The Secret of Finland

I have been in Tampere many times before, but this time it was different. It took me a long time to pick up my camera, because I felt I had already photographed every single place worth photographing. The creativity was gone. The rainy days didn't help either. Even though I was on vacation, my mood was clouded, and I lost a bit of hope in my once shining, beloved destination. Was the magic gone?

It began to change when I started photographing again and realised what was missing: The feeling of being focused on the present moment: Forgetting everything else and trying to see the best and the most beautiful in every place and person. I believe that how you see and capture moments is a reflection of who you really are. It's a gift, a trained eye and perspective to see the good everywhere you go - it's not about being good at creativity, it's about creativity being good for you. Especially when travelling, there is so much to unravel in every encounter, whether it's the food, the culture, the geography, the architecture or the people you meet.

On my way to the Arboretum, an old man started talking to me. It was one of those rare beautiful summer days and he looked sprightly, not to say young, in his rather short shorts. He was on his way to the city hospital for a check-up that his daughter had arranged for him.

What I loved about this conversation was that he spoke with such enthusiasm about Finland and the beautiful summer days, the lush green of the leaves and meadows and the deep blue of the lakes as we walked side by side along the shore. "Just look around," he said, pointing with both hands at the birch trees and Lake Pyhäjärvi, as if he wanted to embrace the country with his arms wide open.

He showed me where he used to live in the Pyynikki area and where he went swimming every day. Memories were flashing by and he started to laugh because he remembered some youngsters who tried to climb up a chimney of a former knitwear factory near the place where he went swimming and the fire brigade had to rescue them because they were afraid to come down.

The old man told me about his mökki with a sauna a few hundred kilometres away from Tampere, where it's always nice to spend a long weekend.
I was inspired by his way of seeing the world and the present just by loving the simple things in life. I suppose when you 'survive' more than seventy or eighty cold and dark winters you develop a great appreciation for the little things like the sun and the nature around you. I felt a bit bad that I couldn't see this beauty straight away, because I was so focused on my worries this time, even though I wasn't on my way to the hospital, just out for a walk.

Maybe some encounters are just meant to enrich you in a memorable way. The conversation with this old man whose name I don't even know was somehow eye-opening for me. His openness to talk about the things that make him happy probably also revealed the secret of Finland: the triple s: the simplicity that nature predicts, the summer days that are wonderfully carefree and reminiscent of childhood, the slowness of everyday life with a bonus s: the sauna and its soothing heat.

The magic is still there if you look closely enough. The young boy riding his bicycle with a pizza wrapped in a transparent foil on the rack of his bike, the old woman who decides to wear her shopping bag on her head because it is starting to rain, the art and craft shop that sells accessories for plush hobby horses. All these little joyful, a bit quirky, but life-affirming acts that sweeten the day show the sweetness and secret of Finland. I am sure there are more stories to be told and pictures to be taken.

All pictures taken with my Leica Q2 in Tampere in June and July 2024.

Don’t forget to check out my other posts:

For Tampere travel adivice for autumn, please take a look at:

If you have any travel questions regarding Tampere, feel free to send me a message.

Tampere Fall Vibes

The cycle of nature. A rhythm that influences life. Each season with its own characteristics and traits. The impact of change visualised.

After a few hot summer days, the temperatures finally cool down before winter arrives and covers everything in a blanket of snow. Now is the time for nature to show everything it got to celebrate life one more time before it's time to let go, rest and bundle up energies to start afresh in spring.

Like the desire to get to know a loved person down to the smallest detail, there is something about the experience of seeing my favourite country in every season and shade - a personal love language of discovering how Tampere changes, how different it can look through the seasons, accepting the moods of the dark months too.

I struggle with the cold. I am used to having it cosy at home. It feels like a flashback. The radiators are cold again. Feeling a bit lost, or maybe just cold after a long travel day.

The good thing about the cold apartment is that I have to move more, go outside as often as possible and get rewarded by the beautiful season.

The bright colours of the leaves with their deep reds, fierce oranges and vibrant yellows as well as the radiant sun and the baby blue sky give me back the warmth I'm missing inside. Wrapped up in my thick woollen scarf, teddy jacket and warm mittens, I am in the middle of nature, walking through the fields of gold. The yellow carpet, the rustling sounds and the warm tones soothe my soul. The silver frost on the grass makes every single leaf glow and the squirrels are busy collecting nuts.

Tallipiha looks particularly beautiful at this time of the year. All the fairytale lights and lanterns glow in the dark. A young musician is playing Stevie Wonder's "I just called to say I love you" on a continuous loop to the people strolling by. The visible breath, the hot chocolate warming my hands and body, the dreamy atmosphere - treats of the colder month.

On one of the last days before travelling home, I can see fireworks from my window that are taking place in the Finlayson area. It's amazing to be able to see the whole city from above. The fireworks crackle and glow in beautiful colours. They go through the same metamorphosis as the leaves: after they shine in their beautiful colours, they vanish and fall to the ground.

It is time to leave. But there will soon be a time to come back.   

All pictures taken with my Leica Q2 in Tampere in October in following districts: Finlayson, Hatanpää, Pyynikki, Pispala, Ratina, Amuri & Keskusta

Check out my Tampere analogue photos in autumn:

Interested in visiting Tampere in autumn?

You are more of a summer person?

Tampere on film

I put my little camera in the pocket of my warm brown teddy jacket, which makes me look like a giant bear as I leave the house. It's autumn, October to be precise, and the temperatures are much colder than at home. The keys are safely tucked away in my olive bag, the gloves are on, the hat and scarf are in place and I am ready to go.

The camera is within reach. The term "pocket camera" makes sense. It fits perfectly into the pocket of my jacket. I bought this gem at an auction - it's a preowned analogue camera from 2000, a Leica C1, and it came all the way from Germany to Austria. Sometimes I wonder what this camera has already seen and captured. I am sure it has made a lot of memories over the last 23 years, maybe seen more of the world than I have or ever will.

Now the camera is with me in Tampere, Finland, a place I am quite sure it has never been before - instead of me, who has been here almost every year for the past fifteen years. Returning to a place you already know well has many advantages, but sometimes it is difficult to find new creativity because I have already taken hundreds of pictures of this city. But this camera makes everything new.

36 shots to keep and savor. My first roll of film. In a world where digital transformation and AI have become popular and everything is faster and more economical, the camera seems like a blessing. I still love my digital one and the possibilities it offers, but being limited in the number of photographs I can take and having less chance of adjusting feels good.

I feel a sense of excitement when I press the release button and hear the sound that proves I have successfully created a new memory. The process of slowing down, taking the time to frame and carefully selecting the scene before pressing the button feels pleasurable and makes me smile. It demands a lot more - a closer look, discovering details and getting the lines straight.

The days are golden in Tampere. The sun is shining brightly and there are plenty of beautiful moments to capture. Although it's really cold outside, I continue to take my last shots before I leave the country.

Developing the film turns out to be more exciting than watching a crime movie. I am not sure if any of the pictures will turn out right. If all goes wrong, all the memories captured on film are gone. I get really excited and you can hear a sigh of relief when I see the developed pictures for the first time.

The pictures look like they were taken in another decade. If someone had told me that my grandfather had taken them when he travelled up north in his caravan in the 80s, I would have believed it.

The colours and the grain make the pictures look special - perfectly imperfect. That's what it's all about, the work of getting the shot, the joy, the thrills and the smiles: just an analogue experience.

Taken with my Leica C1, Kodak Gold 200
Developed at Cyberlab

An ode to Finland

It was always there, right at the centre of my heart. Since the early days of my childhood I have been talking about Finland, not knowing where this feeling, this calling for the North, came from. Sixteen years ago I set foot on this land for the first time, and since then many steps - small and large ones - have followed.

My picture of the North has always been created - some might also say distorted - by the media. I grew up watching romantic movies set in Scandinavia, showing the most idyllic places imaginable and giving the impression that there is always summer, endless summer nights with beautiful light and romance just around the corner.
Time also seems to be a precious thing that never runs out in the North. Slowing down, and focusing on essentials have always fascinated me.

It was one of those lovely warm weeks in June that proved to be the perfect time to dive into this dreamy world and discover a bit of Nordic charm in Tampere.

Tampere Love Letter

Where sunsets last for hours. Where sweet little cafés can be found right in the middle of the forest. Where the sea sparkles and the water tickles your feet as you walk along the sandy shore. Where roses are called Austriana. Where you can be yourself.
Where wooden houses have deep colours and the most beautiful verandas. Where the smell of barbecue is the odor of the summer. Where second-hand shopping feels like a treasure hunt. Where living the best life feels easy.
Where the red brick buildings evoke industrial charm. Where you can always find a companion, even if it is a giant plushie called Elephi.
Where walks in the rain with soaking wet socks are fun little adventures. Where the fridge contains endless Geisha chocolate bars.
Where design is a must, not a nice extra. Where the forest brings you joy. Where sugar-coated lips are a nice side effect of enjoying every bite of your munkki.
Where happiness feels different, but beautiful. Where you can watch the sunrise at 4am. Where you meet your flat mates with a cup of coffee in the elevator. Where life feels good.
Where cars get professionally repaired in small garages and people wait on the pavement. Where construction paths are painted with flowers so that there is also something beautiful about them. Where places look like they were originally made for postcards.
Where the light is particularly sparkling. Where the streets are full of life and music. Where dreams can come true.
Where curiosities lighten up everyday life. Where a week flies by. Where a light breeze makes the heat bearable.
Where my favourite bench is located. Where the longing for the next reunion begins even before I have left the country. Where the sun gets celebrated and all shops close for Midsummer. Where memories will last for years, if not forever. Where a deep breath of fresh air becomes an elixir. Where my heart belongs. Where it feels like a second home.

There's a transformation that happens every time I step onto the plane. Focusing on the simple and beautiful things in life can make the difference. There's always happiness and small pleasures if you look closer and let them be.

Tampere in summer

All pictures were taken in June with my Leica Q2

An autumnal week in Tampere

I got off the bus at midnight at the Ratina bus stop. I had often imagined what it would be like to be back in Finland after such a long time. Although it was a pitch black night, I noticed that the city had changed. Massive buildings like the Nokia arena and the surrounding buildings gave the impression that the city had grown since we last met. Had I grown too, had I changed? At the latest when I turned the key and stepped into the hallway of the old building, I noticed the smell of freshly washed laundry - memories flashed in front of my eyes - I knew I was right, I was back home.

The loft was in the middle of Tampere. It was the end of September and a little adventure was still waiting for me: my heart was warm, the radiators cold. My fluffy autumn jacket, an additional electric heater, long city walks and cuddling up in two blankets at night became my friends that week.

Sometimes I wonder how life would have turned out if everything had gone right or wrong. My plans were different this year. I should have travelled to Lapland in August, but life got in the way. Standing there at Laukontori watching the beautiful sunset made me feel so grateful: I knew I was at the right place at the right time and that there was a reason to be there at that moment.

The city walks had a therapeutic effect. The colourful leaves formed a perfect symbiosis with the reddish-brown bricks of the city's buildings. It seemed as if the city had been built to match the season. I stopped at the Pyynikki Tower a few times to get a hot chocolate and a munkki for my forest walks. Step by step - reflect - recharge. Just a week with a desire to stay longer. Memories, photos, snippets of city sounds - little impressions to collect and remember. I am sure I have changed, but the love for this city won’t go away.

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Tampere travel guide

Is it worth visiting Tampere?

If you love the Nordic countries, I would definitely say yes!
I really like the fact that city and nature are so close together and you can enjoy both without having to compromise. 

How to get to Tampere?

AirBaltic offers direct flights from Munich, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Milan, Nice, Rhodes and Riga. You can also choose Finnair (coming from Austria: from Vienna or Ljubljana airport), AirBaltic from Vienna or Lufthansa (with a stopover in Munich) to get to Helsinki and then take the train or bus to Tampere.

I booked a Lufthansa flight from Graz to Frankfurt and then changed airlines to get to Tampere with AirBaltic. The Frankfurt airport was really crowded - I would recommend getting there in time: I luckily had more than 4 hours waiting time between my flights and was only travelling with hand luggage - otherwise it would not have been possible to catch the second flight.

The Tampere airport is rather small, but nice and comfortable - you can find and get everything you need.

The bus schedule is adapted to the flights. I arrived around midnight, the bus leaves right outside the airport. You can't pay with cash on the bus - if you have a travel card, you can use this one or use a mobile ticket or pay contactless. I used bus number 103 and it took me 20 minutes to reach the city centre. The bus zones from the airport to the city centre are CBA (or ABC). For a timetable, I can recommend downloading the app "Nysse mobili", which is also available in English. You can buy tickets, but also search for the best connections directly in the app.

What to do in Tampere in autumn?

On sunny days I recommend talking walks, e.g. in the city centre, in the Pyynikki or Pispala area. The Hatanpää arboretum is also worth a visit not only in summer but also in autumn: you can still find some sunflowers there, but also wonderfully coloured trees. The Tallipiha stables are also a great place to visit and to buy little gifts for your loved ones.

On rainy days, it's time for cultural activities or a shopping trip: I would recommend visiting the Moomin Museum, Vaprikki or the Sara Hildén Art Museum. During my stay, I visited the exhibition of Brad Pitt, Nick Cave and Thomas Houseago at the Sara Hildèn musem and really enjoyed it.

It's also a great experience to find some design treasures in the second-hand shops in Tampere: My favourite second-hand shops are Kirpputori Tarina, UFF and Radiokirppis.

Where to stay in Tampere?

Personally, I prefer Airbnb apartments because it makes you feel like a Tampere resident and you have a whole place for yourself. Especially if you are staying for a longer period of time, it's a good opportunity because the apartments are well equipped and most of them have a washing machine or even a sauna in the house. If you book well in advance, you can find more than a handful of nice options. The loft I chose was right in the city centre, so I could reach everything within a few minutes. If you're more into all-round service, I would recommend a hotel: Lillan Hotel & Kök, 1.5 km from the centre, looks like a lovely boutique hotel, but also the Lapland Hotels or Unity Tampere in the Pyynikki district (which also has a great working area) are worth checking out.

What is the most beautiful district in Tampere?

Tampere is divided into many districts and most of them have their own charm. If you like Scandinavian and Nordic wooden houses, you should definitely check out upper Pispala. If you want to go for a walk near the city centre, I recommend the Pyynikki area with its nature reserve and Pyynikki Tower, which is a nice destination not only for tourists but also for Tampere residents. There you can not only enjoy a wonderful view over Tampere, but also get a munkki – a kind of donut – and a hot chocolate or a coffee.
If you like red bricks, visit the Finlayson district in the city centre. Fans of amusement parks should visit Särkänniemi - there you can also find a restaurant in the Näsinneula tower, an aquarium and the Sara Hildén art museum.

How to get around Tampere?

It's pretty easy to get around Tampere - on foot, by bike (you can rent Tampere City Bikes, for example), by scooter, by bus or by tram. The only time I used a taxi was when I had to arrive early at the airport, e.g. on weekends. Taksi Tampere is my preferred choice here. You can also download the app (also in English) and book your trip directly from there.

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Tampere in autumn

All pictures were taken in late September with my Leica Q2

Destination: North Paradise

Every year I am eagerly waiting for my beautiful escape to Finland. I often get asked why I always travel to the same destination – it’s because I can’t imagine any better place for my holidays. This year I already went to Finland in June to get the chance to experience Midsummer, a celebration of the summer solstice. I can totally understand why Finns celebrate the endless and beautiful light of this season – together with the bright greens of the forests it’s breathtakingly beautiful and brightens your mood. Not just the city and its light spectacle were gems, but also this year’s accommodation: I found a beautiful, spacious apartment on Airbnb with so many details to discover. Every single room was gifted with a sense of beauty – an interior dream coming true! All in all my holidays were really nice and I am already daydreaming of my next visit which is hopefully soon to come.

The Lapland Experience

Today it’s time for the last post of the Lapland series. We have been in Saariselkä just a few days and we had so many different light conditions which is always great when you would like to shoot a variety of different moods. It’s just my guess, but the colder it is, the more beautiful it gets. Our last day in Lapland was the coldest and already the morning offered a wonderful lightening sky in a purple/pinkish colour. I have never seen such a sleepy and beautiful mood before. After breakfast the sky turned light blue and half an hour later the sun came out. It was really sad to leave this beautiful place, but I am sure this was not my last Lapland trip. All in all the whole experience was just breathtaking and I am very thankful for all these amazing moments.

The East and the West

The Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is divided into an east and a west village. While the east village is the older and more charming one, the west village is definitely the one where the magic happens. We stayed in the east village and really enjoyed the hygge feeling there. While we were walking around in our village we rarely met any other guests even when all igloos and cabins were booked out. The west village is the starting point for many activities like the reindeer or husky safaris. They also have an igloo tower which provides an amazing view all over the village. Another treat is the art gallery inside the igloo tower. During Christmas time it must be the most wonderful place on earth, because you can visit Santa Claus (called Joulupukki in Finnish). There is not only Santa’s home, but also a Christmas crib, you can spot an elf tower and a huge celebration house. Another special accommodation possibility is the kelo-glass igloo which is a combination of a cabin and a glass igloo located in the west village. During our stay we visited both villages and even came across some reindeers.

Lapland by Night

There aren’t many places in winter which are also breathtaking by night, but Lapland definitely is. I have never felt so excited just because it turned dark. The view out of the glass igloo turned into a dreamy and magical winter fairytale. Just watching those snow-covered trees and hundreds of stars makes you feel calm, but also thankful and entirely happy. And then, all of a sudden, there was a light spectacle in the sky. Yet visible, although very weak a long-cherished dream came true. It actually makes you forget the cold and all you want to do is to get outside and get closer to the northern lights. Yes, now after I have seen the aurora borealis, all I want to do is go back there one day and watch them again.

Nordic Wilderness

The Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Saariselkä is located 250 km north of the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland. We stayed in a glass igloo on a little hill in the east village, which made our stay truly unforgettable. From inside the igloo you could admire the beautiful nature at any time. There is also the possibility to stay inside and watch the beautiful northern lights when the sky is clear. The village itself was really nice to explore. There was a traditional Finnish house, lovely log chalets, a temple of Nordic lights as well as a wedding chamber. We loved it to walk around and enjoy the gorgeous snow-covered landscape.

The Husky Safari

Hello, I hope you all had a great start into 2018. It’s already February and I am finally back with new photos. I had the great chance to spend some days in Lapland. I would like to start my Lapland series with one of the most beautiful memories: the husky safari.
Yes, I love dogs and driving a traditional wooden husky pulled sled was on my bucket list for a long time. We had great weather conditions (cold, but not too cold); even the sun showed up during the ride. We went for a two hours safari through the wonderful winter landscape of Finland. It was really enjoyable and such a great adventure. I liked it so much that I actually started thinking about how great it must be to work there on the farm with 150 huskies or at least how lovely it would be to own six huskies. Hopefully one day I can return there and hug all those cute huskies again.

Mix and Match Tampere

Whenever I get asked why I like to travel to Tampere I always answer I love to go there because of the great mix of nature and city life. These two elements perfectly complement each other and for someone like me who needs both aspects to be completely happy, it is a great possibility to combine them. Depending on what you would like to do, it is easily to get around and it only takes a ten-minutes-walk to reach the city centre or some great outdoors.
One of my favourite places in the city is the Finlayson art area which is always worth to check out. I must admit I also fell in love with those little design shops like Forget-Me-Not, Taito, Seele, PikkuPutiikit or Uhana Design and I bought some really lovely Finnish handmade products there.  This time I also visited the reopened Moomin Museum which can be found in the Tampere Hall. There would be so many interesting museums in Tampere, but unfortunately my stay was too short to visit them all. I can promise you that you will never be bored in Tampere – there are so many possibilities waiting for you to be grabbed.   

Dreams of the Future

One day. Me and this beautiful little wooden house. In the north. My beloved home in the future. Dreams.