white nights in st.petersburg

Minimalist Finland, is solitude the best thing the country can offer?

Alexander Popkov·
Travel photographyUncategorizedThings to do in FinlandBigger HelsinkiBest of Europe!FinlandHelsinkiLaplandNaturePhoto storyMinimalist
·
If you look for party time, Finland isn’t probably the best location. But if for your holiday, you look for silence and solitude, then Finland could be the best place the world. I have noticed that visitors from St. Petersburg, a city full of life, tell that they can relax and have a very good rest here. I remember myself feeling the same way when I was in Finland as a guest (several years ago). Although in Finland, I personally have more silence then I need, I still feel like making this post. Calm and relaxing time can be one of the best things the country has to offer.
A foggy day in Helsinki. I was always wondering what is in this house on a small island. It is seen from the ferry on the way to Suomenlinna. How would you feel if you stay there?

Finland and its connections to nature

Finland is a relatively large country (one of the biggest in Europe with only 5 m. people) and is mostly forests and lakes. For Finns, the connections to nature seem to be very important. Almost every living area is surrounded by trees and has a large green area nearby. Finns spend a lot of time outside and I have noticed that many go alone. This actually surprised me – individuals on long hikes or ski trips.
Met this guy during my trip to Finnish Lapland. He told he was skiing for hours, and was very happy because he saw listened to a rare owl.
“We see the sole nature walks as some sort of mediation”
I had to talk to some fellow Finns about it. As they told: “We see the sole nature walks as some sort of mediation. Outside, there are no irritating lights or noise. When you go alone – you have time to think, listen to the quiet nature, breeze fresh air and gain strength. The things are especially calm in winter or when the weather is foggy.”

Finnish minimalist outdoors

So, winter and foggy weather. I instantly remembered some of the photographs I took before. I was surprised how peaceful they look. Normally, when doing image processing, you adjust the color pallets, but on that images everything was ready. Like the Scandinavian design, everything looks calm, simple and minimalistic.
Somewhere in Espoo Archipelago
Another Island in Helsinki, on the way to Suomenlinna

Lapland…

Kemijärvi, the last train station to the north
This winter paradise should be on the radar for travel photographers

…and a bit more of (not-outdoorish) Helsinki

-15°C (5°F)
The cruise ship is almost unnoticeable

Share your Minimalist Finland

Feel free to share yours, best ones would be posted in this blog post and on my page. 1. Join the FB group “Finland in Pictures” 2. Post on the photo on the wall with the tag #minimalistfinland

Join my community!

I love working on Engineer on tour, but it is a time-consuming thing to make. I am always improving and trying to bring you the best from photography and travel.

Currently, my main platform is my Facebook Photo Page. I will be happy to see you among my followers’ families and engage in a friendly discussion. Let me know how I’m doing and feel free to suggest some topics to write about.

You can also find me on other social media: FACEBOOK 2 (blog updates only) / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / INSTAGRAM 2 (only Finland) / PINTEREST

Pinterest:

Share with a friend
8  1K    
1K
Shares