Några reflektioner från Finland

Although we travel a lot, we may not travel enough in our neighbouring countries. We recently spent a few days in Finland, and we couldn't help but reflect on our closest neighbour to the east. Do you agree or disagree? Feel free to tell us!

Table of contents

1. it is cold

It's always cold in Helsinki, or at least it feels that way. Our experience may of course be related to the fact that we usually visit the capital of Finland during holidays. Matka travel fair, which falls in the month of January, but nevertheless, it is often cooler than in Stockholm. In fact, Helsinki has an average temperature of -5.5 degrees in January, while Stockholm averages only -2.3 degrees. A beautiful capital city in snow, we think!

READ MORE: Beautiful Turku archipelago in winter colours
READ MORE: Pack for the cold - we're off to Finland!

2. Swedish works unexpectedly well

There are certainly many Finns who do not speak Swedish, and we always start all conversations in English. At the same time, we have to say that it is relatively often that those we meet switch to Swedish voluntarily. Just over five per cent of the population have Swedish as their mother tongue, and even more are proficient in Swedish. The country is clearly bilingual and in Helsinki virtually all signs, information and announcements are also in Swedish.

3. but when you least expect it, it's still Finnish ...

In some (unexpected) cases, however, only Finnish is used. When we were registering online for meetings with different destinations at the Matka fair, the registration form was in Finnish. Only. A bit surprising considering that there were bloggers from several different countries.

The same when we had to register for a seminar with the Chinese airlines. No English there! We had to google translate word by word in order to register, and by now we have learnt, for example, that "sähköposti" means email.

READ MORE: Haltia Nature Centre in Espoo, Finland
READ MORE: Suomenlinna in Helsinki - sea fortress with Swedish history

4. Reminded of Eastern Europe

Finland is a Nordic country and feels Nordic in many ways, but sometimes we still get the feeling that we are in the Baltics or maybe Ukraine. It's especially the inside of the central station that gives us this vibe, with its low brown courtyards that look just like the courtyards in the city centre. Kiev or Warsaw. Even the trams remind us of travelling in the Baltic States, for example.

5. Finland markets itself well in China

Finland has really succeeded in marketing itself in China. We see Chinese tourists everywhere, and it's no wonder. At the Matka trade fair, a Finnish representative described the extreme potential in China, and went on to explain how they offer Finnish sauna, winter sports, overnight stays in igloos or ice hotels, dog and reindeer safaris and, of course, Santa Claus in Rovaniemi.

She also talked about the "JingFen" campaign, which is about being Finnish at heart. The phenomenon is based on the character Matti in Karolina Korhonen's "Nightmares", and has become a viral success in China...!

Tips on Finland

Looking for tips on Finland? Read our guide on what you can what to see and do in Helsinki and our guide on what you can things to see and do in Turku. Below you will find even more tips for Finland and Åland.

14 Comments

Add yours →

Maria / Magnolia Magis says:

Nice jacket again! Yes, it is strange to know more about countries far away than our closest ones. The same thing with cities in Sweden. You usually know the least about your hometown when it comes to sights. I've never been to Finland and when I asked my husband I got this answer...;D : "No, I haven't been to Finland, well actually I crossed the border at Tornio once. Otherwise I haven't been there...or yes, by the way, I have been to Helsinki! We had a honeymoon there, me and my ex-wife..." ;D
;D it was that important..;D

22 January 2019 - 13:28

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Funny that you like the jacket 🙂 We probably easily become so that we miss what is closest. But I'm starting to get more and more hungry to travel in the neighbouring countries! And maybe nice that the honeymoon does not feel so important, so here in retrospect? 🙂
  
  22 January 2019 - 18:15
  
  - Maria / Magnolia Magis says:
    
    Absolutely right! Yes, we like to look around in Sweden and Denmark. We have been to Norway on separate occasions, i.e. before we met. Very beautiful there too. Will gladly go there again. Then as I said Finland is waiting!
    
    22 January 2019 - 19:36
    
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

We certainly don't travel enough to our fantastic neighbouring countries (and in our own country too).
Ever since we made our magical motorhome trip to Lofoten in 2012, we have been talking about going to Norway again. I've never been to Finland, so that's also tempting. Is it too close and too accessible or why don't we travel more in our neighbouring countries?

22 January 2019 - 15:37

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  We've been wondering the same thing. Maybe you want to use your holiday to travel further, or you want to make sure you get sun and warmth? But I think there is a lot to discover in Sweden and the Nordic countries! 🙂
  
  22 January 2019 - 18:16
  
Lena - good for the soul says:

But my goodness, how stupid that sounds. Registration form in Finnish for international visitors!!! What kind of thinking was going on there?

I have not been to Finland very much. There have been mostly short stops in Helsinki and Turku in connection with cruises.

Hug Lena

22 January 2019 - 17:54

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Haha, right? The vast majority of visitors were probably Finns, but there were still several who came from different countries. Not so inviting to sign up, but we managed 😉.
  
  22 January 2019 - 18:18
  
BP says:

We have never visited Helsinki in winter, but as you say, it is colder there than here. I see that every day on the BBC weather map.
Not having notifications in English is a bad joke, I think. Oh yes, the central station with its magnificent sculptures is also reminiscent of those in Riga and Gdansk.

22 January 2019 - 18:51

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It was quite bizarre to try to register in Finnish, but shame on you 😉.
  
  23 January 2019 - 18:41
  
BP says:

Me again: Only now I saw the cute little snowman in the header picture:-) I hope you didn't eat the Hesburger. You don't want to be hoarse;-)

22 January 2019 - 19:46

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Isn't it nice? And haha, no hesburger this time 😉 .
  
  23 January 2019 - 18:42
  
  - Maria's Memoirs says:
    
    Hesburger is otherwise not a disgrace. If I eat fast food abroad, it's more fun if it's the country's own chain? But perhaps the best hamburger in Finland is Friends&brgrs, which is also available in Hamburg and Copenhagen.
    
    25 January 2019 - 13:15
    
Lena in Wales says:

Have just returned to Spain from visiting Sweden, so have missed a lot with you. Have started to catch up and will continue. Have been to Finland a few times for work and a few times privately, but just have to read what you write about your visit to Finland. A fascinating country in many ways and so vulnerable.
Take care!

23 January 2019 - 13:43

Anki says:

I read most of your stuff ... but I'm terrible at commenting - I'll try to get better at it 🙂 ).
I haven't spent much time in Finland, but I remember it was almost all Finnish when we travelled from Haparanda/Torneå and north to Kirkenes ...

26 January 2019 - 5:45

Some reflections from Finland

1. it is cold

2. Swedish works unexpectedly well

3. but when you least expect it, it's still Finnish ...

4. Reminded of Eastern Europe

5. Finland markets itself well in China

Tips on Finland

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14 Comments

Maria / Magnolia Magis says:

Helena says:

Maria / Magnolia Magis says:

Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Helena says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Maria's Memoirs says:

Lena in Wales says:

Anki says:

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