Kay Sanderford

In December of 2022 I had the amazing opportunity to accompany Kensington Tours, a luxury bespoke travel company, to Finland. Wow! It was the trip of a lifetime! Finland has been ranked No.1 as the "happiest country in the world" for six years running due to it's low crime rates, good public services, overall well-being, and the generosity of the people. The gorgeous landscapes and abounding nature can't hurt either! 

We had various accommodations while in Finland, but my favorite lodging was the Arctic Treehouse Hotel. I've been to 6 continents and more countries that I can count, and I've never stayed anywhere quite like it. The hotel is intentional to leave as small a footprint as possible, which really helps you to feel and appreciate being one with nature. The design of the hotel is so cool and I really enjoyed the cozy beds with fluffy blankets and the sauna and steam rooms (which everyone has in their homes in Finland!). 

The wildlife in Finland was abundant and we got to see wild fox, snowshoe rabbits, and even feed reindeer. Reindeer are very prevalent and most people own reindeer herds! 

The food was spectacular - simple and elegant yet not fussy or pretentious. As you might imagine, all the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced, so the food doesn't need much embellishment!

There are so many things that I could highlight from the trip - from cross-country skiing to visiting the Helsinki Christmas Market to participating in the Polar Plunge (think wearing an insulated bubble suit and floating in the ice cold water!). However, the highlight of my trip was getting to see the Northern Lights. It was breathtaking and a sight I won't soon forget. There are many theories as to what causes the explosion of rainbow colors cascading across the night sky, but a firm answer is as elusive as the phenomenon itself. The mystery makes is all the more dazzling! 

I would 10 out of 10 recommend a trip to Finland!