Finland

When you arrive in Finland, you enter the land of fresh air, plenty of space, exciting activities and cultural events. Finland offers a lot for visitors and locals alike, making it one of the most amazing spots in the world. With a strong heritage and interesting cultural tidbits that demonstrate Finland's influence over the world, a trip to this country is sure to excite you.

Finland has been nominated one of the top 10 countries to visit for 2007. After all, where else can you find Santa all year long with his favorite companions, his reindeer? There is so much to see and do in Finland. You can visit one of the most eccentric places in the world, the Mammut Snow Hotel to see the incredible architecture. Of course, if your tastes are more natural, you can see the Polar Lights as they race across the sky as an amazing natural phenomenon. They are best seen during the winter months and you can see as many as 200 in a year. You can also see these lights in Helsinki as many as 20 times in a year.

There are so many things you can do in Finland. Visit the Tykkimaki Amusement Park in Finland for nonstop family fun. Travel to the Temppeliaukio Church to see the 'church in the rock' since the architects Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen cut the church into the bedrock, creating natural stone walls and a copper ceiling that shines. Speaking of churches, there are more that you should definitely check out. The Uspenski Cathedral is the biggest Orthodox Church in all of the Nordic countries with thirteen golden domes dominating the skyline.

Every year, one of the most popular attractions in Finland is the Ahtari Zoo. You can a number of animal species you've never witnessed before. Visit the Snow Castle as well to see some of the most unique architecture in the world. Talked about worldwide, the Snow Castle is created entirely out of snow and ice. You can dine on regional cuisine, enjoying Lappish delicacies as you sit on benches made of ice and covered with reindeer and lamb skin, eating off tables where your food is sure to be fresh, cool and delicious!

If you love to hike, Finland is a wondrous place during the warmer summer months. Operating on a scheme called 'Everyman's Rights' you can walk, bike or hike anywhere in the countryside, provided you do not intrude on someone's privacy, cause a nuisance, damage property or leave litter around. If you love to go boating and sailing, you are free to go anywhere on the water except military zones - or if the water is frozen! Enjoy a freeing sailing, canoeing or rowing experience wherever you go in the country. You will need a permit to go fishing, including on the Aland Islands. The waters of the rivers Lapland and the Archipelago are filled with salmon, sea trout and pike. Lapland is also a great place to go fly-fishing. With 180,000 lakes and a long coastline and tons of rivers, you are sure to find the right fishing or sailing spot for you and your family or significant other.

There are 107 golf courses in Finland and with the sun shining 21 hours a day of pure sunlight in Southern Finland, you are sure to head to the green and get a number of great games in. The golf season here is from May until September and sometimes longer, depending on the weather. You can enjoy a light temperature of 20 - 25 C, which means you won't be sweating on these courses. Play a Midnight or Marathon Golf Tournament, which is unique to Finland. You can start playing at midnight and play three or even four rounds in a single day!

Go whitewater rafting, canoeing and more down some of Finland's top rivers. Check out the Oulanka area for plenty of outdoor fun, or try the Muoniojoki Canoe Tour on the border between Finland and Sweden. Finally, don't miss the rapids at Kymijoki River in Kotka. If you are in the mood for fast summer fun, these rivers are sure to give you the thrill you are looking for.

No matter what you want to do in Finland, you will need comfortable accommodations to sleep in that evening. Stay near a spa and health center or find cabins that will let you enjoy skiing right outside your front door. Rent cabins for a short stay in the wilderness or find houses and apartments for the weekend in Helsinki. Find yours today.