Rocky Island
Jasper Paakkonen is one of Finland's most renowned actors, with roles in series such as vikings and the movie Blakkklansman by Spike Lee. Finnish to the core, he is the founder of Loyly, the most sophisticated sauna in the world. He is also a environmentalist , in constant struggle to build dams and get rid of hydroelectric plants, something that fits with a country in which the water of the lakes is clean enough to drink.
Think about your country, how would you describe it?
Finland has been chosen as the happiest country in the world three years in a row, which is a good starting point. From a traveler's point of view, I think there are two versions of Finland: Helsinki, the capital, and Lapland . The latter has experienced a great tourist boom in the last decade. It is the place where many want to go. People have already seen beaches and mountains all over the world, but the Northern Lights are not something that many have experienced. It is the last frontier and a very little explored region.
There are two seasons in Lapland: winter , which is when the Northern Lights are seen after dark. And summer, which is when and for two months, the sun never sets. The summer I think it's my favorite moment and something that not many want to see. All the flowers are in full bloom... and you have more energy! But so much light can leave you out of place... some don't know when to sleep.
How does your work connect with your city?
Helsinki is the place where I live and have lived all my life. It is the capital but still we have less than a million inhabitants . It is very welcoming and has changed a lot in the last decade with the opening of many bars and restaurants. Do not come in winter, that is when we hibernate. Come in summer.
What do we have to eat in Helsinki?
Breakfast isn't a big deal around here, so I'll go straight to food. I would recommend you to try Savoy , which is an institution. Elegant but not haute cuisine. All the decoration is protected by museums and its chef comes from a restaurant with three Michelin stars in London. or to Finnjavel , where they cook traditional dishes and give them a twist to make them contemporary.
Where do we have a good drink?
In yes yes yes , a vegetarian restaurant with great cocktails. Very nice, with good vibes, modern and casual. The place where it is located used to be a McDonald's.
Jasper Paakkönen
What sites can not miss?
Amos Rex It's a great museum and it's underground. Oodi , a new library is also worth a visit. I know it's rare to recommend a library but its design is something you can't miss. It's like its version 2.0, with 3D printers, computers, editing rooms and musical instruments.
A trip to Helsinki without visiting a sauna it's not a trip. They were invented here and every family has one. And, of course, you have to go to mine: Loyly , located in front of the Baltic and with a architecture most interesting. That is why only a fraction of our visitors go to the sauna, the majority come to eat or drink.
Where do we stay?
In F6 , a Boutique hotel very cool. It is family owned and they have a great breakfast buffet. It is very casual and modern, and its cocktails are the best.
Tell us something we don't know about Finland.
Many do not know it but it is the second capital of the tango of the world after Argentina. Here we are very shy and don't approach strangers easily, but in tango venues (which were very popular in the past) we are allowed to be open with each other. Although it is a tradition that is disappearing.
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