Finland may be a long way from Hawaii but the surf's up in this Nordic country.

Kontraster är en av huvudingredienserna i det finska kulturlivet, troligtvis på grund av att allt både ser och låter annorlunda ur ett nordiskt perspektiv sett. Detta kan vara förklaringen till varför heavy metal-musik spelas på cellon eller filmer i princip saknar dialog.

Rokua has plenty to offer all year round: you won't run out of things to do or places to explore. In the winter, you can admire the snow-capped pines, go cross-country skiing or nowshoe walking and do some ice fishing. During the summer, you can try your hand at trekking, berry and mushroom picking, fishing, and kayaking.

When strolling around the city, you will soon realise how important role nature and outdoor activities play in Oulu.

Seurasaari is a fascinating island and a district in Helsinki. The island is known mostly as the location of the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum.