Finland is a really special place for me (Carol). I spent four Christmases here, as it was my parents’ go-to holiday destination. A place so ridiculously magical that reindeer just roam around in the wild, and Santa Claus Village is literally a real place you can visit (I promise I’m not making that up).

More recently, Max joined my family on a trip where we spent freezing nights chasing the Northern Lights, speeding around on snowmobiles, and trying to ski in -30°C weather. Word of advice: skiing when it’s that cold is definitely an experience, but my toes would NOT recommend it!

Beyond the festive voodoo and exploring Helsinki together, Finland has plenty of funny little quirks that catch travellers off guard, like finding out you can’t actually buy spirits in normal supermarkets, sauna etiquette, or simply figuring out how to dress so you don’t instantly freeze.

That’s why we put together these guides: to give you practical itineraries, winter transport hacks, and real-world recommendations based on our own trips over the years.

Pick a post below and start planning your trip!