Travel across Finland

Information about Finland

According to a popular anecdote, Finnish people love to go to the Helsinki Zoo and watch the sloths flutter in the trees. In defense of its citizens, the country declares without impunity: it is not they who are slowing down, but we are persecuting! Regardless of whose perception of time is right, Finland is a close country for us in every way: it is not long to fly here, and other ways of getting here: trains, buses and cars. Among the “delights” that Finland has prepared for the attentive tourist – fishing on the Finnish lakes and the Åland Islands, excellent shopping, lots of fortresses and ancient churches, cozy towns and, of course, the main sightseeing treasure of the country – Helsinki! In winter: ski resorts, the village of Santa Claus, plus “aurora borealis”. Well, the New Year’s meeting on the main parallel of the Arctic Circle of Finland – and long ago a childhood dream of many.

In general, tourists go to Finland in the winter for many reasons. For example, to authentically celebrate the New Year with the whole family in a company with reindeer and a local species of Santa Claus, whose name you will not speak from the summer. Or to live in a hut in a stunningly beautiful winter forest, to ride on the ice of a frozen lake on skates or sledges, to see the northern lights, as it is necessary to steam in a hot sauna. In general, behind many things except the thrill of skiing. The slopes here, though maintained in very good condition, do not boast of significant elevations and interesting slopes – so Finland is interesting on its slopes, except for novice skiers.

Hotels in Finland

Finnish hotels can be divided into several categories. The first – city hotels located within large settlements. This is a great option for those who come to the country for shopping and sightseeing, as well as for business purposes. Almost all city hotels are clean, comfortable, equipped with saunas and often even “tropical” swimming pools, which bring a pleasant variety to a standard holiday in the north.

The second category is cottages in secluded picturesque places. This type of accommodation is chosen by fishing enthusiasts, families with children, large companies and anyone who appreciates personal space. Most cottages are equipped with fireplaces, saunas and full kitchens. All you have to do is choose a location: someone likes a place far away from civilization, and someone likes a chalet at a ski resort. More democratic option is houses on camp sites: there are especially many of them on the coast, the Åland Islands and in the northern part of the country.

Spa hotels built on the banks of numerous Finnish lakes are also popular among tourists . Here you can tone your body and soul while enjoying a leisurely vacation surrounded by northern landscapes. For exotic lovers it is better to go to Kemi, where a unique ice hotel is built with skins of lambs and deer instead of beds. We encourage hunters to look out for hunting huts scattered throughout the country. Instead of “stars” in their ratings they use “cones” – the more, the more comfortable the cottage. If you want to save money so you should choose campsites (more than 350 in Finland) or hostels open in all major cities.

Finnish cuisine and restaurants

Potatoes, smoked salmon and small fish like salacas, vegetables and rye bread are portraits of Finnish gastronomy with coarse strokes. Also meat dishes are popular: there will always be different types of stews, meatballs and sausages on the menu of restaurants and on the home table, as well as variations of meat in the pot. No exotic and complex culinary combinations, but everything is fresh, high quality and natural.

 First recommendation of all – delicious salmon – of hot and cold smoking, salted, pickled, fried steak and a dozen other performances, Baltic herring, Karelian stew (beef and pork slices with carrots, onions and potatoes) – liver, rice and raisins, baked in the oven, pea soup with bacon, “lohikeitto” – salty salmon soup, “karjalanpiirakka” – open pies with potatoes or rice. It is advisable to pay attention to dairy products, in particular, cheeses and yogurt drinks. Gourmets enjoy a variety of berry pies, jam and local Fazer chocolate.

There are several Michelin-starred restaurants in Helsinki: local chefs masterfully craft sophisticated simple ingredients. Some establishments specialize in a single treat: for example, in Kippurasarvi, in the town of Lemi, they only serve  a young lamb made with unique technology. In major cities, there are dining rooms with Thai, Italian, French, Mexican and American cuisine – if you want, you can find a variety of northern gastronomic conciseness.

Materials are from the site: tonkosti.ru