Finland is the country with the best relationship between us and nature in Europe and this is not a secret. Untouched forests, wild life, respect, integration with nature since the early years for a child’s life are some of the reasons why Finns have a very good deal with its nature.
Finnish culture is all about respecting Mother Earth, enjoy a good sweat and most important of all: learn to enjoy the silence.
The silence is so important to Finns that some of them choose to live in the most remote parts of the country only to pursue this almost Nirvana-like state. This summer, traveling alone through Finland, I learned how to truly enjoy the silence.
I’m going to tell you all about this magical experience so you can know a lot about this wonderful country and find you very own list of things to do in Finland.
The perfect spot in Finland
Like I said earlier, Finland’s nature is amazing and the energy and peace you can find in just hiking or rowing a boat or just staring at the never ending sun is inexplicable.
Mikkeli is the region of the great lakes and the place where I chose to spend my magical Juhannus. The city and its surroundings is full of beautiful rock mountains, lakes, ponds, forests, elks, foxes, their spacial kind of seal (Nerpa), lynx and more.
I spent, after Juhannus, 3 whole days alone in the most adorable cottage by the lake in the region of Riistina. The place is called Raijan Aitta.
Raijan Aitta is an adorable farm that grows different berries, a place where they produce fantastic linen products and a rental place for you to spend the summer alone or with friends during summer or winter.
The perfect weather in Mikkeli
When I was in Mikkeli, for the first half of my stay it was pretty much raining. I could smell the wet grass and leaves, I could fell the ground sucking in the water and I could see by my window the greatest view of lake Saarijärvi being fed and the sun shining shyly behind the clouds in the sky.
After a few hours, I went outside by the deck, stared at the pier and thought to myself: How lucky are we to live in this world?
Cheesy? Maybe! Unique? For sure.
It was one of the most calm, peaceful and memorable days of my humble existence.
The perfect view
The most important lesson Finland thought me during this Finland Tour was to be comfortable in my own skin.
I was there alone and I had time to hear my thoughts and get used to it. I thought about all my life, where I was, where I wanted to be and how to get there. I re-thought some aspects of my life and found new ways to solve problems, I found flaws and fixed them, I stared at the view and it calmed me down. The silence calmed me.
I think that’s why I enjoy this country so damn much, you know? And why I strongly suggest everybody to travel to Finland and spend at least a week there. Finland has its ways of wining you that no other country has. Finland has this irresistible silence that gets tattooed on you.
Things to do in Finland
Besides entering on this self-discover journey, I want to let you know that Finland can be country full of parties, nature activities, fine dining and more. I personally believe that everyone should experience at least one side of this amazing culture of self understanding.
You can choose to test your limits with naked sauna and ice swimming, you can test your strength with their love for hiking, canoeing or camping or you can choose to just sit back in a little cottage in the middle of the forest and emerge yourself into your own thoughts.
Does not matter the path you pick, Finland will never stop being a surprise for you.
Raijan Aitta in Mikelli
If you want to experience the same magical and unique experience I had, please book your stay at Raijan Aitta now and mention us when you arrive there. They have cottages for up to 6 people, but even if you’re a solo traveler you’ll have fun.
Fotostrasse went to Mikkeli thanks to Finnair, Visit Finland, Onnibus and Visit Mikkeli and it was fantastic.