Finland is a country that has become synonomous with the northern lights, husky sledding and the cold. True all those things are plentiful in this snowy Scandanavian country but there’s so much more to Finland to see and do.
Scriptoeris readers are often after adventure and a lot of that comes from delving head first into the deep unknown; finding new things and pushing yourself to do something that scares you. Finland is the perfect place for all of the above whether you try ice diving, glacier hiking, acting as a ‘musher’ as you take control of huskies, or taste new foods.
Finland has it all, so make it your destination this year.
Why go now? Although the temperatures are low at this time of year, they’re surprusingly not as low as you might think. They can drop as low as -7 degrees celcius although usually hover around 0 degrees. Visit Finland in the winter and you’re guaranteed to get a true experience of winter in one of the most northern parts of the northern hemisphere.
Winter sports are at the heart of the activities in Finland including cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and ice diving. Oh, and who could forget that Finnish love of burning yourself in a sauna before running and jumping into the freezing cold waters. If you’ve seen the film Chalet Girl just imagine that scene in the jacuzzi during the chalet’s house party.
So whilst Finland is undoutedly cold, and pretty dark, January and February are fantastic months to visit this unique country.
What to do Culture Lovers Head to Inari and learn about the Sámi cluture. The Sámi people are nomadic and the only indigenous people in Scandinavia. As such, the Sámis are protected under international conventions. Day to day activities include fishing and herding their reindeer around the tundra with snowmobiles. The pastime of reindeer herding is only legal for the Sámi so witnessing them go about their work is something not many will experience in their lifetime – but you can.
Adrenaline Junkies Anyone visiting Finland has to try dog sledding. The adrenaline will pump through your body as you woosh through the snow covered forests by dog. Trips are available for a few hours, days or, if you’re really up for some adrenaline and action, you can take part in week long dog sledding trips and cover vast quantities of Lapland’s snowy scenery.
City Girls If you’re a bit more of a city lover then head to Helsinki, Finland’s capital, and take in some cosmopolitan culture. Helsinki has a fantastic design district which is full of trendy cafés, shops and bars as well as a vibrant nightlife. It would make for the perfect weekend city break.
History Girls: Head to Savonlinna and visit the magestic Olavinlinna Castle: one of the best preserved medieval castles in northern Europe. This huge castle sits right next to a beautiful lake, surrounded by lush green pines. Wander around and imagine it’s all yours.
Foodie Girls: Finland has some great national dishes to try if you’re a foodie lover. Head to Lapland and sample the specialities of wild salmon and smoked reindeer. Expect a hearty fare (soups, casserloes, pies) as you’ll need lots of warm, comforting food to help you stay warm!
Make it happen: Flights from London Gatwick to Helsinki at the end of January to beginning of February cost from £77 return.
So, when are you going to Finland