year the event celebrated in the end of August its 20th birthday! Cool music, great atmosphere and a funny show guaranteed!
Even countries like India, Latvia and Kazakhstan have their own national championships and are meeting with Finnish competitors in Oulu to join the show.

The event website: http://www.airguitarworldchampionships.com/

This year the World Championships happens in Oulu from the 24th to the 26th of August 2016. In 2015, a Russian Kereel Blumenkrants won the competition. So will you be the next Air Guitar hero?
To stay in the Oulu area we recommend you to look at our cottage selection. Hailuoto, for example, is a great place to stay in summer; you could even stay in an old lighthouse!

The Silence Festival

The small village of Kaukonen in Lapland is welcoming visitors to take part in a fascinating event: the Silence Festival. If arts and local culture is your thing, this is the place to be from the 8th to 11th of June 2016.

This year, the festival offers a diverse programme. You can watch circus performances, listen to classical music, talk about philosophy, and more. Make sure not to miss the festival opening ceremony, for the special show planned on the Ounas river. Moreover, the program is suitable for the whole family.

The event happens in the magical Villa Magia surroundings. The building is an old and traditional farmhouse renovated by the artist Milla Magia.

This place is right besides the river Ounas in an idyllic location. There you can also buy handicrafts like ceramics, jewelleries and textiles, designed by Milla. Lapland summer atmosphere is special. During this festival you get interesting perspectives and experience something different. We warmly recommend it!

The event website: https://www.hiljaisuusfestivaali.fi/about/

Looking for a place to stay during the event? Check out our offering:

The Midnight Sun Film Festival

Photo: Sini Juutilainen

The Midnight Sun Film Festival is already well-known among cinema fans around the globe. Its small size and location of the town, and the fact that you can watch movies 24h a day, make it really unique of its kind.

Originally created by the Kaurismäki brothers, the festival will now celebrate its 31st birthday.

Last year, Sodankylä welcomed more than 30 000 visitors to watch great films. The public can also interact with their creators face-to-face during conferences.Film directors, actors, and new talents are captivating the audience in a relaxed and informal way. All this happens every year in the heart of Lapland, 120 km above the Arctic Circle.

To learn more about the Festival, take a look at the website: http://www.msfilmfestival.fi/index.php/en/

If you plan to be there, here is a well-rounded list of accommodations:

The Flow Festival

(c) Jussi Hellsten www.jussihellsten.com

This music festival is a great mix of modern arts, music, and hand picked food. All these ingredients together allow you to enjoy the diversity of performances.
This year, the event has a large panel of artists from the legendary Massive Attack to upcoming musicians. Concerts and performances are taking place from the 12th to 14th of August 2016 in Suvilahti. It is only a few minutes away from the city center by metro.

There, you will find more than 10 different stages. You can choose from large outdoor tents to intimate indoor venues.
One of the most impressive stage is the gigantic balloon with a 360º stage. It creates a new interaction genre for both artists and the crowd.
You can’t miss it!

Check this year programme: http://www.flowfestival.com/

For suggestions of accommodations in the capital, we’ve got you covered:

Ruis Rock

Each year, the city of Turku welcomes international and Finnish rock musicians to a huge gathering. The Ruis Rock festival is one of the oldest in Europe. It takes place right at the doors of the beautiful Finnish archipelago.

It is also a unique opportunity to discover local artists and have a good slice of Finnish rock music. The festival will happen from the 8th to 10th of July in Ruissalo Park. Besides of music, you can enjoy street art, circus and puppets theatre performances.

Click here to see the 2016 programme: http://www.ruisrock.fi/en/program/

If you stay longer in the area, we recommend you to take a tour in the Archipelago and explore the islands by cruise boats, or bicycles. Don’t miss places like Kimitö Island, Örö Fortress island or Hanko.

If you fancy a stay in cottage with a sea view, here is the place to look for it:

These 5 events will definitely give a nice twist to your stay in Finland. Festivals are best to enjoy the summer season among locals and international crowds. They are best to share great moments with friends or families. So come and join us!

Have you ever asked a Finn where he or she would celebrate the midsummer fest? Most of them would reply: “in a summer cottage”. Did you know that Finland counts over half a million privately owned cottages and leisure houses in the country of 5 million inhabitants?

For Finns, the cottages and leisure houses are getaways from the hectic lives. Very often located by a lake or a river, and off-the-beaten path, cottages offer a great dive into one of the most important part of Finnish culture: enjoying nature.

The cottage life is all about going back to the roots and enjoy simple pleasures like cooking fresh fish on open fire, taking a swim in the lake after wooden-heated sauna or picking up berries.

Have You Ever Heard Silence?

The first and most overwhelming feeling you will get when staying at a cottage in the middle of nature is silence. Have you ever heard it?

Once you try, you really get hooked!  Spending time in nature has a very positive effect on your health: it is a great way to enjoy a digital detox and fill up your body and mind with energy and creativity. 

Need Help to Choose a Destination?

So ready to step off your daily routine and enjoy the pleasure of silence and nature in a traditional cottage? From the Finnish Archipelago to the Lakeland and deep Lappish forests, you can find here your dream cottage for an unforgettable experience.