Since we don’t like driving the same roads twice, we decided to return through Finland, not along the coast as we did heading north, but through the heart of this beautiful country full of lakes.

We treated ourselves again to Hesburger, the local fast-food chain with a subtle northern flavor. We stocked up on food, delicious jams, and sweets—little treasures that will help us relive this amazing journey once we’re back home in winter.

In this part of Finland, it’s hard to find a campsite that isn’t right by a lake—and that’s exactly what we got. We spent a lot of time swimming, relaxing, and playing by the water near Kuopio, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.

Next, we visited Lahti and its famous three ski jumps. We climbed to the top of the highest one to admire the view and imagine what ski jumpers must feel—how brave they are! We also strolled through the port area, which was beautiful, calm, and full of cozy restaurants.

We spent another night by a lake, enjoying the warm water and natural beauty. The next day, we headed to Helsinki to catch the ferry to Tallinn, continuing our journey home with one last adventure ahead.

Map of this trip:

Trip Photos: