I had never worn my graduation cap on May Day - it is a Finnish tradition that I had missed due to living abroad. It is not just any kind of hat though.
Europe
Before the storm – Tapiontaival trail in Salmi
There was time to go for a quiet winter walk before the snowstorm Valtteri/Malik arrived.
Wilderness cafes – Skiing in Lapland
Wilderness cafes and ski trail cafes are a common in most of the touristy areas in Lapland. They are part of the skiing culture, which has long traditions in Finland.
Midwinter magic
Midwinter magic in pictures. Snow makes everything brighter and more elegant. Winter in Finland is beautiful.
Autumn colours and mice with silicone diet – Herajärvi trail
About 60 km of walking in Eastern Finland? Absolutely! Herajärvi trail in Koli National Park was brilliantly autumnal. Golden colours and cheeky animals.
Edelfelt’s quaint atelier
A visit to a famous painter's atelier makes me want to pick up a paint brush. Albert Edelfelt was one of Finland's most celebrated painters in the 19th century.
Fine dining and asanas – Yoga weekend in Haikko Manor
100+ year-old Haikko Manor is luxurious and worth a visit, but the adjoined hotel is a bit more affordable. I attended a yoga weekend, but there are plenty of things to do on a mini holiday in Haikko.
Summer town Porvoo
Porvoo is a charming town in Finland. I visited the area a few weeks ago and I’ll write about this visit to Haikko next week, but this week I want to reblog my own post about the town Porvoo. No point in repeating myself too much. Do have a look if you didn’t read it five years ago when I first wrote it, it still looks much the same anyway – old and lovely.

There they are: red riverside warehouses. That row of small red cottages by the river is Porvoo’s trademark. They appear on postcards and school textbooks and welcome visitors to the town, just like they did already hundreds of years ago.
Painted houses and boutique shops
Porvoo is an old city located on the southern coast of Finland. Its history dates back to Middle Age and the old town attracts tourists with its narrow streets, wooden houses and old-fashioned atmosphere. Pebble streets lead to the medieval church or climb up steep hills turning to the doorsteps of some friendly house with red door and linen curtains on windows. Painted houses lean to each others creating colourful wooden walls which hide inner courtyards with apple trees and garden swings from the passers-by.
It is a windy day. The end of summer is near but Porvoo is still busy with tourists. The town…
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Best time to pick mushrooms?
Autumn is here and mushrooms are about. Is there a best day to pick mushrooms?
Easter in Cinque Terre – Part 2
The second part of our Easter weekend in Cinque Terre we visited Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore and walked a lovely high trail.