As the days grew longer this spring I began to fantasize about spending summer solstice under the midnight sun. I recalled with excitement that dulled buzz that comes from not getting enough sleep when it's constantly light out, a gently energizing sensation so unlike sheer exhaustion. Last week I succumbed to the urge and flew off to the city of Oulu in Finland.
Why Oulu? As is usually the case, my decision was determined by budgetary bottom line. In late May I sat down and looked at all of my options for experiencing the true midnight sun. My research indicated that only a location at or above the 64th parallel north would do the trick. That left a number of decently trafficked airports a single layover away from London: Luleå and Kiruna in Sweden; Bodø, Narvik, and Tromsø in Norway; Oulu and Rovaniemi in Finland.
The cheapest fare I found from London to any of these northern cities was to Oulu via Riga on airBaltic, for €223. I snapped it up.
Oulu, the sixth biggest city in Finland--the fourth biggest if the cities of the greater Helsinki Metropolitan region are counted as one--is a technologically-savvy, bicycling-mad place. The city is saturated by free wi-fi and laced with cycling paths. In the summer, Oulu pulses with restrained energy. Even on a quiet summer night there are plenty of people about, biking, socializing, and swatting away mosquitoes.
In short, summer in Oulu is spectacular and atmospheric. It is short and locals enjoy it fully. Here are five ways to maximize a visit to Oulu during the summer season.
Continue reading Five ways to enjoy the midnight sun in Oulu
Five ways to enjoy the midnight sun in Oulu originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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