Finland

On the way home from my three month stint in Italy I took a little detour and headed north to Finland. Many people's reaction when I say I went to Finland is either - "Oh, Finland. That's cool" or "Why Finland?" My answer has always just been because my aunt and uncle live there but now I also answer "Why not Finland?" Finland is such a cool country. In all my travels it had the most unique foods and quintessential Christmas feel. (I mean - Santa does live there after all.)

I'm so thankful to my aunt and uncle for their abundant generosity and for giving up a few days to take me around and show me everything "Finland." We did everything from going to the spa, taking in the Christmas markets in downtown Helsinki and indoor cross-country skiing. We ate good food, enjoyed good company and made even better memories. I'm already looking forward to my next visit and am now an official Finland-advocate.

Downtown Helsinki

I'm a sucker for some good architecture

Cutie little Christmas market

Found Santa!

We're friends now.

Downtown harbor

So, as if it's not cold enough in Finland, this is an outdoor swimming pool. Yes. You read that correctly. And, yes, there were people swimming in it while we were there....in December....in Finland.

My uncle and aunt turned me on to ginger shots. They are yummy and a great way to keep up your health in those frigid temperatures.

Downtown at one of the Christmas markets. (Peep the very warm, very official winter coat)

Beautiful

Fazer is a chocolate company that happens to also have a little cafe in town. I will vouch that it has some of the yummiest chocolates and most delicious cafe food. (All of which was lactose free!! My uncle told me the majority of the food in Finland is lactose and gluten free which is so convenient.)

Porvoo - a beautifully iconic historic fishing town.

Did I mention it was cold? Shout-out to my aunt and uncle for saving me with this amazing coat and providing shoes, gloves and scarves!!