If you’ve been bitten (or at least nibbled on) by the travel bug, you’re probably already daydreaming about where you and your family would like to go on your next vacation. The idea of traveling to Europe sounds pretty chic to most Americans. But maybe it seems like London, Paris and Rome are a little too “been there, done that.” I mean, if I had a dime for every Facebook friend who’s posted a selfie standing in front of the Eiffel Tower…well, you get the picture.

May I suggest a fresh, new destination for your next European adventure? Think north. Way north. I’m talking about the beautiful city of Helsinki. Yep, Finland. Land of the Midnight Sun.

Scandinavia doesn’t usually pop up on the radar of most Americans as a vacation destination. But I’ve spent the past two summers traveling and eating my way through Helsinki, thanks to the gracious hospitality of a Finnish friend I happened to met on Facebook. (That’s another story for another time.) It is one of the most stunningly beautiful, clean and spacious countries I have ever been to, and I’ve fallen in love with it. Let me count the ways!

Because Finnish winters are so long, cold, and dark, (and no self-respecting Southern Californian could possibly endure the frigid temperatures), you and your family will probably want to go in the summer. Finns take maximum advantage of their short summers and outdoor activities abound. Your family is sure to enjoy a visit a beautiful Finnish beach (yes, beach!) like I did. Complete with cute blonde lifeguards, a beach volleyball game, and Helsinki’s own answer to the fabled “Muscle Beach” in Venice.

The beach was on a lake. One of Finland’s nicknames is “Land of a Thousand Lakes,” but that’s a pretty modest moniker, considering there are more than 188,000 lakes in the country. They’re gorgeous and pristine, and most city residents have a tiny lakeside cottage for summer use. I think it’s pretty funny that this California girl first learned how to do stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) on a Finnish lake last summer! Surprisingly, SUPping is extremely popular in Finland in the summer, and a great family activity as well as relatively inexpensive.

Outdoor music festivals are everywhere–and who knew that Finland has the world’s highest concentration of heavy metal bands?? I didn’t–until two summers ago. And because in the summer the Finnish sun only barely dips below the horizon before rising again, (hence its other nickname, “Land of the Midnight Sun,”) you have nearly 24 hours of daylight, so these festivals go on well into the wee hours!

The Finnish language is one of the most complex and beautiful languages I’ve ever encountered. I’ve been studying it for the past two years and have acquired roughly enough vocabulary to have a conversation with a Finnish toddler. Almost. But that shouldn’t stop you from going there! Finns speak excellent English, and even though they’re pretty shy and reserved at first, they warm up very quickly and I have found them exceptionally gracious and welcoming. I’ve been invited to people’s homes to pick strawberries, and I’ve been invited for Lettu, a scrumptious Finnish pancake served with berries, whipped cream and ice cream. The Finns have a huge thing for berries, by the way. Berry stands are everywhere in the city, and the berries are huge, delicious and cheap!

Speaking of food, an American can find some pretty exotic cuisine in and around Helsinki. My friend insisted on taking me to a Lappish restaurant downtown. In Lapland, the northernmost part of the country, reindeer is standard fare. So, yeah…I ate Rudolph. And actually enjoyed it immensely! The reindeer meat is tender, juicy, and was served on a heaping bed of mashed potatoes with gravy, and garnished with a side of bright red lingonberries. Appealing to my eyeballs and my tastebuds! Plus they gave us such big servings we got doggie bags and enjoyed it again the next day.

Of course, you can also find pizza and hamburgers, which may be more palate-pleasing to younger and pickier family members–but why go to Helsinki for that? You can try a plate of reindeer meatballs at the outdoor market place, or a crispy basket of muikku–tiny fish fried whole, kind of like French fries, served with a yummy garlic aioli sauce.

But, for the true Finnish experience, you have to go all the way. Without clothes.

I meant you have to take a Finnish sauna. What were you thinking? ;)

Finnish sauna is a tradition–heck,  it’s an institution. There’s even a sauna in the Finnish Parliament. You can find them in nearly every household and hotel, and they are seen as a necessity for relaxation, not a luxury. They are often co-ed, but sauna is a strictly non-sexual place and even sort of sacred. No swearing is allowed, and arguments and controversial topics are avoided. While you will find people wearing bathing suits in some co-ed or family saunas, usually clothing is considered a faux pas, even though it’s OK to sit on a small towel. After a few sauna sessions I began to relax and enjoy myself when I realized that no one cares that you’re not wearing clothes. Hey, when in Rome!! (or Helsinki).

There’s much more to Finland that an American ought to experience–the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), the clean and efficient public transportation, the beautiful pre-war architecture and the contrasting Scandinavian minimalist design–I loved how my friend’s apartment looked precisely as if it came out of an IKEA catalog!

I hope you’ll get the chance to visit someday…and people can say “WTF” (Welcome to Finland) to you too!

P.S. Wanna know what to do next?? Check out SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) for some good deals on flights to Helsinki. I’ve traveled with them twice and I highly recommend them!!

Ice Hotel – Sweden

Ice Hotel
photo by Laplandish / CC BY-SA 3.0

Constructed of ice and snow, Ice Hotel is a splendid work of art carved and sculpted by the hands of international artists, designers and architects with an eye for singular beauty that is unforgettable. This amazing hotel is open from December to mid-April, after which it melts away back into the Torne River from where the ice is harvested annually.

Four Seasons Resort – Bora Bora 

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
photo by Moeava de Rosemont
courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Arguably the best way to experience the magic of Bora Bora in Tahiti, nothing quite beats staying in a bungalow over the jewel-toned colors of this sanctuary’s lagoon. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora has captured the essence of the Tahitian spirit with its spacious accommodations that include teak furniture, thatched roofs and Polynesian decor that puts you right in the beautiful South Pacific.

Selous Serena Camp – Tanzania 

Selous Serena Camp
courtesy of Serena Hotels

Located on the largest game reserve in Africa, Selous Serena Camp is found in Tanzania, along the east coast of the African continent. This wilderness retreat offers safari camping which would be better defined as “glamping” – glamorous camping. The luxurious facilities include twelve luxury tents with ensuite bathrooms, plush rugs, crystal chandeliers, and elegant rosewood furniture. Breathtaking, panoramic views of this World Heritage Site make a stay here unlike any other.  The rolling savannah, rivers and dense forests are like something out of an Ernest Hemingway novel.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort – Finland

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
courtesy of Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

The glass igloos at Hotel Kakslaurttanen in Finland are spectacular. The pristine wilderness surroundings make a splendid backdrop to the luxurious accommodations of this remarkable resort. Nothing beats a wilderness retreat where you can stare at the starry sky and northern lights while wrapped in the warmth and comfort of this enchanting igloo.

Fairy Chimney Inn – Turkey

Fairy Chimney Inn
photo by Curious Expeditions

Once belonging to a 1,500-year-old hidden Byzantine cave monastery, most of the rooms at the Fairy Chimney Inn in Cappadocia, Turkey are carved right out of the tufa rock cones that are common to this area. The region is renowned for its history and rocky landscaping, which lends itself well to the hotel that blends beautifully with its surroundings. It makes for a fascinating immersive experience.

Hotel de Glace – Canada 

Hotel de Glace
photo by Matias Garabedian

Hotel de Glace is another masterpiece made from ice and snow. Its ice sculptures and artwork create a magical mood that seems to transport guests to a mythical world that dazzles at every turn. Hotel de Glace is open from early January through late March, and offers visitors a Nordic experience with gorgeous themed suites artistically designed with subtle lighting and details that are simply stunning.

Montana Magica – Chile 

Montana Magica
photo by Christian Cordova

Montana Magica is nestled within the remote Patagonian Rainforest in Chile. Located in the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, there are waterfalls, rivers, estuaries and the rainforest teeming with lush wildlife that creates an exceptional experience in this pinnacle-roofed lodge. Excursions at this unspoiled setting include things like ziplining through the forest, kayaking in the Fuy River, and hiking through the mystical rainforest.

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah – Dubai 

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
photo by ernieski

Billed as the world’s most luxurious hotel, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai is shaped like the sail of a ship, and is quite stunning considering it appears to float upon the sapphire sea. The hotel prides itself on its unparalleled service and luxury, like discreet check-in, private receptions and butler service. It is an iconic symbol of Dubai.

San Alfonso del Mar – Chile 

Aerial view of San Alfonso Del Mar
courtesy of San Alfonso del Mar

San Alfonso del Mar in Santiago, Chile holds the world’s record for the largest swimming pool. It stretches over one kilometer lengthwise! This crystalline lagoon is perfect for sailing, scuba diving, kayaking, swimming and more. The white sands of its private beaches are as alluring as the turquoise waters of this spectacular salt-water lagoon.

Ariau Amazon Towers – Brazil 

Ariau Amazon Towers

This luxurious treetop hotel is tucked within the Amazon Rainforest. Ariau Amazon Towers is located on the banks of the Rio Negro about 35 miles from the city of Manaus in Brazil. The accommodations are connected by more than five miles of wooden catwalks cutting through the canopy of the rainforest where colorful macaws and curious monkeys frolic in the trees, high above the forest floor. The scenery of this jungle paradise is like something out of the legend of Tarzan.