DestinationsOther |
FinlandINTRODUCTION Even though 10 percent of the country is covered by lakes, Finland has plenty to offer tourists other than water activities. Experience the midnight sun in Finland, where the sun is up 24 hours a day. You can visit Finland's environmental magnificence at Finland's National Parks?. Helsinki is the capital and largest city of this arctic country. Major cities include: HISTORY KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Climate: Finland is cold, beautiful and wet. Power: 230 V, 50 Hz Languages: Finnish and Swedish Capital: Helsinki Currency: Euro - Currently 1 EUR € = 1.2139 USD Time Zone: DST +0300 UTC ATTRACTIONS Midnight Sun Around Midsummer in northern Finland, the sun does not set for several weeks. In Utsjoki, for example, a single, long summer day lasts for over two months. Even in the south, the ’night’ consists of a period of prolonged twilight rather than real darkness. Northern Lights It’s no wonder that ancient theories about the phenomenon known as the Aurora Borealis varied from the wrath of invisible gods to fires sparked by the waving of a mythical foxes tail, the latter explanation accounting for the Finnish word for the Aurora, fox’s fires or ‘revontulet’. The magical displays of shifting colored light are strange and beautiful The Bear Path hike The Karhunpolku (Bear Path) trail is a hike across variable forest terrain in Lieksa, near the Russian border. Lieksa is known as a bear city, thanks to the numerous brown bears roaming in the area. The Karhunpolku trail follows Finland's eastern border and takes participants to the shores of the Ruunaa and Jongunjoki canoing routes Horseback Riding Wilderness riding tours give you the chance to penetrate the depths of Finland’s forests and to venture into parts of the unspoilt landscape that may be too challenging to reach on foot. North-eastern Finland, specifically the Oulanka National Park, is a favourite territory for horseback treks. Cruises on Inland Waterways An example route might take you from Nurmes at the northern end of the Saimaa lake system, through the Karelian lake ports of Lieksa and Joensuu, and finishing in Savonlinna, where passengers can spend an evening at the opera in the magnificent Olavinlinna fortress. Kuopio is another busy lake steamer port, from which tours depart across the network of eastern lakes and canals, offering both on-board and hotel accommodation along the way. Further west, lake steamers depart from Hämeenlinna. Finland’s Wild Waters Spring and summer are when Finland’s dramatic, fast-flowing northern rivers are in full flood and there are few experiences more exciting than being carried along with the rushing foam in a rubber raft or wooden boat.. The rapids at Ruunaa in northern Karelia are an especially popular venue, but there are similar locations in many other parts of the country, in the Kuusamo area and in Lapland. Fishing The clean, pure waters of Finland, teeming with fish, provide a fabulous variety of fishing opportunities. The diversity of fishing sites is perhaps the greatest attraction for anglers. You can enjoy wondrous lakes and our unique archipelago, not to mention the rivers and rapids coursing through our vast forests. You can even fish in the winter: ice fishing through holes in the frozen lakes and sea is an ancient but still very popular Finnish tradition. RESTAURANTS LODGING Helka - This lovely elegant 3 Star hotel is in the heart of Helsinki and has a restaurant and Bar on site. City Hotel - A lovely 3 Star hotel that has just been newly renovated and is the heart of the city. There is a restaraunt on site and the Hotel is a short walk from major shopping and the city life Holiday Inn City West - Such a well known name worldwide and this 4 Star Hotel doesn't disappoint. This Hotel has its own restaurant PERSONAL STORIES 
|
