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Who else has Finland on their ‘I gotta go List?’ You are not alone. That 8 hour and 45-minute trek from New York is more like a New York minute when in the air! I know that I have already experienced a bit of Finnish culture in my life, I’ll share more in a few minutes.
The incredibly interactive adventures that I am sharing in Finland span from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Use this simple guide to facilitate your own ‘go-to’ adventure list and read more about Finland to find more to do! Truly there are interactive adventures in Finland year-round. You need to decide what adventures to enjoy and then plan around that season!
Finland is not just a winter destination, it’s a year-round adventure-lovers paradise. While the temperatures may not be what you are expecting during any particular season, the warmth of the locals is what makes the destination even more endearing.
It’s time to check out 7 incredibly interactive adventures in Finland to experience! Button up, find your favorite outwear and let’s go!
7 Incredibly Interactive Adventures In Finland To Experience
Winter In Finland
First and foremost you need to know a little about Finland and about Lapland. This will make a difference in your understanding of where you are headed and what you are about to experience.
Did you know that winter length in Finland varies and can be anywhere from 3 to 7 months, depending on the region you are in?
Winter is no more dismal there than here. However, the fantastic temperatures, allow for a lot more fun as the opportunities to enjoy the snow and all the activities surrounding the snow-covered grounds truly glisten there.
Do note that July is generally the warmest season in Finland and overall taps out at 70° F. The other months are all well below 60°F and to be honest, the further north you travel the colder it gets. Be your own barometer and know how far you want your temperature to fall, lol! Consider the Northeasterly winds as the leading contributor to cool in that area!
For those outdoor enthusiasts that want enough daylight to enjoy the surroundings and plenty of playtime in the winter, choose February or March! The outdoor activities enjoy the daylight you see and the activities you crave including dog sledding.
The City of Rovaniemi
Sadly, this past year, I was invited to toss my hat in the mix for a trip to Rovaniemi is a city, municipality and the administrative capital that is known as Finland’s northernmost province, Lapland. Obviously, starting the sentence with sadly, you know I was not chosen.
While I got way beyond that, I also started to really read up on the area. There’s so much to know and understand about Lapland. I’ve learned that there is a theory that Lapland is not real all I can say to that one is ‘leave it to the Brits’ to challenge, lol!
Lapland
Lapland offers mild summers and really chilly and snow-filled winters. The snow season ranges about 32 weeks of snow starting in October and curtailing itself around the earlier part of May! Can you take that much winter? If you are just visiting sure you can!
Another point to share is that Lapland is not just in Finland. It’s in Norway, Sweden, and Russia too. Lapland is a Region.
Interactive Adventures In Finland – Santa’s Magic Arctic Circle (1)
Now you will understand why I was discussing Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland. In fact, it is the OFFICIAL HOMETOWN of Santa Claus! You can totally experience a visit to his hometown and the arctic circle.
“The Arctic Circle is a circle of latitude that runs 66°33′45.9″ north of the Equator. It marks the southernmost latitude where the sun can stay continuously below or above the horizon for 24 hours – these phenomena are known as the Midnight Sun in the summer and the Polar Night (“Kaamos”) in the winter.” *
You can visit Santa every day of the year here, so make sure to stop! I’m sure you have wishes you want to whisper in his ear! Don’t you? We never are too old for Santa.
Reindeer Fun for an Interactive Adventure in Finland (2)
When in Finland, don’t miss the chance to visit a local reindeer farm. Yes, that is a thing! There are reindeer farms in forests that surround Inari. So many reindeer reside here, it is simply not possible to miss seeing some!
The guide that will lead you around is known as a ‘reindeer herder’ and wait until he/she blows their magical whistle. You won’t believe what will happen.
Try out Christmas House Safari’s reindeer farm in Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland. Here you can take a reindeer safari on the farm, which is about 7 miles from the Santa Claus village!
Take part in an Interactive Adventure in Finland of a Traditional Sauna and Snow Rolling Moment (3)
The sauna, a very integral part of Finnish culture. Whether you are heating up or cooling down, it is a part of the culture. For those with trips planned during snowy seasons, you will get to take a sauna steam time and begin to sweat.
When you begin to feel too warm it’s traditional to jump into the frigid lake, or a swimming pool to cool down. However, and as aforementioned we have done something similar already in the USA, you can plunge into the snow. We did! Make snow angels and you won’t feel how cold the snow is against your body, lol!
Alternatively, you can hop in a blanket and roll down a hill you are close to, and all count as a sauna and snow roll moment. Enjoy that.
Join the locals to Forage for berries and Mushrooms In The Helsinki Region (4)
Since I am a traveling gourmand foraging for mushrooms and berries is definitely big on my list, albeit, the timing does not quite coincide well with a few other chosen ‘winter-type’ activities. Who cares, that’s just a matter of where I am in the Finland region right?
Travel up to the upper Helsinki region, Eastwardly and you are about to experience great fun when picking berries and mushrooms. This truly is an interactive adventure in Finland. You get to meet the locals and join in picking fresh mushrooms and berries by the forest. Your destination here is Nuuksio National Park.
Berry types vary but may be cloudberries, bilberries or something of the like. It’s your chance to get close to nature and learn. Berry season in this region is in Mid-July. Forests are treasures to the Finnish so respect the areas, and give int to superfoods that you may not have previously considered!
Mushroom Seeking in Finland
I do want to mention unless you know your mushrooms, don’t go at this alone. During the mushroom season, there are specific tour operators who will take you and pick alongside you. Additionally, you don’t want to get lost in these dense forests. Stay in groups, eat nothing, and ask questions! Most of all have fun!
In the Lapland region, the infamous, toxic mushrooms, false morels are plentiful in May. However, once boiled 2x they are able to be eaten. OF course, there are the Chanterelles, found around the time of October.
That’s just the beginning, there are brittle gills, Boletes, milk caps, and Funnel chanterelles. You see, it’s a plethora of selection and there’s so much to enjoy just being outside!
Magical Northern Lights – Interactive Adventures in Finland (5)
Topping my list, no matter when I write and rewrite it are the Magical Northern Lights. I can not wait to see, experience and then attempt to describe the magic of the moment.
Finland is home to magical wonders and the lights of the night that grace the sky are another part of the magic, not just Santa! Almost anyone I talk to speaks of the Northern Lights but very few have seen them!
The interactive adventure I want to experience is cross-country skiing in the middle of the night. Why? Because the Northern Lights will serve as my guide and that’s not a myth or mystery it’s the truth. Talk about an epic adventure, that’s totally lit, this is it!
Traveling Gourmand Meets Finnish Food – Interactive Adventure in Finland called Eating! (6)
Traveling from the USA to Finland deserves to be celebrated with good foods and good drinks! For anyone that loves culinary experiences, you will not be disappointed. Finns delight in healthy cuisine. I am a healthy lifestyle eater and understand there are plenty of healthy offers. Further, when in Finland, do I really care what lifestyle I generally dine on? To be honest, NO!
The foodie culture of Finland awaits my belly and I am taking it on! Culinary delights range from tasty light fish dishes to all-out gourmet meals. For snacking, I anticipate dining on Rye Bread, known as Ruisleipa.
I’ll be getting my carbs on, lol and really don’t care! The Finnish yeast is dark and it creates a different Rye Bread experience, more dense and tasty! The bread base is more of a sourdough base than a rye standard. It truly will be interesting.
As a gal that can’t stay away from cheese the Leipajuusto which is bread cheese will be with me every step of my trip! Platters of salmon, after all, there are some of the freshest, cleanest salmon fishing areas in Finland. For a side dish, I’ve heard of some delicious New potatoes with just a slight of butter, dashed with both dill and salt. AMEN!
Finally, for my sweet tooth, which I too have, Salmiakki. It’s salty licorice and apparently Finns all love it. My alternate choice is the Fazer Blue Chocolate, which can’t be found anywhere else so my gf told me!
A Snow Castle Fit For A Princess -Interactive Adventure in Finland (7)
Winter in Finland is exciting! You must have heard about the Snow Castle, and you need to experience this yourself! The Snow Castle in Kemi is where I am going. I don’t care if I freeze my tushie off or have to travel to the ladies’ room 100+ times due to the chill factor. I’ve been called ‘icy’ before so let me own my throne and tiara. I’m in!
In fact, did you know that the Kemi Snow Castle attracts thousands of tourists yearly? Kemi is a small coastal town in Finland and it’s on the map in most tourists’ minds because of this castle.
Lodging at A SnowHotel – My Icy Dream Come True
To complete my adventures through Finland, I must stay at the SnowHotel. You are getting that I probably will be visiting during the winter season right? With a room of every size for everyone, you would be hard-pressed to not be able to find one you like. Ranging from standard to family-size rooms, it’s time to go be chill together!
There is actual electric lighting and the bed is outfitted with mattresses and reindeer hides. What you will have is an ‘ice’ bed frame, oh so cool, sorry I could not help myself. Truly, I can’t think of a better way to top out a trip to Finland than staying here and enjoying the true feel and ambiance of the famed weather results.
Interactive Adventures in Finland Are Bountiful
Now that you have read this, you can see that these are just ‘de-icing’ the surface of fabulous adventures throughout Finland. I can’t wait to go and share my experiences with you. What are you waiting for? Truly, interactive adventures are a great way to really experience a destination. Finland has it, and it’s waiting for you! ~ Dana XO
*Source > https://santaclausvillage.info/arctic-circle-rovaniemi-finland/