Finland is probably best known for being the home of Father Christmas. For families with small children, a visit to the Santa Claus Village in the heart of Lapland is a must. It’s a magical experience that will both captivate and enthrall.

The village can be found in the Arctic Circle, 8km to the north of the city of Rovaniemi. There are a number of activities and events that take place throughout the year as well as many safari operators offering excursions from the site.

Here young and old alike can meet Santa Claus himself in his office and there is no charge for doing so. It is also possible to see the elves going about their daily business throughout the village and even send a letter home with a Santa stamp from the village’s post office!

There are a number of other things to see and do within easy reach of the Santa Claus Village. The underground caves of Santa Park are full of fun and excitement, while the many shops and boutiques offer an opportunity to purchase local artisan goods and handcrafted items.

Finland is equally well known for its Northern Lights – the Aurora Borealis. The best place to see them is to the north of the country in the Lapland region during the winter months.

These eerie swirling colourful lights are a spectacular sight. Legend has it that they are caused by the sparks flying from a fox’s tail as it runs across the heavens.

There are a number of tour operators that offer trips to see the lights. Tours can be booked for hours or days and often encompass other activities, such as a Baltic cruise or a snowmobile safari.

Dog-sledding is another pursuit that many visitors to Finland look forward to enjoying. Traveling at speed in a husky-drawn sledge through the snowy terrain is an exhilarating experience that is great fun for all the family.

There is a choice of companies that offer dog-sledding safaris and prices depend upon the type of experience that you opt for, with everything from hour-long rides to one-week safaris available.

The country’s capital of Helsinki is a popular city break destination all year round and is worth visiting on your trip to Finland. A seaside city with a pretty harbour, historic and modern architecture and interesting museums, there is much on offer for all the family,

The UNESCO–listed Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress in one of the city’s top tourist attractions. This historic sea fortress, built across six islands, is also home to some 850 people who live among the barracks and ramparts.

For those with an interest in history, the small city of Savonlinna in eastern Finland has much to offer. Its historic castle is well preserved and is the world’s most northernmost medieval stone castle.

Savolnlinna Castle is reputed to be the most enchanting in Finland. Entry is €5 for an adult or child and free guided tours run throughout the year, including English ones during the summer months.

While visiting Savonlinna, you may also wish to enjoy a cruise around Lake Saimaa. As well as offering fantastic scenic views, particularly of the Castle which perches on its edge, you may also be lucky enough to spot some seals.

Finland has a wide variety of family-friendly activities and attractions. From exploring its spectacular terrain to learning about its past or meeting one of the world’s most famous men – Santa Claus – you will find much to enjoy whatever time of year you visit.

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Turku is considered the cultural identity and the visiting card of the Finnish history. Once it was the largest city of the country and the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland (1809-1812). The administrative center of Finland is the oldest city of the country.

Influenced by Baltic Sea near which it is nestled, the climate is soft. Turku is very popular with its warm and enjoyable summers, which are very pleasant especially for escaping from the hot and 50°C degree places. But winters here are very cold, so be prepared as much as possible!

There are numerous cultural venues in Turku blessed with theaters and museums, art galleries and renowned philharmonic orchestra, which performs rather often. Do your best not to miss it. Lapland, the birthplace of Santa, is situated in Finland but the Christmas city of Finland is Turku, therefore visiting it during this amazing holiday is something extraordinary.

One of the most visited attractions of Turku is Turku Art Museum where many art values and masterpieces can be found. It can be a good option for you if you like cultural places. Turku has been the European Capital of Culture and very successfully completed the year. A lot of music concerts, different programs and events were held, and the city had turned into a perfect place for lovers of art and literature. This part of Finland is also known for its majestic cathedral, which beyond doubt is one of the most important ones among all Finnish churches. It’s very old and dates back to the 14th century. Note that it was rebuilt for many times.

Turku’s botanical gardens are something to visit too. Ruissalon is the most visited park in Turku and houses colorful flowers and spectacular trees, which are most attractive during summertime.

The city is a home to different hotels for people with every taste and requirements. Consequently, it won’t take you much time to find a good accommodation option that will suit both your taste and your budget.

Turku doesn’t promise luxurious hotels, world-class restaurants and glamor shopping centers but it promises something that every person presently needs — tranquility and an unforgettable vacation. Have a nice trip!

Photos credits to 1,2,3,4

The trip is desirable for those who are fond walking. There are no taxis or some other form of public transport, therefore Suomenlinna  is one of the rare places where the air is least polluted. So be sure your physical state will get improved here. Boats arrive from Helsinki to Suomenlinna within 20 minutes. If you ask me, boats are best means of transportation, as you will have a unique opportunity to see and feel the breathtaking scenery of Finnish nature around you.

There are eight islands here but interestingly, only on two of them can be found truly amazing buildings to admire. Those islands are Iso Mustasaari (means Great Black Island) and Susisaari (means Wolf Island). Tourists mostly choose Great Black Island. On the other side of this green place there is an area on which merchants, soldiers as well as artisans built houses for their families. The wooden houses come from the Russian period.

You will get an opportunity to see Russian Alexander Nevsky Church built in 1854. During Russian times it had another appearance but after the Finns became independent they changed the roof and several other parts of the church. Nevertheless, those changes have not made the church less beautiful, so make sure to visit it.

The alluring landscapes and gardens make these islands astounding. The parks are a best place for family weekends and picnics. Trust me, family-friendly atmosphere and fresh air is what you will need after visiting busy Helsinki.

Do you wonder what else you can do? Plenty of things; visit the seven museums and the various galleries of the island, taste Finnish drinks and dishes in various cafes and restaurants and after all, go to the beaches and enjoy the most pleasant sunshine. You can also take part in numerous events arranged here in different times of the year and festivals accompanied with traditional dances, songs, foods and drinks. Jazz shows and theatrical performances are usually organized too, but mostly in summer and in the open air.

As Suomenlinna is not far from Helsinki, it won’t take you long to get there. For my part, I firmly suggest that you visit the island and spend a most memorable time there.

Photos credits to 1,2,3

The Arkipelag Hotel & Casino in Mariehamn is the smaller of the two properties in Finland.  With only about 1,650 square ft in gaming, you might miss the actual casino if you blink hard.  There are about a dozen slot machines available to player as well as three table games.  American Roulette, Blackjack, and Oasis Stud Poker are the games players can participate in.

Outside of the casino, guests will find a well equipped hotel with around 100 rooms and suites as well as the Oliven restaurant, a nightclub, full conference center, sauna and pool, and even a golf course available.

The Grand Casino Helsinki is considered by most to be the only real casino property in Finland.  The 29,000 sq ft casino offers players over 300 slot and video poker machines as well as 32 table games.  In addition to Blackjack, you can stick to your lucky numbers in roulette or try you hand at Oasis Poker, Punto Banco, or spin the Money Wheel.

In addition, players will find a well staffed poker room with about six tables.  Texas Hold’em is the king of the games in the poker room with Seven Card Stud and Omaha Poker available to players.  Those looking for a true casino experience tend to gamble here as the facilities are actually setup for gamblers as opposed to a side activity.

Finland will likely never rival Macau or Vegas in regards to casino gambling, but there are options for players wanting to spend a few hours placing a few friendly wagers.  Remember to only gamble with money you can afford to safely lose, and good luck to you at the tables.

Espoo is a very alluring city with a population of over 248,355 people. As you see, being the second city in Finland, it’s not densely populated. Along with other cities like Helsinki, Vantaa and Kauniainen it’s a part of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.

The first locals of Espoo are thought to have appeared in the city about 9000 years ago. A permanent settlement was established during the 12th and 13th centuries. The name Espoo, which was first was mentioned in 1431, is said to come from the Swedish name for the river Espoo/Espa. Everything is very easy in Espoo starting form finding places to eat to public transport. This city will become a favorite for those people who love bicycle riding. You can hire a bicycle and organize an interesting tour in the city. On the other hand, it’s one of the most convenient ways to explore the city.

EMMA Museum

Besides being a very lively city with many things to do, Espoo houses one of the best museums in Finland, the Espoo Museum of Modern Art known as EMMA. This museum is also one of largest in the country. If you are really fond of exploring modern art and want to get acquainted with the latest masterpieces of different talented sculptors and artists, visit EMMA. The museum arranges major exhibitions, happenings and media art presentations. EMMA’s core interest is modern and contemporary art.

Alberga Theater Restaurant

Alberga is an original and unique solution of restaurant and theater together. This theater restaurant is an ideal place for lunches, dinners as well as private dinners. During summertime there is a summer terrace for 60 persons. Connected to the restaurant there is a place called Harakanpesä, where it is possible to arrange pool and darts events for about 20 persons. I firmly suggest that you visit this place while in Espoo.

Nuuksio National Park

Are you tired of the city hustle and bustle? Don’t hesitate visiting the Nuuksio National park, which despite its being located in the city is very far from the hectic city life. You are free to choose how you’d like to spend your pastime; you can ride, cycle, climb or just pick berries and mushrooms. There is also a most amazing place to swim. Skiing and trekking are also possible. If you don’t wish to leave this place, you needn’t worry as you can stay overnight in a rent or lean-to shelter.

These three places are just a small part of the city Espoo. If you have already got interested in the city, then let Espoo be your next travel destination. Go there and be sure to have a most unforgettable vacation.

Photos credits to 1,2,3,4

This amazing building bears great historical importance and for many inhabitants it even serves as the symbol of Helsinki as whole. It is one of the most famous attractions in the city.

The underground Rock Church is built inside of a massive block of natural granite in the middle of an ordinary residential square. From ground level, the shape resembles the ancient tomb at Newgrange, Ireland. But the structure is hardly visible from outside, with only the copper dome poking out of the rock. If you try to see it from above you will notice that it looks like a flying saucer that has lodged itself in the ground. Inside, the church is circular and enclosed by walls of bare rock. The ceiling is a giant disc made of copper wire. The interior is lit by natural light streaming through 180 vertical window panes that connect the dome and the wall.

A solid copper-colored balcony provides a nice view of the church interior from above. The combination of natural and man-made materials in the Rock Church is striking and explains its popularity. Temppeliaukio frequently hosts classical concerts. Check the noticeboard at the entrance for a schedule of events. English-language worship services are conducted every Sunday at 2 pm.

This Church services are regularly held in Finnish and English. Due to its unique architectural solution, Temppeliaukio Church has magnificent acoustics. The organ with 43 pipe-registers is placed inside the church. Various concerts of organ and violin music are held here all year round, so if you are lucky enough you will take part in one of these concerts and see the religious ceremonies of the Finns. Temppeliaukio Church is also often used as a recording studio.

You can get there by bus. Fortunately the public transportation works very well. The Church in the Rock is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm. Sunday English services start at 2 pm and are open for the public. The entrance is Free!

Photos credits to 1,2,3,4

Old Rauma in Finland is an awe-inspiring and outstanding example of the traditional wooden architecture and urbanism in this part of Europe, and is one of the most marvelous and extraordinary places that survived till our days. The first piece of information about the city dates back to 1441 and it says that this fascinating place was built around a Franciscan monastery where the mid-15th-centrury Holy Cross Church still exists, where medieval walls and paintings make it even more attractive and astonishing. The church today serves as the town and rural parish church of Rauma. In Old Rauma about 600 original wooden houses are left, most of which are from 1890s.

There are many interesting places here to see and one of them is the seaman’s house  called Kirsti House coming from 18th and 19th centuries. It’s also worth visiting Marela House that belonged to the shipowners of the 18 the century. Both of these houses are now museums, hereby if you want to explore the history and how they survived up till now, you must visit it for sure.

Old Rauma is the largest unified historical wooden town in the Nordic countries which covers an area of 28 ha. There is a very lively business area around the market square, there are also old animal sheds and granaries in the city. As the city houses many tourists every year many teenagers here speak fluent English so it will never be a problem for you to communicate and ask for something. Rauma has good traffic roads connecting it to most major cities of Finland, therefore you can easily take a bus and get there.

Colorful buildings of Old Rauma create an amazing rainbow in the city which gives a unique shine to it. Here you will never get bored because it’s like a small architectural wonder nestled in cold Finland. The city is much more attractive during summertime when the green trees and beautiful flowers warmly welcome in their historical city, when many festivals and holidays are organized both for locals and tourists, and when it’s time to take thousands of photos to share with friends and leave the old place with great memories.

Photos credits to 1,2,3,4

Esplanadi Park

This park is one of the most important landmarks in the country, a place where history and culture are mixed and their fabulous combination makes people feel isolated from the entire world. It’s a must see attraction in the city. The park houses various and very popular events and celebrations including Marimekko Fashion Show and midsummer event, which is usually full of folk music and dancing and takes place in June.

Esplanadi, which serves as a promenade for tourists and is a place to relax for city residents, is located in the very heart of Helsinki so getting there is not a problem even if you are not familiar with the city. The lively green land starts from the harbor to the Swedish Theater and you don’t need to take a taxi because many public transports go right there or pass near.

It’s so overwhelming that this place is always in tranquility and resembles a heaven where you are safe and no one can disturb your thoughts. In the morning it’s fresh and is decorated with singing of birds who will provide live concert for you if you visit it. In the evening the soft wind goes through the park and you can have the boulevard just for yourself. During the day time you will enjoy the vivid city and the hustle and bustle, which doesn’t leave the park until late night. People come here just to relax and have some ice-cream with friends. You can even take your lunch with you and enjoy the live music of street musicians playing different instruments.

There are countless things to see in Esplanadi, among them the statue of Johan Ludwig Runeberg, a popular Finnish poet who is also the author of the National Anthem. There is the very popular Cafe Brasserie, another remarkable point you should visit. Go to Espa Summer Theater and a whole new world where art is dominating will open in front of you. Everything is so cultural and so wonderful there. The theater hosts several summer performances  and different shows that will fill your evening with fun and joy.

This park was designed by architect Carl Ludwig Engel and is a favorite place among both inhabitants and tourists. Do you want to know the age of this wonder? Look at the trees; they will tell you much about the place. I hope your photo-camera is already in your bag.

Photos credits to 1,2,3,4

However, with such a rich variety of excellent cycling environments on offer, where should a cyclist visiting the country for the first time look to go?

1.The Central Finland Route, known locally as the Keski-Suomenreitti, begins in the capital Helsinki and ends in the university town of Jyväskylä. Riders can explore the countryside of southern Finland, stopping off in one of the numerous towns and villages along the way.

The route crosses many bridges and cyclists can also ride across the Pulkkilanharju Ridge. This eight-kilometre stretch of the journey is widely regarded as providing one of the most spectacular views in Finland, with water on both sides of the ridge.

2.The Coastal Road, or Länsirannikonreitti, runs from Turku to Oulu, taking in the beaches of Yyteri as well as the Bothnian Plains. One of these beaches, at Kalajoki, is considered to be perhaps the finest in Finland. This is not a route for those who want to face the challenge of cycling up several hills, however, as it is dominated by flat countryside.

This makes it a bit easier on the legs, though and it is an ideal trip for a rider who wants to relax and enjoy some time on the beach, not just pedal madly through the countryside. The towns of Vaasa, Kokkola and Pietarsaari can also be visited along the way.

3.The Great Lakes Route, the Suur-Saimaankierros, is the one to choose for lovers of spectacular water landscape features. It begins at the inland harbour town of Lappeenranta, before proceeding alongside the Imaatra Rapids.

Savonlinna is a good town to visit on this route, especially when the annual opera festival is taking place, while history lovers will be sure to want to stop at Olavinlinna Castle. With gem-bright lakes, rocky crags and rolling hills to travel through, this provides cyclists with some of Europe’s best natural landscapes to view.

4.The King’s Road, or Kuninkaantie, is one of Scandinavia’s best known tourist trails and provides cyclists with great access to not only spectacular scenery, but also some fascinating architecture.

Grey stone churches and manor houses provide a pleasant scenic counterpoint to the old iron foundries that dot this route through the region of western Uusimaa.

5.The ViaFinlandia provides cyclists with a great overview of what Finland is like as a whole. Beginning in the capital Helsinki, it runs through the cities of Hämeenlinna and Tampere, before ending in Vaasa.

There is a real variety to this ride, both in its rural landscapes and the kind of hill challenges a rider will face. Being in good physical condition is necessary, as there are some demanding stretches.

Lakes, forests, rivers and fields mean that there is always plenty to look at along the way, although there are some fairly steep climbs to test the legs in the central parts of the route.

With the urban areas boasting clearly-marked cycle routes and motorists who display extraordinary courtesy to cyclists, especially in comparison with other countries, Finland is a cyclist’s paradise.

There are also plenty of well-equipped campsites that offer an excellent standard of facilities for visitors along all of these routes. Pedalling along Finland’s quiet rural roads could well prove to be the holiday of a lifetime.

Enjoying the glaring atmosphere of the capital city this museum is situated on top of a hill in a residential area next to the Kaivopuisto park.

Once a house where Gustaf Mannerheim spent the later years of his life is now one of the most visited places in Helsinki. Gustaf was a Finnish-born but Russian-trained military commander who led the right-wing Whites during the Civil War in 1918 and two decades later the Finnish campaigns in the Winter and Continuation wars. His influence is unforgettable both in politics and military, that’s why he was so appreciated that this museum is devoted to him and his memory. After Mannerheim’s death on 28th January 1951 the idea of opening his house to the public for a time arose, but when the doors were opened in November of the same year the number of visitors was so great that it became necessary to prolong the period.

The rooms are furnished in a way they used to be when Mannerheim was living here. On the first floor there are the exhibition rooms. There you can get acquainted with the life story of the great person, see different items and clothes belonging to him. Guided tours are available to explain the visitors everything in seven languages — Finnish, Russian, English, Spanish, German, French and Swedish. They will provide huge information about his life and the history of Finland in general. The museum is also engaged in compiling archives of material connected with Mannerheim and takes part in related research works. Also, there’s an exhibition of medals and other honorific objects Mannerheim received in different places in the world.

If you are looking for a breathtakingly beautiful countryside, historical monuments and picturesque resorts, the sophisticated and delightful area of Helsinki is waiting for you. And the piece of history in Helsinki called Mannerheim Museum will introduce to you many details about this city, its development and the past. Don’t forget to take your camera; I’m sure you will take many wonderful photos to share with friends.

Photos credits to 1,2,3