Ah, the sauna. That little pine-clad room where you shed your clothes and your cares, steam up and let the sweat cleanse your pores. There’s no better place in the world to experience a sauna than in Finland, the country that invented it. For Finns a sauna is not a luxury but an essential daily experience and integral part of their culture. Traditionally, the sauna has been a place to cure ills, talk business and even give birth – an offer to join a Finn in their sauna is an honour not to be missed.

How?

For the uninitiated, there’s a certain amount of custom and etiquette associated with the sauna, but follow these tips and you won’t go wrong.

• The sauna is taken in the nude, though Finns are strict about the non-sexual nature of bathing – in public saunas there are separate sections for men and women, or towels are provided.
• Shower first – you should be clean before entering the sauna
• The person seated in the hottest part of the sauna – the upper bench – decides when the time is right to pour more water over the stove (kiuas), producing steam (löyly) and further raising the temperature.
• The sauna is usually a place for silent reflection, but you can take the cue from your host about chatting. It’s not unusual for business meetings to take place in the sauna.
• If you’re offered a bunch of birch leaves, called a vihta, use them to lightly whip yourself over the shoulders – it improves circulation and enhances the effect of heat on your skin.
• Don’t stay in too long – it’s not a test of endurance. In 2010, a Russian competitor in the World Sauna Championships in Heinola died from overheating. The event has since been cancelled.
• Finally, the classic sauna experience is to take a dip in the lake or pool afterwards, return to the sauna, then repeat the process. In winter, this means ice-swimming, where you plunge into a hole cut into the ice. The sudden effect of icy water on warm skin will literally take your breath away but it’s incredibly invigorating!

Where?

Ask any Finn where to find the best sauna, and they’ll wistfully say it is at their kesämökki (summer cottage) – most Finnish families own or rent a cottage, usually by a lake and always with a sauna, for their summer holidays. For the rest of us, here are five of the best public saunas in the Finland:

Jätkänkämppä Smoke Sauna, Kuopio

Finland’s best-known savusauna (smoke sauna), in a log cabin in a heart of Finland’s lakes district, is said to be the world’s largest, though it can seem pretty cosy when filled to capacity with more than 60 people! The huge wood stove is heated 24 hours in advance (it’s only open two days a week) and the smoky löyly (steam) and blackened walls give it an authentic feel. It’s mixed, so bring a towel, and in winter you can walk the short distance to the icehole in Lake Kallevesi for the true sauna experience.

Rauhaniemi Kansankylpylä, Tampere

For a beachside sauna experience, head to this classic public sauna on the shores of Tampere‘s Lake Näsijärvi. The two original sauna buildings date from 1929. Don a swimsuit and take a dip in the lake; in winter, take the ‘walk of pain’ along the green matting to the ice hole and plunge in!

Rajaportin, Tampere

Tampere is a real sauna town and this is the oldest operating public sauna in Finland – it’s been warming locals since 1906. The traditionally-heated sauna with separate areas for men and women exudes a soft and sultry steam.

Kotiharju, Helsinki

Kotiharju, in the edgy Kallio district of Helsinki, is an institution and the city’s sole wood-burning public sauna. It’s heated daily with room for up to 30 people. It’s easy to find – you’ll often see groups of half-naked men on the footpath out front cooling off with a beer.

Saunasaari, Helsinki

Saunasaari is not one sauna, but an island-resort of saunas just 15 minutes by boat from Helsinki’s market square. On Vasikkasaari Island are three purpose-built wood-fired saunas (there’s no power on the island), which can be privately rented by groups. It’s a great little summer escape from the city – after steaming it up you can relax in a heated outdoor pool with views back to Helsinki and Suomenlinna.

Who better to give us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Aulani-to-come than the people responsible for making it happen? The Insider went straight to the Imagineers, culinary wizards, entertainment experts, and others who are creating this Hawaiian family getaway unlike any other.

The Story

Imagineer Jeanette Lomboy is the Senior Show Producer for Aulani, and has been instrumental in making the Resort not just a place for fun in the sun, but one that also tells a unique story. “What do Hawai’i and Disney have in common?” she asks. The answer? “Family, or ‘ohana. Story, mo’olelo. And the third element is magic. There’s nothing worth doing unless there’s a story to tell. Hawai’i has so much rich cultural content – it’s a wonderful fit and it’s amazing for us as Imagineers, because we didn’t have to make anything up! Aulani is about the Hawaiian culture, the stories, the people, the art, the architectural forms and traditional crafts.”

“We knew it was our responsibility to make it a place that will deliver what our Guests expect – a family vacation on a beautiful beach, right on a gorgeous lagoon. But they may not expect that there is so much more. From day to night, things change. The lava rock formations – during the day, they look like remnants of an ancient lava flow, but in the evening you might see fabulous animals carved in the shadows. In the lobby, you walk in and you realize that it’s grand and beautiful – but what our Guests might not know at first is that everything in that lobby is inspired by something in the Hawaiian culture. The seven calabash bowls lining the lobby entrance represent feasts and also the seven stars of the Pleiades, which were very important to the Hawaiians.”

Uncovering the secrets and stories of Aulani can be accomplished in many ways, Jeanette explains. “We want our Guests to ask questions! They can ask any Cast Member. We also have an interactive self-guided cultural tour, which goes into more detail about the cultural content at the Resort. We want Guests to know that it takes some exploration and discovery to learn how deep and rich the culture is. There’s also an in-house cultural adviser, Kahulu De Santos, because we thought it was important to represent the culture accurately.”

The Food

In exploring any unfamiliar culture, food is a good, and delicious, starting place! Like the Resort’s décor, the food at Aulani celebrates Hawai’i. Ed Wronski, Director of Food & Beverage Concept Development for Walt Disney Parks Worldwide, explains, “One of our major guiding principles for the menu development was to really focus on local ingredients and products that are indigenous to Hawaii. For instance, we honor the culture by incorporating traditional Hawaiian offerings on the Makahiki Buffet daily. We also feature products from local farms.”

In addition to the Makahiki Buffet, Guests can experience dining at the beachside restaurant ‘AMA ‘AMA (named for a favorite Hawaiian fish), which features fresh local ingredients and fare inspired by the diversity of the Hawai’ian people. Or they can turn to the “Olelo Room, where the décor provides hints on Hawaiian vocabulary so diners can brush up on the local lingo after a day of fun and adventure. Other bars and eateries are sprinkled throughout the grounds, including lounges with live music, and even a spot devoted to the treat beloved by generations of visitors to Hawai’i – shaved ice!

The Entertainment

Sayre Wiseman, one of two Directors of Show Production at Aulani, and Creative Director David Duffy told us about fun at the Resort, and offered some tips on what not to miss.

Sayre explains, “One of our goals was combining rich Disney history and culture with the Hawaiian culture in the Resort’s entertainment. We’ve been very selective about the right things to do.”

David adds, “I think Guests will be surprised and delighted by the true Hawaiian experience they’ll have at the Resort. We’re trying to bring both ancient and contemporary Hawaiian culture to life for all our Guests. For instance, Aunty’s Beach House is perfect for 3-10 year olds. We called it that because when you’re in Hawai’i, Aunty can be anyone from your real-life aunt to a welcoming friend or neighbor. It’s lovely!”

Aunty’s Beach House is also one of Sayre’s favorite spots at the Resort. “It reminds me of being a kid and exploring all the nooks and crannies of a vacation home. I think it’s an incredibly special place for kids to experience.”

But there’s so much more, for Guests of all ages. David explains, “This is the first resort where the family experience is at the core of the development. I encourage Guests to take the time to review the offerings available – there will be an extensive menu of opportunities that immerses them in Hawaiian culture, from morning hula lessons to Hawaiian stories around the fire at night. There are things just for kids, others especially for teens, and many that the whole family can enjoy together, like the Rainbow Reed snorkel lagoon!”

Perhaps the premiere event is the Starlit Hui, on the Makaloa lawn several times a week. While many Hawaiian resorts offer a “luau” experience, the Starlit Hui takes the traditional luau to the next level, and David urges everyone not to miss it. “What’s exciting is that it’s a nighttime party event for the whole family by the ocean. From hula-dancing as a family and enjoying an actual hula performance, to interacting with favorite Disney Characters who are also visiting Aulani, I think it will be a magical experience for families!”

Put It All Together at Aulani Resort

Whether you’re seeking much-needed family time, a chance to explore one of the most beautiful locations on Earth, adventure and activity, an introduction to the people and spirit of Hawai’i, or simply a deck chair on a perfect beach, Aulani is ready to make Hawaiian vacation dreams come true.

What will you find at Aulani? Let’s leave Jeanette with the last word, which really sums up the spirit of the Resort. “There are plenty of surprises in store, and what might appear one way when you see it, might be completely different another time. You have to open your eyes and pay attention to everything around you, because magic can happen anywhere.”

For more information, check out Disney Fans.

Volcanic Eruption in Grimsvotn, Iceland May 21 2011 from Jon Gustafsson on Vimeo.

A new angle on a familiar sight: Looking up from under the Eiffel Tower is a heady sensation, suitable for the City of Light, arguably the most romantic destination in the world.

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for “fifth of May”) is a Mexican civic holiday “Public holidays in Mexico” held on May 5 that commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin. It is celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla and in the United States. While Cinco de Mayo sees limited significance in Mexico itself, the date is observed nationwide mostly in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. Mexicans and Latinos living in California during the American Civil War are credited with being the first to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the United States. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico Independence Day.