Tag: Nordic

7 Reasons Why Americans Are Flocking To This Unique Nordic Destination

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Spend even just a few minutes looking through a travel guide or searching online for images of Iceland, and it’s easy to see why it is one of Europe’s most popular destinations.

This northern Nordic nation has been capturing the imaginations of travelers around the world in recent times, and no more so than in the United States.

Recent data from the Icelandic Tourist Board shows that American travelers accounted for almost 30% of Iceland’s incoming tourism in 2023, the highest out of any country and a significant increase on the previous year.

So, just what is it about ‘the Land of Fire and Ice’ that is attracting American travelers in their droves right now?

One Of The World’s Safest Countries

If there’s one thing Iceland is more famous for than its glaciers, volcanoes, and beautiful scenery, it’s for being a very safe country.

It consistently ranks as one of the safest in the world, according to the Global Peace Index and U.S. State Department.

Crime rates are extremely low here, and in all honesty, the main safety considerations you need to be aware of have to do with Mother Nature and not human beings.

Ideal For Solo Travelers

Many aspects of Iceland make it a haven for solo travelers.

The excellent safety record mentioned above is combined with a country where English is fairly widely spoken, and people are generally friendly and welcoming.

There are also many hostels if you’re the kind of solo traveler who likes to make friends, while many of the activities and attractions here are great if you prefer solitude – gazing out onto majestic glaciers, anyone?

Unique Scenery And Landscapes

Perhaps the main reason to visit Iceland is for the unique landscapes and geological phenomena that make up this amazing island.

Made up of dramatic mountain ranges, volcanic fields, huge glaciers, and countless hot geysers and springs – Iceland leaves a long-lasting impression on almost all who visit it.

In many cases, it can feel like you’re visiting another planet, not just another country.

The country is also relatively small, so it’s easy to get around and see different parts of it, but it’s usually best to do this on guided tours, especially in the colder months when heavy snow can make driving very challenging.

Great Chance To See The Northern Lights

The year 2024 might see some of the best auroras in the past 20 years thanks to the cycles of our sun and the solar system.

And Iceland is probably one of the best places to witness this spectacle thanks to its extreme northern location and longer nights in the winter months.

Usually, the best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is from September to March, so if you act fast, you may still be able to catch some of that early spring action.

Fascinating Culture And People

While they can sometimes seem a little reserved at first, Icelandic people are kind-hearted and friendly in general.

The family unit is hugely important to Icelandic people and there are many national holidays that celebrate the different aspects of it, such as Men’s Day and Women’s Day.

Food is another charming part of Iceland’s culture with popular dishes including fresh fish, smoked lamb, and also a type of yoghurt known as skyr.

Cheap To Fly To

There’s no escaping that Iceland is quite an expensive country to visit; however, you can save a lot on the flight if you shop around.

We recently revealed that the capital Reykjavik is one of the cheapest European destinations you can fly to from the U.S. this spring – from as little as $140 one-way.

Iceland has also just renovated and expanded a new airport in the north of the country called Akureyri International.

While you cannot fly here directly from the U.S., you can from some European cities such as London, and it also allows you to fly internally from Reykjavik – a sometimes cheaper and quicker alternative than a road trip across the country.

Volcanoes Not Stopping Travel

There has been a well-documented increase in volcanic activity in Iceland over the past few months, with an eruption near the southwestern town of Grindavik causing evacuations.

This activity was declared to have been completed by the Icelandic Met Office on February 8 this year.

Because Iceland is so used to volcanic activity, it has a very sophisticated monitoring and warning system, so you can be reassured that unless it’s an unprecedented eruption like Eyjafjallajökull in 2010, which grounded 100,000 flights, you should be fine to visit.

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February 16, 2024
Why This Nordic Country Is An Incredible Winter Destination

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Winter is coming, and with temperatures plummeting and the days getting darker and darker, we know you might already be thinking of your next sunny getaway – preferably somewhere in the warm, tropical Caribbean.

If you’re looking to beat the winter blues, there’s truly no better place than Cancun and its glitzy resort zones.

If freezing temperatures don’t faze you, however, you’re more the cultural type, and you’re actively looking for a white winter in a unique destination farther away from home, then it’s maybe this incredible Nordic country where you should be headed:

Why Nordic Finland Is Incredible In Winter

Located in the far Northeast of Europe, Finland is one of those unusual countries that are, in fact, best experienced in cold weather.

While summers in the Nordic states are pleasantly warm, and you certainly don’t feel as if you’re going to get frostbitten if you step outside for longer than five minutes in June, there is truly nothing like Finnish winters, when snow blankets Scandi-style towns, the Northern lights dance in the pitch black night sky, and sauna culture is at its peak.

Finland may be a great year-round destination, but as unusual as it sounds, it truly comes alive in the colder months.

Here’s why:

Helsinki Is Perfect For Solo Traveling

Helsinki may not be the most obvious pick for a European city break, particularly in winter, when most Americans who are traveling across the pond are flocking into Spain, Portugal, and just warmer destinations in general.

A less-known fact among country hoppers in Europe during that time of year is that there is nowhere better to feel that cozy Christmas atmosphere than the overlooked capital of Finland.

The jewel of the Baltic is the proud home to the Helsinki Christmas Market, one of Europe’s oldest and largest, where tourists are welcome to sample reindeer meat, salmon pastries and savory pancakes, and other Nordic delicacies they can’t find easily in the imports section of their local market back home.

Strolling colorful Huvilakatu Street with an Espresso Café caramel hot chocolate in hand, they will have some souvenir scavenging to do in the numerous Christmas shops, as well as stately Scandi-style buildings to admire.

Other sights to see include Helsinki’s Christmas tree, lit up ceremoniously every year at Senate Square, the city’s striking whitewashed cathedral, and the Jugend-Art Noveau central district.

See The Northern Lights In Lapland

Finland may not be every American’s go-to pick for some Northern Lights hunting, with Alaska and Iceland easily taking the lead in bookings, but it still stands among Europe’s top aurora sightsing hotspots.

More specifically, the historical ethno-region of Lapland, which sits mostly north of the Arctic Line, close to the borders with Sweden and Norway, is your best bet at witnessing the elusive light show.

Lapland is best known for its indigenous culture, as it is home to the Sami people, a group of historically nomadic people who have lived in the challenging environment for over 10,000 years, a rich cuisine, and of course, breathtaking Arctic nature.

Traveling in Lapland, you will be met with sweeping views of picturesque frozen lakes, painting-like, and brightly-painted, solitary houses set against the dramatic background of snow-blanketed pine forests.

Popular activities include dog-sledding in the snowy hinterland while chasing the aurora, and visiting traditional Sami settlements and camps.

Tourists also have a plethora of unique stays to choose from visiting Lapland, from resort spas in Rovaniemi, the regional capital and largest city, to remote igloo hotels located in deep Lapland, under the dancing lights.

Oh, and in case you weren’t aware, Lapland is where the legend of Santa Claus originates from.

Needless to say, the good-hearted bearded Northern man is celebrated all around the frosty hinterland, with local homeowners decorating their wooden porches with Christmas adornments in anticipation of his arrival.

Santa Claus Village, a winter theme park a short 7-minute drive from Downtown Rovaniemi, home to Santa’s office, house of snowmobiles, and traversed the actual Arctic Circle line, makes Lapland all the more a bucket list destination.

Experience The Finnish Sauna At Its Peak

Finally, winter is the absolute best period to dive into Finland’s sauna culture. The practice of sauna was, after all, invented in the territory of modern-day Finland several centuries ago.

An immaterial cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO, the Finnish sauna is the country’s top tourist activity, and it seems to be as inherent to Finnish nation-making and psyche as a national anthem, a flag, and a national language would be.

No joke.

In every residential building you enter, every home, every flat, you will find an embedded home sauna, not to mention the hundreds of public saunas scattered over large cities like Helsinki, Tampere, and Turku.

@loylyhelsinki Finns do love their Sauna💙 We love Sauna’s at Löyly also – thats why we got 4 different ones 👀 ##löylyhelsinki##loyly##helsinki##sunseasauna##Finland##Suomi##fyp##sauna##saunatime ♬ original sound – kardashianshulu

The concept of a Finnish sauna involves taking a dip in the ice-cold Baltic Sea – hence why winter is ideal for visiting Finland – and rushing back inside into a steam room to seek some comfort from the bone-chilling cold.

It’s the extremities on both ends of the experience that make it worthwhile: you’re either feeling too warm being cooked alive in a 100-degree cubicle, or you’re standing outside where strong Northern winds are blowing – a pint of draft black beer in hand to keep you warm and more cheerful, of course.

And believe us when we say it feels amazingly rejuvenating, and it’s the best feeling when you step into a fuming sauna after being out in the cold, and vice versa.

How To Get To Finland This Winter

This winter, Finnair is offering nonstop flights to Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport (HEL) from Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and New York-JFK, making it easy for Americans to reach the Nordic country.

If it’s a multi-country trip you’re thinking of, you’ll be glad to know Helsinki boasts flight connections to several popular European winter destinations, including Paris, London, Prague, and Budapest, as well as ferry connections to at least two other countries: Sweden and Estonia.

Traveling by ferry between Helsinki and Tallinn, the medieval capital of Estonia, takes only two and a half hours, making it a feasible day trip for tourists staying longer in Helsinki.

Combining Finland with a trip to fellow Nordic country Sweden, Americans can hop on the overnight Tallink ferry, traveling for a total duration of 18 hours, and calling at the cruise port in Stockholm, where they can also board return flights to the States.

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December 7, 2023
Why This Coastal Nordic City Is My Favorite For Solo Travel
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“Niin metsä vastaa, kuin sinne huudetaan.”
“The forest answers in the same way one shouts at it.”

Scouring the globe for a decade in search of a destination I could feel at complete ease as a solo female traveler; why had it taken me 30 years to touch down in this alluring Nordic city?

Arguably one of the best seasons, fall showcases the vibrant colors of the leaves as they blend effortlessly against the flamboyant buildings lining the streets: truly picture-perfect.

Maybe it was the friendly smiles of the locals or maybe the respect I felt as a woman, but I can safely say that 35 countries later, Helsinki may be the place I felt the most comfortable as a solo female traveler thus far on my jaunts across the world.

Seasonal Mix-Up

Crisp air greeted me as I made my way from Helsinki Central Station through the main part of the city. I arrived just in time for the beginning of the fall season. What’s pleasant about Sweden is the mixture of weather and the ability to experience all four seasons in one place.

While the winter months are certainly a huge draw for visitors looking to experience the beauty of Sweden layered in a powdered sheet of white, the fall brings a pop of color to the city and a noticeable buzz around certain events and things to do.

@hayleyonhiatus

Where To See The Foliage (because there’s plenty of it to go around!)
- Töölönlahti
- Meilahti and Viikki Arboretum
- Keskuspuisto – Helsinki’s Central Park
- Eläintarhanlahti and Kaisaniemenlahti
- Niskala Arboretum and Haltiala
@hayleyonhiatus

Unexpected Places To Meet People

Navigating a new destination can be arduous as a solo traveler, but you know what makes it a little easier? Finding something in common with the locals. And if there’s one thing most Finns are passionate about, it’s the city’s spirited beer scene.

Embarking on a mission from my hostel to the eclectic street that is Iso Roobertinkatu, I had one destination in mind: Black Door Beer Garden. I was on the hunt for a local haunt where I could chat with others who shared my beer-loving tendencies and for a chance to really talk to the locals.

To say I found it here is an understatement. After a week in Helsinki, I found myself back at the neighborhood bar 3-4 more times during my stay. There’s nothing more pleasurable as a solo traveler than being greeted as an old friend in a new city.

@hayleyonhiatus

Best Beer-Pubs in Helsinki (Sampled By Me):
- Black Door- Local spot with over 20 beers on tap
- Pien- Craft beer shop where you can drink in or take out
- Bier Bier- Cozy bar with both Finnish and various other beers
- Villi Wäinö- Literally hundreds of beers available
- Bart- A beer and art pub with 20 Nordic beers on tap
@hayleyonhiatus

5 Star Hostel Life

Upon check-in, I was asked to take off my shoes and handed a pair of slippers. Staying in hostels around the world, you learn to appreciate the small luxuries – and this was certainly one of them!

Situated in a commercial building on the buzzing street of Kalevankatu, Yard Hostel was the ideal place to stay as a solo traveler. With a cozy atmosphere and family feel, it’s within walking distance to everything you’d want to see around the city, with a few local bars on your doorstep.

The Yard perfectly mirrors the Finnish way of life through its clean interiors, potted plants, and open spaces. A large common area and kitchen make it surprisingly easy to meet fellow travelers during the stay, and rooms are spacious with curtains for privacy.

For More Tips On Where To Stay During The Fall, Visit My Helsinki!

@hayleyonhiatus

Activities To Keep You Busy And Relaxed

Imagine waking up on a crisp, cool morning, and all you want to do is relax, detox, and enjoy the Finnish way of life. Well, Helsinki has an abundance of activities for all locals and travelers.

With an estimated 3.3 million saunas across the country, the art of detoxing truly is a way of life in the Finnish culture, and luckily for visitors, they’re easily accessible.

Below is a list of unique saunas/pools frequently used by the locals. There’s also a ‘secret sauna’ in Helsinki that prefers staying under the radar, so ask a few locals and see if you’re up for the challenge of finding it along your travels!

@hayleyonhiatus

Unique Saunas/Pools To Visit In Helsinki:

@hayleyonhiatus

Affordable If You Know Where To Go

Oftentimes, Nordic countries are known for being a little more expensive than the likes of Eastern Europe or Western Europe; however, affordable finds can be found all over the world if you know where to look for them.

As a solo traveler, I always base my trips on one key mindset: do as the locals do. To fully immerse oneself into the open arms of a new culture, it’s important to explore off the beaten path slightly and see where the road leads.

Meandering along the foliage-lined streets of Helsinki without Google Maps as my guiding light, I stumbled upon many local markets, thrift shops, quaint cafes, and outlying neighborhoods

@hayleyonhiatus
- Market Square: Sat along the waterfront in the city center, the Square is lined with tents serving all of Finland’s traditional favorites (be sure to try the salmon soup and vendace)
- Hakaniemi Market Hall: An indoor/outdoor market in the quirky Kalio neighborhood of Helsinki. As one of the city’s most authentic markets, it offers 2 floors of the best finds
- Old Market Hall: Serving Helsinki since 1889, you’ll find some of the best foods here
- Hietalahden Kauppahalli: Vintage indoor food hall
- Cafe Regatta: This log-cabin cafe has called Taivallahti Bay home for more than 135 years! A local haunt, it has some of the best views and cinnamon buns outside of the city
- Keskuspuisto: Did you know the central forest in Helsinki is a foraging site? Actually, most of the country is! Finland believes in Jokaisenoikeudet or everyman’s rights. “The law allows anyone living in or visiting Finland the freedom to roam the countryside,” which could be the cheapest meal ever if you can cook it all afterward!
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October 6, 2023
6 Reasons Why This Nordic Country Has Become A Top Summer Destination For Travelers

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Iceland has impressive landscapes, volcanoes, waterfalls, glaciers, geothermal pools, beaches, fjords, and one of the most magnificent natural shows on earth — the northern lights.

This Nordic island country wasn’t so popular a few years ago, but now it has been on every globetrotter’s mind.

Many have realized that besides its natural beauty, this place’s history, people, and fascinating culture are worth discovering.

And it’s the perfect summer destination for those who want to avoid summer heat!

Iceland’s tourism boom was recently discussed in a New York Times interview with former U.N. tourism ambassador and now Iceland’s first lady, Eliza Reid.

Reid shared wise advice for travelers interested in visiting Iceland and revealed the “secret” of the best way to get to know locals: in a hot tub or at a geothermal pool.

Here are 6 reasons why Iceland has become a top summer destination in 2023:

1) Amazing Outdoor Experiences

Nature lovers fall crazy in love with this country for its jaw-dropping landscapes and relaxing attractions — and we all want to feel at ease and enjoy beautiful spaces in 2023.

Iceland has one of the world’s best tourist attractions, The Blue Lagoon. This impressive geothermal spa has hot mineral-rich waters, and many say it even has healing properties.

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Travelers can relax, heal, and get the most amazing photos.

Quick warning: Even though it can be tempting to get the most incredible pictures in the world next to active volcanoes or a cool video of the sneaker waves at the beach, Reid also warned travelers that nature in Iceland can be very powerful and visitors should always be careful and use common sense.

2) More Direct Flights And Great Airport Facilities

One of the reasons why travelers didn’t visit this Nordic island before was because of the lack of direct flights.

Now low-cost airlines like Icelandic airline fly from over 10 cities in the United States and offer travelers affordable prices.

Another advantage in Iceland is related to services and infrastructure.

Keflavík International Airport in Reykjavík was recently recognized as one of the best airports in Europe in its category—airports welcoming 5 to 15 million passengers per year— for its service quality.

3) Year-Round Travel Opportunities

Even though summer is one the best seasons to visit this country as it has pleasant weather and lots of daylight—especially during the midnight Sun season— to explore the most amazing destinations, Iceland offers visitors top experiences throughout the year.

During winter, travelers have more opportunities to see the breathtaking northern lights.

Since nature is its main attraction, and nature is constantly changing, visitors can get different experiences every time they visit.

4) Geothermal Pools And Hot Tubs As Social Activities

As Reid explained, soaking up in geothermal pools or relaxing in hot tubs is not just a personal experience but also a social activity.

Having a wellness moment in clean and pure waters and also connecting to local culture? Sounds like a plan! And yes, Iceland ranks as one of the best spa and wellness getaways.

Visiting and getting to know the different pools is also a way to meet Icelanders and learn about their culture and lifestyle.

It’s also an affordable experience and each place has its own atmosphere and style.

5) More Restaurants, Cafes, And Tourist Activities

Since tourism has boomed, there are now more accommodation options, restaurants, cafes, and activities for visitors.

Iceland also offers environmentally friendly tourism experiences, so travelers can explore guilt-free in one of the safest destinations in the world and also learn about responsible tourism.

In the capital, Reykjavík, travelers will find great museums, vibrant nightlife, and many restaurants and bars to choose from.

6) Delicious Local Cuisine

Have you heard about the Hákarl or the Plokkfiskur? Maybe you should check it out, or, even better, maybe you should travel to Iceland to taste it.

Icelandic cuisine is not as popular as Italian or French cuisine but is rich in flavor and creativity.

Travelers enjoy tasting local dishes like pylsur—Reykjavik’s Hot Dog—, the traditional kæstur Hákarl—fermented shark—, and the traditional fish stew, the Plokkfiskur.

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June 12, 2023