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Finland is the European country located furthest northeast of the European Union, it borders Norway, Sweden and Russia. Although it's location is next to other Scandinavian countries, it's not a Scandinavian territory by definition, but a Nordic country (together with Iceland).
Finland is mostly known as a scenic country of lakes, islands, and forests, pristine wilderness which contrasts against ultramodern technology, a very open society and forward politics. With it extending well into the Arctic Circle, the sun never quite sets during summer, nor does it ever quite rise in the winter time.
This land of contrasts has plenty to delight and enchant visitors, from its forbidding castles and onion-domed Slavic churches to the reindeer herds of the indigenous Sami people of Lapland in the north.
Typical things to do in Finland include dining or tasting reindeer steak, traverse the northern arctic home of Santa Claus, and ski or dog sled across virgin snow. After a trip out in the cold, recover your warmth in a sauna. Invented by the Finnish, there are some two million saunas in the country!
The lively, modern capital city of Helsinki is packed with galleries, museums, and cafes, while beyond it, lies vast extensions of countryside to explore in the clean clear air.
Around 65 percent of the country is covered in forest and there are almost 40 national parks. Despite its seemingly rugged environment, Finland is by no means a basic and simple country. In fact, it is regarded as being one of the most high-tech societies in the world and was the first country in the world to make internet access a legal right.
Because of its location, access is ideal for those visiting other northern European cities, the Baltic States and even Russia. Finland has also become much closer to many Asian destinations thanks to the shorter flights over the North Pole and the creation of many direct routes operated by the country's flag carrier, Finnair.
Getting to Finland by plane is easy thanks to the many connections all over Europe, the national airline, Finnair offers frequent and good timings to the main European capitals as well as it flies direct to Asia and the USA. In addition you will find many airlines in Europe flying direct to Helsinki, the capital, as well as airlines from Asia and America.
Other airlines offering good services to Finland are Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian (low cost).
When travelling in the region, it's also possible to travel to Finland by ferry or by bus (if crossing over from north Sweden). The ferry service is popular to travel to Tallinn or Stockholm. Check Tallinn Ferry for more info.
Travelling by air within the country is common, due to the vast long distance between one tip of the country to the other. Distances are long and adding the cold Winter's in the country it's the natural option. Some communities in the north rely exclusively on air travel. However during the warmer months (April to October) it's possible to travel by bus around the country and observe the beautiful scenery. Check this company for more information and prices, "matkahuolto".
Also modern and fast train services are available connecting the main cities in Finland. Check the following link for more info. "vr.fi"
The main factor influencing Finland's climate is the country's geographical position characterised by warm summers and freezing winters. Within the country, the temperature varies considerably between the southern coastal regions and the north.
If you are considering to visit Finland, then the best time of year is from May to October. The south is the best area for pleasant temperatures to walk around and enjoy the outside weather. June-August would be ideal for even a little warmer as some areas can reach up to 25°C to 30°C even, as Gulf winds bring in the warm weather.
Winters are attractive time to visit if you don't mind the cold, and want to see the snow cover everything from late November to April. Though in the south it's more from late December to late March. Temperatures can fall to nearly -25°C in some inland areas, but in the cities you can expect an average of -10°C to -18°C. In northern Finland, particularly in Lapland, the winters are long and cold, temperatures can fall down to −40°C Summers in the north are quite short, only two to three months, but can still see maximum daily temperatures above 20°C at times.
❗Attention: As quarter of Finland's territory lies within the Arctic Circle and the midnight sun can be experienced for more days the farther north one travels.
At Finland's northernmost point, the sun does not set for 73 consecutive days during summer, and does not rise at all for 51 days during winter!
Seafood plays an essential role in Finnish cuisine. Salmon, herring and other fish are cooked fresh or served smoked and pickled in cold courses. Meat is second on the menu, it comes in various forms, including meatballs and HK Sininen Lenkki sausage. Reindeer, elk and bear meat are served as delicacies.
Specialities you can find include: Kalakukko, a thick rye loaf filled with lake fish. Karjalanpiirakka, a savoury pastry stuffed with rice pudding and eaten with egg butter. Lihapullat, beef and egg meatballs, traditionally served with lingonberries and gherkins. Poronkäristys, sautéed reindeer eaten by the Sámi. Pullat sweet cardamom-flavoured buns (a traditional accompaniment to coffee). Leipäjuusto, cow’s milk cheese oven-baked or fried leaving it brown on the outside with a squeaky interior. Vispipuuro, a cold whipped semolina porridge flavoured with berries. Silakat, breaded pickled herring seasoned with salt and fried. Perunarieska, a flatbread made from potato, often served with gravlax. Lakkakakku, a cloudberry (a tart Arctic berry) cake.
As for drinks, Finns drink more coffee than anyone else in the world and kahvilat (translated cafes,in singular kahvila) are found in every village and town square. They’re also into beer, vodka and wine. Some famous drinks are Koskenkorva, a clear, distilled grain spirit usually served ice-cold and straight up. Berry liqueurs, try Mesimarja (arctic bramble), Lakka (cloudberry) and Polar karpalo (Arctic cranberry).
The trip was made to it's capital, Helsinki, where I enjoyed a relaxed holiday visiting the largest city in Finland. Helsinki offers to the visitor a modern and warm welcome right from the arrival to the airport, a good infrastructure, and a well prepared city for visitors. Going in July clearly made a different impression as going in Winter. It was nice to see lively streets full or markets and people, tourists enjoying tours of the city, open restaurants and terraces with plenty of things to do during the day before chilling in the evening or simply walking next to the shore enjoying the breeze of the sea. The city also impressed for it's large multicultural influence, not as big as London or Paris, but everybody seems to live well integrated, the social welfare is high and the quality of living is good. Generally it can seem an expensive at first but there's always places to find for every budget. Naturally the scenery and landscape, even from Helsinki can be appreciated and it's something to explore further on future trips. The wonders of the forests and the inland communities are waiting to be discovered and I am sure that they will not disappoint. Also a trip in Winter should be very interesting despite the subzero temperatures!
