I am the Nordics Expert – Next up my first Nordic love Finland
When you ask people about Finland most will immediately think of Finnish Lapland where Santa Claus lives. They will recall countless television programmes that have filmed there too; most recently Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Search for Santa that aired last week and as a result has caused travel enquiries for Lapland to soar.
Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland
Why I love Finland?
I have adored my visits to Finnish Lapland and can’t wait to visit again with a hit list of those things I want to do again and those places I would like to stay in too.
However when I hear Finland I actually think of the capital city Helsinki, which is not somewhere lots will have heard of nor perhaps even have on a “must visit” list. I love this little city by the water. It reminds me of a tiny San Francisco which I am told might be because they have the same style trams. I have been lucky to visit it many times in different seasons and I do adore it. My favourite season to visit has to be in the summertime as the city is quieter (most Finnish people head out of town to the countryside and lakes where they have cabins). There is a lot of delicious salmon and fresh seafood to enjoy. I think some of the finest sushi I have eaten was in Finland and the vodka is amazing there too especially when served with berry liquor. Don’t get me started on the Finnish chocolate Karl Fazer too, probably one of my favourite chocolate brands in the world that I obsessively search for in duty free shops whenever I travel.
Summer by Helsinki waterfront – Finland
Lots of Finnish friends
I was fortunate enough to work with the Finns for 7 years doing the PR for their national carrier Finnair and through this amazing airline I got to meet and make friends with lots of amazing people (Finnish, American, Japanese and English!). Some are now my best friends. You could say I became an adoptive Finn for 7 years and it is still in my blood today. I now prefer a good sauna to a steam room, I actually like salt liquorice and believe chocolate liquorice bars are delicious too. I first saw the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland, which was a magical experience and has led me to even name my daughter Aurora after this incredible phenomenon.
Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in Finnish Lapland
Fancy a trip?
If you are planning a trip to Lapland or would even like to explore the wider Nordic region at a different time of the year then please do let me know as I love to chat about travel as it’s my passion. FYI you can easily combine a trip to Helsinki with a weekend break in Talinn Estonia as it’s a short hop across the water or you can even catch a train from Helsinki to St Petersburg to explore Russia too (this is on my list for the future!).
Drop me a DM today to discuss your adventures whether you are planning the Nordics or further a field (I’ve also travelled extensively around Europe, North America and Asia so can really lend my experience to someone travelling to other regions too)
Happy travels!
Sarah x
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