Archive for the ‘Finland’ Category

Travel Tips to European:Finland

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

About the Country

Finland is a country of islands, lakes, and forests. The modern capital city of Finland is Helsinki and is filled with museums and galleries. In summers, sun never sets here and vice versa in the winters.

Culture

While in Finland, greet by a handshake. The people here are quite reserved and don’t open up easily. Leave shoes outside the house when going over to someone’s house. It is customary to wait till the toast is being raised at the dinner table. Host raises the toast by saying ‘kippis’ or ‘skol’. People dress casually most of the times.

Travel

Finnair is the national airline of Finland. Other airlines that fly to Finland are Air France, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, American Airline, British Airways, KLM, Swiss airline, Lufthansa, and United airlines. The major airport of Finland is Helsinki airport. It is 19km away from the city and it takes about 25 minutes to get to the city from the airport. Finnair provides buses for the passengers. Taxis and hotel coaches are also available. The facilities provided at the airport are duty free shops, car hire, bank, hotel reservation service, conference room, restaurant, and a multimedia center. Other than Helsinki airport, there are about 22 other airports and Blue 1 is the domestic airline which operates within Finland. Times to time cheap offers are being announced by the airlines. Prior checking of such offers will prove to be of great help.

If deciding to go by the sea, ferry services are provided and the major ports are Naantali, Vaasa and Turku. These ferries connect to Rostock, Kapellskไr, Grisslehamn, and Travemnde. Some of the cruises offer small cabins along with the provision of meals if staying aboard overnight.

Trains from St Petersburg and Moscow can also be boarded. All the trains are clean and very comfortable. Car-carrier trains also operate in Finland. Traveling by rail proves to be inexpensive and efficient and also great options for enjoying sight seeing. Avail the unlimited train travel offer of Inter-Rail pass or Eurailpass. There are offers for elderly people and children, check them out.

When traveling by road there are chances of running into an elk or reindeer. In such cases, police should be reported immediately. Blowing horn for small reasons should be avoided. Keep your car to the right. Gas stations accept credit cards. Laws about seat belt and drinking while driving should be strictly followed. Extra precautions must been taken if taking caravan along. National driving license or International Driving Permit and car insurance must be there with you at all times. Coach Service is also available and connects to even the remote places. Taxis can be hired at the airport and railway stations and tipping is considered offensive here. Check out agents in Helsinki who run a rent-a-car business for hiring cars.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco or 100 cigarillos
2. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
3. 2litre of alcoholic beverages of less than 22 per cent by volume or 1litre of alcoholic beverages of more than 22 per cent by volume, 2litre of sparkling wine and 16litre of beer
4. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract and essence and 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract or essence

Tobacco and alcohol can be carried by people over 18 years of age. Agricultural and food items should be avoided. Certain medicines require a doctor’s prescription for verification. Firearms and sharp objects are strictly prohibited.

Things To Do In Finland

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

The tourist attractions in Finland cover a wide range of interests, and regardless of when you choose to enjoy a Finland vacation, there will be plenty to see and do. Summertime is the peak season for Finland tourism, and since the weather is most agreeable during the summer, it is a prime time of year in which to take in Finland sights across the land.

Winter, Spring and Fall are great times to visit Finland as well, at least if you donʼt mind the cooler weather, so if you canʼt make it here in the summertime, there will still be a wide array of things to do in Finland. The following are some of the top suggestions for things to do in Finland to help you build the ideal itinerary for your upcoming Finland holiday.

Finland Northern Lights

The Finland Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are a prime Finland attraction, and when it comes to Finland sights of the natural variety, they donʼt get much more impressive than the Northern Lights. While they are visible some 200 nights a year, wintertime is the best time to catch them. The best place in Finland to see the Northern Lights is the Lapland region, which is partly located within the boundaries of the Arctic Circle. Various Finland tours include attempts to see the Northern Lights, and while there is no guarantee that you will see them on any given night, your overall chances should be quite good, as they are visible some 200 nights a year on average.

Finland Cruises

Cruises are among the top things to do in Finland come May through September, and you can enjoy them along the coast or inland on the countryʼs many lakes and rivers. For those visiting the southern Finland cities of Helsinki and Turku, cruises in the Finnish Archipelago are easy to book in the warmer months, and they are without question among the most popular. A land of lakes and rivers, Finland borders the Baltic Sea to its south and to its west, so there are numerous chances to get out on the water to enjoy some of the Finland sights from a unique perspective.

Finnish Archipelago

The Finnish archipelago begins just off the southern and southwestern coasts of Finland, and when it comes to summertime tourist attractions in Finland, this chain of some 50,000 islands is a top tourist draw. The aforementioned Finland cruises through the archipelago are one of the best ways to enjoy the islands here, and there are also bridges and roads that link many of them, meaning that if you are driving, you can take the car to hit some top spots should you prefer. Some of the ferries that make their way through the archipelago can transport you and your vehicle, though you might just be better off leaving the car on the mainland.

Finland Hiking

Hiking in Finland is one of the top things to do in Finland for those who enjoy trekking in the great outdoors. There are miles and miles of quality hiking trails across the country, from the Finnish archipelago in the south on up to the far reaches of the northern Lapland region. Summer, spring, and fall are all good seasons for hiking in Finland, with summer being the best. Just be sure to bring some bug repellant when choosing to hike here in the summertime, as the mosquitoes can pose an annoying problem if you donʼt adequately prepare. Guided hikes are easy to arrange in Finland, and you are also encouraged to head out on your own as you please.

Finland National Parks

There are no less than 35 national parks in Finland, and among them is the Archipelago National Park, which is found on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Come summer, the number of visits to the national parks in Finland definitely increases, but you can also enjoy the parksʼ hiking trails in late Spring and early Fall. Regardless of where you find yourself in Finland, a national park is never far off, so fulfilling your need to get close to nature and enjoy Finland sights of the natural variety is an easy thing to arrange.

Finland Fishing

Anglers looking for things to do in Finland will be happy to know that the fishing opportunities here are excellent. As mentioned earlier, Finland is a land of lakes of rivers, and the miles upon miles of Baltic Sea coastline only encourage visitors to see what the area waters have to offer. Fly fishing in Finland is growing in popularity, and there are numerous companies in the country that can help you arrange the Finland fishing experience of a lifetime. Often times, those enjoying Finland fishing can prepare their catch of the day over an open fire, which is a great way to finish the day. Ice-fishing is quite popular in Finland, so even if you canʼt come during a warmer season, you can still fulfill your angling needs.

Finland Skiing

Both downhill skiing and cross-country skiing are a blast in Finland, and while the mountains here are relatively small, all levels of skiers and snowboarders can find runs to fit their tastes and preferences. The best skiing in Finland is arguably to be had in the northern Lapland region, and that is where you will find some of the top Finland ski resorts, such as Levi. However, youʼll be happy to know that there are plenty of Finland ski resorts in the southern and central parts of the country as well, so if you canʼt make it up north, you can still enjoy the sport.

Finland Golf

Golf enthusiasts looking for a Finland attraction to suit their needs will find a range of golf courses to choose from. There are some 100 courses spread across the country, and while many golfers around the world donʼt know about Finnish golf, the secret is getting out. Some of the best golf courses in Finland are found near Helsinki, so when youʼre not enjoying Finland sights in and around the capital, you can tee it up for a most enjoyable round. The long summer days in Finland mean that you can tee it up well into the night, so if you canʼt sleep, perhaps a quick 9 or 18 will be on the agenda.

Finland Castles

While taking in the sights on guided or unguided Finland tours, the Finland castles are always worth including on your itinerary. The Turku Castle is the countryʼs pride and joy, and those looking for historical tourist attractions in Finland wonʼt want to miss it. Another impressive castle in Finland is the Olavinlinna Castle in Savonlinna, which sets an ideal stage for the summertime Savonlinna Opera Festival. Some of the best museums in Finland are housed in the countryʼs castles, and these museums not only offer insight into the castles themselves, but also into the overall history of Finland .

Finland Cathedrals

Much like the Finland castles, the Finland cathedrals are among the top tourist attractions in Finland. The capital city of Helsinki is where you will find two of the best Finland cathedrals, and other larger cities like Turku, Tampere, and Kuopio also offer up some alluring ones that are worth checking out as well. Most of the Finland castles are open to visitors and do not charge an admission fee, so if your budget is tight and you are looking to build up your Finland attraction list, the countryʼs cathedrals are definitely not to be overlooked.

Information by http://www.destination360.com

Finland Vacations

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Regardless of when you travel to Finland, you are in for a great vacation. Though summer is considered by many to be the best season for Finland vacations, the country is also brimming with things to do in the wintertime. Also, seeing the fall colors makes a September or October Finland vacation worth considering, and come spring, the skiing in Finland might just be at its best. Because Finland is located so far north and partly within the Arctic Circle, the weather is pretty unique here, as is the distribution of sunlight, and these two factors can certainly influence your decision about when to go. If at all possible, it is recommended that you travel to Finland more than once and during different seasons. That way, you will get a more comprehensive understanding of all that Finland travel has to offer, not to mention the chance to enjoy Finland tourist attractions that you might have missed the last time around.

The weather in Finland will very much determine the kinds of things that you can do on Finland vacations, though some of the best Finland tourist attractions can be enjoyed year round. Such is the case with the Finland museums and cathedrals. In general, the peak season for Finland trips is the summer, when the weather is at its warmest and the majority of the top Finland festivals are in full swing. It’s also the time of year when there is extended sunlight. In mid-summer, days have 21 hours of sunlight, so you can enjoy the outdoors long into the night. In southern Finland, where Helsinki, Turku, and the Finnish archipelago can be found, the summertime temps can reach into the high 80s at times, though the average is more around 60 degrees. May through September sees generally warm temperatures throughout southern Finland, and these are the best months to enjoy cruises in the Finnish archipelago. In fact, if Finland cruises of any variety are high on your list, then May through September is the time to book Finland trips. Golf in Finland is also best enjoyed in the summertime, as is hiking, canoeing, and a list of other outdoor pursuits, so if you really like outdoor activities, summer is when you should travel to Finland.

Autumn is also a good month for hiking in Finland, and though the blazing colors on the trees last for a relatively short time, it is a great season for sightseeing. This is especially true in the Lapland region, when September sees the northern trees alight with dazzling reds and yellows. Come the end of September, temperatures begin to cool down considerably across Finland, and by November, the subzero days begin. The amount of daylight also begins to decrease at the end of fall, with the northern part of the country seeing very little sunlight between November and January. These months are arguably the best months for seeing the Northern Lights in Finland, and in terms of Finland tourist attractions, they don’t get much better. As for spring in Finland, it basically starts in April in the southern part of the country, and in May up north. Officially, March is the start of spring, but it just might be the best month for hitting the Finland ski resorts, as the temps are ideal and the snow too.

In addition to the weather, the Finland festivals and events often figure into the picture when planning Finland vacations. As mentioned, summertime is festival time in Finland, and it’s when top yearly events like the Helsinki Festival, the Savonlinna Opera Festival, and the Wife Carrying World Championships take place. Even though summertime is the festival season in Finland, it’s a good idea to check the schedule for anything that might be taking place during your visit regardless of when you go.

Information by http://www.destination360.com