Exploring Finland: Igloos, Northern Lights & Swiss Chocolate

If you ever need a reset like, a real reset…go to Finland. That’s exactly what I did. I flew into Kittilä Airport, making my way from Zurich, Switzerland, on SWISS Airlines, which by the way served up some top-tier chocolate on the return flight.

From the moment I landed, it felt like I was walking into a winter fairytale except this wasn’t a Disney set. This was real snow, real silence, real culture. Finland has a vibe that’s both peaceful and wild at the same time. The snow-covered landscapes are vast and humbling, and yes, everybody moves around by car or snowmobile, which I found kinda genius.

The Night I Slept in an Igloo Airbnb

Yeah… you read that right. I slept in an igloo Airbnb, and no, I didn’t freeze. Instead, I found myself wrapped in reindeer fur, in a cozy ice-sculpted room, staring up at lights that danced across the sky like they were performing for me.

And speaking of lights let’s talk about the Aurora Borealis.

Northern Lights: A Sky on Fire

There’s nothing like seeing the Northern Lights in person. You’ve seen the photos, but they don’t prepare you for the emotion of actually standing there, snow crunching under your boots, and the sky just opening up.

The Beauty of Finnish Days

Morning hits different in Finland. The snow reflects the sun like tiny crystals, and even on cloudy days, there’s a calm glow over everything. I wandered across frozen lakes, snowshoe in hand, camera ready. And yes, the locals clear your roads every morning. Hospitality meets survival.

You can’t really talk Finland without mentioning reindeer—they’re not just symbolic, they’re a big part of the culture and cuisine. One unexpected twist? I stopped for what looked like a regular fast food burger and found it had… something extra. A thick slice of reindeer sausage. Gamey. Different. Surprisingly good.

Cold Air, Warm Moments

One of my favorite encounters was with a Finnish sled dog—there’s something about animals in the snow that just hits different. It reminded me why I love traveling: those unscripted, real-world moments where you connect with life in its rawest form.

Want More? Catch the Journey Live

If reading this made you feel something, wait until you see it in motion. I captured every step of this trip from the snow crunch to the glow of the aurora and I’m streaming it regularly on my twitch channel.

Catch it live on Twitch: MrWellDunn
(that’s Dunn with two N’s)