Falling in Love with Finland
- Danielle Dybiec
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
"There are empty spaces that must be respected – those often long periods when a person can’t see the pictures or find the words and needs to be left alone." ― Tove Jansson, Fair Play
Greetings from Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, right on the Arctic Circle! Today I'm whisked headed further north to the town of Inari, where I've been invited to attend the second annual Arctic Europe Tourism Conference. If you've been reading Muse News for a while, you might remember I attended last year when it was held in Harstad, Norway and I got to experience the Arctic in both Sweden and Norway including Kiruna, Narvik, and the spectacularly beautiful Lofoten Islands.
This year I designed my own pre and post conference trip; it's my first time in Finland, and I'm packing a lot in because honestly I thought this would be a one and done country for me. I'm ashamed to admit that now because every day Finland surprises me and has skyrocketed to becoming a favorite. Let me start by explaining that I've got quirks. We all do! That's why when clients ask what would I do if I were them in a certain destination, I say it's irrelevant unless I'm coming with you! My job is to draw out what you need and want from your travels and not to impose my own travel style. Because QUIRKS.
So, I'm going to be vulnerable and share some of mine with you. I value solitude and silence over noise and crowds. I can engage in small talk, but I'd rather have a meaningful or philosophical discussion. I care a lot about the comfort of others and have little patience for rudeness or inconsideration. I'm not touchy-feely with people until we're close. One of my favorite feelings is being cozy, especially indoors during bad weather. Some of my favorite sounds are the trickle of a mountain stream, the gentle little laps of waves from a lake, and leaves blowing in the wind. I believe local art, history, and foods help reveal a culture. I notice and appreciate order, cleanliness, rationality, intelligence, fairness, and kindness. I know this about myself and take it all into account when I make my own travel plans.
And then I found Finland.
I thought it would feel like other Scandinavian countries, but there's a magic here I've found nowhere else. I think if I were a country, I'd be Finland. My personal traits are somehow the national identity. In general: The Finnish don't often speak without purpose; sometimes it's difficult to draw them out. Finns aren't loud or brash because that would mean imposing on someone else's peace. Train cars are so quiet, you barely notice anyone else is there. They don't litter. There's a Finnish concept called "sisu" that's about having determination and perseverance and getting through adversity by being strong-willed and rational. Winter can be long and dark, so sometimes hygge isn't enough and you need to channel some sisu! Finland has more lakes than any other country, and when it's warm, Finns often stay in Finland and head to lakeside cottages to enjoy their endless forests. The Finnish people I've met so far have been gentle, thoughtful, and kind. It's also incredibly safe here.
It turns out my sisu soul is Finnish, and I definitely don't want this to be my last trip.
On this journey I'm visiting Helsinki, Porvoo (old town still made of wood), Turku (oldest city in Finland at world's largest archipelago), Oulu (European Capital of Culture in 2026), Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle and official home of Santa Claus (you can visit him and his elf village), Inari in the heart of Finnish Lapland filled with Sámi history and culture, plus a day trip to Tallin, Estonia from Helsinki. I thought these would be enough to satisfy my curiosity about Finland, but I've fallen in love with it and want to see, do, and learn even more now. Because quirks.
Follow my flourishing Finnish love story at Nine Muses Travel's Facebook and Instagram. I'm here all week and post photos each night when I'm on the road.
Oh, and the photo above is from inside your glass igloo at Apukka Resort on Lake Olkkajärvi. It faces north so you can watch the Northern Lights as you lie in bed. I posted a lot more photos on Facebook and Instagram of Apukka so you can see how beautiful it is. I really want you to experience it yourself!
Start planning inspired travel and read more about me and what I can do for you!
Nine Muses Travel designs journeys to inspire artists, arts lovers and the culturally curious.
Danielle Dybiec
Founder & President
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