Finland is quite an extraordinary place. Today, it celebrates its Independence Day, so here are ten things that I particularly love about my home country. The education system Not only does Finland have one of the world’s best education systems, but everything – from preschool to university – is free at the point of use.… Continue reading Ten Things I Love About Finland
Tag: europe
Flight-free Holidays: Autumn City Break in Berlin
What comes to your mind when you think of Berlin? Like many big cities, Berlin is full of contrasts: at once businesslike and relaxed, strict and chill, splendid and subdued, bursting with fun places to discover but also with dark memories. You could easily spend your holiday just discovering the city’s many museums, or touring the… Continue reading Flight-free Holidays: Autumn City Break in Berlin
Five Hours in Constantinople: How to Enjoy a Short Layover in Istanbul
The third Rome, the capital of the Byzantine Empire and one of the most interesting cities on our planet… As an Orthodox Christian and a person of Greek heritage, I have always been fascinated by Constantinople. No wonder, then, that when I found out our trip to Rostov-on-Don could* include a short layover in Istanbul… Continue reading Five Hours in Constantinople: How to Enjoy a Short Layover in Istanbul
The Garden of Europe: Postcards from the Gorgeous Keukenhof
I love flowers. So much so, in fact, that if I were to make a list of the five top sights in the Netherlands, at least two would involve flowers: the tulip fields (read more about them here) and the Keukenhof gardens. In case you’re not familiar with Keukenhof, it’s an annual flower show that… Continue reading The Garden of Europe: Postcards from the Gorgeous Keukenhof
In Search of Tulips: Cycling the Dutch Flower Fields
Holland is perhaps best known for its flowers, and exploring the famous flower fields on a bicycle is one of the best things to do in the Netherlands, if you ask me. It’s a breathtaking experience, standing in the middle of a field of tulips, surrounded with flowers, in all the colours of the rainbow, … Continue reading In Search of Tulips: Cycling the Dutch Flower Fields
Boat Parties and Orange Balloons, or Celebrating King’s Day in Amsterdam
Now I know it for sure: celebrating King’s Day in Amsterdam is best done aboard a boat. [What is King’s Day, I hear you ask? Well, as the name suggests, it’s a day dedicated to the Dutch ruler, currently King Willem-Alexander (until a few years ago, the party was known as the Queen’s Day after… Continue reading Boat Parties and Orange Balloons, or Celebrating King’s Day in Amsterdam
Party Like a King: 5 Tips for Celebrating King’s Day in Amsterdam
It’s that time of the year again – the whole of Holland is turning orange. No, I’m not talking about the world-renowned Keukenhof gardens or the famous tulip fields – I’m talking about King’s Day. What is King’s Day? Well, as the name suggests, it’s a day dedicated to the current Dutch King Willem-Alexander (until… Continue reading Party Like a King: 5 Tips for Celebrating King’s Day in Amsterdam
The gorgeous Tallinn and three other reasons to visit Estonia in 2018
Palju õnne Eesti ja eestlased! Estonia, one of my fatherlands and my home country during my toddler years, celebrates its 100th birthday today. Here are four reasons why you should join the celebrations and visit Estonia in 2018. Visit Estonia? But where is Estonia? I thought you might ask – I’ve actually heard this question quite… Continue reading The gorgeous Tallinn and three other reasons to visit Estonia in 2018