Lovisa — VanSky 92 (Ideal)

Finland has a thriving culture of overnight stops in places not designated for camping. Yle journalists interviewed travelers in three cities and identified the main rules and restrictions. The key distinction is between permitted overnight parking and prohibited camping: setting out chairs, a table or a grill is already considered a violation. Landowners and municipalities may restrict parking, for example by introducing parking discs.

The closing ceremony of the Iskelmäviikot festival in Kiuruvesi has been cancelled due to heavy rain. The event was scheduled for noon on the town square, featuring community singing with an orchestra and the arrival of the Yle 100 bus. The previous day, water flooded the festival area, requiring assistance from the North Savo rescue service. According to organizers, water remains on the caravan site, and some vehicles may need to be towed out with a tractor.

Hannu and Soile Kivikoski, who have been caravanning across Finland for over 40 years, shared their experience. They won a seasonal pitch at the Sääksi camping site in Nurmijärvi, where the annual fee is under €900. The couple owns two caravans: a new Fendt over 8 meters long (bought for €50,000 in 2021) and a 20-year-old Kabe. They advise beginners to rent a caravan before buying.

A caravan caught fire on the premises of a building in Koivu, Tervola, early on July 17. The fire completely destroyed the caravan and damaged two other vehicles. No injuries were reported; the cause of the fire is unknown.

On Wednesday evening, a caravan caught fire while being towed on Highway 7 in Finland, igniting the towing van. Two people and three dogs escaped unharmed, but both vehicles were destroyed. Five fire units from Karhula and Hamina responded. The cause is unknown. This is the second vehicle fire on the same road in 1.5 weeks.

On the evening of January 20, a caravan caught fire on the E18 motorway at the border of Hamina and Virolahti, and the flames spread to the towing van. The fire started around 19:00, and no injuries were reported.