A Look at Finnish Saunas
Finland is known for its saunas. A Finnish sauna is a room or small hut with temperature over 80 degrees C. When water is poured over the hot furnace stones, a steam cloud fills the sauna taking the temperatures to an even higher level.
Sauna bathing in Finland typically lasts between half an hour and two hours. The sauna is often followed by a shower or swim in a lake. In winter, many of the Finnish rub snow on their skin after their sauna. Some beat their skin with birch twigs soaked in warm water to exfoliate and clean.
Using saunas is the most popular leisure activity in Finland. A visit to Finland sans sauna would be incomplete. The Finnish admire saunas for their healing properties. Millions of people in Finland use saunas and on average, each household has one sauna.
Saunas can be used to gather socially and relax with family and friends. In private settings, men and women often share saunas, while single sex saunas are norm in the public places.
In the past, saunas used to be wooden compartments near lakes. Wood was burnt under flat stones and arranged in rows, to produce heat. Steam was generated by pouring cold water on these stones. Usually temperatures in these steam huts ranged between 70 degrees C and 90 degrees C. It could go up to 120 degrees C.
Scandinavia travel news
- Iceland interim government to take office on Sunday
;Newsdaily.com - Sat Jan 31, 07:40 pm GMT... - Getting Married in Sweden
Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:10:55 +0000;Getting married in Sweden during your vacation? Eloping in the Scandinavian country Sweden? Find out what kind of information and documentation Sweden requires from foreign... - Polar Nights in Scandinavia
Fri, 9 Jan 2009 06:00:00 EST;What are Polar Nights in Scandinavia and where can you experience Polar Nights? Visit Iceland, Greenland, Norway and Sweden during the winter months to experience Polar Nights in... - Nudism in Finland
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:22:41 +0000;Nudism in Finland is not uncommon and there are several nude beaches (aka free beaches, clothes optional) for Finland naturists and nudists. Finland travelers can enjoy... - Reykjavik Travel Guide
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:50:00 +0000;Travel guide for Reykjavik, Iceland. Plan all aspects of your Scandinavian vacation in Reykjavik, Iceland with these travel guide tips, Reykjavik restaurant and hotel guide...
