Hey you pesky kids: get off my lawn! Thank the Pharaohs for the Nordic countries. Known for common sense, reliability and a broad world view, if things go south in these threatening and ominous times, it won’t be because of them. (We know who the guilty parties are, don’t we,now?)
Prudent places such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland, as well as the Faroe Islands and Greenland, are all locations and populations that the rest of the boiling, simmering and seething world should pay attention to. But, when there’s money, land and egos at play, it’s anyone’s guess. And you can probably guess who the egos are.
Luckily, there’s also a little-known player entangled in this this nuclear crap-shoot . . and that’s Åland. Ever heard of it? Embarrassingly, and as much as we here at Matouring like to think we know Europe, this place came out of nowhere, and their story is definitely worth knowing. It’s funny, too.
Åland is an autonomous region of Finland, granted this status under the League of Nations in 1921. The islands have their own parliament, government, and official language (Swedish), which makes them politically and administratively distinct from mainland Finland.
Åland is demilitarized, meaning no military forces are allowed on the islands, and it is neutral in times of war. This status was established in the 19th century and was reinforced by international agreements. So far so good . . . until recently.
There is someone else (guess who) who has his eyes on this neutral place but is stymied by Åland and its role as a peacekeeper of sorts. Even better, the peacekeepers are a group of fiery residents (mostly senior citizens) who stand their ground and put “you know who” in his place.
It’s a great story with more than a little Nordic humour and, in our eyes anyway, all of this makes this definitely worth a trip to Åland. But, don’t overload the place as tourists: they’re on our side.
Stay at the relaxed Strandnäs Hotell. Located in Mariehamn, a 13-minute walk from Nabbenbadet Beach, Strandnäs Hotell has accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. This 3-star hotel offers a shared kitchen, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. Guests can have a drink at the bar. Click here to book.
Our affiliate friends, Ferryhopper can get you to Åland and beyond. Click here to book.
Lufthansa can get you to Åland. Click here to book your trip.