How Finland is the Best
- Danielle Dybiec
- Sep 9
- 4 min read
"I want your first trip to be with me. I want to show you cities and landscapes and teach you how to look at things in new ways and how to get along in places you don't already know inside out. I want to put some life in you...." ― Tove Jansson
You know that sensation when you walk outside and the temperature matches yours so perfectly you don't feel the air around you? It's the closest way I can describe how I feel in Finland. My personality, philosophies, values, and even history of haircuts for goodness sake aligns with Finland's so perfectly that it started feeling surreal. When it came time to leave Helsinki on Sunday, I was fighting tears all day. I didn't want to go. That's only happened a few times in my life. Finland is very special, and if you haven't considered visiting before (like myself, to be honest), I would love to talk to you about it.
I came because I was invited to the second Arctic Europe Tourism Cluster conference for meetings with key suppliers in the Arctic regions of Finland, Sweden, and Norway. Last year it was held in Harstad, Norway, and this year we were in Inari in Finnish Lapland. I'm pointing to Inari on the map above, and you can see how far above the Arctic Circle we were. In Europe though, the Arctic is a magical place to be in the summer and early fall, and the Northern Lights even start to appear in the clearer skies of late August / early September. It's not a land of snow and ice at this time of year. Right now, it's comfortably cool, even warm, quite lush, and filled with natural beauty. Landscapes vary between these three countries from dramatically rocky coastlines to pristine forests and lakes. It's a paradise to pair with any of the Scandinavian capitals or towns, and flights are fast and easy into small airports. Remember to ask for the blueberry juice on Finnair.
I spent 11 days traversing Finland, which is smaller in area than Montana and about the same population as Oregon. Most of its 5.6 million people live in the south, compared to Lapland that has around the same total population as Maine. There you'll find the cleanest air in the world, according to the WHO. Finland's water is also among the best in the world according to UNICEF and UNESCO, and you can enjoy it straight from any tap. The country is aiming to be carbon neutral by 2035. It has the world's largest archipelago and Europe's largest lake district. Around 75% of Finland is a forest.
Here are some more fun facts I learned! When Helsinki's calm waters, protected by the many pretty little islands of its archipelago, freezes in winter, locals ice skate from island to island. They also swim in the summer from its sandy beaches. The city has the highest concentration of art nouveau buildings in Europe, and Finland offers one of the world's finest free education systems. There are over three million saunas in Finland, more than the number of cars; "sauna" is actually a Finnish word that is the same in every language. I loved learning about Siivouspäivä or Cleaning Day, an event in Finland held twice a year when everyone cleans out their home of things they no longer need or want, and then they host flea markets and recycling events. And you'll find reindeer everywhere in Lapland - along the road, chilling at your hotel's front door, and probably in one of the dishes you're about to eat too. I've tried reindeer jerky, tartar, and quiche - all yummy. Sorry, Rudolph... By the way, Santa Claus' village is in Rovaniemi, and if you want to come stay in his village, I can arrange that for you - any time of year.
Pictures tell my trip's story better - including my day in Tallin, Estonia (which was AWESOME) - so please check out the photos I've posted at Nine Muses Travel's Facebook and Instagram.
Finland is an introvert's fever dream and still an off-the-radar European country for most Americans, which means fewer crowds during your cultural and wilderness adventures. I want to tell you so much more, and I'll promise not to cry while on the phone because I miss it so much!
Start planning inspired travel and read more about me and what I can do for you!
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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