Finland Vacations

Finnish culture is similar to neighbouring Nordic countries, yet stands apart from Scandinavia and the rest of Europe. Finnish people can seem reserved at first, but it doesn't mean that they're cold. Finns are considered good listeners, so interrupting is seen as impolite. However, it's not common to strike up conversation with strangers on the street.

An essential part Finland's one-of-a-kind culture revolves around saunas. Stripping off your clothes and sweating with friends might seem strange to outsiders, but saunas play a role in business and social interactions alike. The time spent in the sauna is up to your tolerance level, and can be followed up with a dip in the lake or roll in the snow. Be sure to drink plenty of water afterward, as you'll be sweating a lot!

Egalitarianism is paramount to Finnish culture. As a European leader in gender equality, men and women participate equally in all parts of Finnish society. A strong belief in the social welfare system helps reinforce this equality. 

Finland is a place of contrast. In June, the skies stay bright all night with very few hours of actual darkness. In December, the country plunges into darkness, illuminated by the dancing colours of the Northern Lights.  

Finnish summers are a time for celebration. Most cultural events and festivals occur during this time, with lots of sunshine and warm to hot weather. The country comes alive during Vappu, a countrywide celebration during the first day of summer.

Winter is a great time to explore Finland's snowy landscapes, hit the ski slopes, and warm up in the sauna. Snow begins to fall in November and can last until May. February-March are better for winter exploration as they have more daylight than December-January.

Fall brings crisper temperatures but leaves turn beautiful hues of red, orange, and gold. Spring varies, and can see snowstorms in the north while wildflowers begin to spread throughout the south.

Fall and spring are the best times to see the Northern Lights. However, in Lapland, the lights shine about every other clear night between September and March. Your best chances of seeing the Northern Lights are on clear starry nights, so keep an eye on the skies and watch the show! 

Contrary to popular belief, Finland is technically not a part of Scandinavia. Finland is among the "Nordic countries" but few Finns care to make the distinction.

Finnish is spoken by the majority of the population, but Finland is actually a bilingual country. A Swedish-speaking minority makes up 5% of the population, so maps often bear both Finnish and Swedish names. You can also hear Sami languages spoken across Lapland in the north. 

Due to their proximity, Sweden and Russia have had considerable influence on Finnish cuisine. Traditional Finnish cuisine revolves around potatoes, fish, pork, milk, butter, and rye bread. Nowadays, contemporary creations and traditional styles fuse together in Finnish kitchens, making dining out a fashionable yet comforting affair.

Fresh and local ingredients sourced directly from fields and waters are highly valued. Berries are an important staple of Finnish food culture, either eaten fresh in the summer or preserved into jams for the winter months. Fish, caught fresh from the chilly waters of the Baltic Sea, makes an appearance in many Finnish dishes. Smoked fish is a specialty of the archipelago, but there are plenty of tasty bites like pickled Baltic herring, or kalakukko, a sort of fish pie. Towards the end of summer, try rapu, a boiled crayfish flavoured with dill that's popular during the season.

While Finnish coffee might not have any particular traditions, Finns are the world's largest consumers of coffee per capita. The average Finn drinks four cups per day. Do as the Finns do and pair your coffee break with korvapuusti, a Finnish cinnamon roll, or pulla, a cardamom-flavoured bread. Yet, this is not Finland's national drink — milk takes that honour, and it's sometimes served curdled!