Saunaflow blog

May 12, 2013

Waiting for summer nights

Finally the weather is getting warmer! In Finland it means a few things.

First, people are coming out of their houses. You can see neighbors you haven’t seen during the whole winter. Suddenly all people are outside gardening, running, walking and the weirdest of all, talking with each other.

Secondly, it’s not dark anymore. Days are getting longer every day and there is so much more time to do things. Visiting a friend at 9 pm is something you never do in the winter time, but now you can easily stop by.

One day last week I was on Facebook, and noticed that many of my friends has also stayed out long and enjoyed the warm weather. Those stunning sun set pictures brought the summer to my mind. I thought of warm and peaceful summer nights when the sun doesn’t go down, the mind and the body are relaxed after swimming and sauna and there is no hurry anywhere. Just watch these beautiful pictures and you can feel the same.

Laura

Photos: Kim, Maippi, Marjukka, Meri, Pia & Suvi

Colors, cheer me up!

This has been a long and cold Spring. It’s almost May and there are still no leaves on trees and the weather drops below 32F during the nights. Every day I dream about my old home town in the US and its colorful and blooming spring time.

Few days ago we had a cold, but a sunny day. I went to Helsinki and ended up visiting small design and craft shops situated between the Senat Square and Market Square. I found a cute sauna textile shop with towels and sauna pillows in bright and cheerful colors. There is no green or yellow outside, but let them come inside!

Photos and author: Laura

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Filed under Design

Tagged as bathroom decor, Finnish design, Finnish sauna, Helsinki, Lapuan Kankurit, linen towels, sauna blog, Sauna decor, sauna shop, sauna textiles

April 4, 2013

Leave your worries in the wilderness

Last week I visited Saariselkä, one of the oldest and most known travel destinations in Finnish Lapland. I used to visit there every year when I was a kid, and that’s why it always has a special place in my heart.

The place has changed a lot since my childhood. It has become a big resort with all kinds of family activities. Despite all new attractions, Saariselkä has managed to keep its own restful atmosphere. It still has the best cross-country skiing conditions in Lapland.

I spent five days skiing, walking and enjoying surrounding nature and silence. After spending the whole day outdoors, I relaxed in a sauna we had in our cabin.

For the sauna lover Saariselkä is a great place to visit. Almost every cabin has its own sauna and there are public saunas and spas as well. The bravest ones can visit the famous smoke sauna situated in the Kiilopää Fell Centre. After a sauna and ice-swimming you definitely are able to leave your rush and worries in the wilderness!

Information about Saariselkä: saariselka.fi, gosaariselka.com

Author: Laura
Photos: Laura, Mauri, Antti-Jussi and Kiilopää Fell Centre

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Filed under Sauna Tours

Tagged as cross country skiing, Finnish Lappland, Finnish sauna, Kiilopää Fell Centre, Nordic Lights, Saariselkä, skiing, Skiing with family, smoke sauna, snow, traditional sauna, vacation in Lappland

March 24, 2013

A barrel sauna found at the fair

I visited a home and garden fair in Lausanne, Switzerland (www.habitat-jardin.ch) in the beginning of March, and saw many interesting things there. But as always as a Finn, saunas catch my attention.

I found a very unique sauna there; one wall at the end of a barrel sauna was a half a sphere. The view was a panoramic one that brings you so close to nature and lets you enjoy it. How easy is this? Just pick the place for your sauna, this company comes and puts it together for you on site and you can start enjoying! This sauna was made out of Canadian red cedar. All the details were nicely finished and especially the cedar smell was really vibrant.

I was happy to see Helo and Harvia sauna stoves at the fair, but those were the only Finnish sauna items that I was able to find. While living in Geneva I have met many people, not only Finnish, who have saunas in their homes or chalets. I think people have found this Finnish way relaxing here too. There is clearly a real demand for saunas in central Europe. The wooden outdoor tubs seem to be very popular here as well. I couldn’t help thinking that Finnish sauna manufacturers and other sauna products should be more available and present here. We have a lot to give and share about our sauna traditions.

Author and photos: Anne