I have only been back from Finland for about a week and I am still basking in the memories (and editing a few thousand photos). The entire country was an unexpected revelation.
My major goal in this trip was to see and photograph the Northern Lights.
I failed. Well, the weather failed me. As it turned out, pretty much every day I was there was overcast and cloudy, so there wasn’t a single opportunity to get those photographs.
And I couldn’t have cared less.
I will be doing a series of posts — and finally some videos — from the week I spent in Finland. Not only did I love it, I am already planning a return trip for later this year. Sometimes the unexpected joys are the best ones and Finland in the winter… I never would have expected to be oohing and ahhhing as much as I was.
Loved, loved, loved it. Here are a few of the Instagram shots I took while there. I hope you like them — you can follow me along on Instragram by clicking on this link, if you wish. Thanks.
this boat isn’t going anywhere fast…
the road through the winter forest
another iconic scene from Lapland
anyone up for a bike ride?
Elvis has not left the building!
taking a reindeer sleigh ride in Lapland
this is Finland — love scenes like these
my log cabin hotel room for most of my stay
from one of the museums I went to
me chilling out with Santa
sun rising over horizon in Finland on the train
mid-day tram rides in Helsinki
roller coaster from above in Tampere, Finland
___________________________________________
I was a guest of both the Finland Tourism Board, the Pyha-Luosto Tourism Board, and the City of Tampere for various aspects of this trip. Although I was on their dime, the profuse praise you are going to read in the coming weeks was not remotely influenced by their sponsorship.
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Told ya you would fall in love with Finland!
And I did!
Hey Michael, nice shots! I was completely surprised by Finland this summer so if you’re going back when the snow is gone you won’t be disappointed. That Arctic museum in Rovaniemi was really impressive too, I nearly spent all day there
Peter Parkorr recently posted..Photo Friday: Mount Etna Erupting At Night, Sicily
Peter, I am already planning a trip (or two) back to there in different times of the year
And I loved the Arctic museum also, but we had so little time there, I just rushed through. Great building though.
I visited Finland last winter and definitely was not disappointed either. I can’t wait to return and hopefully Tim will be able to go in our next visit.
Jennifer recently posted..The Village of Zermatt
I was flabergasted by how much I liked it. Can’t wait to go back.
Aww, sorry to hear that you also didn’t get to see the aurora!
But I agree, Finland is absolutely amazing! We didn’t get to visit Helsinki, so I am really looking forward to seeing it through your eyes. And I love your 3rd picture – that is my ultimate memory of Finland too 
Sunee recently posted..Flight of the Snowmobile
No aurora this time just means… I need to plan a trip back there!
Tons more photos and videos coming in the next few weeks. Hope you like them.
Oh, how beautiful. I would so love to be cold right now. And snow… SNOW!!! I need SNOW after six years of living in steamy Southeast Asia.
So.. what did you ask Santa for? You look far too serious to be chatting to Santa. Don’t you know you’re supposed to be sitting on his knee whispering your secret desires into his ear?
Barbara recently posted..The Great Koala-Cuddling Expedition (At Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary)
You would have gotten your fill of snow… for sure! As to my chat with Santa, he told me that I needed to be a much better boy this year. And I told him there were no certainties on that front
Love the one of the road going through the forrest.
And that roller coaster just looks crazy:D
Won’t be going there anytime soon though. I’ve had it with winter and being cold.
@Barbara: I’ll sign up for six years of steaminess!
Sofie recently posted..Stick your tongue out against cancer!
Sofie, the odd thing about the weather was that I was warmer in Finland at -5 to -10 then back in London, where I am now at +5. Not to say I am a winter fan, but it was far, far less cold than I would have ever thought (though it obviously does get bitter cold there at certain times).
Lovely… Can’t wait to go, it’s high time… I went to Estonia last summer and thought about hopping on a ferry over to Helsinki, but then figured I’d want more time in Finland. Your pictures are proving that feeling right!
Wow! These are gorgeous pictures. Snow is really beautiful to look at, but to be honest, I’m really glad I’m in the southern hemisphere right now!
Sam recently posted..Food Porn Friday: El Vegetariano, Bariloche
I have already seen most of these on instagram but I still adore the collection. I love that aerial shot of the roller coaster!
It was a funky angle, for sure. Thanks for following along on Instagram also, Rease.
Stunning photos, Michael. I hope you have better luck with the Northern Lights next time. Did you find Finland expensive?
What type of activities did you do while visiting? I’ve always imagined Lapland as an ideal place to go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing for miles and miles.
I didn’t do either of those, but I did do a dog sled ride and some snowmobiling. Tons of fun stuff to do.
Excellent photos!….and poor Elvis, bet he was freezing out therem looks like he needed a good run.
John @ Imperative Travel recently posted..The Un-Official Natural Wonders оf thе World
My best friend is Finnish and currently living there. She has tried talking me into visiting for years, but their winters just scare me off! I do love the look of the snow covered trees in Lapland, but I’ll likely be saving my visit for the summer months.
Audrey | That Backpacker recently posted..Mornings in Melaka
It surprisingly wasn’t that cold. I expected far, far worse, but was more than fine with it. Likely will be going back next year.
Great photos mate! I loved the one of the Elvis.
No worries. I’m sure you’ll get to photograph the Northern Lights soon. It is also a dream of mine.
Stephen S. recently posted..The Countdown
I am loving every photo of this post! Snow, snow, and more snow, especially the sleigh ride
Antoinette recently posted..When Things Don’t Always Go Right
Incredible pictures! We loved following along on your Finland journey. Looked like you had a blast.
Many thanks, guys. Love following along with your adventures also!
Cool aerial shots – how did you get the 2nd and the last one? Were you on a cherry picker?
Sherry Ott recently posted..Where Sheep Roam – Patagonia
So many great sites in Finland, it’s really so photogenic.
Ayngelina recently posted..Food Friday: I love horse meat
Awesome photos. How did you get the one of the roller coaster? Looks almost as cold as London has been this past month
Arianwen recently posted..Death on the Lapa steps
Ayngelina and I were eating in a restaurant above it, actually. Glad to have gotten shots from up there.