A bucket list trip to Finland
PHOENIX (3TV / CBS 5) – I admit, this was a crazy journey! But I only had a little time to play, and I traveled alone. I also didn’t care about stopovers because it was cheaper and I can always use the lounge to edit and do the work! So please.
Getting there (and back)
Feet 1 and 2: Phoenix ⭢ LAX ⭢ London Heathrow
Unfortunately, american airlines suspended its direct Phoenix-London flight in the event of a COVID-19 crash. It only started this week. Anyway, I got a parallel LAX and went from there to the other side of the pond. Since I had time, I headed to the lounge to watch the Super Bowl. One World Lounge in LAX is very comfortable! My favorite lounge there, Qantas (which I can also use as a One World Emerald member), hadn’t reopened yet, and LAX’s American lounges are usually full. I found a cheap round-trip trip from American LAX to London Heathrow for $ 645. I chose this route to use system-wide updates to get business class in both directions. (I make i love a flat seat and refuse spend money together. So I always use system-wide or miles).
Parts 3 and 4: London ⭢ Helsinki ⭢ Kiitilä, Finland
I used AA miles (only 22,000) to get from London via Helsinki to Kiitila. I had to stay in Helsinki (I arrived 45 minutes before they got rid of the negative COVID test requirement, which I brought with me anyway.) I stayed at Hilton Airport (good breakfast!) And left for Kiitila in the morning. on Finnair. I booked everything from American because Finnair is a partner.
Going home
I set it up to spend the night in Helsinki after Kittila and then fly back to London via Finnair using my American points. I spent a few days in London – of course on my way Ted Lasso pub –and then home.
Finnair has a direct flight from Los Angeles to Helsinki, which is a One world carrier. It would have been a much easier way to go, but I wanted to use my miles / system-wide data to upgrade to business class. I couldn’t do it on a Finnair flight because it is flown by Finnair and not by an American. I decided to upgrade and make a stopover in London. That’s one thing I’m pampered with. I have only paid for business class once during all my years of travel. But I update my business internationally all the time using miles / system-wide. I am also flexible enough to choose the flights on which I can guarantee an upgrade. I knew I would spend a few nights in London on my way home, so it made sense to go through Heathrow. There is British Airways a direct flight (including an American partner) from Phoenix, but I always try to fly on the airline I want.
Where I stayed
Levin Iglut! The place was started by Tauno Mäkelä, a father with an incredible vision. Her four daughters are now helping with the surgery. I emailed them that they kept one igloo they had left. I didn’t want to book it yet because I still had to confirm that I could do this whole thing. I got an incredible response from Katriina, one of the daughters. Turns out he was an exchange student in Glendale years ago. He agreed to keep the igloo for a few days so I had time to book my trip. He was amazing. Her sister Marita joined her when I arrived and we have become friends. Catherine helped me plan a trip while I was there. I fell in love with them and their place. One of the suites became vacant on the first night, so I got to experience the suite and their usual igloo – both stunning.
What did I do
I packed a ton in three days! It started with a visit Samimaawhere I met Ante Aikio, one of the best yoik singers in Finland. His job is also to educate people about the original Sámi culture. Katriina, Marita, and their nephew Aleksi (who I hired this time to shoot a little video because I didn’t want to rely entirely on my iPhone image) joined me for a meal at their fabulous restaurant at. Levin Iglut, Restaurant Utsu. It’s actually one of the best places in all of Levi for a meal.
The next day was spent at Reindeer & Fishing, a traditional reindeer farm where we rode a sleigh and learned about reindeer. We also got into ice fishing and a pair of snowshoes. The day was full and our wilderness guide Petra was fun and amazing. That night the sisters wanted me to experience another authentic Finnish dinner. There are two seats and the meal also includes a Sámi performance.
My last day went snowshoeing – this time with traditional wooden snowshoes – in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. It was a VERY snowy day (as you can see in the pictures). James, who founded the company GreenTrek Lapland with his wife was an incredible resource and guide. He even made some pants to give me energy when I finished my morning hike. I just had enough time to go back to the hotel and change Finnish smoke sauna and ice swimming! In Finland, this is a big deal – from hot to cold. They are ashamed of our cold plunge! Immel Kartano is where I went. I had fun, but it was the coldest the water I’ve never been to! Although I didn’t see the northern lights (We were close, but the full moon could have affected things.), I went back in heartbeat.
Thank you, Katriina and Levin Iglut (and everyone else I met on the way) for the amazing three day trip! And thank you, Aleksimost of the documentation!