Finland: Where Nature and Tradition Flow Together
If you’re not into nature, you might as well skip Finland. Seriously. This country breathes nature—from endless forests and mirrored lakes to the silence that’s almost deafening. One way or another, sooner or later, you’ll find yourself face-to-face with a landscape that takes your breath away (or, if you’re not a nature enthusiast, just an empty spot where you have nothing to do).
I mostly visited the north of Finland during my travels, as a stopover on my way to Norway. During my first trip, I ended up staying with a Sami family who offered me shelter. What made this family special was their expertise in making traditional clothing. Each Sami family has unique patterns, colors, and even stitching methods that express their identity. It’s like a family tree, but wearable. Fascinating, right?
From Traditional to… Made in China?
Unfortunately, there’s a cloud over this colorful horizon. Many Samis now buy their traditional garments from China (via online shops). And yes, you read that right—even with all the unique details and centuries-old techniques, the competition from cheap production is too strong. Whether the stitching is done with thousand-year-old precision or not, money talks. Even in Lapland. And then it doesn’t have to be traditionally correct for many anymore.
But times are changing. It’s both tragic and funny at the same time that you can find an “authentic Sami outfit” with a “Made in China” label. It’s like buying Belgian pralines in New York only to find they are filled with peanut butter.
Places That Stuck With Me During this trip,
I visited several villages, some of which made a deep impression. A few of these places deserve their own story, and I’ve described them extensively in separate blogs. From reindeer spots where the reindeer seem smarter than the average selfie tourist passing by to an abandoned hut where I got lost for half a day because I thought my GPS was “creative”—these are all stories you shouldn’t miss.
Be sure to click on the links below the video to read more about my experiences. Who knows, you might discover something that inspires you to give Finland a chance. Or just to laugh at my adventures.
Di
Discover my stories here:
These posts tell you more about Possible Overnight Stays from Wild Camping to Hotels
These posts include GPX files for hiking trails.