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Ten islands. One Baltic Sea. A hundred stories.

Some are easy day trips, others feel like the edge of the world. I’ve walked them, ferried to them, sometimes got stuck on them. If you're curious where to go beyond Tallinn, Turku or Gotland — here are ten Baltic islands you can actually visit, and why they’re worth the trip.

11 Things That Surprised Me About Finland—Especially in Winter

I thought I knew Finland—until spending a week there in February. Granite grit on the sidewalks, reflectors on coats, people sipping coffee outdoors in subzero weather. Winter in Finland felt like its own quiet universe. Here are 11 things I didn’t see coming.

Kotka in Summer: Gardens, Gulls, and Ghosts of Empire

Kotka isn’t famous. It doesn’t try to be. But between the waterfalls, the azaleas, the sea breeze, and a tsar’s summer lodge, this small Finnish city knows how to surprise — quietly, and again and again.

Not Your Average Pancake: Meet the Åland Classic

You’ll spot Ålandspannkaka in nearly every café across the Åland Islands — and no, it’s not your typical pancake flipped in a pan. This oven-baked delicacy is made from semolina or rice porridge, gently spiced with cardamom, and served with whipped cream and plum jam. Sounds humble? That’s exactly the point.

What Surprised Me on the Åland Islands? What to Expect

I spent three weeks on the Åland Islands, and I have to say: I was absolutely charmed. It’s not just the stunning views or the peaceful pace of life—it’s the fact that people live and work right in the middle of the Baltic Sea! It’s like living in a little world of your own. Here’s why I think you should definitely add this archipelago to your travel list.

Toss It in Your Coffee! Five Ways to Enjoy Lapland Cheese

Wander through the cheese section of any Finnish or Swedish supermarket and you’ll likely spot Lapland cheese — something that looks like a golden-brown omelet sealed in plastic. Congratulations — you’ve just met met leipäjuusto (in Finnish) or kaffeost (in Swedish).