The Charms of Old Rauma – A Living Museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Founded in 1442, Rauma is an idyllic coastal town in the Satakunta region of Western Finland located 50 km south of Pori, built around it’s old wooden heart. In 1991 UNESCO added Old Rauma to its list of World Heritage Sites, recognising its unique character as an outstanding example of a living and well preserved historic Nordic wooden town, of which it is the largest in the Nordic countries. Old Rauma forms a unified area of historical, single-storey wooden buildings with a network of part medieval streets, with homes, shops and services for the town’s almost 40,000 inhabitants. It has been saved from modernisation thanks to strong protectionist action in the late 19th century, in the 1960s, and in the town plan of 1981 which preserved the building stock and environment.
Today, Old Rauma is a thriving community with some 800 people resident within an area of 28 hectares, with most of the businesses concentrated around the market square. There are around 600 buildings, mostly dwellings but also many different kinds of outbuildings, old animal sheds and granaries, with plots separated by wooden fencing. The appearance of the buildings varies as there have been several phases of building and rebuilding, especially after the devastating fires of the 17th century destroyed the old town. Some buildings have maintained the appearance of the 18th century, many others owe their appearance to the 1820s and 1830s, though most are neo-Renaissance in style thanks to a significant period of renovation during the 1890s. Most buildings are inhabited and in private ownership, with the exception of the two main streets and the market square which are predominantly businesses.
Full story HERE
Source: Discovering Finland
Experiencing Finnish Rural Life in Seurasaari Open-Air Museum
It was a sunny morning when we decided that it was perfect for exploring something new. We had heard of the Open-Air Museum of Seurasaari located on a picturesque island in the heart of Helsinki that would be an ideal location for a family day out, providing a perfect backdrop for a picnic while also offering a rare chance to immerse ourselves in a living history lesson.
Seurasaari is the largest open air museum in Finland, showcasing all of Finland’s folk history by recreating its traditional way of life through cottages, manors, farmsteads and churches, representing four centuries of rural life. All the buildings and artifacts have been relocated from small towns and villages throughout Finland, focusing on Finnish peasant life, with a total of 35 groups of buildings. At Seurasaari, visitors can experience how Finns once lived, through their work, traditions, and celebrations; giving them a chance to experience everyday life from days long gone by.
Getting there proved to be very easy, bus #24 passed right by regularly, and we could jump on right in the city centre. The route there took us along the coast, past Sibelius park, and directly to the bridge connecting the island to the mainland.
Full story HERE
Source: Discovering Finland
Allas Sea Pool is a gardenlike oasis in the Helsinki harbour with a large outdoor pool area and magnificent saunas. It is open every day all year round.
Allas Sea Pool has both fresh- and sea water pools, complete with saunas and other services. We are situated in Helsinki, next to the famous Kauppatori market place in the heart of Helsinki.
There are three swimming pools at Allas Sea Pool: the sea water pool, the warm water pool and children’s pool. During winter time, the large warm water pool and the sea water pool are in use.
Warm water pool is filled with heated tap water. The temperature of the water is c. 28°C (82° Fahrenheit) all year round. In the Sea Pool you are able to swim comfortably in the Baltic Sea! The water in the pool is pumped from farther away in the sea, from cleaner currents, and it is filtered and treated using UV technique. In the winter you can even experience authentic ice swimming.
Full story HERE
Source: Discovering Finland
Tankavaara Gold Village – panning gold in Lapland
Just 30km south of the Lappish resort town of Saariselkä, 230km north of Rovaniemi, Tankavaara Gold Village is a unique destination where you can prospect for gold, and learn the fascinating history of gold prospecting, in an authentic setting.
Founded by Finnish gold prospectors almost 50 years ago, Tankavaara Gold Village is a full-service destination with a range of activities, attractions and accommodation that make it ideal for day trips or overnight stays.
At Tankavaara Gold Village guests can feel the excitement of gold fever while panning for gold, dine on Lappish delicacies in the Wanha Waskoolimies Restaurant, enjoy the atmosphere in the Wild West Saloon, and visit the unique museum dedicated to gold panning and prospecting.
In Tankavaara Gold Village, guests can try their hand at gold panning with the guidance and help of their experienced, professional guides. All the necessary equipment is provided, and guests get to keep all the gold they find. Even in the harsh cold of winter it is possible to do some panning, in an indoor are specially designed for that purpose. Panning for gold is a unique activity for all the family, one guaranteed to live long in the memories of all concerned. However, guests are warned that Gold Fever is real, which is perhaps why passes range from one hour to the whole summer!
Full story HERE
Source: Discovering Finland
The coastal village of Bugøynes
For those vacationing in the north of Finnish Lapland there is a unique destination across the border in Norway’s Finnmark region worth considering for an overnight stay or day trip. The coastal village of Bugøynes lies on the shore of the Arctic Ocean, and is home to around 200 hardy individuals known for their friendliness and hospitality. Easily accessed today, until 1962 the only way to get there was via a ferry from Vadsø. The closest towns are Näätämö and Nuorgam in Finland, which are 90km and 100km away respectively, and the Norwegian town of Kirkenes, also 100km away.
This Norwegian fishing village can claim an unusual history, in that most of the current inhabitants are descended from Finns who migrated here in the middle of the 19th century, to escape poverty first, and later the great famine of 1866-68. Thanks to that migration, many Bugøynes residents speak Kven, a minority language that is a mutually intelligible dialect of the Finnish language. The village endured much hardship in the late 1980s, when the small fisheries went bankrupt and there was great concern that the village might be abandoned. Bugøynes was put up for sale, thankfully that didn’t happen, but the publicity this garnered helped save the village. Today, villagers continue to make their living from the sea, but the focus is now on the mighty king crab, familiar to everyone who has watched the Deadliest Catch reality-TV show!
Despite its small size, Bugøynes has activities and attractions everyone. Obviously there is plenty of fishing to be done, both from the sandy shores and rocky outcrops, and from within boats operated by local guides. Varangerfjord, the easternmost fjord in Norway, also provides excellent diving opportunities, with visibility good at depths of up to 50 metres. The western side of the bay is kept ice free in winter, making it ideal for those brave enough to try real arctic swimming, an experience that certainly won’t be forgotten. At other times, taking a dip in the Arctic Ocean coming straight from the sauna is also unforgettable – there is an authentic wooden sauna on the beach accessible to all.
Full story HERE
Source: Discovering Finland
Polar Lights Tours – Horses, huskies and the magic of Lapland in Levi
Polar Lights Tours is a family run business located just 20 minutes from Kittilä Airport that provides a range of stunning nature adventures. With all year round programs, guests who love the natural surroundings and native animals of Finnish Lapland are certain to find experiences to suit at Polar Lights Tours. The farm is home to a number of sturdy and reliable Finnhorses and over a hundred eager dogs – Alaskan huskies and malamutes, as well as the three family members who keep everything running smoothly. Polar Lights Tours provide husky safaris, horse trekking, and guided tours, all within 10km of the services and attractions of Levi Resort.
As is true for all Lapland tourist service providers, winter is the busiest time of year at Polar Lights Tours, but this doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of options for guests arriving in the summer months. During the long days of nightless night summers, guests can explore the pristine natural beauty of the surrounding Lapland landscapes hiking and trekking, or even take a husky sled ride on their special summer sleds. They can learn of the history, life, and training of these working dogs, while enjoying coffee by a campfire in the fells. Most visitors find a visit to the husky farm an unforgettable experience, especially when there are new puppies to pet and play with!
Full story HERE
Source: Discovering Finland
