I’ll be returning to Finland for my third time, but it will be my first time in summer! I’m SO excited to see how different it will be. And I love that the focus of this trip is all about nature and bird watching! Hmmm…. I wonder if I’ll see any reindeer this time? I’m sure the drinks will be the same! I learned that on my first trip – the Finns definitely enjoy a beverage or two and I look forward to sampling these Finnish drinks again! I don’t want to give away too much of what I’m doing, but here are a few highlights: My journey starts in Vaasa, city located over 400km north of Helsinki on the west coast. It’s south of Oulu, a subarctic city that I’ve visited before, so it will be fun to see what I’ve missed in the middle of Finland, even though I do make my way up to Liminka Bay, which is just south of Oulu!
Vaasa, a city on the west coast of Finland. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.
Then I’ll be heading to Björköby, a UNESCO World Heritage Site! I’ve lost track of how many UNESCO sites I’ve visited, but whatever the number, it’s never enough!
Björköby, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Finland. Photo courtesy of AleGranholm from Helsinki, Finland, via Wikimedia Commons
I continue onto the Kalajoki, which is known for its beautiful sandy beaches and it’s sand dunes. It’s also a popular seaside destination for Finns. Personally, I’m most excited about the sunsets!
Kalajoki, a popular seaside destination on the west coast of Finland. Photo courtesy of: VinnieFIN, via Wikimedia Commons
My exploration will end in Liminka Bay with a visit to the nature center and bird watching! It’s home to an incredible 200 different species!
Liminka Bay is an exceptional place for bird watching! Photo courtesy of VisitOulu.fi.
Want to find out even more? Follow along on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #OutdoorsFinland. I’ll also be posting photos on my Facebook page! Let the exploration begin!
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