Islands and forests - a perfect short trip to Finland

There are places you just have to go back to all the time. As if they are calling for you. That's what happens to me with Finland. And in order to respond to this call, last week I travelled to the far north for a few days. Once again I was enthusiastic about Helsinki, Finland's capital, as well as the wonderful surroundings with the vast forests and lakes. Each time I feel more at home, discover a thousand new things and enjoy the things that must always be (among others the wonderful "Korvapuusti", the cinnamon buns).

As I have already reported in detail about Finland before (-->Link), I will keep as short as possible this time (quite a challenge, given my enthusiasm! :-) ) and report about two experiences that I particularly liked - the trip to the island of Pihlajasaari and the trip to the highest mountain of South Savo.

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As if it was our ritual, Helsinki greeted me with rain. But this didn't bother me much, because I had a perfect excuse to drink coffee and eat cinnamon bus ("Korvapuusti" in finnish). Helsinki was as always - simply wonderful!

Because I already knew most of the tourist attractions, I decided to follow the locals and explore one of the thousand islands in the Helsinki archipelago. I took the ferry to the island of Pihlajasaari, only 20 minutes away from Helsinki by boat and about 26 hectars big. This island is well known by locals and a popular outdoor recreation area in summer (--> Link).

Skyline of Helsinki

Already from the ship I could see the cute, coloured bath houses and the sandy beach. Who would have expected such a thing, only 3 km away from the rumbling city centre? Was that really Finland, land of forests, reindeers and Santa Claus? :-)

I enjoyed the afternoon on the island very much, explored the island, relaxed while looking over the sea and observing the hustle & bustle on the sea and listening to the sound of the sea and the seagulls. What a great experience!

Beautiful old villa

The restaurant with a perfect view

The sauna

Now I make a big jump and move a few hundred kilometres northeast, near Mikkeli. I was lucky to meet some of my colleagues there with whom I had studied 4 years ago in Mikkeli. We spontaneously made a trip to Neitvuori, the highest mountain of the region South Savo (--> Link). Well, for me as a Swiss woman it is a bit funny to call an elevation of 184 m.a.s.l. a mountain, but with the fantastic view up there we leave it that way.

The area around Neitvuori is absolutely wonderful and picture-book-Finland - forestwherever you look. Blueberries, cloudberries, mushrooms. And then on the top this stunning view over more forests and lakes. I fell in love with Finland again.

What a wonderful trip to Finland again! And now that I'm home just some days, I hear it calling already again... See you sooooon!!

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