The Moomins, a captivating series of characters brewed up in the brilliant mind of Finnish author Tove Jansson, have become a heartwarming childhood memory for people all over the world.
These adorable hippo-like troll creatures and their friends, originally introduced in the late 1940s through Jansson's children's books, have since evolved into a global phenomenon, finding a special place not just in children's hearts, but in adults' too.
That’s because Jansson's stories often weave themes of love, friendship, and exploration, but they also delve into profound questions of existence and identity.
The Swedish-speaking Finnish author and illustrator was brought up by artistic parents and went on to study art in Stockholm, Helsinki, and Paris. The family spent many summers on an island near Porvoo, which is believed to have inspired much of Jansson's work.
With slightly dark undertones and a slow pace of storytelling, the stories aren’t for everyone. But for those who do hold a cherished memory of the Moomins, there’s no better place to dig into the details than in Finland.
The forested, lake-filled landscapes and unique elements of Finnish culture form the backdrop of these tales. From a theme park to an art-focused museum, Finland is the ultimate travel destination for all Moomin fans.
While the biggest Moomin attractions are elsewhere in the country, Helsinki is the arrival point for almost all international visitors. As such, Finland’s vibrant capital serves as a gateway to the Moomin universe, and a great opportunity to pick up a Moomin souvenir or two.
Begin your adventure by tracing the footsteps of Tove Jansson herself. The Tove Jansson Trail takes you on a tour of places that held significance in her life, while also giving you a panoramic view of Helsinki.
With an enlightening exhibit dedicated to Tove Jansson, Helsinki Art Museum is a must-visit. Housed in the city's historic tennis palace, the museum offers glimpses of Jansson's original frescoes and murals, with delightful hidden Moomin figures beckoning from the corners.
Finally, just around the corner from the iconic cathedral, the original Moomin Cafe is the perfect place for a breather. With artistic Moomin designs frothed onto your coffee and Moomin literature available in multiple languages, it's a haven for fans. Just be warned, children are a priority here, so silence cannot be expected!
For those who want to delve deeper into the heart of Moomin landscapes, a boat trip to Söderskär lighthouse from Helsinki is the answer.
Some Moomin aficionados believe this lighthouse inspired the one in Moominpappa at Sea. Whether or not that’s true, the environment captures the essence of the Moomin world. Daily boat trips are available from
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In this series, Lonely Planet’s team of writers and editors answers your travel problems and provides tips and hacks to help you plan a hassle-free trip. We thought this question would be perfect for LP author Kerry Walker, who’s long been obsessed with cold, remote places, snow and northern lights.
Earlier this year, I was browsing Amazon for a few last-minute carry-on essentials when I saw the Airplane Pockets tray table cover pop up as a suggested item. I had never seen such a thing, and my first thought was that it's actually pretty genius. Would this mean I never have to touch or eat off a dirty airplane tray table ever again? I turned to my fellow Condé Nast Traveler editors to see if I'd been missing out on the tray table cover trend. In a room full of frequent fliers, no one had seen or used anything like this before, but our editors were equally intrigued. I was sold. I purchased this $30 Amazon travel essential, and now, a few flights later, I will never fly without it again.
The good people of Sweden are well aware that many United States citizens not only mix up Sweden with Switzerland geographically, but also, culturally. The tourism board, Visit Sweden, has recently authorized an analysis on this phenomenon in partnership with the data platform Dynata and the results are just what you might expect: Half of Americans are unsure about what makes Swedish culture different from Swiss culture. According to research and data from MyTelescope, for example, 85,000 Google searches in the last year coming from the U.S. inquired, “Are Sweden and Switzerland the same?”.
WHY IT RATES: Many people in the travel and tourism industry have been impacted by Morris Silver’s expertise.—Donald Wood, Breaking News Senior Writer.
If Cappadocia, Turkey had an official postcard, it’d likely be the rainbow of hot air balloons floating above its conical “fairy chimney” rock formations at sunrise when the sky is tinted pink. Most mornings, roughly 150 to 200 hot air balloons ascend above the wildly unique landscape in Göreme National Park, which becomes a popular spot for photographers, too.
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They hang upside down, slide into canals, roll down hills, or act as mobile nightclubs, but in the end the world’s most unique modes of public transport get commuters where they need to go. From sleds to tricycles to toboggans, many of these vehicles have become national icons, beloved by locals and enjoyed by tourists.
It’s too modern. It’s too fashion-focused. It’s fast-paced, devoid of la dolce vita, it doesn’t feel Italian. Milan has had the same old criticisms levelled at it for decades, and for decades Italy’s business capital has shrugged them off. Because anyone who really knows the city knows it’s not like that at all. The difference between Milan and the rest of the country is that where most Italian cities put their heritage on blousy display, Milan stands back, willing you to discover hers gradually.