In 2002, we spent two weeks in Finland with our nephew, Christian. We began our trip in the Finnish capital, Helsinki.
Here, the white cathedral towers over the Senate Square ensemble, dominating the cityscape. A stroll through Esplanade Park takes you past street cafés, musicians and boutiques. This is where the vibrant, urban side of Finland comes to life. The harbour is bustling with activity. Ferries depart for Tallinn, and market stalls offer fresh salmon, berries and handicrafts. A detour to the Sibelius Monument in the north of the city pays tribute to Finland's most famous composer: a series of shiny steel tubes that sing in the wind like frozen organ pipes.
We continued north to Lahti, renowned for its ski jumps and contemporary sports architecture. The city also has its charms in summer, with lakeside cafés and boat docks on Lake Vesijärvi inviting you to linger. From here, you can access the gateway to the Lake Päijänne region, home to Finland's second largest lake. Its water landscape is characterised by islands, pine forests and clear bays.
We rounded off our trip to Finland with a week-long stay in a mökki, a typical Finnish log cabin. In the morning, wisps of fog are reflected in the lake; during the day, canoe trips beckon; in the evening, crickets chirp, and the water glitters in the last light of the midnight sun. It is in this setting of silence, nature and Nordic light that the true essence of Finland emerges, where tranquillity and vastness converge to create a unique way of life. We spent most of our return journey to Helsinki on a ferry on Lake Päijänne.
