Lovely Lapland
Summer in Lapland, Finland, is full of light.
Stunning nature, mystical atmosphere and fascinating Sámi culture – Lapland is beyond.
Lapland is located in northern Europe, in the northern part of my home country, Finland.
Lapland is a perfect place for a relaxing holiday all year round. In the wintertime, there are possibilities for skiing, cross-country skiing, husky safaris and watching the northern lights, to mention a few activities.
In the summertime, you can enjoy the nightless nights when the sun doesn´t go down at all, and in autumn you can hike in nature and enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage.
For me, this summer holiday in Lapland was all about enjoying nature, chilling and reading books, and spending quality time together with friends. And of course relaxing at the sauna as often as possible, at least once, or even twice a day.
Fresh air and long walks.
Even I am born in Finland, Lapland and its rich culture is still an enchanting mystery to me, and I am eager to discover it even more in the future.
In Finland, I have spent most of my life between the southern cities, Helsinki and Hanko. I have visited Lapland only twice before, in Kuusamo and in Äkäslompolo.
This time I spent my time mostly in Inari, Ivalo and Utsjoki, where the nature and atmosphere are very different than in other places I have visited in Lapland. The further north we drove, the more magical it all got.
Romantic boat trip in Lake Inari.
A beautiful village called Nellim.
After Nellim, we drove to the northernmost municipality of Finland, Utsjoki. The route from Ivalo to Inari and then to Utsjoki was unbelievably beautiful. The road went between Kaloaivi Wilderness Area, the largest wilderness reserve in Finland, and Kevo Strict Nature Reserve. Literally, we were there only people driving the road. The was no one else, except maybe some reindeers, bears and wolves.
Mantojärvi in Utsjoki.
From Utsjoki we drove 148 kilometers to Karigasniemi. The road goes next toTenojoki, which runs between Finland and Norway.
Stunning view from Tenojoki, Finland, to Norway.
I had luck to take a helicopter ride for the first time in my life. Loooved it!
The view over Lake Inari from the helicopter.
Little hike on the peak of the Kaunispää fell in Saariselkä.
Enjoying dinner and the sunset in Star Arctic Hotel Saariselkä.
Stayed my holiday at the cozy Wilderness Hotel Nangu in Veskoniemi, next to Lake Inari.
Finnish breakfast: carelian pies, bread cheese (leipäjuusto) with cloudberry jam, lingonberry-blueberry smoothie and porridge with berries.
Dinnertime: rye bread and delicious soup with gyromitra esculenta -mushrooms.
After dinner, it´s time for a sauna and for a dip in the lake! The air temperature in august was about +9–15 celsius depending on the day… I wonder how cold the water was…
<3
I love to create little playlists for my trips.
On this trip, we listened to these songs when exploring Lapland:
Wimme Saari & Tapani Rinne: Heart - Vaibmu / Sydän
Wimme Saari & Tapani Rinne: You - Don / Sinä
Vesa-Matti Loiri: Ystäväni
Matti Paatelma: Awakening – Music for Piano (album)
Jan Johansson: With Friends Playing Piano (album)
Nils-Aslak Valkeapää: Jougimat (album)
<3
Text & pictures by Hertta Hiltunen.
