Sauna and Avanto – The Finnish Hot-Cold Ritual
Heat and ice. Fire and snow. The ancient Finnish ritual of sauna and avanto is one of the world's most powerful — and most exhilarating — wellness practices.
The Journal
Stories from Finland
Long reads on sauna, travel, Lapland, design, music and the world’s strangest candy. Filter by category below.
The Finnish Sauna: A Love Story in Steam
More than heat. More than ritual. For over 2,000 years the sauna has been Finland's church, therapy room and most sacred shared space.
Travel Finland: Into the World's Happiest Country
188,000 lakes, 40 national parks, Arctic wilderness and a capital that smells of the sea. A Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2026 destination.
The Health Benefits of the Finnish Sauna
From lower blood pressure to better sleep and a sharper mind — the Finnish sauna offers a remarkable range of scientifically supported health benefits.
Santa Claus Lives in Finland
Beyond the legend — the real home of Christmas magic is a forest above the Arctic Circle, and it is closer than you think.
Finnish Design: Beauty Born from the Forest
Clean lines, honest materials, and a quiet conviction that everyday life deserves to be beautiful. The story of Iittala, Marimekko, Aalto and more.
Finnish Music: A Nation That Plays
From the ancient kantele and Sibelius to symphonic metal heard in arenas worldwide — Finnish music is one of the world's great unsung stories.
Finnish Candy: The Sweetest (and Strangest) Treats in the World
From silky Fazer Blue chocolate to the black abyss of salmiakki — Finnish candy is unlike anything else on earth.