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Beautifully merging the wonders of modern living with the unspoilt beauty of nature is Finland, where each region has a distinct character

Let’s play some word association. What crops up in your mind when I say the word ‘Finland’?
Never-ending nights and days? Santa Claus? Your Nokia phone? The Aurora Borealis, reindeers,
husky dogs and saunas? Well, Finland is all that and much more. As June 22, the day of the Midnight
Sun draws near, and as Finland heats up with its vodka, carnivals and the intoxication that comes with the contrasts in the land, we tell you some must-see, must-do facts about this gorgeous northern European country.

HELSINKI Pearl of the Baltic Step into Finland’s stylish capital and you feel it pulsate with a vibrant energy that makes you feel welcome at once. The Finnish, you realise, are non-judgemental and quiet, and most of the younger lot speaks excellent English. The contrasts of this 450-year-old city is conspicuous in the buildings and churches, be it the magnificent Senate Square with its neo-classical Lutheran Cathedral and the Uspensky Orthodox Cathedral, the art nouveau railway station and the National Museum, or the striking traditional buildings on the island of Seurasaari. Make time, too, to see the main railway station designed by Eliel Saarinen, whose gothic grandeur inspired set designers who created Gotham City for the first Batman film.

ÅLAND AND THE FINNISH ARCHIPELAGO Water, water everywhere If island hopping, bed-and-breakfast by the seaside and lazing on the gently rolling landscapes is your idea of a vacation, check this out. Tens of thousands of islands make up the Finnish archipelago, which lies off the southern coast, and when the weather is warm, the islands see scores of visitors looking to do some sightseeing, hiking, biking, boating, and fishing. The southwestern part of the Finnish archipelago, the most scenic part, is

where you will find the tourist-popular Åland archipelago, comprising 6,500 breathtaking islands, which include the oldest churches of Finland dating back to the 12th century.

TURKU
Culture cradle
Finland’s oldest city lying in southwestern Finland, Turku is regarded as the birthplace of Finnish culture. This seaside seaside town is known for its magnificent castles and cathedrals, old manor houses and farmhouses. Here, you are never too far from river Aura and can cross and recross its five main bridges or take the little ferry that still carries pedestrians and cycles across free of charge. Taking your kids along or want to set the inner kid free? Don’t miss the town of Naantali, further along the coast, and its renowned Moomin World theme park.

TAMPERE
Finland’s Manchester
The university town of Tampere, with its red-brick textile and paper mill buildings, is located between two lakes. It boasts of having the Lenin museum outside Russia and the Rajaportin sauna, the oldest public city sauna still in use in Finland.

FINNISH LAPLAND
Top of the World
This is on our most-loved list. This place has a magical feel with more tourists visiting it in summer for its outdoor attractions. Meet Mr and Mrs Claus, bake buns with the elves and pet the reindeers in the ‘Santa Park’. You can’t miss Arktikum, the Arctic Centre and regional museum of Lapland. Learn about the Arctic people and their lives, along with Lapland’s flora and fauna, traditional Sámi culture and Rovaniemi’s history. Adventures are close at hand and combined with its unique Nordic lifestyle, the place presents an altogether fresh approach to Europe.

MARK IT! THINGS YOU JUST CAN’T NOT DO IN FINLAND CYCLE – For most part, this country is flat with gorgeous scenery and cycling paths. Bikes are easy to find and a cheaper alternative too. STOP BY A LAKE – Lakes cover 10 per cent of the country’s area and are found mainly in southern Finland. Saimaa Lake District, not far from Mikkeli, fully deserves its name as one of the most beautiful parts of Finland. Check out summer cottages and canoeing options. SAUNA – A typical Finnish sauna in the countryside stands on the shore of the lake. Try jumping into the lake after a hot sauna! AURORA BOREALIS – A spectacular display of dancing lights, Aurora Borealis appears quite often in the sky, especially on clear winter and early spring nights. The phenomenon is the result of a discharge of particles from the sun. HAUL THE MISSUS – Finland's strangest event is the annual wifecarrying championship held every July in tiny Sonkajärvi. The grand prize? Your wife’s weight in beer!