• Scandinavia trip planning
    Finland,  Finland,  Iceland,  Norway,  Sweden

    Scandinavia trip planning: which country should you go to?

    Welcome to this article that was written to help you with your Scandinavia trip planning. Ever since I first went to Scandinavia in 2004 I was immediately captured by the charming wooden houses, the endless landscapes and the diversity in many ways. I made more than 40 journeys through the various countries of Scandinavia since that first journey and in the summer of 2023 I moved from The Netherlands to the north of Sweden and have now made Scandinavia my new home. Although the northern countries in Scandinavia may not be at the top of your bucket list, they are all definitely worth a visit. Each country has its own…

  • Finland

    Things you just have to do when in Finland

    1. Go to a sauna and jump into the lake afterwards Finland and saunas belong together. I won’t have to tell you about saunas, however I will tell you about the proper Finnish way to do it. Going to a sauna that is. A question often asked is if you should wear bathing clothes or if you go naked. In Finland, going to a sauna is a thing you normally do with friends and family. So if you are with strangers, there are two options: either men and women take turns and go separately or you wear your bathing clothes… Before entering the sauna, take a shower. If you are going…

  • Finland,  we12inspire

    Outdoors Finland: 10 things to do in Saimaa

    Click here to go to the Dutch version of this post. At the end of August, I had the chance to visit Finland’s Saimaa region.  Saimaa is the biggest lake in Finland and also the fourth biggest natural freshwater lake in Europe. Surrounded by cities as Lappeenranta, Savonlinna and Mikkeli it’s not only a great place for some urban adventures but mostly it’s a perfect spot for various outdoor activities. Today I’m sharing my favorite things to do in Saimaa with you. 1. Go paddling You haven’t been to Finland if you haven’t been canoeing or kayaking. The Finns love their waters and can be found there for a large portion…