There is nothing like a cup of hot, creamy chocolate in this very cold day. You need a warm blanket and another warm blanket to enjoy it outside. But the experience is worth it. It’s not an everyday occurrence to be sat in -10C but felts like -20C, right? A cafe on the island of Suomenlinna is just the best place to have it. This place is so idyllic and you will like its pink exterior. The cakes were lovely too!
All photos by Ari Vitikainen @ https://www.arivitikainenphotography.com
It was a fun snowy day in Helsinki and an evening walk was all it takes to fully enjoy it. The Old Church Park (Vanha kirkkopuisto) is one of the best places to enjoy the scenic snow in the Helsinki centre. The tree silhouettes against the snow covered ground felt so magical as the old lamps glow their golden lights. The beautiful old buildings surrounding this park add to its elegance. The Old Church Park was a cemetery. There are 48 gravestones visible in the park dating back from 1790–1829.
Walking further is the beautiful Espanade Park which leads to the Senate Square. The snow covered steps of the Helsinki Cathedral was a fun place to just enjoy the scenery and take in the cold, fresh air. But in fact, it was not cold at all. At 0 degrees celsius, my coat felt like a warm sleeping bag.
All photos by Ari Vitikainen @ arivitikainenphotography.com
The weather did not cooperate as I wanted to during the holidays. Darkness and rain was all it gave. There was anticipation of snow during Christmas which never arrived. But alas! 2020 ended. The new year came. And on the third day, snow appeared. It snowed beautifully, covering the city with its shine and glitter. A feeling of freshness and hope came along with it. The darkness turned into a beautiful Helsinki!
All photos by https://www.arivitikainenphotography.com
This Christmas season, it was inevitable to spend it following the COVID recommendation. Although, there were still unavoidable situations like the crowded shops ( we need to get food!), in general, downtown Helsinki was strangely quiet. The city is obviously lacking some tourists as seen during our evening stroll on the 23rd. It actually feels empty.
However, the Grand Noel afternoon tea at the Kämp Braserrie is not to be missed. Additional Christmas flavours are added to spice up the Christmas spirit. The obvious addition is the gingerbread macaron.
One of the Christmas traditions in Finland is to visit the cemetary on Christmas eve. Hietaniemi cemetary is located 650 meters from our flat. Many famous Finns are buried here since the 1820s. Here, I’m standing where people can light candles for those who were buried in other places. We also visited the graves of past Finnish presidents.
One fun thing I did this Christmas time was to open a Japan crate. My first time ever! I got Julian from the Animal Crossing. It was lots of fun! Greetings too from Emiko who lives on Mochi Island. Please come and visit!
Here is also an illustrated recipe of Joulutorttu. Joulutorttu is a Finnish Christmas pastry made from puff pastry in the shape of a star, filled with prune jam and dusted with icing sugar.
Have a Happy Christmas to all!
All photos (except my illustrations and Emiko on Animal Crossing) by Ari Vitikainen at https://www.arivitikainenphotography.com
Autumn is my favourite season. Everywhere in Helsinki seems to be framed by this beautiful Autumn colours and the lovely golden backdrop. Helsinki is even more beautiful in Autumn and this year has been an endless supply of warm and sunshine.
One of the best places to see the Autumn colours is at the Hesperia Park. This park never ceases to amaze me and gives so much hope for the coming darkness.
All photos by Ari Vitikainen @http://arivitikainenphotography.com
It has been many months since the last time I was on an airplane. To be exact, it was on the 1st of December 2019, coming back from our holiday in London. Although there were many travel plans over the last months, the Corona virus put them all on halt. But September is a wonderful time to visit the northern Finland.
We flew to Kuusamo and from there, we explored the surrounding areas. We started in Myllykoski (rapids). The hanging bridge was the most magical of all!
And the Kitkajoki (river) is very beautiful in the midst of the Autumn backdrop.
Waiting for the sunrise on the top of Pähkänä Kallio was such a highlight. It was so beautiful that I almost forget how tricky it was to find the place in the dark.
While the sunset was on Konttainen mountain peak. Although, it was a blustery day, it was a sunset worthy of the climb.
We were always met by beauty as we drove around the area. Colourful trees lined up the roads. There were peaceful lake areas and blue foggy moments. We even found a small magical lake surrounded by multi-coloured tress. Beauty was everywhere! Autumn is indeed my favourite season.
But the climax of the trip happened during the last night of our holiday on Rukatunturi (fell) at midnight when the skies were clear and the stars were visible. There I experienced something I haven’t experience before under the massive night sky. The Northern Lights appeared above us, flickering as if begging for attention. It was the most beautiful thing ever!
But beauty didn’t stop there. On the way to the airport on a foggy morning… My heart overflowed with gratefulness!
All photos by Ari Vitikainen @arivitikainenphotography.com
Stood by the town hall in Hamina at 4 in the afternoon, I can’t help but think that it’s coffee o’clock! At this instance, the best move was to look at Google map and type in “the best coffee in town”. With no further delay, the result was Konditoria Huovila. Well, it was the cafe just right across the street from where we were standing with it’s tagline, “Joka hetki on juhlahetki”. (Every moment is a moment of celebration). How appropriate is that!
The Konditoria (confectionary) Huovila in Hamina was established in 1966 in a building constructed in 1888. The place is idyllic with many elements from the past. And the best part – the coffee was good and the sweetness of the cakes was just right!
All photos by Ari Vitikainen@ https://www.arivitikainenphotography.com
Tammisaarin Kopparö is a huge camping ground located in the town of Raseborg, Finland. It is a fully equipped area making camping experience such a delight. The place is not only located by the river where guests can enjoy sauna and swimming, there is a beautiful forest trail. This trail is covered with blueberries, forest strawberries and wild flowers. Of course, there are squirrels too and deers.
All photos by Ari Vitikainen at https://www.arivitikainenphotography.com
It was almost 10:00 in the evening when we arrived in Hanko. The sun was peaking through the clouds after driving in the rain. Standing by the shore in a few minutes, I felt I already achieved what I came here for. The cool breeze, fresh air and the gentle sound of the crashing waves… The moon revealed itself too which ended the day in such grandeur.
The next day was even better. Sunshine, hair blowing in the wind, sand on my toes, watching the waves in an empty beach. It was Hanko Blues. Blue waters. Blue skies. It was a perfect beach day!
One of the highlights was to reach the southernmost tip of mainland Finland. It was a beautiful walking trail surrounded by nature. Also, that feeling of achievement to reach the tip, not peak though! Hanko is indeed a recommended holiday destination.
All photos by Ari Vitikainen at https://www.arivitikainenphotography.com
Located in Southern Finland, Lake Tuusula is considered the artists’ colony of Finland. In the early 1900’s, the Golden Age of Finnish Art, many masters left their imprint on the Tuusula Lake Road. Situated around this 6.0 square kilometres lake stood the houses of Jean Sibelius, Juhani Aho, Pekka Halonen, Eero Järnefelt, Joonas Kokkonen and Aleksis Kivi which are now turned into museums.
However, the main highlight was to visit the top of Sarvikallio. The cliff is steep but it gave an amazing view of lake Tuusula.
All photos by Ari Vitikainen at https://www.arivitikainenphotography.com
The things I've seen. The places I've been. 