Valentinas Travels

Yeees, I know, I've already written several posts about Finland ( here and here  :-) ), one of the countries that I absolutely love the most. But how could I not share some of the newest highlights with you?  So here is a little report about my latest trip to Finland earlier this year. I spent a few days in the capital, Helsinki, before I met two friends with  whom I traveled to Lapland. We enjoyed a week full of highlights - and winter at its fullest.  Cold days, warm heart When I landed in Helsinki, it was freezing cold, dark and snowing. Quite a rude welcoming. But the next morning, the sun came out and I had a lovely (still cold though!) walk in the city. Off course with a lot of cinnamon buns and coffee during the warm-up breaks! :-)  Walking on (frozen) water  Another highlight was a walk on the frozen Lake Töölö. I love this area just a bit outside of town, with its old villas and the beautiful views!  A dip in the ocean I wasn't sure if I woul...

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.  ----------------------------------------------------------- As if it was our ritual, Helsinki greeted me with rain. But th...

Finland... Already when I think about it, I get quite nostalgic and strangely also a bit homesick. Two years ago, I did an exchange semester in Mikkeli, in the south of Finland, and fell in love with this country. I don't know what it is, but Finland has something that just makes me happy. That's why from time to time I get the feeling that I just have to go back.  So I did last week. Read about my 4 day-trip to Mikkeli and Helsinki here.  Warning: If you don't like nostalgic posts then you better just look at the pictures! :-)  Day 1: Arrival in Helsinki and bus ride to Mikkeli One of the few good reasons to get up at 4 o clock in the morning is travelling. I took the plane at 7 in the morning and after a short stop in Amsterdam,  I landed in Helsinki with a big smile on my face. It already felt like home when I came out of the small airport, when I saw the finnish and swedish signs at the bus stop and when the bus driver said "Terve!" to me  (I haven'...