A wonderful mix of beautiful cities, medieval towns, peaceful forests, scenic hikes, dramatic mountains, and unforgettable road trips.
Our Itinerary at a Glance
Our Favorite Experiences
Best nature experience: Hiking through Nuuksio National Park and seeing its incredibly still lakes.
Most spectacular scenery: The Scottish Highlands, especially Glencoe and the Isle of Skye.
Favorite city experience: Exploring Edinburgh’s Old Town and beautiful Dean Village.
Most charming day trip: Medieval Tallinn, despite the rain.
Best food memories: Finnish salmon soup, fresh fish, pastries, traditional Estonian food, and the delicious freshly baked bread in Tallinn.
Experience to return for: Completing the Old Man of Storr hike on the Isle of Skye.
Three countries, three very different experiences: Finland gave us peace, Estonia gave us medieval charm, and Scotland left us in awe of its landscapes.
Finland & Estonia — Slow Travel, Nature & Family Time
Day 1 — Arrival in Helsinki
After a long journey from San Francisco, complete with a five-hour layover in Amsterdam, we finally landed in Helsinki. By the time we checked into Hotel St. George, we were ready to unwind rather than explore. We headed down to the hotel bar, enjoyed a quiet drink together, and called it a night, looking forward to discovering Finland over the coming days.
Day 2 — Discovering Helsinki
The day began with a wonderful breakfast at the hotel. The spread was great. Sree and I went for a morning walk before coming back to collect the kids for our two-hour walking tour of Helsinki.
As always, the walking tour was very informative. It gave us a much richer appreciation of the city’s history and culture than we could have discovered on our own.
Afterward, we explored Oodi Library, where we found time for some chess. Lunch was at the Old Market Hall, where we enjoyed delicious salmon soup, fish sandwiches, and pastries.
Back at the hotel, we slept for about an hour before heading to Allas Sea Pool for the Finnish sauna and swimming experience. Tara was tired and didn’t want to go into the pool, but Pranav absolutely loved it. The sauna was lovely too.
On the walk back, we grabbed some Helsinki fried fish and chips before calling it a day.
Day 3 — A Rainy Day in Tallinn, Estonia
We woke early and took an Uber to the ferry terminal for our day trip to Tallinn. It was a rainy day, but with only a few days in Finland, we didn’t want to cancel the trip.
The ferry itself was surprisingly impressive! There were plenty of food options, from a buffet and cafés to Burger King and Starbucks, as well as an entire duty-free shopping section. The seats were comfortable, and the two-hour crossing flew by.
When we reached Tallinn, it was still drizzling and a little cold. Our first stop was Rost for coffee before walking into the Old Town. It reminded me of Rothenburg in Germany—perhaps with slightly less vibrant colors, but equally charming.
We wandered through the town square, explored the area around the Russian-influenced church, and walked to the viewpoints, enjoying the atmosphere despite the weather.
For lunch, we went into a restaurant serving authentic Estonian food. The pea soup was lovely, but I won’t forget the fresh buns and butter. We liked them so much that we ordered another plate! We also tried a very different dumpling dessert.
After lunch, we took a quick Uber to an area filled with creative graffiti before deciding to catch an earlier ferry back to Helsinki. We still had a two-hour wait at the terminal, which we passed with card games and naps.
Once we boarded, Sree and I fell asleep and woke up as we reached Helsinki. That evening, we got food for the kids, had coffee at the hotel café, and I spent some time reading before bed.
Day 4 — Nuuksio National Park
Today was our nature day. We had a relaxed morning, with a quick gym session for Sree and me followed by breakfast. We dropped our clothes at the laundromat, then took an Uber to Nuuksio National Park.
We arrived at Haltia, picked up some information, and began the hike to Haukkalampi. The 4.5 km route took us through the forest and up some stairs before reaching the lakes.
The lakes were so beautiful and still, with practically no one around. This ended up being the highlight of my time in Finland.
We found benches for our sandwiches, got coffee from the café, and later roasted marshmallows at a campfire pit. There was even free firewood provided.
Getting back turned into a small adventure when we couldn’t find an Uber. We walked two kilometers to the bus stop and arrived just in time for the bus. After getting off at the last stop, we took an Uber back to the hotel.
We rested for a bit, had coffee downstairs, and then went for a walk, collected our laundry, and picked up food for the kids. A wonderfully ordinary evening after such a peaceful day.
Day 5 — The Beauty of Slow Travel
Originally, we had kept today for Porvoo, but the day unfolded differently. We had a slow breakfast, returned to the room for some rest, and eventually I convinced everyone to head out.
Once we decided not to go to Porvoo, the plan was to visit Suomenlinna and Vallisaari. The kids, however, were not enthusiastic about another outing!
We went to Vallisaari first, explored a little, and spent some time sitting by the coastline. It was a very quiet island, with hardly anyone around. After that, I decided we would skip Suomenlinna.
We returned to the hotel, rested, and went out for lunch at a Finnish restaurant Sree had selected. The food was awesome, and we really enjoyed it.
When we returned, there was a power outage at the hotel, so we couldn’t get into our room. We sat in reception for a while and then decided to visit Café Regatta, which I’d heard had a lovely waterfront setting and sunset.
The café itself was fairly simple, but the setting was nice. We sat there, charged our phones, and relaxed before returning to the hotel. Luckily, the power was back.
We ended the evening with a drink and a chat at the hotel bar before calling it a night.
What I’ll Remember About Finland
As we left Finland, I realized it had quietly slowed us down. There was something about the country that encouraged us to pause, breathe, and simply enjoy where we were.
I’ll remember how safe everything felt and how many people were outdoors enjoying the summer and having a good time. There was an unhurried rhythm to life that was refreshing to experience.
The people were warm and kind, and the food we tried was delicious. Kaffa served my favorite coffee of the trip, though the rest of the coffee never quite lived up to it.
Our stay at Hotel St. George became part of the experience. I’ll remember our beautiful room, the hotel spaces, the superb cocktails at the bar, and the healthy, fresh breakfast options. I’ll even remember the small gym and how much I enjoyed working out there.
But if I had to choose one experience that captures Finland for me, it would be our day in Nuuksio National Park. Walking through the forest, reaching the still lakes, sitting quietly by the water, enjoying coffee, and roasting marshmallows—it was simple, peaceful, and unforgettable.
Those perfectly calm waters are the image I’ll carry with me long after the trip is over.
Our Time in Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands
Day 6 — Edinburgh: A City Full of Character
After spending a wonderful few days in Finland and Estonia, we were off to Scotland! Edinburgh was one of the places I had really been looking forward to visiting, and I was excited to finally explore it.
As usual, Sree and I decided to get up early and go for a walk while the kids were still sleeping. This has become one of my favorite things to do during our vacations. There is something really nice about exploring a city early in the morning, before the streets get busy.
We walked along the Water of Leith and made our way to Dean Village. What a beautiful little place! The old stone buildings, the river flowing through the village, and the quiet streets made it feel like we had stepped into another time. I had seen pictures of Dean Village while planning the trip, but it was even prettier in person.
After our walk, we returned to the hotel, had breakfast with the kids, and headed out for our walking tour of Edinburgh.
I always enjoy these walking tours because they give us so much historical context about the places we visit. We explored the Old Town, walked along the Royal Mile, and learned about the city’s history, architecture, and the stories behind its narrow streets and hidden closes.
After the tour, we continued exploring the Old Town on our own. Edinburgh is such a beautiful city to simply walk around. Every street seems to have something interesting, whether it’s an old building, a little shop, or a narrow alleyway leading somewhere unexpected.
I particularly loved the architecture and the character of the city. It felt historic, charming, and full of life.
By the end of the day, I was already wishing we had more time to explore Edinburgh. It was definitely a city I could see myself returning to.
Day 7 — Edinburgh to Fort Augustus: The Scottish Highlands
Today was the day I had been waiting for! We were finally heading into the Scottish Highlands.
As much as I enjoyed Edinburgh, the Highlands were one of the main reasons I wanted to visit Scotland. I had seen so many pictures of the mountains, valleys, and beautiful winding roads, and I was excited to experience them in person.
We started our drive from Edinburgh towards Fort Augustus, where we would be spending the night. As we drove farther away from the city, the landscape slowly began to change. The countryside became more beautiful, the mountains started appearing, and the roads were surrounded by spectacular scenery.
Our main stop was Glencoe. And what a place!
I don’t think pictures can really do justice to the scale and beauty of Glencoe. The enormous mountains rising on either side of the valley, the green landscapes, and the dramatic scenery were simply breathtaking.
We stopped to take pictures, walked around a bit, and spent time just admiring the views.
The entire drive through the Highlands was beautiful. There were lakes, mountains, sheep grazing along the roads, and one stunning view after another. I kept wanting to stop the car because every few minutes there seemed to be something even more beautiful to see.
Eventually, we reached Fort Augustus, a small village at the southern end of Loch Ness.
We spent some time exploring the village and watching boats pass through the locks of the Caledonian Canal. It was fascinating to see how the water levels changed to allow the boats to move through.
After such a scenic drive, it was a lovely and peaceful way to end the day. Tomorrow was going to be our big day exploring the Isle of Skye, and I was really looking forward to it!
Day 8 — Isle of Skye: One of the Most Beautiful Places I’ve Seen
Today was probably the day I was most excited about during our entire Scotland trip.
We woke up early in Fort Augustus and started our drive towards the Isle of Skye. We had a packed itinerary, and I knew it was going to be a long day, but there were so many places I wanted to see.
Even the drive into Skye was spectacular. The mountains, winding roads, green valleys, and rugged landscapes were unlike anything I had seen before.
Our first major stop was the Old Man of Storr. This was one of the places I had researched the most before the trip, and I really wanted to hike up to the famous viewpoint.
We started the hike, and initially it seemed manageable. But as we climbed higher, the trail became steeper, and I realized that the hike was going to take much longer than I had anticipated. The kids were getting tired, and we still had so many places to visit that day.
Eventually, we made the decision to turn around before reaching the main viewpoint.
At the time, it seemed like the sensible thing to do. But looking back, this is probably my biggest regret from the trip. I wish I had researched the hiking distance and time more carefully. Had I known, I would have planned the day differently and allowed more time for this hike.
Nevertheless, the views we saw along the way were beautiful, and I am glad we attempted it.
Our next stop was Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls. This was a much easier stop, with a viewpoint overlooking dramatic cliffs and a waterfall dropping straight into the sea. It was absolutely stunning.
After this, we drove to the Quiraing. And wow! What a landscape.
The Quiraing was probably one of the most visually spectacular places we saw on Skye. The unusual rock formations, rolling green hills, dramatic mountains, and winding roads made the whole place look almost unreal.
We didn’t do the entire hike, but walked around enough to enjoy the scenery from different viewpoints.
Next, we headed to Fairy Glen. This was a completely different landscape compared to the dramatic mountains we had been seeing. There were small, oddly shaped grassy hills everywhere, and the place had a whimsical, almost magical feel to it.
The kids enjoyed exploring this area, and it was a nice change from the larger mountain landscapes.
We stopped for lunch in one of the towns on Skye before heading to our final major destination—the Fairy Pools.
The Fairy Pools were beautiful, with crystal-clear water flowing through a series of pools against the backdrop of the Black Cuillin mountains. We walked to the first couple of pools and spent some time enjoying the scenery.
And here came a lovely surprise!
Through my friend Lilu, I knew that her sister Shan Chechi, along with Sara and Abhi Chettan, were also traveling in Scotland around the same time. Completely by coincidence, we bumped into them at the Fairy Pools!
What are the chances? It was so nice to see familiar faces in such an unexpected place. We spent some time chatting before continuing on our respective journeys.
There was another interesting moment too. I was almost certain I spotted the Malayalam actor Prithviraj with his family! I couldn’t confirm whether it was actually him, but from a distance it certainly looked like him.
After a very full day of sightseeing, we started our long drive towards Inverness.
Looking back, we managed to see quite a lot of Skye in a single day. The landscapes were spectacular, and every place was different from the previous one.
But even after seeing all these beautiful places, the one thing that has stayed with me is the Old Man of Storr. I really wish we had completed that hike.
If I ever return to Skye, which I hope I will, that is definitely going to be the first thing on my itinerary!
Day 9 — Inverness to Edinburgh: One Last Drive Through the Highlands
Today we were driving back to Edinburgh after our wonderful day exploring the Isle of Skye.
We had already spent a couple of days driving through the Highlands, but somehow the scenery never got boring. Every stretch of road had something beautiful to offer: peaceful lochs, green hills, mountains, and valleys.
I don’t think I have ever taken so many pictures from inside a moving car!
We stopped at a few scenic viewpoints along the way, stretched our legs, grabbed coffee, and continued enjoying the drive.
One of the things I really loved about Scotland was that the drive itself was an experience. We didn’t necessarily have to reach a particular attraction to enjoy the scenery. Even looking out of the window was wonderful.
We chatted, pointed out sheep grazing on the hillsides, and enjoyed the constantly changing landscape.
As we got closer to Edinburgh, I started feeling a little sad that our time in the Highlands was coming to an end. There were still so many places I wanted to explore—Glenfinnan, the Isle of Mull, more hikes, and definitely more time on Skye.
Scotland is one of those places where I already know I would love to return.
By evening, we reached Edinburgh, ready to enjoy our last full day before heading home.
Day 10 — Edinburgh: Our Last Full Day
Today was our last full day in Scotland. We decided to keep the day relaxed rather than packing it with sightseeing.
We spent time walking around Edinburgh, exploring some of the streets and neighborhoods we had enjoyed earlier, and browsing through shops for souvenirs and gifts.
One thing I really wanted to buy from Scotland was something made of tweed. We explored different shops looking at bags and gifts for family and friends.
Edinburgh is such a lovely city for walking and shopping. Even when you’re not visiting a particular attraction, the old buildings, little shops, and beautiful streets make the experience enjoyable.
As we wandered around, I found myself thinking about how different each part of our vacation had been.
Finland had been peaceful and relaxing. Tallinn had been charming despite the rain. Edinburgh had been full of history and beautiful architecture. And the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye had been absolutely breathtaking.
We returned to the hotel and packed our bags for the journey home. It was hard to believe that our vacation was already coming to an end.
Day 11 — Journey Home
And just like that, our vacation was over.
After eleven days of exploring Finland, Estonia, and Scotland, it was time to head back home.
As always, I had mixed feelings. A part of me was ready to get back to our routines and sleep in my own bed, but another part of me wished we had a few more days.
We had seen so many beautiful places, enjoyed wonderful experiences, and spent quality time together as a family.
From the peaceful lakes in Finland to the medieval streets of Tallinn, the beautiful architecture of Edinburgh, and the spectacular landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, this trip gave us so many memories to cherish.
And of course, there are already places I want to return to!
What I’ll Remember About Scotland
As we left Scotland, I knew this was a place that would stay with me for a long time.
I’ll remember the beautiful streets of Edinburgh, the early morning walk along the Water of Leith, and the almost storybook setting of Dean Village. I’ll remember the Royal Mile, the narrow closes, the old stone buildings, and how much I enjoyed simply walking around the city.
But more than anything, I’ll remember the Scottish Highlands.
The drive through Glencoe, the enormous mountains, the beautiful valleys, the lochs, and the sheep grazing along the roads—it was one breathtaking view after another. I don’t think I have ever enjoyed looking out of a car window quite as much as I did in Scotland.
And then there was the Isle of Skye. The Quiraing, Kilt Rock, Fairy Glen, and Fairy Pools were all incredible. Every place had something unique to offer, and the landscapes were unlike anything I had experienced before.
I’ll also remember the unexpected moments—bumping into Shan Chechi and family at the Fairy Pools, wondering whether we had actually spotted Prithviraj, and the many little family conversations during our long drives.
Of course, there is one thing I wish we had done differently. I wish we had completed the Old Man of Storr hike. I underestimated the time it would take, and with the kids getting tired and a packed itinerary ahead, we turned back. That unfinished hike is something I still think about.
But perhaps that’s also a reason to return.
If Finland taught us to slow down and appreciate the quiet, Scotland reminded me how extraordinary nature can be.
I loved Edinburgh, but the Highlands and the Isle of Skye were the highlights of Scotland for me.
And I know one thing for certain—I haven’t seen enough of Scotland yet. I would love to return someday, spend more time on Skye, complete the Old Man of Storr hike, and explore all the places we couldn’t fit into this trip.
Some places are wonderful to visit once. Scotland, for me, is a place I want to experience again.
