8 ways to appreciate finland

1. slow travel

Modern travel hurtles us through space from one time zone to the next and conventional tourism tends to emphasise a frenetic pace that diminishes the pleasure of the journey. If you want to get a true sense of place while you are here, slow down and take the time to discover authentic Finland.

Choose the most eco-friendly option to get to your destination. If you must travel by car, go small and look for a low-emission or hybrid vehicle. Finland’s rail system, VR, is an efficient, popular and environmentally- progressive mode of transport and is rated one of the best in Europe. It’s also a romantic way to journey longer distances and watch the scenery unfold such as the overnight train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. It is a breathtaking excursion from the southern tip of the country to Lapland where you can witness the magic of the Northern Lights between August and April and the Midnight Sun from May to August.

Wherever you intend to travel in Finland, explore your local surroundings on foot or by bike. All cities and most small towns have bikes for rent – Helsinki’s bike rental system is the most used by citizens in all of Europe! And because Finns are so connected to nature, there is almost certainly a trail system nearby where you can walk, cycle or run and ski in winter. Finland’s public transit is also reliable and a great way to get your bearings. In Helsinki, for instance, trams number 2 and 3 will take you on an inexpensive sightseeing tour of the city.

When travelling in coastal areas consider taking a local ferry to one of the myriad of small islands in the Finnish archipelago. There is even a 250 kilometre Archipelago Trail outside of Turku on the west coast of Finland where you can go island hopping all the way to the rocky outer islets. Cars are welcome but why not ride a bike? Island life has a pace all of its own and is best enjoyed if you can stay a while. Sleep in a charming wooden cabin by the sea and rent a kayak or canoe. Paddle amongst the islands where you might spot a seal or catch a fish, and soak in the beauty of the archipelago.

2. slow food

Finns have always been proud custodians of their own food and long before the slow food movement took hold they were promoting the benefits of eating wild, organic and locally produced foods. Reduce your environmental impact and go local during your stay and you will be in for a treat.

Finnish food culture has experienced something of renaissance of late, in tandem with the ascent of New Nordic cuisine. Traditional ingredients and recipes passed down over generations are turning up in many of the country’s best restaurants and it’s no wonder. Finnish food is delicious!

A short growing season combined with long hours of daylight produces an embarrassment of riches during the summer months. This unique Nordic climate also results in such an intensity of flavour and nutrient content that wild foods grown here are referred to as superfoods. Everyman’s Right in Finland allows anyone to forage freely and so go ahead and taste the fruits of the forest. But don’t stop there. Baltic herring, Arctic char, Leipäjuusto (cheese from Lapland) and Ruisleipä (rye bread) are just a few things on the Finnish menu to tempt your tastebuds.

If you are dining out, the options for eating sustainably are plentiful. Vegan, locally-sourced and even zero-waste options, such as restaurants LOOP and Nolla in Helsinki, are increasingly available. And if you want to pair local food with a beverage, no need to order French champagne. Finland is part of the growing Nordic producers of wine, craft beer and spirits. Arctic berry wine, unique beers using wild botanicals from Finnish nature like juniper berries and spruce, and gin made with 100% Finnish rye are all making their mark at home and abroad.

3. wild finland

The Finns’ sacred bond with nature is reflected in their national folk epic, The Kalevala, a collection of ancient poems and songs about the creation of the world. The saga features gods who are responsible for various elements in nature, such as Tapio, the god of the forest, and Ilmatar, the spirit of the air, and the stories themselves take place in an imaginary otherworld that bears resemblance to primeval Finland.

In a way, Finns have assumed the role of the Norse gods as protectors of the largely untouched wilderness they inhabit. More than seventy five percent of the country is covered in boreal forest. Finland is often referred to as the “Land of Thousand Lakes” when in fact there are 188,000, and the islands off the coast comprise the world’s largest archipelago. Finland is also home to some of the last freely flowing rivers in Europe, and the rivers and lakes total up to 10% of the country’s surface.

When you visit you will see that Finnish nature is not only big and beautiful but that it is well cared for. Approximately 10% of the total land area in the country is protected under the Nature Conservation and Wilderness Acts, but a reverence for nature has helped to keep all of the natural landscapes in pristine condition, from the forests and lakes, extending to the northern fells and outer archipelago.

There are 40 national parks scattered throughout the country where you are free to roam with the exception of some restricted areas – this right of pass is called “Everyman’s Rights”, Jokamiehen oikeudet. Contribute to the wellbeing of the natural environment by treading softly and leaving no human trace behind. Avoid loud noises and take care not to startle wildlife or trespass on their natural habitats.

You may be surprised to find that no matter where you go in the country, even in urban centres, nature is never far away. Wild forests thrive in the Finnish capital and Helsinki is situated in the midst of its own archipelago. Finns have designed their cities around and in harmony with nature which makes them more liveable and sustainable. Love the Finnish nature like a local and you will be rewarded in return with beauty and serenity.

4. local community

Sustainable travel means being open to other cultures and connecting with local communities and Finland is more culturally diverse than you might think. The country’s two official languages are Finnish and Swedish. Ethnic Finns make up the majority of the population while the Swedish-speaking minority represents just 5%, but the Swedish-Finns have long historical ties to the country, as do the indigenous Sami people in Lapland and the traditional Roma minority. More recent waves of immigration from countries as varied as Russia and Somalia have contributed to the country’s growing multiculturalism.

Even within ethnic communities there is diversity. The Karelians in Eastern Finland are are considered a cultural sub-group to the ethnic Finns and the Sami in Finland speak three languages: Northern Sami, Inari Sami and Skolt Sami. Dialect and geography also play a role in defining communities in Finland and you can expect to find both subtle and more substantial differences when traveling from one place to the next.

The important thing is to recognise the unique culture traditions in each community you encounter. Be respectful and also receptive to new things such as traditional foods, art and spirituality. You are here because you want to get to know Finland so try something a little different like pickled herring or taking your clothes off in a sauna and then jumping in an icy cold lake! Why not do some research before you come and impress someone with your knowledge of local history or a few words in Finnish, Swedish or one of the Sami languages? Don’t be afraid to ask questions – Finns love to help.

If you participate in the local culture, your stay will be all the more meaningful – just remember to ask permission and guidance from the locals themselves!

5. recycle

Once a year on August 28th, Helsinki and a few other cities around the country host a recyling festival called ‘Cleaning Day’ or Siivouspäivä. It is a city-wide flea market open to anyone who wants to set up a stall literally anywhere they wish and offer up second-hand items for sale. The festival operates from Helsinki but the aim is to spread the word, and the festival, all over the globe. The initiative is indicative of a wider trend towards a circular economy in Finland with less waste and a more sustainable lifestyle.

Finland’s deposit-refund program for plastic and glass bottles and metal can recycling has been highly effective for many years already with a return rate of over 90%. Other, more recent innovations have made Finland a leader in waste management. The country won the European Paper Recycling Award in 2015 for a spinning technique that produces garments and textiles from waste paper and the Finnish startup, Paptic, recently developed a method for manufacturing plastic bags with wood-based materials from sustainably-managed forests. Two other companies, ResQ Club and Lunchie are tackling food waste with apps that let people know when surplus restaurant food is about to be thrown out which can then be ordered and bought at a significant discount.

Make your own contribution to the health of your local surroundings and familiarise yourself with local recycling practices. Bring your own bags to the shops, buy only what you need, use environmentally-friendly products (not plastic) and let travelling light and wasting nothing be your ethos.

6. reduce

The Finnish lifestyle embraces minimalism and that means living with less. Ask your Finnish hosts for tips on how to reduce and even eliminate waste. If you are travelling without a local guide, rethink ways to lessen your footprint through common sense and observing local habits.

In summer, Finns empty out of the cities and head to the countryside. Most people have access to some kind of summer cottage or mökki, that, traditionally, are modest wooden cabins, often without indoor plumbing, running water or even electricity. Which is exactly the point! The cottage is a place to get away from it all and find beauty in simplicity and nature. No need for electronics when you are on holiday and the bright Nordic summers offer plenty of light. There is food for the taking in the Finnish nature, from forest berries to fish from the lakes and sea, and pleasure to discover in the rituals of bathing and washing in the wild.

You can travel sustainably in the towns and cities as well by unplugging and turning off all lights and appliances unless absolutely necessary.  In Finland, air coolers are not commonly used as they are seen as energy waste. Finns generally don’t use clothes dryers either, prefering to hang their laundry out to dry naturally. This practice not only saves energy but extends the lifespan of linens and clothes. Bathtubs are also uncommon. People here relax and cleanse in the sauna and use showers and water economically.

Bring your own bottle with you wherever you go – you can fill it with some of the world’s cleanest tap water! – and eat unpackaged, local foods. Seasonal outdoor markets are an essential part of Finnish life and overflow with the bounty of Finnish nature. You can sample smoked fish straight off the fishing boats in Helsinki Market Square and take away fresh produce for the open road.

7. Ethical shopping

Finland is a design-lovers’ mecca and an ideal place to shop locally and sustainably. Finnish design takes its inspiration from nature and is known for its timeless quality, simple elegance, and durability and is therefore an ethical investment rather than an impulse purchase.

From the iconic brands like Marimekko, Iittala and Artek to smaller independent designers, there is a strong tradition of designing and crafting beautiful objects with care. That includes ethically-sourced labour and materials, and an intention to create things that are functional and not superfluous.

Learn about Finland’s design heritage while you are here so that you can make informed decisions about anything you might want to take home. The Design Museum in Helsinki is an excellent place to start for a primer on the history of Finnish design. Finns use their design in everyday life and you will see it wherever you go, from Marimekko on the streets to Iittala glassware in restaurants and homes. Ask a local and they will be only too happy to tell you where a particular object came from and who designed it.

Because of the high quality of Finnish design, many treasures from the past have survived and there is a flourishing vintage and second-hand scene. Artek’s vintage collection can be found at Artek 2nd Cycle in Helsinki and you can follow the antique trail just about anywhere you go in the country. Flea markets are a popular way to shop for recycled design and a great way to contribute to the circular economy.

Pioneering clothing designers in Finland are also conscious of the need to combat fast, disposable fashion with unique, classic designs that will stand the test of time. When Samu-Jussi Koski, created his clothing line, Samuji, he designed a ‘complete wardrobe’ for women of just ten timeless pieces to reflect a philosophy of restrained consumerism. Ivana Helsinki’s quirky, nostalgic fashion does not follow trends either. She prefers to stand out as a ‘Northern Oddity’ and makes dresses and other accessories that are functional but also tell stories based on childhood memories and her love of travel and animals. She even has a collection called Animal Rights!

And it gets better! Helsinki Fashion Week 2018 marks the first ever 100% sustainable fashion week in the world, placing Finland at the forefront of sustainable design and a circular lifestyle.

So go ahead and shop when you are in Finland for quality design and souvenirs that you will love for years to come.

8. accommodation

Responsible travel includes finding an environmentally friendly place to stay and the options in Finland range from humble cottages to luxurious eco resorts and sleeping under the stars, so take your pick! At the heart of your choice should be nature. You can’t experience Finland from the inside of an air-conditioned hotel and so look for original, green options that will enhance your trip and bring you closer to discovering the essence of Finnish life.

The Nordic Swan is Finland’s national bird and also the symbol you should look for when searching for sustainable accommodation. The swan label has been given to nearly 100 hotels, restaurants and congress centers in Finland and guarantees they meet strict environmental standards. The global Green Key certification, awarded to 80 Finnish hotels by now, is also a guarantee for an environmentally friendly hotel stay.

But it is safe to say that you can travel pretty much anywhere in Finland and live and stay sustainably. Gorgeous bed and breakfast accommodations abound and simple, off the grid cottages are a great way to immerse yourself in Finnish nature. Rent a lakeside cabin or cottage by the sea or put up a tent and bath in the beautiful Nordic wilderness.

Living wild and free will awaken your senses and make you want to come back for more.