Lapland is calling

Reindeer sledging in Santa Claus village in Rovaniemi

Snow is by now covering the ground in Lapland and the lakes are getting frozen. Northern Lights can be seen since August already, and the reindeers are wearing their winter colors. There is no doubt: winter is here! Almost as big as South Korea, Lapland counts less than two inhabitants per square kilometers. You have more chance to see reindeers that humans. The region is fascinating. It is a preserved wilderness kingdom where local people, the Sami (Saami in Finnish), are still living with their traditions eventhough they use modern technologies and electricity. In Lapland, you will find many places where to practice sports like skiing, Alpine or cross-country, snowmobile, ice skating, ice fishing and so on. Reindeer or dog sledging are also experiences that are worth to be done at least once in a life time. But you can also enjoy the silence and the beauty of nature, listening to the wood cracking in the fireplace or to relax in a warm sauna. Northern Lights are undoubtably the most amazing observable natural phenomenon.

Now, it's time to plan your winter trip! VR is currently offering discount tickets on their sleeping cars in the night trains. Book your trip before November 25th and travel from November 28th to March 28th 2014. Prices start at 49€ per person or 59€ if you want a shower. As you can see on the price list under, if you have a Veturi account (customer loyalty program), you will save 10 extra Euros. All what you need to get an account is to have a permanent address in Finland. It is free of charge. Have a nice holiday!

Click on the image to enlarge

Link to the offer

It can be stormy in Finland

Storm over Suomenlinna

Last night, the terrible storm which devastated the UK was awaited in Finland. But luckily the wind speed decreased dramatically, and when it reached the Southern coasts, the speed was even not at the storm level. Nevertheless, some houses on the Southern and Westsouthern coasts were without power as the wind caused some power outages. The wind calmed down around midday but is blowing again in the evening. It should come to normal level during the night.

As Finland is a forest country, it is important for every people to check the forecast and avoid all unnecessary travel as trees might fall. Also, it is advised to don't stay too close from the sea side. A powerful wave can catch a person and drag it offshore. If you are planning to travel by plane or by boat, check with the travel company or agency if the conditions are acceptable for the trip. As an example, when the waves are higher that one meter, the fastest boats operating between Helsinki and Tallinn are not leaving the harbor.

You can check the weather forecast on Foreca or FMI

The subway in Helsinki is metamorphosing

The orange subway of Helsinki

Helsinki is the only city in Finland having a subway which is the most northernly network in the world, and probably also one of the simpliest. Open since 1982, it connects Ruoholahti to Itäkeskus from the main line before to spilt in to two branches to Mellunmäki (North East) and Vuosaari (South East). Long of 22.1km with 16 stations, the train is underground during only 6.5km. It also crosses a couple of bridges. Over 50 million passenger journeys are recorded each year.

During the trip, passengers can enjoy the free wifi connection which is excellent, even when the train is underground and crowed.

Map of the subway in Helsinki and its extention to Espoo in 2015

In 2015, if everything goes as planned, the subway will be extended from Ruoholahti (the current end station) to Matinkylä in Espoo. It requires to build 8 new station and two underground water crossings. The budget allocated for the extention is of 500 m€.

Automatic doors are already installed in Vuosaari

The old manual trains will be soon replaced by automatic ones. In the meantime, stations are little by little equiped with automatic doors like in Vuosaari on the picture above. The subways will be controlled from a central room in Herttoniemi. The driverless system is expected to be operational already next year.

If you ask people from Helsinki if it is worth visiting the Eastern part of the city, most of them will respond negatively. The most frequent comments are: "there is nothing to see", "it's full of foreigners", "it's ugly", "too many alcoholics". Don't listen to them! Finland is one of the safest countries in the world and you will be very unlucky if something bad happens to you. The best way to have an opinion about Eastern Helsinki is to take the subway and visit the suburban areas. Personally I like to chill in the parks in Herttoniemi, shop in Itäkeskus, walked in the forest in Vuosaari or go to its huge beach. The architecture is not too bad and people are not more rude than in the center. There are always some weird people but nothing unusual.

New decoration at Kamppi subway station

Concerning the subway stations, let's be honest, they are not pretty. Most of them are still looking like in 1982 and there is nothing special about them. Nevertheless, the station in Kamppi has been recently decorated with cristals in the ceiling, pointing at cities in the world. Another station that worth a visit is Kaisaniemi. Take the exit on Yliopistonkatu. The walls are primitive as well as the paintings. You feel like crossing the cave of a caveman.

Jenni Vartiainen, the princess of pop music

Jenni Vartiainen at Radio Aalto concerts in Helsinki 2011

Janni Vartiainen is a 31 years old singer from Kuopio who is one of the most successful singers in the country. She has sold over 260.000 records and is part of the 70 best-selling recording artists in Finland. Before becoming a singer, young Jenni was a figure skater. She became famous in 2002 when she won Popstar, a talent show with three other singers. Together, they were performing under the name "Gimmel". The band was successful but broke up in 2004. Three years later, Jenni released her first album solo "Ihmisten edessä" which was a success. The second album was even more successful and was the best Finnish album 2010. After a scene break of two years, Jenni finally released her third album "Terra" at the beginning of October 2013, two months after the single "Junat ja naiset". Jenni's music is a combinaison of ballads and pop with a little bit of nostalgy. Her concerts are so appreciated that it is challenging to get a ticket. The tour 2013/2014 is still not announced. Stay tuned and maybe you'll have a chance to see her live. She is amazing and know how to interact with the audience.

Her best-known hit:

New single:

Website (only in Finnish)

Carnival of lights at the amusement park

Magic lights 

Every year mid-October, the amusement park Linnanmäki in Helsinki is having its carnival of lights where most of the machines are decorated with lights. In 2014, the illuminations are visible from October 11th to 19th until 10pm. The entry to the park is free. You only pay if you go for a ride or visit Sea Life, the aquarium.

Baltic Herring Fair

Until this Sunday, visitors can visit the Baltic Herring Fair (272nd edition of the oldest traditional event in Helsinki) along the Southern harbor in the capital city. Finnish people are the 3rd biggest fish consumers in Europe with 15kg per capita. One third of the fishes are domestic. The country counts about 800 professionals and about 1.500 people are engaged in fishing as a second occupation.

The Crazy Days are back at Stockmann!

Yellow is the color of the Crazy Days

It is probably one of the most awaited events of the year. In Spring and in Autumn, Stockmann the biggest department store of the Nordic countries is having its Crazy Days where many items are on sale. The whole story is decorated in yellow, and people are walking with yellow bags in the city center. For a foreigner, it can be very surprising. It almost looks like a virus spreading. And the temptation to enter the "temple" is huge. Inside, it looks like an anthill. People become crazy, buying like if there will be a war, taking the items from the hands of other customers. In the food department, daily offers on rare meats such has reindeer, moose or horse are a temptation for all gourmets. But also the great assortment of organic vegetables, freshly baked breads, exclusive coffees and teas or simply great deals of 5 packages of chocolate or sweets for a couple of Euros. Everything is on sale, from underwear to washing machines, from cars to shoes.

Finnair flights for the Autumn 2013

Every day, new offers are on sale until it is sold out. And depending on the items, you better go early! It is the case especially for the Finnair flights. People are already queuing at 7 in the morning in the hope of getting a queue number at 8am. Don't even think of cutting the line! If you are late, it's your fault.

The Crazy Day start on Wedneday October 9th to Sunday October 13th in all the shops in Finland. Will you get the yellow fever?

Daily offers during the Crazy Days (online catalogue)

Cheap lunch at Marian

Marian in Leppävaara (Espoo) next to the Sello library

It is not always easy to find a cheap place for lunch in Helsinki metropolitan area. Most of the restaurants have buffets or selected meals for about 8 to 15€. The confectionary Marian (15 shops in the whole region) offers the soup of the day with bread, water and coffee for only 6.90€. The shop is also selling delicious bakeries, cakes, cookies, pastries and breads that you can eat on the spot or take away.

Website of Marian Konditoria (only in Finnish)