In Lapland, the Torne River divides (or in the winter, unites) Finland and Sweden. The villages of Kukkola lay on both sides of the Tome River: Kukkola, Finland and Kukkolaforsen, Sweden. Our travel schedules are often so hectic, that we were more than thrilled to spend a relaxing day getting to know the quiet little […]
Suomenlinna: Castle of Finland
Located at the entrance to Helsinki’s harbor, Suomenlinna was built in the second half of the 18th century by Sweden for the purpose of serving as the main base of Sweden’s armed forces that were stationed in Finland. Suomenlinna was originally named Sveaborg, its Swedish name, and changed names to Viapori when Russia occupied it […]
Six Tips for Planning a Baseball Road Trip
Do you enjoy America’s favorite past-time? Have you ever wanted to visit a few ball parks and take in the atmosphere of each club? I did and planned a baseball road trip with a buddy a few years back. Jen and I were living in Phoenix, Arizona at the time, so my buddy and I […]
Foodie in Finland
Local fish and game play a prominent – and delicious – role in Lappish cuisine. Lappish cuisine features many unique ingredients found only in the sparkling clear waters, the forests, and the bogs of the north. Lappish cuisine lives according to the season and is very much based on the natural resources available. Many traditional […]
Wine Wednesday: Malbec World Day
Happy Malbec World Day to one of my very favorite red wines! Malbec is one of the “big six” of grape varieties and actually originated in the Bordeaux region of France. Though in Europe, Malbec is generally used as a blending grape and takes a backseat to other grapes. Quite the opposite on the other […]
Oulu Market Hall at Market Square
Oulu Market Hall has been an important part of the Market Square for over 100 years. Located at the sea front, the Market Square has and continues to be a popular meeting place for locals. The famous Market Square Policeman statue, erected in honor of the policeman that once patrolled the square and kept order, […]
Up Close with Arctic Animals at Ranua Wildlife Park
Arctic animals are ones many of us will never see in the wild in our lifetimes. My very first experience with Arctic animals was at Ranua Wildlife Park in Arctic Finland. I first visited in December 2011 during Finland’s Polar night, when the sun just barely rises above the horizon. Winter at Ranua Wildlife Park […]
Snowmobile Safari to the Sampo Icebreaker
Finland is the only country in the world in which all of its sea ports freeze in the winter time. Keeping those sea ports operational in wintertime is essential to Finland’s import and export industry. Icebreakers take on this task, plowing channels for ships to traverse the Baltic Sea, even in the coldest winters. The […]
The Bare Facts about Finnish Sauna
What would you say to this proposition? You’re invited to go to a little wooden room that is heated to nearly 100°C and get naked with the rest of your group, where you will sit sweating our your impurities, cooling off occasionally with a roll in the snow or dip in a frozen lake (while […]
Wine Wednesday: Finnish Wine
Traditionally Finns are not wine drinkers; they prefer beer with a family meal or they drink Vodka (supposedly about 1 liter per person per week!). Perhaps the un-enthusiasm for wine has to do with political reasons. In Finland the company Alko Oy has a monopoly over beer, wine, and spirits. Beer and spirits can be […]
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