But there’s an often overlooked ‘second capital’ city that’s considered a hidden gem by Finnish locals, which is well worth a ...

“How does that feel?” asks Siiri, as the spikes of the juniper branches relieve the itch on my back and the spicy scent surrounds my body. “Peaceful,” I respond, so relaxed that one-word answers are ...

There’s a word in Finnish which evades translation: löyly. It’s commonly used to describe the steam that rises when water is poured onto hot stones in a sauna. But it also signifies spirit or life ...

Deep underground in a disused iron mine and under the bluish glow of a flashlight, a small crowd emerges from a sauna, steam rising off their bodies as they plunge into a crystal clear turquoise lake.

The sauna (which means “bath” in Finnish) is a ritual -- almost even a rite -- which Finland’s 5.5 million inhabitants carry out at least once a week. A sociable event that once lent a sense of ...

For Finns, a sauna is an integral part of their culture. Here, a guide to the customs and etiquette associated with the sauna and five of the best public saunas in Finland. Ah, the sauna. That little ...

It is so hot that my lungs feel like burst bubblegum. A stranger is whipping my naked back with a branch. I am 12. It is so humid that my nostrils burn like mustard. Two humming wizards are whacking ...