Finland is called the 'Land of the Thousand Lakes', but it is also the land of the great woods and the land of the saunas. Finland is the land where you can hike, sail, and watch the midnight sun dance in the summer - and alternatively ski in the winter. Finland has many holiday activities to offer, and if you are not interested in the natural beauty, you can always relax in one of the many beautiful cities of this amazing landscape.
Suomen Tasavalta
Helsinki (532,053)
338,000 km2
Finnish
Lutheran and Orthodox
5,000,000
Republic
Finland is commonly known as the Land of the Thousand Lakes, and 187,888 lakes cover as much as 33,522 km2 of Finland, all in all. Mountains and woods make up the central part of the country, while the eastern part of Finland consists of rich plains. Even though the country is very big, only about 5 million people inhabit it.
You get the best out of travelling in Finland if you visit during the warm months of summer, which lasts till September. If your travel plans include Lapland, it is recommended that you go in the month of September in order to avoid the mosquito swarms. If you are planning on spending your holiday on the ski runs of Finland the best time to go is between January and March, while Lapland offers the best ski conditions in the months after that due to the lack of sun light in the early winter season. In the summertime, the sun is in the sky practically 24 hours a day, while it is very dark in the winter. It is during the winter that it is possible to experience aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights.
Lonely Planet Finland
Markka (Finnmark, FIM)
There are Internet cafés situated in all the larger cities of the country.
In case of emergency call the following number:
Police, ambulance, and fire department (112).
Generally it is not expected of you to tip in Finland, but it is a good idea to add a little extra to the bill in order to show gratitude for a dinner well served at a restaurant.
When the time is 12:00 p.m. in England, it is 13:00 p.m. in Finland.
In Finland the following measure and weight units are standard:
Length: metres
Weight: kilos
Show ordinary decency and always ask for permission before taking a picture.
It is safe to drink the tap water in Finland.
In Finland, the following power sources are standard:
230V AC, 50 Hz.
Common politeness and respect for the locals will get you far in Finland.
The banks are open between 09:00 a.m. and 16:15 p.m. (Monday - Friday).
The stores are open between 09:00 a.m. and 17:00 p.m. (Monday - Friday) and between 09:00 a.m. and 14:00 p.m. (Saturday).
The supermarkets are mostly open until 20:00 p.m.
The flesh of unfortunate raindeer and moose are a part of the Finnish national cuisine. Apart from this fresh-water fish from the countless Finnish lakes are pulled out and displayed on the menus of Finnish restaurants.
Beverages worth mentioning include Finnish beer together with a vide variety of domestic liquors and vodkas.
New Years Day, 1st January
Twelfth Night, 6th December
Labor Day, 1st May
Independence Day, 6th December
Christmas, 25th and 26th December
There are almost 400 camping sites in Finland and they are generally of very high standards. The sites are mostly situated near populated areas and they are accessible by road or water. The camping sites are open from May to September (in the northern part of Finland the season is a little shorter). In order to contact the Finnish camping organization, send your e-mail to: camping@matka.pp.fi
If one wishes to spend the night in privacy, Finland has the so called "rule of common property" which gives every person the right to camp wherever that person might choose as long as neither nature nor people are disturbed thereby.
The hotels in Finland are divided into three different price categories and the most expensive ones are situated in Helsinki and Lapland. Several of the Finnish hotels can provide its guests with sauna facilities and in most cases also a swimming pool. In the summer season many college housing facilities are turned into hotels.
Finland has a number of private Bed & Breakfast accommodations throughout the country. Children under the age of four can stay free of charge, while children between four and eleven years of age are charged half price.
The rooms are either within the private residence of the owners or in small cottages on the premises.
The Finnish hostels are rated by up to four stars and in most places it is possible to rent bicycles and canoes through the hostel agencies.
It has become a widespread phenomenon to spend the holidays on a farm in Finland. Information on this can be obtained by contacting the tourist information. There are also a number of youth hostels in Finland, but most of them are only open during the summer due to the fact that they function as housing for students outside of the season.
There are 23 airports in Finland and the airline company "Finnair" connects the different parts of the country through numerous domestic flights.
Important modes of conveyance covering most of Finland are the bus lines where a discount is allowed for students and senior citizens. Contact the tourist information for information on discounts and timetables.
Finland has an excellent railway system, which in addition is reasonably inexpensive. High-speed trains have been put in on several stretches. Children under six years of age travel for free and half-price tickets are available for children under 16.
It is possible to hail a taxi in more or less every city or town in Finland. Tipping is not normal procedure, but the fare increases during nights and weekends.
It is possible to rent a car in most of the cities in Finland. Usually, it is demanded that the person who drives the car have at least one year of driving experience.
