Hello there,

Welcome to Sparkling Travel Stories, the vinous blog of a Helsinki-based journalist and sociologist whose life was changed by her love for solo travel, stories and wine.

So, who am I…?

Sparkling Woman from Finland

My name is Sanna. As a Freelancer, I’m always on the go, craving for inspiration and authentic experiences with the locals. Some call it restlessness, I say it’s curiosity and wanderlust.

As an experienced traveller, I love to explore new latitudes while returning my bustling favourite cities: Paris, Rome, Madrid, Bilbao and Berlin.

Wine stories from the heart

As a wine pro, my trips take me to the French, Italian and Spanish countryside. I’ve been to Champagne more than 30 times and celebrated several birthdays over there. Right now, Spain is the most exciting and dynamic European wine country for me.

Besides Finnish (my mother tongue), I do speak English and Swedish, German, Italian, French, some Spanish and a bit of Russian. My infatuation for The Basque Country, its txakoli wines and Athletic Bilbao has led me to study Euskara, the most unique language I’ve encountered.

Room for people & surprises

In this blog I share stories and impressions, coincidences and delicious travel tips. They can be anything from from unforgettable croissants to finest dinners, from quirky orange wines to barrel samples, from old cidrerias to the hippest wine bars.

Sometimes my wining and dining is all planned, sometimes the most memorable surprises arise at local eateries. The greatest joy is to try new wines (and food) in lovely company. Just leaning back and seizing the moment while dipping deeper into local culture and habits.

When it comes to choosing, I rather drink ordinary wines with great people than a once-in-a-lifetime unicorn in boring/arrogant/pompous company.

That said, I never say no to a glass of champagne. Therefore, if we happen to meet, I am glad to share a bottle of noble bubbles with you. Or even two, if we have time until sunrise.

Glad to have you here at Sparkling Travel Stories 💜

 

If you’d like to follow my travels & wine life, you’ll find me on Instagram as @champagnesanna, and from my Finnish account as @sannakissakangas.

 

---

PHOTO (left): Lari Järnefelt @ Felt Fotografi / Pikku Huopalahti, Helsinki.

PHOTO (right): Giuseppe Rosario Mingione / Barri Gótic, Barcelona.

---

All other pictures in this travel blog are mine unless stated otherwise.