If you are thinking of a holiday and you want to go someplace unknown then Finland should be your destination. It is because Finland is one of those special countries which remains an unknown corner of Europe even today. The country has some of the most vibrant art-filled cities like Helsinki and Turku. You can secure your solace in the depths of the boreal forests and live with the thinly-inhabited outer archipelago. Finland has lakes, rivers, forests and snowfall in winter. The snow makes it an attractive place for tourists who look forward to snow-filled activities. Quite distant from the mainstream tourist routes, the country has many cultural and historical attractions that add to the unspoiled natural surroundings to make it an ideal destination.

Finland is an island of lakes and forests. According to some rough estimation, there are about 200,000 lakes in Finland. Many of the lakes are connected and this can only be found at a closer view. Most people dip in these icy lakes for an adrenaline rush but it is considered beneficial for blood circulation as well. Some of the popular lakes are Lake Ruovesi, Lake Saimaa, Lake Paijanne, Lake Vanajaves and others. These lakes play a significant role in the Finnish way of living both for culture and recreation.

Finland is a country that has no mountains. Interestingly, there are more than 70 ski resorts which are unexpected from a country with no mountains. The thing is instead of mountains, hills are in abundance, which is covered with snow for about 200 days a year. Finnish ski resorts are practically guaranteed to have snow for the whole season, which, at the first resort, starts as early as October and ends, at the latest, in May. Most of the slopes are pretty easy, wide and not very long. Thus it is easy for small children and absolute beginners too to enjoy skiing down the gentle slopes. The Special: Gateway to Urho Kekkonen National Park and Vuokatti Ski Resort are famous skiing destinations.

Finland has about forty national parks, which are open to everyone all around the year. It is a country of vast green forests, beautiful Baltic islands, windswept arctic fells and many blue lakes. These pristine and picturesque landscapes provide habitat for many wild animals and birds including magnificent bears, wolves, lynx, eagles, cranes and swans, as well as the world’s rarest seal. Birdwatchers flock to Finland to find species that are hard to spot anywhere else in Europe. Keen wildlife photographers also come here to enjoy excursions and facilities that enable them to get spectacular shots of our amazing animals in their natural wild settings.

As one glides effortlessly through the waters, they become part of the landscape. Canoeing and kayaking offer a great way to experience the supreme calm of nature. The best way to enjoy the beauty and serenity of Finnish Lakeland than paddling across it in a canoe or kayak. In an area that ranks as the largest lake district in Europe, it’s easy to rent the right equipment and find places to stay overnight.

If you are fond of hiking then Finnish national parks are waiting for you. These are protected areas with unique natural features. Although they are an oasis of pristine nature, they present an array of recreational possibilities. The forty national parks in Finland are scattered around the country’s archipelago, lakes, forests, peatlands and fells, and showcase the areas’ various natural characteristics, such as rapids, rift valleys and eskers. Besides enjoying the scenery and spotting animals and plants, the parks present ideal opportunities not only for hiking but also for climbing, snowshoeing and other outdoor pursuits.

Dog sledging is one of the most peaceful experiences one may have. Finland is a popular pastime steeped in tradition. It is one of the best ways to get out and explore the snowy surroundings and complete one’s winter experience on a holiday. Nothing compares to the feeling of travelling across pristine snowy trails and discovering the natural wonders of Finland during a dog sledging trip. There are many different types of dog sledging tours in the Finnish Laplands.

Finland has a vibrant culture of consuming vodka. It works pretty much the same as with any other kind of drink. This is likely because in Finland alcohol is expensive and sales are strongly regulated, so Finns want to get the most for their money. If you aren’t a heavy drinker, or can’t handle strong beverages well, it is best to drink vodka in moderation, or only enjoy it at home, as fines for drink driving or disorderly behaviour are high in Finland.

Ice Hotels are a must if you have come to Finland. The original Ice Hotel was built in Northern Sweden and inspired many similar resorts around the Nordics. Some hotels are whole complexes built with kilos of snow and natural ice. Others offer more traditional igloos or even modern glass igloos.

In Finland, nature’s most spectacular light show, the Aurora Borealis, can be viewed in a range of purpose-built spaces from glass igloos to luxury suites. The Northern Lights are visible on roughly 200 nights a year – or every other clear night – in Finnish Lapland. Finnish sauna culture is very popular in the world. Sauna is a strong part of the Finnish lifestyle and they have over two million saunas in a land with about five million people. By Finn’s definition, it’s the place you strip down and go to sweat it out and relax. Sonkajarvi is one famous Sauna in Finland.

The Wife Carrying Championship is considered one of the seven most bizarre sports. An outlandish trust exercise for some or exciting honeymoon to others, this event entices representatives from around the world to compete in groups of three couples at a time around an epic sand track filled obstacle course, which includes a deep water pool.

Helsinki to Lapland, Finland is a magnet for architecture lovers looking to explore everything from old wooden churches to modern masterpieces. Alvar Aalto is someone who most Finns and visitors alike think about when it comes to Finnish architecture. He was a modern visionary with a human touch and a deep appreciation of nature. Alvar Aalto is undoubtedly one of Finland’s most famous architects but there’s much more to explore from the National Romantic landmarks of Eliel Saarinen to new award-winning designs like Helsinki’s Oodi Central Library. These places are best experienced in person as many Finnish architects showcase the interplay between ever-changing light and nature. Their designs are rich in detail, reflecting the famous Alvar Aalto idea of a building as a complete work of art.

Ice-fishing falls within the scope of public rights of access, which means that you don’t need any licences to go ice-fishing. At some point in their life, almost every Finn has sat by an ice hole, ice-fishing for perch, the national fish of Finland.

One of the best ways of experiencing Finland’s unique landscapes and nature is on a horse riding holiday. One of Europe’s last wildernesses, the country is covered with endless forests and lakes, and much of Finland is utterly unspoilt, making it ideal for horse riding and horse trekking. On horseback, you get the chance to penetrate the depths of these forests and to venture into a part of the unspoilt landscape that may be too challenging to reach on foot. From horseback, you will get the closest views of this wonderful wildlife as well as the opportunity to ride over rugged ridges and river valleys, rapids and canyons, thick forests and fens.

In Finland, there are very dramatic contrasts between its seasons, and both summer and winter in Finland offer unique experiences for the traveller. Midnight Sun Film Festival in northern Finland is one of those bucket-list destinations for the handful of globe-trotting movie lovers who’ve heard of it.

Although there are only a few notable Finland holidays and celebrations, they are worth experiencing, especially the ones close to the Christmas season. Celebrations typically have historical, religious and seasonal themes such as the Midsummer Festival. While most Finnish holidays are intimate affairs with close family, there are many interesting events that tourists can take part in throughout the year.

Known as the happiest country in the world, Finland is a growing travel destination in the Nordic region. Perhaps one reason why the Finns are so happy (and a delicious reason for a visit) is the local cuisine. Finnish food is simple, fresh, and includes plenty of local ingredients sourced from the forests and lakes Finland is known for. Some dishes which you should definitely try are read cheese or Finnish squeaky cheese, Classic Finnish rye bread, Creamy salmon soup, Karelian pasties/pies, Sautéed reindeer, Blood dumpling soup, Salty liquorice and many more. Dip into the food paradise and have an experience for a lifetime.

EuHop is a brand promoted by Le Frehindi, an Atout-France licenced DMC & Tour operator based out of Paris.

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