Kuopio as a local

In Finland, there is no season more beautiful than another. They all have their own magic. In Autumn the trees turn red, orange and yellow. Landscapes change to almost unreal paintings. Finns call this period of the year "Ruska" (vivid Autumn colors). With a friend from France, we decided to go for a weekend to the city of Kuopio, in the lakeland region. Why Kuopio? Because the Autumn colors were not yet arrived in the Southern parts of the country (mid-September) and they were almost gone in Lapland. Kuopio is ideally located in the middle of the country. The other aims of the trip were to experient a long-distance trip by bus and to enjoy a city as a local. I've already visited that city more than once but always by my own, always going to the same places. For my firend it was a new experience. It was time to ask for help from the tourist office of Kuopio.

Design walk in Helsinki

This is probably one of my favorite neighborhoods in Finland's capital: Arabianranta. As a design enthusiast, I love to chill in the factory, in the parks chasing the statues and other pieces of art or just visit the exhibition in the design museum. This is a peaceful area, perfect to unleach your imagination and recharge your batteries or simply to impress your friends!

Habitare - the largest design fair in Finland

The largest design fair opens its doors every mid-September in the Helsinki Fair Center (Messukeskus) in Pasila showing all the new trends in home and office furniture, interior decoration and design. Under the roof of this large building are combined the ValoLight, HiFiExpo, ArtHelsinki and Antiikki fairs. In this 2015 edition, find the TalentShop where young designers are presenting their pieces of art that may change your life in the furture.

The Solar System at human size

Sometimes you have to expect the unexpeted! During an evening walk I've found out a small scale planet under a picnic shelter in the bird national park of Laajalahti in Espoo. What was Uranus doing there? In 1992, the 1:1000 milion scale was created between Helsinki and Espoo by the Ursa Astrnomical Association. How about discovering the solar system at human size?

A little paradise in the heart of the city

The Töölönlahti bay in Helsinki is one of the locals' favorite spots for chilling out, birds spotting, running and exercising between the railway tracks and the Mannerheimintie. The bay is surrounded by trees and three very famous monuments: the Finlandia Hall, the Opera and the Aleksis Kivi house. But other landmarks are visible such as the National Museum, the Olympic Tower and the amusement park Linnanmäki. There are also a small sauna, a restaurant and a café around the path. The "Blue Café" offers one of the best views over the city.

A rhino in Lapland

During a road trip it is not unusual to find some extraordinary places, buildings or pieces of art. But when you see a rhino in Lapland, you definitively have to take a look. What is this animal doing in that far North region?

Never take a "no" as a definitive refusal

Photo: Pinterest

It is not rare that Finns answer "no" to the questions foreigners ask in English. I faced it in different places such as in shops, at the bank and at KELA (social insurance institution). During the past years I have understood that behind this 2-letters-word there is a hidden message. It is easier for them to say "no" that to look for the answer when they don't know or are not sure to understand what you really want. The language is very often an issue. But the culture also plays a role. Finns are honest people. No doubt about it. And lying is not in their habits.