Finland Holidays 2012

Many may not consider a holiday in Finland as they think the country too remote, but modern Finland has much to offer the visitor. Helsinki is an exciting, stylish and cosmopolitan city. In the north, Lapland offers countless miles of unspoilt forest, lakes and hauntingly beautiful wilderness and if you’re lucky you may even get to see the northern lights.

Helsinki

Helsinki, known as the ‘Daughter of the Baltic’ is a delightful destination for a city break. It really comes into its own in summer when the pavement cafes are buzzing with Helsinki’s cheerful rosy cheeked people and the long nights lend themselves to long summer strolls round this scenic capital. It has been called a smaller St Petersburg and in many ways this is true.

If you are visiting in the summer, you may catch Helsinki-päivä or ‘Helsinki Day’ on the twelfth of June. This day is usually characterised by outdoor concerts, celebrations and general festivities. The Finns are a hardy lot and endure long cold dark winters from October right through to April. However, summers can be bright and pleasant with long nights.

Kuopio

While in Finland, it would be foolish not to indulge in what is practically the national pastime. in Kuopio is located the world’s largest woodsmoke sauna. You can partake of a deal here which allows you entrance to the sauna and then you can enjoy a traditional Finnish feast afterwards with entertainment laid on.

The Lakes

Finland is famous for it’s lakes and beautiful lakeside scenery. There are over 4,000 lakes in the country and if exploring, the western part of the lakes region is better connected when it comes to trains and public transport. The eastern part less so.

The Northern Lights

While in Finland, you really should get as far north as possible and attempt to see the northern lights. There are many log cabins in the north of the country for hire for just this purpose and seeing them above the Finnish snow and wooded landscape is surely one of the great sites on earth.

Lapland

Finnish Lapland is a true Arctic wilderness. It is home to the indigenous Sami people who have preserved their customs and culture extremely well and with great reverence. The main town here is Rovaniemi which can be used as a base for exploring.

Currency

Finland is in the Euro - unlike the other Nordic countries. Indeed Finland is not officially recognised as part of Scandinavia, even though most people think it is. The Finns tend to think of their country as ‘Nordic’ rather than Scandinavian. Maybe it’s something to do with the Finn’s proud yet stubborn nature - most probably a by product of having to survive through such tough winters.