Experiencing the magic of Finland through nature, culture and design in 72 hours

It is a truth universally acknowledged by just about every Scandi: there’s no place like home during the summer. The warm-weather months here in the Nordics are among the most magical and unmissable times of the year, a fleeting slice of our four seasons we cherish so much. Ask a local, and they’re likely to name summer as the best time to visit the region.

​Recently, a group of international journalists were treated to the beauty of the Finnish summer in all its lush splendour. Organised by the Silence Project, a creative concept helmed by Finnish artist Nina Backman, the three-day trip provided a unique blend of nature, culture, food and design across various locales in the country.

​Below, follow along as Vogue Scandinavia charts the highlights of the trip.

Finland is known as the land of a thousand lakes and endless, deep-green forests. The first pit stop of the trip took us to the place that reflects these landscapes like no other: the charming city of Savonlinna, nestled in eastern Finland along the pristine lake Saimaa.

​A balmy heatwave and sunshine greeted us as we kicked off the day with a tour of the crown jewel of the quaint town: Olavinlinna. The captivating, stone-crafted castle, perched on an island of its own (all of Savonlinna is spread across small islands), dates back to 1475.

​Founded by Danish-born knight Erik Akselinpoika Tott, the castle was originally built for defensive purposes. Today, traversing through its dimly lit corridors and steep staircases, you can still sense the whispers of bygone eras echoing through the nooks and crannies. Aside from being a popular historic sight, Olavinlinna is home to the famous Savonlinna Opera Festival, which draws an international crowd of opera lovers to the city each summer.

​After the guided tour, it was time to cool off via a scenic cruise on Saimaa. In the gentle, early evening sun, the boat glided across the glassy lake, taking us around the islands of Savonlinna and its landmark sites.

A major part of the Silence Project concept, as its name suggests, is an atmospheric dinner relished in total silence. Yes, you read that right. Called Silence Meal, Backman dreamt up this one-of-a-kind culinary experience back in 2013 when she founded the company, which the artist says was inspired by “the Nordic concept of 'Everyone’s Right', as well as by silence and our close relationship with nature.”

​The debut Silence Meal opened Silence Project’s first-ever exhibition, Silent Space – Intensified Integrities. “Rather than talking about silence, I wanted to create a shared experience through which people could discover their own silence,” Backman says. “Bringing people together around a meal offered a simple way to explore presence, connection, and reflection through experience rather than words.”

Staged in one of the storied, stone-clad rooms of Olavinlinna, we took part in Backman’s latest Silence Meal (the next gathering will take place in New York City this September with the John Cage Trust). Bathed in glowing candlelight and anchored by a beautiful tablescape laden with fresh flowers, the space buzzed with anticipation as we took our seats. Earlier, some guests had joked that the concept was tailor-made for Finns, who have a reputation for being quiet and reserved.

As the waiters served a delicious three-course meal harnessing local flavours, I could feel my senses sharpen in the absence of conversation. Every clink of a glass, the aromas and flavours of the food, and even the cool air of the centuries-old room felt heightened. Following the dessert, Backman signalled the end of the silence, and the space burst into lively chatter as each guest eagerly shared their thoughts about the experience.

​The overall verdict in our group was that everyone enjoyed it, though staying silent in a social setting like a dinner felt a little strange at first. “Many people tell me it was very different from what they expected. By breaking our usual routines, the Silence Meal opens up the possibility for new ways of connecting,” Backman reflects. “In a time when so much divides us, I think creating spaces where people can truly be present with one another is deeply important, and art can make that possible… It's not the kind of experience you easily forget.”

Did you know that Finland is the most forested country in Europe? It was only fitting then that forests, and all their environmental and health benefits, took centre stage on the second day of the trip. We headed to the breathtaking Punkaharju area, a half-hour drive from Savonlinna, where we had earlier planted our very own pine trees with the town’s mayor, Ding Ma. It’s another initiative spearheaded by Backman, who has planted over 250,000 trees to date, with a goal of reaching one million.

​Our first stop in the picturesque Punkaharju was Lusto, the Finnish forest museum. There, we explored its latest exhibition, The Land of Forestfulness, which examines the forest through six different perspectives, spanning its ecosystem, material value, benefits for mental wellbeing, folkloric traditions, and continued importance today.

​Then, it was time to experience the forest first-hand. Led by local mental health expert and shinrin-yoku nature trainer Mari Ahonen, who runs the nature-focused wellness platform SaimaaLife, we ventured into the woodlands cradling the Saimaa lake for a restorative session of forest yoga and meditation. We breathed in the scent of pine trees – which Ahonen noted helps clear out lungs – before lying down on rugs spread across the lingonberry-blanketed ground. Glasses of fresh blueberry juice rounded off the rejuvenating afternoon, leaving me recharged for what came next.

After frolicking in the forest, it was time to visit a gem surrounded by one: the Villa Rauhalinna. Roads lined with sculptures and linden trees led to a stunning visual delight. A sculptural, towering building fashioned from Finnish pine, rendered in dusty pink and cream hues and adorned with elaborate woodwork, the villa sparked multiple ‘wows’ as we pulled into the driveway.

​The historic site bears a romantic past – which is no wonder why the luxury escape is today a popular wedding destination. Completed in 1900, Lieutenant General Nils Henrik Agaton Weckman built the villa as a 25th anniversary gift for his wife, Alma. Drawing inspiration from his travels around the world, the general personally designed the entire residence, which houses several suites and guest rooms, a grand dining hall and salon, a Turkish room and even a billiard lounge. The lavish, swoon-inducing interiors boast a distinct old-world charm, punctuated by a powdery palette of pinks, greens and blues, where each room carves out its own character with expressive wallpapers and elegant, vintage furnishings.

​After the general’s family sold the place in 1924, the villa has played many roles, including as a holiday home, a school, and a hotel, welcoming notable guests such as Finnish President Mauno Koivisto and Japan’s Emperor Akihito. Today, it’s owned by Finnish entrepreneurs and brothers, Kyösti and Kari Kakkonen, who recently funded its extensive five-year restoration, which returned the villa to its former glory.

For the final leg of the trip, we headed to Helsinki. Following a good night’s sleep in Hotel St. George’s silky sheets, a hefty dose of art and design awaited.

​This summer, the city’s Architecture and Design Museum hosts a special exhibition highlighting the singular work of Alvar, Aino, and Elissa Aalto. Aalto Design – Shapes of Wellbeing dives into the world-renowned Aalto universe through the lens of wellbeing, exploring how the creatives redefined contemporary architecture and design through their work, which prioritised holistic human wellbeing.

Via an immersive showcase of drawings, scale models, furniture, glass objects and artworks, the Aaltos’ boundary-pushing, human-centric legacy unfolded across several rooms, demonstrating once again the trio’s enduring design brilliance. We took it all in.

​Next, it was Finnish art’s turn at the National Gallery’s Sinerbychoff Art Museum. It was a moody, rainy summer day in Helsinki (perfect museum weather, if you ask me), which provided a fitting backdrop for the exhibition, simply dubbed Night. There, the many faces of the night unravelled through mesmerising artworks, both new and old, accompanied by poetry by Henriikka Tavi. From those who don’t sleep to dreams and nightmares, the enchanting showcase culminated – much like the night does – with the sunrise.

​There isn’t really a better way to end a summertime trip to Finland than a delicious meal in the archipelago – coupled with a sauna, of course. We boarded the ferry to Helsinki’s Lonna island, which once served as an important military base during the wars. Today, the island has been transformed into a peaceful oasis, with a restaurant, bar, and public sauna. After enjoying a three-course meal crafted exclusively with local farms’ produce, it was time to take a dip in the chilly Baltic Sea. An invigorating sauna session served as the perfect send-off to our Finnish getaway.