Around Joensuu

On the way to the Koli National Park we stopped in Joensuu to visit the North Karelian Museum. Afterwards we found a lookout point and a nice place at a lake for the night. Traditional shoes made from birchbark  Joensuu town hall Karelian dresses Wonderful birch forests On the way to the Koli mountains we …

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Along Lake Saimaa

We had left the coast of the Gulf of Finland and were on the way North to the lakes Finland is so famous for. We reached Lappeenranta on the southern shore of the fourth largest lake in Europe, Lake Saimaa. First we went to explore the old fort, the harbour and the city before we …

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Hike @ Nuuksio National Park

To get the first impression of the Finish countryside, we went to Nuuksio National Park in the North East of Helsinki for a hike around fantastic lakes and rocks formed by mighty glaciers. From the parking different routes are marked. We chose the yellow 8km route which was a lovely circular hike. Lingonberries Wood shelter …

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Helsinki

Our day at Helsinki was overcast with occasional drizzle, but that didn’t spoil the fun to explore a new town. Helsinki Cathedral We stayed at the camping ground in the outskirts of Helsinki and took the underground into the centre. In Finland masks are not required anywhere, but it is recommended in public transport, so …

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Tallinn

The capital of Estonia welcomed us with good weather.  The town has a beautiful historic centre and is surrounded by stylish modern architecture. View over the centre with the city wall towers Main square City wall The Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built in the Russian Revival style between 1894 and 1900, when Estonia was part …

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Hike @ Lahemaa National Park

In the north of Estonia the coast is fantastic. We took a walk and admired all the boulders left here by the last glaciers. The name Lahemaa translates roughly as “Land of Bays”. It originates from the most thoroughly studied and visited part of the North Estonian coast, where four large peninsulas are separated from …

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