Finland is a country resplendent with natural beauty. Made up of over 365,000 lakes and islands collectively, 75% of the landmass is dominated by forests while around one third of the country lies within the Arctic Circle.
The real land of the midnight sun, in summer most of the country enjoys up to 10 weeks of round the clock daylight. In contrast, the Northern parts of Finland don’t see the sun rise beyond the horizon for nearly eight weeks. Finland surges to life in summer, when it is a great time to visit and pack the most into your day (and night). Get outdoors as the Finns do and hire a cottage on the lake, enjoying activities such as canoeing, fishing, camping, hiking, swimming or a sail around the islands.
In winter, as the sun sets the majority of Finland turns into a fairytale winter wonderland. Head north to Finnish Lapland and the home of Santa Claus where you can experience reindeer sledding. It’s also the best place to witness the magical Northern Lights. This mesmerising phenomenon occurs between September and March and can be uniquely experienced from the comfort of your bed in a glass igloo at Kakslauttanen Resort. For another experience unlike any other, stay in one of Finland’s ice hotels where you’ll sleep cosily on a fur-covered bed of ice and dine on a glistening ice table. Visit the Levi Ice Gallery to admire the ice and snow art gallery with its sculptures and carvings. Along with winter comes all the usual sports that are on offer where there is snow with skiing and snowboarding popular options.
Visit Turku, the oldest town in Finland that includes one of the country’s most historical medieval greystone churches. Explore Olavinlinna, a 15th century castle built imposingly on a rock in the middle of a lake and one of the most spectacular castles in Northern Europe. Experience nature at its most pristine by cycling around the Åland Islands – a unique and autonomous collection of 20,000 islands and islets linked by bridge and ferry. Considered to be a very important part of Finnish culture, the sauna has, for centuries, been used as a place to cleanse physically and spiritually. Take part in this blissful tradition which is as much a social activity as it is a relaxing one. Not for the shy, they are usually done without clothes, though no-one is too upset should you want to cover up with a towel or swimsuit.
