>When it’s January in Helsinki, the night can seem endless. And what’s the one thing that people are needing more of in the dead of winter in northern Europe? Light, of course! And once again they’re going to get it. From Wednesday January 6 to Sunday January 10, the eighth … Read more
In a country of extremes, where the Midnight Sun stays bright 24/7 in summer, and winter is grey for many long weeks, it’s no surprise that the inhabitants have devised a series of oddball activities to keep themselves amused, and possibly balanced. From culinary wackiness to one-of-a-kind crazy activities, Finland … Read more
Who would’ve thought? Dancing in close embrace, deep slits, and lots of leg aren’t exclusive to the Argentinean tango. In fact, the Finns have not only taken to this dance, but also made it their own. Finnish tango differs from the fiery Latin version. Instead, the music and dance features … Read more
Forget about Valentine’s Day. February is no longer the month of love, because here comes Midsummer’s Eve on June 22 to take the throne. For all you singles, according to Finnish folklore this is the day when magic comes alive with spells that will reveal your future suitor. For example, … Read more
While listening to the sexy, trancey c.d. compilation, from Dark to Light, the Musical Journey of Klaus K, it all slowly trickled back through my mind – the sights, sounds and special moments the Klaus K Hotel provided in my short stay in Helsinki, Finland. I felt like a local … Read more
Rumor has it that while on a visit to Finland, Ronald Reagan took a sip of Koskenkorva Vodka and declared that it was “very good”. Considering this from the man who got us through the age of excess, either he was an expert on quality or just fond of … Read more
Gather round, all running aficionados, because the Helsinki Marathon in Finland isn’t your average 42,195-meter race. On Saturday, August 18, the Helsinki Marathon’s course takes you running along the Baltic Sea and through the most beautiful and historical parts of Helsinki. The route is considered one of the most … Read more
Finland’s flag may be blue and white, but during one week in summer, Helsinki proudly displays a more colorful spectrum for Pride, Helsinki. The biggest GLBT event in Finland and one of Helsinki’s biggest week long affairs, it has become an increasingly popular party in northern Europe. In the … Read more
When it was announced in 2009 that Helsinki was a finalist in the third Design Capital of the World competition, the only surprise was that it hadn’t been selected to receive this distinction sooner. The honor, bestowed on a city committed to design as a tool for social, cultural and … Read more
It was June and we were celebrating Midnight Sun, so spirits were high as we boarded the Helsinki flight. I’d already been won over by the boarding passes with all over background images of nature scenes and the Finns in their natural environment, a key element in a trip … Read more
Ancient 13th century Finnish royalty knew how to travel – scenic routes, luxurious accommodations, and a host of dutiful servants. Today, people are following in their footsteps by making excursions along the same ancient travel route which ran between Scandinavia and Russia, aptly deemed the King’s Road. As one … Read more
The Land of a Thousand Lakes Imagine a medieval landscape from a scene in Shrek. Imagine yourself in castles, fortresses and manors. Think of winding roads and quaint, quiet villages with a backdrop of ridges, forests and crystal blue lakes. Sounds like a fairytale, right? Wrong. This is ScanAm’s Self-Drive … Read more
If you’re thinking of passing on Helsinki this winter as out of the way and too cold, you’re definitely not keeping your New Year’s resolution to be a more trend-setting traveler. In fact, you’re falling way behind the curve. Finland’s capital has been a design hothouse for longer than most … Read more