Happy Monday traveler!

This week we are heading to one of Europe’s most unique and underrated capitals.

Welcome to Helsinki, Finland. Known for its sleek design, cozy winter culture, and a love for nature that runs deep, this northern city offers an experience that feels both modern and timeless.

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🙌🏼This Week’s Inspiration

Helsinki sits along the Baltic Sea and is filled with calm neighborhoods, colorful waterfronts, and architecture that blends Nordic simplicity with Art Nouveau charm.

The city is easy to walk, has amazing food, and invites you to slow down and enjoy the little things.

❄️Winter in Helsinki is magical.

Days are short, snow covers almost everything, and cafes glow with warm light. It can be very cold, but that is part of the experience. Locals embrace the season with comfort foods, hot drinks, and the famous Finnish sauna lifestyle.

Finland has about three million saunas, which is incredible considering the population is just over five million.

Almost every home, hotel, and apartment building has one. You can visit traditional public saunas as well as modern spa-style ones. It is a part of daily life and one of the best ways to understand Finnish culture. Have you ever been inside a sauna that is on a ferris wheel? You can at Sky Sauna…truly an experience like no other.

Head to the Allas Pool for an unforgettable experience. It has heated pools and icy seawater pools right outside.

You can warm up in the sauna, take a cold plunge, and then relax while looking out over the harbor. Many visitors say this is the moment they finally understand why Finns love saunas so much.

We did this when we were in Helsinki in January and it was incredible. After heating up in the sauna, we carefully tip-toed across snow and ice to head to the swimming pools. We only lasted a few moments, but it was fascinating seeing locals swimming laps, clearly not bothered by the cold like us Floridians were.

There are plenty of other things to do in the city:

• Visit the Oodi Library, one of the most beautiful public libraries in the world.

• Walk through the Helsinki Design District.

• Explore the underground Temppeliaukio Rock Church, carved directly into solid stone.

  

  Temppeliaukio Rock Church

• Take a ferry to Suomenlinna, a giant sea fortress on a nearby island.

• If you love markets, stop by the Old Market Hall for treats, crafts, and local food.

How to Get to Helsinki:

Getting to Helsinki is easy. The city has a well-connected international airport, and flights arrive daily from many major hubs. Public transportation is simple and reliable. You can use trams, buses, trains, and ferries, and most rides are quick and direct.

Where to Stay:

NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa - known for its beauty, location and excellent staff

Scandic Grand Central Helsinki - located in the center of Helsinki

Marski by Scandic - breakfast included, has a sauna

Hotel Indigo Helsinki - centrally located, has a sauna

What to Eat:

Helsinki has great flavors to try:

• Warm up with salmon soup

• Karelian pasties

• Cinnamon cardamom buns

• Reindeer dishes

• and lots of fresh seafood

☕Coffee culture is strong in Finland, so you will never be far from a cozy café.

What to Pack:

If you are traveling in winter, pack warm layers, a hat, gloves, thermal clothing, waterproof boots, and a good coat.

The wind can be strong near the water, so extra warmth makes a big difference.

Indoors are very warm and comfortable, so layers are the best strategy.

Helsinki is the kind of place that invites you to slow down, warm up, and enjoy life in a fresh way.

Whether you are exploring snowy streets or relaxing in a sauna, it is a city that stays with you long after the trip ends.

👋🏼 Have an Inspiring Week

Here are a few of our affiliate links to help you when in Helsinki. It’s no extra cost to you and helps us keep this email free for everyone. 😀

• This exact coat has kept Bob warm in freezing places (such as an outdoor New Year’s Eve festival in Canada) is now on sale.

• These women’s fleece lined leggings are perfect for layering up in the cold.

• These women’s outdoor winter pants to go along with the leggings and are on sale now too!

• We never leave the U.S. without this converter.

• Authentic Reindeer Experience in Helsinki - here’s your opportunity to meet Finland’s most famous animal

• .Allas Pool Cold Exposure and Sauna Experience - we loved this!

• Helsinki Floating Experience in a Survival Suit - saving this for when we return to Helsinki!

See you next week,

Trisha & Bob