NordenBladet – The report reveals a stark east-west divide, with the Muslim share of the populations in Germany, France, Austria and Belgium expected to be at least 18 per cent of the total populations by 2050 if high migration continues. The report, Europe’s Growing Muslim Population, was released by the Washington-based Pew Research Centre.
In Poland, the Muslim population, which is currently less than 0.1 per cent is expected to grow to 0.2 per cent.
Higher fertility and rates and a younger age profile mean that even if all 28 EU members, as well as Norway and Switzerland, closed their borders, the Muslim population in Europe would continue to grow in the west but remain low in Eastern Europe.
The report examined three scenarios – if migration into Europe was to stop immediately and indefinitely, if all refugee levels slow but the migration of those who come for reasons other than seeking asylum would continue, and if the flow of refugees into Europe continues indefinitely.
The report reads: “Countries that have received relatively large numbers of Muslim refugees in recent years are projected to experience the biggest changes in the high migration scenario. For instance, Germany’s population (six per cent Muslim in 2016) would be projected to be about 20 per cent Muslim by 2050 in the high scenario – a reflection of the fact that Germany has accepted many Muslim refugees in recent years – compared with 11 per cent in the medium scenario and nine per cent in the zero migration scenario.”
Meanwhile, Europe’s non-Muslim population is expected to decline in all three scenarios, the report finds.
The fertility rate for Muslims in Europe is 2.6 per cent, compared to 1.6 for non-Muslims, while the proportion of Muslims under the age of 15 is 27 per cent, almost twice that of under-15 non-Muslims at 15 per cent.
The report also finds the UK was the top destination for immigrants to Europe between 2010 and 2016, with Britain taking in 1.6 million migrants.
Germany came in second with 1.35 million, followed by France and Italy. Interestingly, there are no Eastern European countries in the top 10.
The report concludes: “Europe’s population (including both Muslims and non-Muslims) would be expected to decline considerably (from about 521 million to an estimated 482 million) without any future migration.
“In the medium migration scenario, it would remain roughly stable, while in the high migration scenario it would be projected to grow modestly.”
NordenBladet – Magnesium is one of the most versatile and essential minerals that our bodies require for healthy cell, tissue, and muscle function. This mineral is a necessity for over 300 chemical reactions that include metabolism, production of nucleic acids and protein, and for maintaining heart health. In fact magnesium deficiency can increase the risk of heart attacks by 53% according to this research.
Healthy magnesium levels are best maintained with natural organic foods. Focus on establishing a healthy, balanced diet to provide a sufficient intake and cut back on the sugar and salt. Although there are supplements available, relying on them to provide the right levels is ineffective if your diet is poor. Manufactured supplements can also interfere with other forms of medication you might be taking, such as diuretics and antibiotics.
Although the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for magnesium is between 300-400 mg per day, research shows that taking an additional 100 milligrams per day can improve heart health and prevent heart disease. For a well-balanced diet, make sure to include these 20 magnesium-rich foods for cardiovascular health:
1. Almonds
Research has shown that almonds improve heart health by maintaining healthy blood vessels and increasing antioxidants in the blood. It thereby reduces blood pressure to improve blood flow, which affects circulation through the heart. Add 1 ounce of dry-roasted almonds to your daily diet for 80 mg of magnesium.
2. Avocado
Avocados are packed with antioxidants and heart-healthy fats that decrease the risk of heart disease, help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and increase levels of good cholesterol (HDL). A healthy dose daily is one cup of cubed avocado for 44 mg of magnesium.
3. Artichokes
Fresh artichokes may not be the easiest vegetable to prepare, but the rewards are significant. Keep this vegetable around as they are very rich in magnesium (as well as potassium and phosphorus), which is an ideal combination for maintaining the health and function of arteries and blood vessels.
4. Asparagus
This wonder veg contains significant amounts of soluble fiber, phytonutrients, vitamins and of course, magnesium. This mixture of goodness provides antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying properties, which prevents the constricting of blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure and contributing to healthy heart function.
5. Bananas
Although this fruit is best known for its high potassium content, it also contains high magnesium levels linked to lowering blood sugar, blood pressure and reducing heart disease. One large banana contains 37 mg of magnesium, providing 9% of recommended daily intake.
6. Black Beans
Black beans are one of the world’s healthiest foods providing a range of health benefits. They have high levels of magnesium, quercetin, and saponins, which are very effective in protecting the heart and naturally decreasing blood pressure. A half cup of cooked black beans provides 60 mg of magnesium.
7. Bran Flakes
Our bodies contain about 24 g of magnesium and up to 60% of this mineral is found in the bones. Having a half cup of unprocessed, unsweetened bran flakes daily provides a powerful dose of magnesium (112 mg) to support healthy bone function, which aids blood production and blood flow.
8. Whole-wheat Bread
The body absorbs the minerals it needs before excreting excess amounts through the kidneys. If the body is not absorbing the magnesium due to a bad diet, that’s when a magnesium deficiency occurs. By having two slices of whole-wheat bread a day, will provide 46 mg of magnesium.
9. Figs
Fruits high in fiber are also high in magnesium. Figs are loaded with magnesium to help lower blood pressure when elevated, but remarkably, it does not affect blood pressure where levels are normal. This fruit is naturally sweet, making it an ideal snack or dessert. A half cup of dried figs contains 51 mg of magnesium.
10. Kidney Beans
Studies indicate that having a low magnesium intake increases the chances of chronic inflammation and heart conditions, as the blood is deprived of this essential mineral. Kidney beans are very nutritious and have several healthful benefits. Have one cup of boiled beans for 74,3 mg of magnesium.
11. Mackerel
Mackerel (unsmoked) is super healthy and rich in the omega-3s and magnesium, which maintain heart health. It has 60 mg of magnesium per 100-gram serving. Although the common mackerel is known for its high mercury content, the Alaskan Atka Mackerel and Atlantic Mackerel are the healthiest fish to eat in a balanced diet.
12. Peanuts
Another benefit of eating magnesium-rich foods is the healthy dose of complementary vitamins and minerals you get at the same time. From a quarter cup of oil-roasted peanuts, you will get 63 mg of magnesium and a good amount of calcium, which promotes the absorption of magnesium.
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13. Peanut Butter
This could be good news for some. Smooth, unsalted and unsweetened peanut butter has 154 mg magnesium for a 100 g serving. This healthy dosage of magnesium on a daily basis will help the muscles and heart function properly. Bread and peanut butter is a magnesium-rich snack.
14. Potato
By increasing or maintaining magnesium levels, the risk of cardiovascular disease is significantly decreased. Yet, studies found that 80% of the US population does not have sufficient magnesium in their diets, leading to many health issues. Help up your intake with a medium baked potato (with skin) that provides 28 mg of magnesium.
15. Rice
This type of rice is a highly nutritious grain for digestion, reducing cancer, and promoting good heart health. A portion of 100 g brown cooked rice gives you 43 mg of magnesium. Not only is this grain rich in magnesium, it also contains plant lignans that protect against heart disease.
16. Salmon
Including salmon in a balanced diet can provide healthy doses of magnesium to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD), high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. This mineral assists in slowing down or preventing atherosclerosis, which is a build-up of plaque that narrows the blood vessels.
17. Shredded Wheat Cereal
Having 100 gram serving of this cereal daily will give you 133 mg of magnesium. This is a rich, healthy source of the magnesium, which is vital for hundreds of enzymes to function properly. Low levels of this essential mineral contribute more to heart disease than cholesterol or saturated fats.
18. Soymilk
Magnesium also resides in the heart’s left ventricle to manage the amount of calcium that goes into the muscle cells. If there is not enough magnesium, then the calcium cannot be controlled, which could lead to muscle cells hyper contracting causing a heart attack. One cup of soymilk provides 61 mg magnesium.
19. Spinach
Cholesterol has always been the main focus for causing heart conditions, so low magnesium levels often go undetected until severe magnesium-deficiency symptoms occur. Optimal levels can prevent and even in some cases, reverse heart-related risk factors. Green leafy vegetables, like Spinach, have 78 mg of magnesium per half cup of boiled spinach.
20. Yogurt
Factors which hinder the absorption of magnesium include excess alcohol, diarrhea, and vomiting, leaving your body depleted of minerals. Magnesium is linked to blood pressure regulation and reducing cardiovascular disease. For good heart and gut health, include 8 ounces of low-fat, plain yogurt for 42 mg of magnesium.
NordenBladet – Want to stay vital longer? Then you need to include these 20 superfoods for people over 50 into your diet. No matter how old you are, you should choose your food wisely. But when you reach a certain point in life, your body just can’t take all the junk food as well as it could when you were 20. So if you want to keep your mind sharp and your immune system up and running, check out what foods you should be eating.
1. Apples
We all know that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. That said, make sure you buy organic apples to avoid all the harmful pesticides. Apples can help regulate your blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Plus, they’re a good source of vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants.
2. Carrots
Carrots give a new meaning to the term superfood. They can help with everything, from skin care, eyesight, oral health, cholesterol, blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, immune system, digestion, all the way to cancer prevention. This is due to beta-carotene, fiber, vitamins (A, C, E, K, B8), as well as minerals (potassium, copper, manganese, iron), and antioxidants they contain.
3. Beetroot
You can grind it, drink it as juice, make soups, or even roast it. Beetroot is a great source of vitamins A and C, minerals such as calcium, manganese, potassium and iron, as well as folic acid and fiber. It’s rich in antioxidants and it can lower blood pressure, prevent certain types of cancer, improve exercise performance, and prevent dementia. It’s low in calories so it’s also good for weight loss.
4. Blueberries
Blueberries contain powerful antioxidants and soluble fiber. They help optimize blood sugar levels and reduce bad cholesterol. Blueberries are high in vitamins C and K and manganese. Simply add them to your oatmeal, Greek yogurt, or fruit salad to boost the flavor and your health.
5. Nuts
Forget the chips and crackers and take some walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, or whatever you prefer. Or make a mix of your favorite nuts and add them to your oatmeal or salad. They’re high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, as well as antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. They can lower bad cholesterol, promote weight loss, reduce inflammation, prevent heart attack and stroke, and help digestion. Just make sure you don’t take more than a handful a day as they’re very high in energy.
6. Dark chocolate
Just 30-60 grams of dark chocolate a day can help lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol, prevent heart disease, protect your skin against sun damage, and improve brain function. Dark chocolate contains fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, selenium and manganese. It will also improve your mood due to endorphin release it causes.
7. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is high in protein and soluble fiber, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, iron, as well as B vitamins. It’s the ideal breakfast and you can upgrade your serving with some fresh or dried fruit or nuts. Oatmeal helps digestion, lowers bad cholesterol and blood sugar, promotes weight loss, and relieves constipation. Eat it with Greek Yogurt to boost the taste and nutritional value.
8. Pears
Pears are great for people over 50 as they contain a lot of soluble fiber, vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, and antioxidants. And they taste so good, don’t they? Well, you can enjoy them guilt-free as they can actually help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes.
9. Cherries
Did you know that cherries contain 65 times more vitamin C than oranges? Talk about antioxidants! Other than the vitamin C and divine taste, cherries are also rich in vitamins A and B, dietary fiber, iron, and calcium. They are good for digestion, they can lower bad cholesterol, help regulate blood sugar levels, and promote weight loss.
10. Apricots
Apricots are the perfect snack for people over 50 as they’re soft, sweet, and packed with vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant. You can also add them to your fruit salad or oatmeal. Dried apricots are also an excellent choice as they contain iron that helps with anemia. They’re also good for your skin, blood pressure, and digestion.
11. Strawberries
Strawberries are possibly the most popular seasonal fruit and they’re packed with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that prevents aging. They’re also high in fiber and help reduce bad cholesterol and improve heart health. They’re also a source of vitamin K, manganese, magnesium, potassium, and folate.
12. Avocado
Avocado has become popular around the world not only for its delicious taste but also for its monounsaturated fats that are good for your heart. Avocados are packed with almost 20 vitamins and minerals, including vitamins K, C, B, and E, as well as potassium and copper. They can help regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels and have anti-aging properties.
13. Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is great for digestion because it’s packed with probiotics and rich in protein. It’s ideal for people over 50 as it contains less sugar, salt, and carbohydrates than regular yogurt. Since gut health is essential for absorbing all the other nutrients, probiotics are a must if you want to maintain your overall health.
14. Butternut Squash
If you like butternut squash, you’ll be happy to hear that it’s rich in powerful antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E. It also contains fiber, beta-carotene, folate, potassium, and manganese. It’s good for your heart, bones, nervous system, and immune system.
15. Salmon
Well, we can’t just ramble about fruits and veggies all day. So here’s a real treat for you. Salmon is a delicious, heart-friendly superfood rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids. It lowers blood pressure and prevents heart attack and it’s also good for your brain, skin, eyesight, and can help prevent cancer. It also contains vitamins B6, B12, D, and selenium, potassium, and choline.
16. Quinoa
Quinoa is a favorite among vegetarians and vegans, but everyone should reap the benefits of adding it to their diet. It’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. It’s also good for those sensitive to gluten as it’s completely gluten-free. It contains vitamin B2, magnesium, manganese, iron, phosphorus, copper, and an essential amino acid l-lysine. It’s beneficial for heart health, weight loss, cancer prevention, gut health, bone health, and diabetes prevention.
17. Garlic
Garlic is among the most potent anti-aging superfoods and it’s ideal for people over 50 (given that they don’t have to go on dates as much). It has antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal properties so it’s great for treating colds and infections. Other benefits include improved cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, cancer prevention, blood sugar regulation, and help with dementia symptoms.
18. Broccoli
Broccoli is a great detox food and it’s high in antioxidants. Whether you choose to eat it raw or cooked, you’ll get your daily dose of vitamins E and C. What makes it essential for people over 50 is that it helps prevent osteoporosis, cancer, and weight gain. And it’s good for your eyes and skin.
19. Asparagus
Asparagus is especially good for men over 50 as it helps protect the prostate and reduce the risk of prostate cancer. This is due to its high lycopene content. Of course, women should eat it too as it’s rich in fiber, and vitamin A. Other health benefits include lowering bad cholesterol, improving eye health, and boosting your immune system.
20. Spinach
Want to stay strong over the age of 50? Then get your portion of spinach now. You can eat it raw, but if you cook it or steam it, you’ll increase its nutritional value. Spinach contains more than a dozen antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and K, as well as magnesium, manganese, zinc, and selenium. It prevents cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and neurological disorders while boosting your eyesight, bone health, skin health, and immune system.
NordenBladet – The former New York Times Public Editor believes large news organizations will still exist, but more sources of news content will be individuals and small alliances of individuals (2:05)
NordenBladet – Kajaani in Central Finland is the centre and capital city of Kainuu area. The town with 37039 inhabitants was founded in the 17th century when the industry and trade of tar produced from pine trees started to flourish. The town was founded in the year 1651 by the Swedish attorney general Per Brahe. In later days the town’s economy has been run by timber and paper industry, until the Kajaani paper factory that had been working from 1907-2008 was closed down. Kajaani has reached the headlines with the oil catastrophe, namely in 2012 there was an extensive oil pollution and 110 000 litres of oil poured into the river and drifted to Oulujärvi.
Kajaani is actually a junction for trade roads and with an interesting location, surrounded by hundreds of little lakes. For hikers, cyclists and canooers this is a pleasant spot to go in for sports. The lovely little city centre with the shops and the town hall that was built in 1831 both contribute to the coxy feeling.
We spent in Kajaani one day and one night. We were in the most expensive hotel of the neighborhood, yet the night was a nightmare. People were shouting in the hotel hallways until late at night, dogs were barking and the insect repellent that had been sprayed to the hotel wardrobes, was breathtaking. Hadn’t it been a perfectly wonderful and friendly reception-lady earlier on welcoming us and checking us in the hotel, we would probably have decided to go somewher else. We were thinking to ourselves, whether the hotel star-standards that have been awarded still hold after a few years and wheather there is someone in charge of maintaining the initial standards?! The hotel facade and the reception floor were wonderful and freshly renovated, yet the hotel rooms were as if from another era. However, the breakfast in the hotel was very-very delightful (among the best during the entire journey)! For example cold salmon – my favourite! Yummmm… For children there was a large selection of various food that they could serve in Moomin dishes. Ahh, how I like the Moomins. Such a nice and friendly family, and the entire Moomin-world image is so friendly and nice. By the way, Ivanka Shoshana affectionately calls me Muuminmamma, she herself is Snork Maiden and Estella Elisheva is Little My – this is our game. A few years ago we visited the Moomin world in Naantali and the surroundings of Turku – Väsk island, the Finnish president’s summer residence in Kultaranta, etc. I posted many blogs about that (see HERE) 🙂
But what then is there to do in Kajaani? When you search online for Kajaani sightseeings then the list is rather short. The more interesting tourist magnets-sightseeings that have been brought out are Kajaani town hall, Kajaani and Paltaniemi church, the ruins of Kajaani stronghold (Linnankatu 27, Kajaani 87100), Kajaani art museum (Linnankatu 14, 87100), and Kajaani town theatre (Kauppakatu 14, 87100 Kajaani), the Pietari Brahen monument and Hoyrylaiva Kouta (address: Kalkkisillantie 4, Kajaani 87200), the ship that takes tours on Oulujärvi. Urho Kekkonen who during the years 1956-1982 was the Finnish president, was born in Lepikko farm Pielavesi village where at the age of 11 he moved to Kajaani. In the kajaani park that is located between Koivukoskenkatu and Kirkkokatu a monument has been erected in his honour. In the same park (on the address Väinämöisenkatu 18, 87100 Kajaani) there is also the “Isänmaan puolesta” memorial.
Having driven through all of western Finland and northern Finland this way and that way, one could say that central Finland and western Finland have a very different wealth standard and architecture. As it often is, the western side tends to be wealthier and the eastern side less well off. Many little towns in Finland have in a way frozen, the re is little of the Scandinavian welfare and wealth really in those places – like for example Puolanka and Pudasjärvi that have been described in the previous travel post (see HERE) and quite many other central and eastern towns in Finland, too. Also, it is rather strongly felt in Kajaani that the town would not suffer at all from a nice financial boost. In order to attract tourists in the town and keep the interested, I guess it would be necessary to promote the town far more. Certainly there are a lot more pearls in that region to be discovered. Overall, I am super overwhelmed about our road trip and I am already planning new jpurneys. It is possible to see so many places! At some point I would like to see the eastern side of Finland (Nurme surroundings, Joensuu region, Ilomantsi region, etc). Finland is a safe country and it is convenient to travel by car there. The next blog post will take us to Kuopio!
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NordenBladet – On the eighth day of our trip around Finland we headed from Rovaniemi (read the journey description HERE) towards Kajaani. Quite a long journey was ahead of us. Google distance measurer displayed ca 385km (4h 45min) when driving along E75 and E8. Since we were not in a hurry then we took our time and drove quietly, taking stops wherever we pleased.
From Rovaniemi to Kivitaipale, Narkaus, Ruonakoski, Portimo, Nuupas we drove towards Ranua. It was a small municipality in Lapland with less than 4000 inhabitants, 1.13 people per one square metre – very cool! I like it when people are not cramped together. The little municipality is divided into 21 small villages (Asmunti, Hosio, Impiö, Kelankylä, Kortteenperä, Kuha, Kuukasjärvi, Mauru, Nuupas, Petäjäjärvi, Pohjaslahti–Piittisjärvi, Portimo, Putkivaara, Raiskio, Rovastinaho, Saariharju, Saukkojärvi, Sääskilahti, Teerivaara, Telkkälä and Tolja). Ranua is known for its beautiful nature and large number of lakes – the little minicipality has as many as 569 of those! A source of popularity is also the Zoo of Ranua. It Europe’s northernmost zoo where one can see various arctic animals – for example the polar bear.
Further on our road took us from Ranua through Asmut, to Pudasjärvi. This is a small place, for some reason or other, at that moment is gave us a slightly depressive impression.
From Pudasjärvi we drove through Jatko, Hirvakoski, Ervasti and Auho Puolanka. Almost two hours of driving in complete abandonment… Perhaps a few cars passed us by during that time. A look to the right – there is forest, a look to the left – there is forest again. On the one hand this might be boring yet on the other hand it makes you happy. For once there are not factories and rubbish at every step where people have been. And in one place we also saw reindeer again, although I mentioned in the previous blog post that reindeer were not seen anymore. So now while reviewing the photos again I remembered that we still did see reindeer – these were tagged.
Puolanka (Puolango) is even less densely inhabited than Ranua municipality. In the 17 villages of Poulanka (Aittokylä, Auho, Joukokylä, Kivarinjärvi, Kotila, Kongasmäki, Leipivaara, Lylykylä, Naulaperä, Puokio, Puolanka, Rasinkylä, Suolijärvi, Vihajärvi, Väyrylä, Yli-Oterma, Törmänmäki) there are 2637 people according to the 31.08.2018 census, this would mean 1.07 people per one square kilometre. Like in Ranua, the municiplaity of Puolanka is only Finnish-speaking (as you may know, most of Finland is bilingual – the spoken languages are Finnish and Swedish. However, regardless of the latter fact you can hardly meet a genuine Finn in Finland. For some reason I had the idea that the countryside is untouched and not spoilt in that respect, that there are mainly Finns. But the streets are colourful in Helsinki as well as in Northenrn Finland. There are Iranians, Iraqi, Turks and people from other nationalities 50:50 with local people. The white Scandinavian porcelain skin is more and more rare, as well as the fair hair and blue eyes that used to be so common only 25 years ago. I guess the Nordic woman is alive only in folkrore and the epics a hundred years from now – provided there still remain people who value the culture. Nowadays everything has been mixed up. Even beside the two sexes, man and woman, there is the third gender. The social media has been praising robots, artificial intelligence, for many years already. Robot-influencers (i.e. @lilmiquela) have more followers than actual people. I am very curious about haw long it takes that people will say “now this is enough for me, I won’t go with the flow any more”. When do people start to appreciate reality?! Well, in some sense this is the society’s new reality. I guess VIP/Glamour versus Reality/Genuine have changed places and nowadays the actual things are luxurious products and everything that has been desirable and unattainable for years is now mass commodity.
But about Puolanka. Finland’s largest waterfall Hepoköngäs is located 16km from Puolanka centre, in the national park. There is plenty of beautiful, pure nature! An interesting fact about Puolanka is that Finland’s current Prime Minister Juha Sipilä, grew up there and spent his early days exactly there. This is a good example about a venturesome and ambitious person breaking through into big politics and business from this small place. I am glad that someone as high up the ladder has their roots in a small place and is aware of the life outside the capital city.
In Puolanka we briefly stopped for lunch. We stopped at the local Ester Restaurant (Ouluntie 4, 89200 Puolanka). The food was great and service was quick. We ordered a pizza (9.50), chicken salad (16.90), French fries (5.50), a jug of water (1.-) and coffee ( 1.60).
Now we were already looking forward to reaching our destination – Kajaani. There were a little less than 100km driving. We rolled through Leipivaara, Paltamo and Jormua to Kajaani where we parked the car and checked in to the hotel. I will write about Kajaani already in the next blog!
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NordenBladet – It was a pity to leave Levi, since it had been just wonderful there (read the blog overview HERE and general information what one can do in Levi HERE), however, we were on a road trip around Finland and it was time to move on. New places and new events were awaiting us! Today the trip to Rovaniemi where we planned to stay for two nights was ahead.
It is ca 2 hours driving from Levi to Rovaniemi (about 150km). I had a plan to drive through Särestöniemi museum that was conveniently on the way (Särestöntie 880 99119 Kaukonen), but apparently the GPS in the car was out of order since it was taking us through the wood to absolute wasteland… At some point when it was saying “you will reach destination after 800m” I just turned over as I was afraid to get stuck. The road from Kittilä to Rovaniemi was a little less awsome than the impressions from Kolari-Levi road, but the nature was there and the reindeer at the sides of the road were there, too. For me, the greatest impression from Lapland were the reindeer – they are just so wonderful! Together with the Nordic dark thick forests they create for me the mystic air that I went to find. Lapland is sooo lovable! I mostly like animals when they are freely in the nature – this is why I prefer to take children and go by ourselves into the nature rather than visit moose and husk farms where the animals are exhibited to tourists and used for riding. While the urban folk, constantly in a hurry, literally cannot see them any other way – then it is still good to have them, otherwise people would alienate from animals and from the nature completely.
The usual two-hour drive again took us about five-six hours while every now and then we stopped to enjoy the beautiful nature, see the reindeer, take photos and immediately share them on Instagram / Snapcat with our followers. Here and there we digressed to see the little villages on the sides of the road (Kaukonen, Lohiniva, Molkojoki, Meltaus, Patokoski, Marraskoski, Tapionkylä, Sinettä). Kittilä-Rovaniemi road number 79 goes almost all the way along the side of the longest river in Finland – the Ounasjoki River. Ounasjoki is about 299,6 km long (186,2 miles).
By lunchtime we arrived at Rovaniemi and decided to start with the greatest attraction here in Rovaniemi – the coolest sightseeing – Santa Claus. While we actually mixed things up then hereby I will also inform you that Santa Park (Tarvantie 1, 96930 Rovaniemi) and Santa Claus Holiday Village (Tähtikuja 2 96930 Rovaniemi – ca 8 km from Rovaniemi Centre) are two different destinations, however they are located quite close to one another (about a couple of kilometres apart). The first one was still closed when we arrived in Rovaniemi in October during our trip to Finland (it is open from November on). Santa Claus Holiday Village is a small village with cafes, a large souvenir shop and a possibility to take photos with Santa Claus in the post office for a reasonable amount of money. In our family we celebrate both Hanukka and Christmas – however the last holiday is not related to religion in our celebrations. There are the gnomes – funny little wizards, and Santa Claus, with his long white beard, who comes from Lapland, loves children and brings them presents. For us this is a fictional character, a fictional hero like the Pokus in children’s books (living in Southern Estonia), The Puppy-Girl Lotte (living in Pärnu) or the Moomins (living in Naantali, Finland).
The children (especially Ivanka Shoshana) were waiting with excitement to see Santa, yet ultimately such reserved reception by the children was unexpected. Quite honestly, I myself was rather disappointed. This is largely commerce – not even well-organised and convincinly sweet commerce, but rather somewhat hasty commerce… Along a quite interesting hallway we made it to Santa who was wearing an artificial beard and a cell phone in his hands (that one however he hid quickly). Even before children could have a look at Santa there were signed all over the place that you can take photos with Santa for such and such sums of money. Ahh.. who could be the marketing manager of that place? 😀
Rovaniemi has invested millions into promoting the Santa-story, and therefore it all is still worth seeing. Yet there is a difference between mere commerce and the real feeling, you still expect something for the soul… The story is actually fine, but the telling of the story could be a lot more magical and mystical! I think. From the positive side: the village cafes offer a lot of delicious food, you can purchase various local souvenirs and kill a couple of hours in quite a pleasant way – thus, once you are already there then it is definitely worthwhile paying a visit. Time spent with children and with the family is always wonderful for me and actually ther eare not too many places to see for a family event.
Having seen Santa, we checked in to our hotel — we felt that the “backbone” of our journey had been broken. In our hearts we knew that with great probability the most exciting part of our trip has in Lapland and in Finland overall been seen by this moment, yet rushing ahead of the event I can tell you that it wasn’t so. An abundance of surprises, excitement and discoveries were awaiting us on our trip around Finland! However, we didn’t see reindeer on the side of the road anymore and the hope to see northern lights/aurora borealis dimmed with every kilometre that took us towards Southern Finland.
I had to do some work in the evening to prepare for the next day’s mini-meeting with NordenBladet Southern Finnish team. Ivanka Shoshana (10) started to play with her toys and Estella Elisheva (12) went for a walk in the town on her own. I allowed her to go, provided she stays near the hotel. So she left, the cell phone, two GPS-transmitters and my bank card in the purse. I let her go alone but lectured lengthily about all possible dangers and instisted that she calls every now and then. Estella went to a restaurant to eat a vegan salad and on her way back on my friendly request brought a hamburger for me and Ivanka. Although I had imagined that Rovaniemi would be a lot smaller, it was actually a rather large town – with factories, block houses, broad roads. It was a big city, but the city centre however was really compact – right around the corner from the hotel there were several restaurants and department stores. All the larger and best known good hotelsand reatsaurants were close at hand, not to say they were tightly placed next to each other. We spent two days and two night in Rovaniemi and this time frame was filled with pleasant events.
The next morning we woke up early. The breakfast in the hotel was delightful, as well as the interior design, however, the bed linen turned out to cause allergy to me and Estella. At home I always wash the bed linen with a delicate detergent and rinse so that the linen would finally be completely detergent/chemical free. A night or two in the hotel would also do, but living a life where you travel from one hotel to another like it is usual on a longer journey – this will soon reflect on the skin. I even thought of taking my own bed linen with me nest time I travel. 🙂
I asked the children wheather they would like to see Santa once more, but they didn’t. Then we decided to take a tour in the town and drive around in Rovaniemi. During lunch I had two brief meetings in Rovaniemi – one of them with NordenBladet Northen-Finnish team members and the other one was related with the brand Elisheva & Shoshana. The meetings held abroad always leave an unforgettable impression on me – sometimes I even wish to pinch myself to believe it. To have business network across Scandinavia is a dream come true. It is funny how used to this I am already – the goals set a few years earlier are the reality today. Actualy I am obliged to praise myself, take some time off schedule and enjoy/celebrate!
As in Levi, also in Rovaniemi entrepreneurs organise safaris with husks and reindeer for tourists, there are activities suitable for every age group. The science park and museum in Rovaniemi, Arktikum Science Museum (Pohjoisranta 4, 96200 Rovaniemi), holds interesting events all year round – lectures, market day, even a film festival.
There would have been a lot more to discover in Rovaniemi, I had also two meetings arranged with local representatives on Lapland media, however the hands of the clock are not made from rubber. As in Tornio (read the travel blog HERE), I slightly conflicted my schedule and thus the visit to Daily Finland editorial and the meeting with the editor-in-chief Mister O.H.Ruhin and the plan to schedule a meeting also with the editor-in-chief of Lapin Kansa, A. Kokkonen, due to time restictions, were postponed for the time being. Two days in Rovaniemi passed quickly and the next destination on our journey was Kajaani. About that already in the next blog!
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NordenBladet – Levi is a fell located in Finnish Lapland, and the largest ski resort in Finland, based on the number of visitors. Lovely place to visit with friends or with familyt. The resort is located in Kittilä municipality and is served by Kittilä Airport and Kolari railway station. At a latitude of 67.8° north, it is located approximately 170 km (110 mi) north of the Arctic Circle. Amazing scenery, great skiing pistes, excellent services and good connections make Levi one of Finland’s most interesting tourism destinations!
First, I´ll answer the 12 most common questions about Levi, Lapland
Where is Levi Finland?
Levi is a fell located in Finnish Lapland, and the largest ski resort in Finland. The resort is located in Kittilä municipality and is served by Kittilä Airport and Kolari railway station. At a latitude of 67.8° north, it is located approximately 170 km (110 mi) north of the Arctic Circle.
How do I get to Levi?
Despite its location in the far north, Levi is easily reachable, as the Kittilä airport is located about 17 km and the Kolari railway station about 85 km away from Levi. By car or bus, the distance to the city of Rovaniemi is 170 km and the city of Oulu is 380 km. Visiting Levi also gives you a great opportunity to visit the close-by fells Ylläs (65 km) and Pallas (60 km) in the Finnish Lapland.
To Levi it is better to fly via Helsinki (1h30min) or Stockholm (1h40min) to Kittila a/p. and there is shuttle bus from the airport to Levi takes 15 min. You can also take a sleeper train from Helsinki to Kolari (80 km away from Levi) or to Rovaniemi (with this trains you can take your car as well).
What airport is closest to Lapland Finland?
Rovaniemi is the most popular airport (travelers interested in visiting Santa Claus’s village should fly here), being Ivalo the northest one. Rovaniemi serves as the entrance to all Lapland, Northwest Russia, Northern Sweden and Norway. It is not only serviced by Finnair but also by Norwegian and AirBaltic.
Who flies to Kittila Airport (IATA: KTT, ICAO: EFKT)?
Jet2, Flybe, Monarch Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines and Thomson Airways offer seasonal charter flights during the winter direct to Kittilä airport (Finnish: Kittilän lentoasema) from a range of UK airports. Taxis are available outside the airport during scheduled arrival times, and are operated by the local taxi company Kittilän ja Levin taksi.
How many airports are there in Lapland?
Each of the airports has its own appeal and target audience: Rovaniemi (309,731 passengers in 2009): Father Christmas’s airport on the Arctic Circle, in the capital of Lapland. Kittila (245,292): Airport in the hub of tourist centres. Ivalo (130,592): The airport for wilderness and trekking.
Is Levi Finland in the Arctic Circle?
Levi, Finland. Levi is a fell located in Finnish Lapland, and the largest ski resort in Finland. The resort is located in Kittilä municipality and is served by Kittilä Airport and Kolari railway station. At a latitude of 67.8° north, it is located approximately 170 km (110 mi) north of the Arctic Circle.
Can you see Aurora Borealis in Finland?
In northern Lapland the lights shine about every other clear night between September and March. In southern Finland they are visible on about 10-20 nights a year. Look to the stars. If you notice that the night sky is clear and starry, your chances of seeing the northern lights are good.
How many hours of daylight does Lapland?
In the south of the country daylight in December lasts only for 6 hours. In northern Lapland a period of darkness prevails at that time, with the sun not rising above the horizon at all.
How cold is Lapland?
Then slowly the temperatures will go down until they reach to -20 C in December. The coldest months are January and February. Then it is common to get under -30 C for at least a few days to weeks. In March the sun will be strong so then it is not likely it will get under -15 C. The frost will slowly disappear in April.
What is the weather look like in Levi? The skiing season in Levi usually lasts from October until May. In the wintertime, it is recommended to pack a large amount of warm clothes with you, as in January-February, the average temperature drops to -14 degrees, and degrees as low as -30 can occur.
Especially during the spring season Levi provides excellent conditions for cross-country and downhill skiing since the average temperature in March is about -8.4 degrees and in April-May one can already enjoy warm weather in sunny slopes. During the hottest time of summer, in July, Levi’s average temperature rises to 14.4 degrees, making Levi an interesting summer destination as well.
Levi average monthly temperatures (source: National Climatic Data Centre):
Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Av. temperat. °C -14,0 -13,1 -8,4 -2,0 4,8 11,4 14,4 11,5 5,9 -0,5 -7,2 -11,6
Does Lapland have snow all year round?
The Lapland region has a subarctic to continental climate characterized by mild summers and cold, snowy winters. … The amount and duration of snowfall also varies by location, but the average number of days with snow is around 175 – 225 days per year between mid-October and mid-May.
What is the best time to visit Finland?
It depends on what you’d like to experience: for plenty of snow and winter activities, December to March is the best time. For springtime sun and the revival of nature after the winter, April to May is the period. For long and warm summer days and plenty of events, opt for June, July and August.
What to Do at Levi? – Levi Activities Here are the best things to do in Levi, Finland
Every year many interesting events take place in Levi, including the Alpine World Cup, which attracts a large audience from around the world. Over the years, the prestigious race has gained great popularity among both athletes and the general public. Levi’s winter attractions – the glamour of Lapland, polar nights, frost and reindeer – have guaranteed it a spot on the international competition calendar. Levi also organizes many other sports events where athletes can challenge themselves in biking, golf, trail running and other sports activities.
1.Northern Lights tours and safaris.
Experience the magical Northern Lights in the Lappish sky. The Aurora is an unpredictable, natural event, which occurs all year round. Come on a night safari or stand on an open space to witness these phenomena. The northern location of Levi guarantees great opportunities to see Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis, during the trip. In order to make the experience as memorable as possible, it is worthwhile to take part in an organized Northern Lights tour which lets you admire the dancing lights in amid incredible landscapes. Find the tour organiser here.
2. Skiing, Downhill skiing and snowboarding.
The largest ski resort in Finland offers skiers and snowboarders a total of 43 skiing pistes, 28 lifts and, of course, extensive after ski options in the spectacular fell landscape. To the delight of skiing fans, Levi has a total of 230 km maintained ski tracks, including sections with skiing on ice as well as on the pistes of the fells. The 28 km long illuminated trails offer a chance to ski from early morning to late at night – even during polar nights!
Thanks to the snow machines (view pictures which I took in October), the Levi slopes remain in good condition throughout the season. In total, Levi has 28 lifts, two chair lifts, two gondola lifts and three carpet lifts for beginners. Levi is a great destination also for families, as the little ones can ski for free in Levi’s 10 children’s ski slopes. Levi has much to offer for both beginners and experienced skiers, as there are as many as 43 skiing slopes at the resort, ranging from easier runs to steep black pistes. The peak of the Levitunturi fell is 531 meters high; the highest altitude difference is 325 meters and the longest slope is 2.5 km. If you are looking for speedy activities, head to the northeastern pistes or the Levi Black piste, both ensuring sufficient challenge even for the world’s top skiers. Since Levi offers plenty of pistes across the fells, the long lift queues are rare. The touring Levi Ski Bus offers rides between the slopes, the Levi Center and the largest resorts around the fell.
The Levi Skiing Track Map gives a good overview of the 230 km long track network. With the help of the map, you can find the best skiing tracks in Levi’s spectacular scenery. The Levi Slope Map provides information about the pistes, lifts and services in the Levi Ski Resort. The map helps you navigate across the fells and find the best slopes for your taste.
3. Snowmobiling and Icekarting.
The snowmobile is the fastest means of transport through the masses of snow in the fell area of Lapland. If snowmobiling is not already familiar, beginners are offered courses in learning the basics of driving a snowmobile. With adequate skills it is possible to explore the beautiful nature of Lapland through speedy activities. Icekarting is for the fans of speed and driven with go-karts equipped with studded tires. The activity that is suitable for all ages lets you challenge yourself or compete against other drivers on the ice-track of a frozen lake.
4. Enjoy one of the best Spa´s in Finland – Levi Hotel SPA Levi Hotel Spa (Levitunturi) is the resort’s flagship property in a peaceful yet convenient location 300m from the ski lifts and Levi village center. A high standard of hotel coupled with excellent spa and recreation facilities makes it a great choice for families and couples alike. Guests have complimentary use of the fabulous ‘Spa Water World’. Levin’s high-quality spa (Levintie 1590, 99130 Sirkka, Finland) is known for its versatility, offering a choice of enjoying the atmosphere in the whirlpools, spending time in the outdoor pools or swim laps in the fitness pool. In addition to traditional saunas, the spa offers relaxation in steam rooms and specialty saunas available in the pool section.
5. Visits to husky- and reindeer farms and Reindeer and husky safaris. Near Levi you can see wild but friendly reindeer every morning and night fall. It is sooooo magical – I think one of the most amazing things in Levi! Read my blog about visiting Levi with children here. So, when in Levi, be sure to take the time to visit a husky- or reindeer farm, where you can admire the lives of the Arctic Siberian huskies and genuine Lapland reindeer. At many farms it is also possible to feed the animals, give lassoing reindeer a try and sample traditional Lappish reindeer dishes. In addition to farm visits, Levi offers participation in reindeer safaris or driving husky sleds. Dog sledding is a great winter activity offering unforgettable experiences also for larger groups.
? Wolverine Fell Wilderness and Nature (Kätkäjärventie 407, 99130 Kittilä)
The company Wolverine Fell Wilderness and Nature (Kätkätunturin Erä ja Luonto) was established in the year 2000. It offers programme services all year round and also includes reindeer husbandry.
Homepage: https://reindeerandfishing.fi/
?? Lapland Safaris (Keskuskuja 2, 99130 Levi)
Would you like to ride a dogsled in the snow-covered wilds? Or go snowshoeing on a frozen lake and admire the Arctic night sky and the Northern Lights? They can help you experience the wonders of winter Lapland every day. Just choose a safari and they’ll do the rest.
Homepage: https://www.laplandsafaris.com/en/
? Levin Sammuntupa ja porotilapalvelut (Taalontie 160, 99130 Levi)
Go and experience a 19th century reindeer farm. Their café is open daily from 10 am – 4 pm. They also arrange reindeer safaris with their own reindeer.
Homepage: https://www.sammuntupa.fi
? Ounaskievari (Ounasjoentie 826, 99140 Köngäs)
They are located seven kilometers from Levi- Center, in Köngäs village. They have been working there for over 20 years and offer a variety of reindeer ride to our guests.
Homepage: http://www.ounaskievari.fi/
? Santa´s Cottage & Pet Farm (Purolantie 6E, 99130 Sirkka)
The only pet farm in Levi is open in November every day 11–15, providing guests experiences with animals. We are located just 2km from the center of Levi! In December we are open every day 11–17, and we also provide Santa Claus programmes. From Santa’s Pet Farm you find nice experiences: cool pets to see, snowy activities on the farmyard, Horse shoe hunting game and reindeer and pony rides!
Homepage: http://www.kompiainen.fi/
? Polar Lights Tours Oy (Muoniontie 955, 99130 Levi)
Enjoyable Husky safaris and memorable horse trecks! In their home yard you will find about one hundred Alaskan huskys, Siberian huskys and Alaksan malamutes our happy and energetic working sled dogs and eight original Finn horses. With these wonderful animals you will get to enjoy our nature all year on our safaris.
Homepage: https://polarlightstours.fi/
? Tundra Huskies Huskyfarm (Sokkaporantie 1, 99140 Köngäs)
Tundra Huskies Huskyfarm is the home of 70 Arctic Huskies. They offer Huskysafaris always the original way. At the Huskyfarm you will meet Arctic Siberian Huskies, Husky puppies, Wolfdog hybrids, and our own Reindeers which you can feed by hand.
Homepage: https://www.huskysafari.fi/
? Wingren s Dogsafaris (Sokkaporantie 44, 99140 Köngäs)
Wingrens Dogsafaris is located in Köngäs in the Northern part of Finland, 12 km from Levi, which is Finlands largest ski resort. There are about 50 sleddogs in the kennel.
Homepage: http://www.dogsafaris.fi/
6. Food experiences / Top Restaurants in Levi
The center of Levi is like a small town with shopping opportunities and a wide selection of tourism services ranging from spas to bowling alleys. Visitors also have a wide choice of restaurants where it is possible to taste reindeer meat and other local Lapland delicacies.
? The newest freshly renovated and most popular restaurant in Levi is Kekäle Bar & Grill (Levintie 1590, 99130 Kittilä)- very modern, beautiful and offers the world’s top food in the cosy milieu.
? Tuikku (Tuikuntie 11/ Tunturitie 421, 99130 Sirkka-Levi), a panoramic restaurant at the top of a fell, is very famous for its breathtaking scenery. Also Levi’s nightlife is lively, as the pubs and nightclubs along the promenade offer vacationers’ entertainment at the end of each day. Levi’s famous after-ski must not be forgotten, as it is, after all, considered the best in Finland.
There´s a number of small and lovely places to eat – Nili-Poro, Steakhouse – Pihvipirtti, Cafe Soma, Jangalla Restaurant, KingCrab House, Renna, Restaurant Aurora Sky, Kafet Cafe & Bakery, Restaurant Ammila, Levin Panimo & Pub, Restaurant Kiisa, Wanha Hullu Poro, Northern Cowboy, Stefan’s Steakhouse Levi and many others.
7. Visit an Ice Gallery (Akantie, 99130 Sirkka, Finland).
Being at Levi also provides a good opportunity to visit an ice-built hotel or a snow-molded restaurant. The ice gallery Luvattumaa, Lainio snow village and the snow restaurant Snow Dome are must-see venues for all Arctic culture lovers. Sheltered by the beautiful Lappish nature, Luvattumaa welcomes travellers to open their senses and experience the ice, the snow, the water, the scents and the flavours. During the winter season, snow castle the Levi Ice Gallery opens its doors for the public. Their River Spa is open throughout the year, as is the true heart of Luvattumaa – the Lappish hut restaurant.
8. Buy souvenirs There are many lovely little souvenir shops to buy Finnish hand made products. You can find nice knitted hats, wooden and porcelain dishes, Moomin series and many more. All kind of national cups, plates, key rings etc.
9. Go Hiking or just walk around center – there is so beautiful!
Levi offers both short hiking trips and long wilderness hikes, since in addition to the marked nature trails in the vicinity, hikers can venture all the way to the Pallas-Yllästunturi national park. The changing seasons each bring their own colour to hiking, and you can, for example, enjoy nightless night excursions during midsummer or be mesmerised by beautiful autumn colours.
10. Visit or stay at night in Igloos
Book a Glass Igloo excursion as part of your Winter Wonderland holiday to Levi. The glass igloos are an incredible example of engineering, opening up the beauty and majesty of Lapland’s night sky. The glass is made of a special-make of thermal glass that keeps the inside of the igloo toasty even when the temperature outside drops to a chilly -30c. Inside the glass igloo there is a small living and sleeping space.
Not sure what to do or where to go?! Visit Levi´s tourist information center (Myllyjoentie 2, 99130 LEVI)
When you need help or inspiration during your stay in Levi, Lapland, Levi Tourist Office is a good place to start. In addition to the places/activities outlined by me there are thousand things to do in Levi in winter time, in summer time and year-around – Ice fishing trips, Kick sledding tours, Snowshoeing tours, Icelandic horse trek, Saunas and ice baths, Rafting and paddling, Golf, Summer Toboggan run, Scenic lifts, Biking, Disc golf, Levi Adventure Park, Tennis, Mini Golf, The children’s traffic- and playground, Fishing and hunting, Gyms and fitness, Bowling, Ball sports, Climbing etc etc.
NordenBladet – Our grand road trip had already taken us quite far North and as I described in the previous post (read blog review HERE), the more up North, the more miraculous Finland gets. The road between Kolari-Kittilä was like a fairy-tale – there were reindeer on the sides of the road and even by the highway. Me and the kids would go Ah and Oh every kilometre that we passed. It was a very special feeling. Besides, there are quite few inhabitants there and also wild nature, which I like.
Since I didn’t dare to speed to avoid running over any reindeer, and since we also stopped at every possible stump to take pictures, then getting from Oulu via Kolari to Sirkka took us extremely long. Once we arrived it was already eight o’clock and I was quite tired from driving. Before starting the road trip I had done my homework well and had thoroughly calculated where to stay overnight in order to get the most out of our journey. In northern Finland in Sirkka the choice was Levi Hotel SPA (Levintie 1590, 99130 Sirkka, Finland) – while with children it is the most comfortable place to stay – good location, parking is free of charge, a quality hotel, luxury rooms, good standard of service, a selection of many good hotel restaurants, SPA and pool center, short distance by foot to everywhere (i.e. ski slopes, souvenir shops). Briefly, it was everything you could need in just one place. Our stay there was made especially pleasant by the fact that extra to our Superior-room an interconnected Junior-suite was also added, thus we had two separate bedrooms all in all, two separate bathrooms, a living room, a sauna section, two balconies and further amenities (three big flat screen TV-sets, safe deposit box, ironing board, an iron, clothes dryer, WiFi, slippers, dressing gowns, etc). For children there were gift baskets with handmade chocolate, lemonade and candies, also stuffed toys and in our room awaiting us there were complimentary invitations for three guests to the restaurant Kekäle (the newest and most popular top notch restaurant in Levi), as well as a welcome note from the hotel manager. On top of that, the hotel governor personally was there to meet and welcome us! I am so deeply moved to see that NordenBladet is so cordially and personally hosted – it gives a warm feeling! Thank you for the wonderful surprise and remembrance!
When we had got acquainted with all the rooms and additional space, we decided to visit the Levi SPA that was integrated with the hotel. Although the SPA and the hotel are technically in different buildings, one can enter the SPA from the hotel through a hallway without necessarily going outside. It is a pleasant large SPA and I liked that there were cool sliding tubes and yet they were not dangerous – either with too rapid water flow or the risk of falling into the water from too high. As a mother it made me feel much more at ease.
Now being a Finnish “SPA expert” I can say that to my mind it is the best SPA in Finland – if not top 1 then at least among top 3 for sure. Pleasant warm water, several different pools, saunas, two large sets of pools inside and also a set of pools outside where there is also a Jacuzzi. Besides, there is also the magnificent mountain view!
After going to the SPA I worked a while behind the blue screen, Ivanka Shoshana spread her toys in the living room and played with them, and Estella Elisheva was busy with our social media. We live-streamed in Instagram (@helenareetennet) the entire trip around Finland that took place in October-November and today it is possible to read about the journey online in four languages – in Estonian (NordenBladet.ee), in English (NordenBladet.com), in Finnish (Ohmygossip.fi) and in Swedish (Ohmygossip.se). In the travel posts I describe where exactly we travelled and I share useful information and interesting facts about various destinations in Finland – fervent tourism objects, undiscovered pearls, premium hotels, top notch retaurants, SPA-s, adventure parks, zoos, shops, department stores, historical places, holiday resorts, etc. Altogether, a lot of interesting information! The reader of NordenBladet is a 45+ wealthy Scandinavian woman with children and in our portals daily tens of thousands of search events take place regarding travel destinations and tourism. NordenBladet has become the largest media edition in Scandinavia offering information, articles and weblinks about the Northern countries.
Located 17 km from Kittilä center and the airport, the holiday destination and active sports centre Levi has for more than four times been announced as the best ski resort in Finland, and indeed, it is a magical and beautiful place, perfect for spending the holiday with family. Bearing the badge of Scandinavian safety and comfort, the beauty of Nordic forests, the mystical aspect and the beauty of the nature, the care and cordial attitude specific to a smaller place. While many people visit Levi during the winter months – because nowhere else can you find so much snow and fierce skiing mountains as here – then I would actually venture to assert that it is no less an impression and experience that you get here visiting the place in spring-autumn as well as during the summer months. The wonderful forests-mountains and hiking tracks, cute log houses and peaceful holiday village, golf courts, reindeer and the Nordic air of mystery on every step – not to mention the Nordic lights that can best be seen exactly in this region! Despite being in the far North, in Lapland no less than top quality service awaits you, accompanied by the crop-of-the-cream restaurants, enormous SPA and, again, quality. By the way, not far from the place stems the lineage of the famous Lapland witch – Näkkälän noita, whose powers are well known around Scandinavia. According to folk wisdom the witch draws the powers and energy from the forests in Levi neighborhood.
Breakfast done, we decided to go and see the town. There is a lot to discover in Levi, I intend to post a separate story about it, yet I will add a brief outline piece here as well. For travellers with cars (like us) it is especially nice to discover Levi, since one can swiftly and smoothly drive through the entire neighborhood. Yet also the pedestrian-travellers’ outlook is not narrowed down too much, for example it is easy to reach any nearby destination on foot from Levi SPA Hotel. Levi Express Gondol can take you uphill to visit Samiland Exhibition – both the journey uphill as well as the exhibition itself amount to a full impression. Address Tunturitie 205, 99130 Levi. Levin Lapinkylä (Isotaalontie 285), 12km from Levi towards Rovaniemi is a fun village composed of igloos, and one can also see reindeer there. A popular place is Harjatie 2 (8,5km up North from Levi) Sky restaurant and Levi Igloo. During winter time in Akantie 180 (7km from Levi) the Levi Ice Gallery and Ice Restaurant of Levi are open.
We spent two wonderful days in Levi, and two even more delightful evenings. Each day we went to the SPA and got to know the town. It was so relaxing and great that we would have stayed even longer. The highlight of the second night was the dinner in Kekäle restaurant. Three courses of the world’s top food in the cosy milieu of the modern beautiful freshly renovated restaurant! Yammmmmm… The meals were absolutely delicious and were wonderfully served (see photos and videos also from Insta!). Children were overwhelmed about Levi, Estella Elisheva even declared that she is determined to become rich as a grown-up, since rich folks have such great life. Travelling and getting to know new great places is really cool, especially when you can take time to enjoy it. The one who can notice and be glad about the small things is about to experience so much in life! It definitely pays off to be rich, yet wealth can also be a mindset, a lifestyle and an attitude that originates in our heads.
Next day greeted us with the journey to Rovaniemi. That is already the story for the new post.
Hugs!
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NordenBladet – Katrin Kaurov with her unique Nordic look and a positive attitude known from her Instagram (@katrinkau) has taken the fashion industry by the storm. The young Estonian model, speaking 5 languages and having visited 42 countries shares her experiences with NordenBladet.
What got you interested in modelling? How long have you been modelling?
I started modelling as a hobby as a teenager when I had my first international work trips abroad but made it a profession 2 years ago. I love that my job takes me anywhere in the world from Tokyo to Paris, London to Sydney – every day is always unique.
Where do you work as a model? Which brands do you work for? I work between Milan, London, Paris and plan to move to the States quite soon. As a model I work with many different brands depending on the city and season- some of my clients have been Balmain, Victoria Beckham and Guess for example.
What to expect when going for an agency interview? What should you wear to a modelling interview? In fashion industry an interview is called “casting”. If you go to meet an agency the simpler the better – a typical “uniform” is black skinny jeans and a black top with a leather jacket. If you go for a casting, it is great to also show some personal style.
How often you mix work and vacation travels?
To be honest, not that often – when I go for a vacation, I prefer to be in the nature, go surfing, hiking and leave my phone behind if possible. However, whenever I am on a work trip I try to enjoy the local culture and do as much sightseeing as possible on my free time.
What is your favourite travel destination and why? For a holiday – I absolutely loved Sri Lanka and Indonesia. For work so far Paris was my favorite city, but I’m sure NYC will be a very exciting journey too!
What is your most memorable job? A fashion show in Athens that was organized on a horse hippodrome. I had just landed from Paris and was taken there without any explanations by the driver. Besides the confusion, the location was magical.
Do you have any travel secrets – how to stay fresh after long flights?
Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water during travels, bringing my own food for flights (since airplane food is often very processed) and wearing comfortable clothes. On long flights I like to use a face mask and try to get as much sleep as possible.
Do models get paid to travel? Just to go on vacation – no. However, when you fly for a job in a different country the client covers the flights, accommodation and any other expense over there.
Speaking of flying, I would love to ask about airports as well. What makes one airport comfortable? Please name your three favorite airports and why they are your favorites? My favorite is definitely the airport in Tallinn, my home country. Despite being tiny and cozy, the airport has a gym and public library to name a few. My second favorite might be Singapore which is considered the most beautiful airport in the world – there’s even a a butterfly garden inside. The third one is perhaps Linate Airport in Milan, being just a quick taxi drive away from the center. Since I travel a lot it is important that the airport is fast & convenient with some cute coffee shops inside.
How often you do airport shopping? What´s the best thing you´ve bought? I don’t shop that often in the airports, but I love finding some unique brand pieces or cosmetics from the duty-free section. My latest purchase was a black Furla bag from Paris airport.
Obviously you eat healthy. You choose to eat your own food on planes, but what can you tell about airport restaurants? I think the selection is getting better lately – more fresh and vegan options. However, I think there’s still a lot of room for development! A good option in the airports is always Joe & the Juice with its fresh juices, sandwiches and great coffee.
How luxurious is a fashion model´s life – do you fly private planes, business class or take regular flights? Is there a model apartment or luxury hotels with room service? What is the most glamorous and the last glamorous part of models life? I think this is the biggest misconception about modelling – the glamour of it. Of course, there are jobs that take you to the best hotels and exciting locations, but the every day of modelling is often more “regular” than expected. When models begin their careers usually they stay in apartments full of other young models, take regular flights and run all day to castings or photoshoots. My point being – besides the glitz and glamour of the job, it is a hard career like every other requiring a lot of effort.
Who are your favorite designers? What brands you wear daily, on travels, evenings etc. I am a big fan of environmentally friendly fashion labels, many smaller ones who are just starting out. Also, I love brands who are not afraid to make a statement with their clothing like Vivienne Westwood or Stella McCartney.
I am not such a big spender on clothes though, I keep my daily style rather simple.
Where would be your dream work destination? I would love to work in Cape Town one day. It is a location all models love – apparently you can go straight to surf after castings, the nature is incredible and people are very open-minded. Tel Aviv seems very vibrant as well.
Your dream cover / advertisement / collaboration? Oh there are so many. Almost every model wants to be the cover face of Vogue or collaborate with Victoria Secret’s. Doing a campaign for Nike is perhaps a more unique dream of mine, since sport and active lifestyle has always played a big part in my life.
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