Exploring “Polar Dreams” in Lapland, Finland
Proudly epitomising a cosmopolitan capital that caters to a variety of tastes, Helsinki — the gateway to your Finnish adventure — charms with its friendly populace and remarkable cleanliness. Known fondly as Europe’s cleanest city, walking down the city’s chic Esplanade feels fresh and graffiti-free. The city wholeheartedly welcomes you with an array of trendy cafes and boutiques lining the heated sidewalks.
Helsinki impressively wears an aura of cultured sophistication, boasting seven symphonic orchestras, an opera house, along with a library nestled at each corner. Finns have perennially had an infectious passion for design, with their unique and cutting-edge style leaving indelible marks across the globe.
I had the honour of receiving a personalized city tour from Irene, a local guide whose fervour for her city is nothing short of palpable. Here, amidst 560,000 inhabitants, an interesting fact emerges: 43% of them are single! The demographic provides an intriguing canvas for innovative AFS trips. Finland’s geographical statistics are equally fascinating — the country consists of 10% water, with its landscape dotted with 187,000 lakes and 584 islands.
A leading global high-tech hub, Finland is home to people with an unsatiated appetite for innovation. Angling towards a smarter future, Finns leverage their Nokia Imaging cell phones for everyday tasks — be it procuring a tram ticket, settling a parking fine, or pre-programming their home lights to switch on just as they’re about to arrive.
Defined by a unique quintessence of extreme cold and warmth, Finland can rightfully claim the title of the “sauna world”. Every house is comfortably equipped with an electric sauna, counting up to over 2 million in total, some of which are even hospitable within restaurants. One notable mention is the Cafe Tin Tango, a multifunctional local favourite where laundry services, food, beer, and sauna spaces coexist, all while engaging in stimulating conversations on global issues with fellow locals.
As the city unwinds under the starry sky, Helsinki effortlessly transitions into a social haven teeming with clubs offering an alluring medley of peculiar Nordic oddities — from “gay karaoke” to sauna and ice bars.
Taking the narrative northwards, a memorable 600-mile journey aboard the Polar Express brings you to Roveniemi, the entrancing gateway to Lapland. Here, be prepared to be swept off your feet as locals participate in unusual activities like cycling in the snow, swimming in ice holes, and even attending picnics in the midst of freezing conditions.
Shifting highlights to our cozy wilderness lodge check-in, a group of 22 tour operators, including myself, from all around the globe were treated to a surreal rustic dining experience that had glow fried salmon, wild mushroom soup, and blackberry mousse on the menu, all prepared over the lodge’s open hearth.
Embracing a day in the life of a Laplander had us attired top-to-toe in Gortex artic suits, indulging in a snowmobile safari that took us through the virgin forests, across serene lakes, and reaching thrilling speeds of 50mph. Time spent visiting a husky farm with 200 exuberant dogs and engaging in a dog sledding adventure was nothing shy of captivating.
Our restful samplings of local cuisine, fluctuating between savory sautéed reindeer and sweets like cranberry ice cream, took place against the backdrop of an idyllic farmhouse. This gastronomic pause was followed by a snowmobile ride into a snow-blanketed paradise and crossing the Arctic Circle, the most northern point of all our travels.
Venturing into cultural discovery, we learned how the indigenous Sami people have preserved their semi-nomadic lifestyle, with reindeer husbandry functioning as the staple livelihood, underlining their profound love for this icy paradise.
Even though sunshine is a fleeting luxury in this part of the world, it does nothing to quell the spirit of adventure. The following days were spent exploring log cabins, touring Europe’s largest working amethyst mine, and paying visits to notable venues like Santa Claus Village.
Our surreal journey ended at Helsinki’s contemporary travel trade show where I deepened my knowledge about this enchanting land that outdid my every expectation.
As much as I yearned for more — yearned to overnight in Kemi’s Ice Hotel, partake in riding the Sampo Ice Breaker, or challenge myself to swim the Baltic Sea in a floating survival suit, I departed Finland with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. This place offered me a taste of a Lappish adventure, and the radiant glow of the northern lights, bidding a farewell with promise for good luck. Finland’s winter warmth had imbibed in me an insatiable desire to return, perhaps next time, under the midnight sun.
