Finland

 

 

 

 

F or many Americans, Finland is one of the least understood countries in Europe. Anchoring the Scandinavian Peninsula to Russia and the continent, for decades during the Cold War it maintained a delicate balance between the Soviets and the United States, never really catering to either. Its location in the upper reaches of Europe, somewhat off the beaten path for many American tourists, also kept it out of the forefront of international tourism.

Finns are proud of the unspoiled landscape of their beautiful country, a land covered with forests, approximately 188,000 lakes, many rivers and thousands of islands. North of all of this, much of it within the Artic Circle, is the remote and wild region of Lapland, home to the indigenous Sámi, Finland’s semi-nomadic reindeer herders.

Helsinki, Finland’s capital, is strikingly different in appearance from both Stockholm and Oslo. Nicknamed the “White City of the North,” its architecture is more eastern European than western due to the white Neoclassical buildings erected in the 19th century by the country’s Russian rulers. Today it’s a youthful city with a lot of cafes and clubs, and during the summer months you’ll see many of the younger generation on the Esplanadi, among the prettiest boulevards in Europe.

Most visitors, of course, spend only a day or two in Helsinki, never venturing further afield. You should, however, visit Turku, a former European Capital of Culture, and Tampere, the country’s largest inland city. If time permits take an excursion to the Lake Region to the north, as well as Lapland, especially beautiful in the winter.

Top Experiences

Helsinki – White City of the North
Turku – “Finland’s Sweden”
Savonlinna – an operatic castle

Good to Know

Architecture of Helsinki
Although much of the architecture of Helsinki gives you a sense of old Europe, the city is strikingly modern, as well.
Icebreaker Cruises
Five months a year in northern Finland the icebreaker Sampo takes travelers out into the frozen mass of sea ice in the Gulf of Bothnia.

Transportation

Finnair flies nonstop from New York to Helsinki’s Vantaa Airport and various airlines fly from other European cities. There is also ferry service from Sweden. Both rail and bus service within Finland is reliable and travel by automobile is easy, although it’s important to pay attention to the deer and elk road hazard warning signs.

Hotels

There is a good range of mid-budget to luxury hotels. Most Finnish hotels tend to be modern.

Food

There’s a good range of restaurants catering to all budgets and tastes.

Quality of Medical Care (Good/Fair/Poor)

Good