Finland

Finland is mostly flat and punctuated by huge forests and lakes; you'll need to travel around a lot to appreciate its wide regional variations. The South contains the least dramatic scenery, but the capital, Helsinki, more than compensates, with its brilliant architecture and superb collections of national history and art. Stretching from the Russian border in the east to the industrial city of Tampere, the vast waters of the Lake Region provide a natural means of transport for the timber industry, actually water here is a more common sight than land. Towns lie on narrow ridges between lakes, giving even major manufacturing centres green and easily accessible surroundings. North of here, it ranges from the flat western coast of Ostrobothnia to the thickly forested heartland of Kainuu and gradually rising fells of Lappland, home to Finland's most alluring terrain - and the Sámi, the seminomadic reindeer herders found all over northern Scandinavia. Furthermore, with the freeing-up of travel restrictions to Russia and especially Estonia, Helsinki has become a base for trips to Tallinn, St Petersburg and the former Finnish town of Viborg, now just inside Russia.

Hostels and Student accomodation

Use our Hostel Booking form to book your hostel.
The cheapest option, and always spotlessly clean, are youth hostels (retkeilymaja). There are around 150 throughout the country and each city has at least one. It's always advisable to book ahead, especially between June and August. Many hostels close after mid-August until the following June. Hostels cost between 60mk and 150mk per person, and range from the basic dormitory type to those with two-bedded rooms and a bathroom between three. Bedlinen, if not included, costs an extra 20-30mk; Finnish health regulations prohibit the use of sleeping bags in hostels. Hostelling International cards, while not obligatory, reduce an overnight stay by 15mk. Alternatively, you can get a similar reduction by buying an International Guest card for 90mk at the Finnish Hostel Association at Yrjönkatu 38B, 00100 Helsinki
Tel: +358-(0)9-565 7150     Fax: +358-(0)9-565 7150.

Places to See

Finland's capital, Helsinki, is a city with elegant Neoclassical architecture and many fine museums and galleries. There's also a vibrant nightlife, with a great variety of pubs, clubs and free rock concerts.

Kajaani in is a bustling market town, It has a rundown museum, a gloomy neo-Gothic church and a ruined castle, all redolent of a romantic vision of rural Finnish life.

Finland has no less than 187,888 lakes and they are so clean and blue, perfect for swimming and all surrounded by beautiful scenery. In the heart of the Lake Region, also surrounded by beautiful scenery is the breathtaking Punkaharju Ridge, which is said to have the healthiest air in the world.

Rovaniemi lies on the edge of the Arctic circle and if you're there around midsummer you can see the Midnight Sun. People also go there visit the Santa Claus Village, just outside town, where you can meet the man himself 365 days a year.

Savonlinna, consists of several islands, it is extremely relaxed and a very restful place to be.

Tampere, in the south, is a manufacturing city known as the Manchester of Finland, due to its combination of an industrial past and a large student population. Factory owners paternally supplied culture to the workforce and thus a vigorous local arts scene was born - now kept alive by the energetic students.

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