Europe's best kept secret...

Thursday 4 August 2011

Ready to return home

As we left Helsinki once again to return home, we reflected on another stunning holiday in this land of beauty, peace and tranquility, cleanliness and above all, warmth. This was our 4th summer visit, and, added to my visit in February, in the depths of winter, it again highlighted all the things that we have come to love so much about Finland.

It's such a fantastic holiday destination for a family, as it's so warm in July, so clean and so peaceful- once again we swam in crystal clear lakes teeming with fish, where no-one else could be found for miles around. But more than that, even in the capital of Helsinki, the people are so friendly and welcoming, if a little bemused about the attraction we have to their country. But when you compare it to the UK, which seems so crowded and hectic, and littered with untidiness, it's not difficult for us to yearn for another return to this hidden gem of a country in the north east of Europe.

The video above gives a rundown of the whole journey and our time in and around the Juva area. Watch, and fall in love with the beauty of the Finnish summer! The photos below are snapshots of each day there. Click to see them full-size. Enjoy!

Sandy and Olivia enjoy (along with their fish!) a last morning drink in Helsinki!

We love it here, and are already planning a return next year!

Heading out of Helsinki on the fantastic FinnLines service to Travemunde in Germany.

Relaxing! As usual the temperature is in the high 20s as we leave Finland for another year.

Bye Bye Finland!

Helsinki

Sandy, sitting on a bench in Helsinki, made to look as though it has been crafted from a birch tree!

In beautiful Helsinki!

At the South Harbour, with the gigantic ferries in the background that ply their routes from Helsinki to Stockholm, and to Estonia and St Petersburg too.

Buying peas at the market at the South Harbour.

What an array of delicious looking fruit!

In Helsinki- trip to Suomenlinna island.

Approaching Suomenlinna, a 20 minute trip from Helsinki's South Harbour. The huge Viking Line ferry is arriving from Tallinn in Estonia.

On Suomenlinna. Can you see the small beach in the background? People were still sunbathing and swimming there at 8.30pm, having spent the whole day there.

Sandy is happy among the cannons!

Beers and friendly discussions on the way back to Helsinki from Suomenlinna. It was still around 25C at 9.30pm!

Back on the mainland, we strolled around the city centre in the warmth of a sultry July evening.

Last couple of days, in Helsinki.

Week 2 photos continued

Sunset on Lake Hakojarvi, our week 2 accommodation.

This is HEAVEN!!!

Last photos in this piece of heaven!

One day, we will return here again, definitely!

Week 2 photos continued

Sitting on the jetty, feet draped in the warm waters of Lake Hakojarvi!

The rowing boat came in useful, as one evening Sandy and I rowed across to the far side of the lake to see a rock that was sticking out of the water...

Looking back to our side of the lake!

Sunset, at around 10.30pm. Beautiful!

3.15am and the crazy crew head to the lake for a swim!

Week 2 photos continued

Another day in this paradise. Look at how calm the lake was today, the 20th July, and the temperature was around 26C. As usual, it was a case of swimming, fishing, relaxing in the sauna, and heating the barbecue to cook some delicious Finnish sausages!

Livvy gets ready to swim!

It really is difficult to convey just how warm the waters in this lake are. It's just like swimming in the swimming pool here, at around 27C near to the shore, and still warm even as you swim farther out. It's the most amazing sensation, stepping out of the sauna, then jumping in here. The water's clean, full of fish, and it's so quiet, it's like you're the only people on the lake. And in fact, you are!!

Week 2 photos

18th July, and another day of total relaxation comes to an end with a spectacular sunset! This was around 10.25pm.

Earlier in the day, we spent the afternoon in Varkaus, at our friends, Mari and Jyrki's home. This gave us the chance to discuss Jyrki and his class' coming visit to Scotland in September, as well as to sample the waters of Lake Saimaa once again.