Destinations
Finland’s landscapes are a glorious variation on the theme of forest and water, where the comforts of modern life are never far away. Yet each region has its distinct character, from the wilds of Lapland to the inspiring lakes of the east to the archipelagos of the south-west and the lively attractions of the capital, Helsinki.
 Click on map to focus and print Finland is much more than just snow and Santa (though, of course, the real one does hail from Finnish Lapland). Nokia mobile phones, Sibelius are what may spring to mind but there’s more to Finland than this. With just a population of around 5 million people, the economy is strong (the Euro is used), the standard of living is high and when you next have an X ray or scan at a hospital, there’s a good chance that the equipment will be Finnish: this country is a world leader in technological research.
Helsinki Region:
The capital, is usually just a 2½ hour flight from London (closer than you thought?) with around 500,000 people. Easy to get around on foot or using the excellent tram service. This is a seaside city stretching out to pretty islands where green expanses are never far away. Café society springs to life in summer when people sit and watch the world go by surrounded by many architectural styles from art nouveau to functionalist: coffee, of course, is served in stylish, designer chinaware on beautiful fabrics – names such as Iittala and Marimekko are world famous. City sightseeing, the old steam train journey to Porvoo, a cruise through the archipelago, a night at the Opera, it can all be easily achieved in a short break. There are boutique hotels, designer hotels, grand hotels and private apartments for all budgets (most hotels have saunas of course – part of Finnish culture).
Finland’s South and those amazing Åland islands:
This is the area to see pretty wooden towns (the elegant villas of Hanko used to be the summer haunt of wealthy nobility from St Petersburg), islands and more.
There are 6,500 islands in the Åland archipelago (Finland has over 20,000 islands in total) and being flat, this is a cyclist’s paradise. There are boats of all types for hire from an hour to a week, Finland’s oldest churches dating back to the 12th century and some great island restaurants serving fabulous crayfish buffets and barbeques. Turku on the south west coast is the oldest city in Finland and the former capital. In 2011 Turku will be the European City of Culture. Along the coast in Naantali is home to the famous Moominworld theme park.
The West Coast:
Extending from the UNESCO listed old town of Rauma in the south to Oulu in the north, this is an area of fabulous beaches, sand dunes, bridges and lush pastures where an untouched wilderness touches the sea. Pori is a cultural town hosting festivals (annual jazz festival attracts visitors from all over the world), sporting events, markets not to be missed. Rauma is the largest complete wooden town in the Nordic countries and is famous for lace making. Pori has a fabulous, sandy beach called Yyteri. Sleep sensation? then spend a night in the tower of the Kylmäpihlaja lighthouse and wake up to breathtaking views. The Vaasa region is a cocktail of Finnish and Swedish cultures among small villages and old wooden towns. The Kvarken Archipelago is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and this is the area where land is uplifted as land rises up from the sea on average 8 mm every year. Take a cruise from Kokkola in central Ostrobothnia to the lighthouse island of Tankar and the Seven Bridges archipelago. Great shopping is to be had in Oulu, the largest city in the northern Nordic region and where the Turkansaari open-air museum is reached by boat along the Oulujoki river. Oulu is Finland’s city of technological brilliance – this is Finland’s own “silicone valley”.
The Great Lakes District:
There appears to be more water than land in the country’s south-east Lake District. During summer, the horizon seems to be one vast glinting mirror – truly breathtaking.
This is the largest Lake District in Europe and a fisherman’s paradise. The area includes Tampere, a vibrant university town with the only Lenin museum outside of Russia and the oldest public city sauna in Finland, still working – named Rajaportti in the Pispala district of Tampere. Savonlinna with her awesome castle is arguably the most beautiful setting in the world for the famous summer opera festival, a night spent at Valamo, Finland’s only Orthodox monastery and the world’ largest smoke sauna at Kuopio – they are all here. The Karelia region has an untouched wilderness in addition to waters. The culture here is distinct where locals maintain traditions originating from the Russian Orthodox history. Trekkers in the north of the region often hear the call of elks. The Kajaani region has so many activities it’s hard to know where to start: bear watching safaris, quad biking, fly-fishing, cross country skiing. Roads are good and even in five or six days, a great deal of Finland’s Lake District can be experienced.
Finnish Lapland:
Often described as “the top of the world”, Finnish Lapland has a certain magic feel. More and more visitors are choosing to visit in summer attracted by the fabulous wealth of outdoor activities and sights, perfect for the whole family. Fells and mountains are perfect for bikers; the river system creates fabulous white water rafting, fishing and canoeing opportunities – even gold prospecting. Rovaniemi is the provincial capital and is right on the Arctic Circle. The real Santa Claus lives here and it’s home too to Arktikum, a superb museum that brings to life the whole story of the region. Husky safaris, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and endless winter sports – they’re all here.
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