Finland stands out as a travel destination because of its authenticity and rugged beauty. The country is something else – individual, unconventional and fresh – a welcome alternative to places crowded by tourists.
Finland is uncompromising and non-mainstream. Finland is for people who have seen the major metropolises of the world and want to further broaden their horizons, and find advancements in technology, sustainability and design close to their hearts.
Finland is a country of contrasts at the top Europe – a place where East meets West, endless daylight turns into total darkness, and untouched natural beauty surrounds every city. Its inhabitants are hard-working and dutiful, but come celebration day, they’ll show you how to party.
Not really Scandinavian, nor like the Baltics or Russia, Finland is the black sheep of Northern Europe. Famous for Santa Claus, Nokia and saunas, Finns consider themselves a bit mad in a positive sense of the word: they actually enjoy sitting in a heated box and, upon reaching boiling point, running outside and rolling in the snow. They would host world championship competitions in rubber boot and mobile phone throwing, continuously attempting to break one another’s world records
FINNISH TRIVIA
-THE MOST LIVEABLE CITY IN THE WORLD: Helsinki (according to Monocle magazine in July 2011)
-PRESIDENT SAULI NIINISTÖ is an avid rollerblader
-ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2
-EUROVISION SONG CONTEST WINS: 1
-FOOTBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 (World Cup participation: 0)
-THE WORLD’S CLEANEST WATER according to the UN
-UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES: 7
-SANTA CLAUS: 1 (the one and only)
-INHABITANTS: 5,4 million
-SUMMER COTTAGES: 500,000
-LAKES: 188,000
-SAUNAS: more than 2 million
- NATIONAL PARKS: 37
-WILDERNESS AREAS: 12 (15 000 km2)
-WIFE-CARRYING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITIONS: 1
-AIR GUITAR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITIONS: 1
Contrasts are the main ingredients in Finnish cultural life. Here, high-tech engineers and bohemian designers happily live side by side and dance to a modern beat from the West, spicing it with tradition, mood and melody from the East.Think heavy metal played on cellos, films with virtually no dialogue, and art museums collaborating with skateboarders
Space, time, peace and quiet – the four elements modern life lacks. Finland offers a chance for downshifting even in the heart of the city, and untouched nature is never more than half an hour away. Stay at a cottage, enjoy a sauna and listen to birds warbling across the lake. Take in the sound of quiet. Hear yourself think.
In the unique natural surroundings of Finland, forgetting the daily grind is unavoidable. Our large, ruggedly beautiful wilderness areas provide ideal terrain for outdoor activities, be it snowmobiling, skiing, dog sledding, sailing, kayaking or hiking. Eat berries off the ground, drink from a mountain brook, and guide your raft down the white waters of the Great North.
FINNS CAN BE hard to figure out at first. They are considered quiet and reserved, which is partly true. Small talk can hardly be seen as one of their strongest suits and they have no problem with sitting quietly in a room with other people. However, get on closer terms with a Finn and you’ll find a warm, sincere and hospitable person underneath the seemingly cool shell. They’re known for advancements in technology and progressive urban solutions, yet couldn’t live without the great outdoors. They’re crazy about sports and heavy metal, yet we produce some of the finest functional design in the world.
Finland is a Western society with a touch of Eastern melancholy. and Finns keep things running like clockwork, but don’t make a big deal about it.
Finland is a place where mixing hip hop with balalaikas and rock & roll with army choirs makes perfect sense
So why are you waiting for, come and experience FINLAND - something completely different !!!
