A winter escape to Finland
I have always wanted to experience heavy snow and live in a cabin in the woods. Last Year for our annual escape during February I picked Lapland for our adventurous escape. I dreamt that we would see the Northen lights and walk on frozen lakes, breathe in the cold mountain air atop a ski slope, chill out in one of the famous Finnish hot saunas and snuggle up inside a wood cabin while watching the snowfall thick and fast outside…
How many of these things did we manage to tick off our wish list? Read on, for my series of blog posts about our magical escape to Finnish Lapland!
But before we could embark on our little adventure, we decided to stay a night in the capital city Helsinki to help acclimatize. It turned out to be a really wise call as the night before we landed in Kitilla the mercury had dipped to -34 deg Celcius brrrrr
By the time the cab from the airport dropped us off near our apartment in Helsinki it was really dark and it was snowing heavily. Finding our way around using google maps while lugging our bags through snow and barely anyone around to ask for directions, was not fun. Finally, I caved in and called our host, he very kindly agreed to come to the apartment and helped us find our way.
After a very warm welcome and showing us around his stunning flat he bid us goodbye.
There is a secure entry system and thankfully also an elevator. The apartment itself has two very secure double doors and at the entrance ample storage for luggage, heavy winter boots, and wet jackets and coats.
The apartment was exactly as described in the listing and the photos were perfect too. It was like walking into a photograph, every single thing in exactly the same place as it was.
The living room is very pleasant, well-lit and had lots of books and records, T.V and a music system, radio and even a guitar. A cosy sofa with soft pillows and warm throws added to the homely touch.
The kitchen was well equipped and spotlessly clean. After settling in we walked down around the corner to a mini-mart and picked up some fruit, packet soup and sandwiches for a quick dinner.
The dining table is perfect for a group. The kitchen counter had a basket with local maps, flyers for local attractions and contact details for booking cabs and tours. Apart from the usual toaster, kettle and coffee machine, there was everything one would need to prepare a meal and serve a meal.
The flat is perfect for a large group and can easily sleep up to 6 -8 people. There is a huge bed in the bedroom in the master bedroom and a pull out sofa bed in the second bedroom and the spacious living room. Plenty of extra pillows, duvets, and bedding are also stashed away inside the cupboards.
The bathroom is tiny but again was very clean and just sufficient for a short stay. Clean towels, basic toiletries and access to a washing machine are available.
We had booked an early morning shared cab to the airport for our flight to Lapland the next day. We slept so well in the huge and comfortable that it was tough getting out and rushing to get ready in time! A quick breakfast later we rushed down and just managed to hop into the cab. An otherwise sleepy and long ride to the airport went by quite quickly as we chatted with a young scientist who was sharing the cab with us. A local student he was doing some amazing research and was off to the U.K to collaborate with some university students for his research. Reminded me of my days as a young Biochemistry research fellow at Mumbai University – it seems like a lifetime away!
My husband and I would both highly recommend booking this apartment to anyone looking for a comfortable stay, close to amenities and transport links and easy access to the airport.
Tempted to fly to Helsinki? Dreaming of an escape from your routine to exciting Finnish Lapland? Check out my review post about our amazing stay at the Eco-friendly backpacker’s hostel in Lapland called 7 Fells. We stayed in an individual log cabin which was like a huge private studio apartment:
* I planned this entire trip on my own and have paid in full everywhere I have stayed at and eaten at, also for all activities. As always all opinions expressed are as always my own.
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