Rural values are still at the heart of the Finnish culture, and this influence reaches into the hearts of the cities just as much as those in the rural communities. Maybe the friendliest Scandinavian country, independence came late to Finland and the Finnish are still trying to make up for lost time by welcoming anyone and everyone to share their country with them. Cities like Helsinki are centres of business, foreign affairs, and a night life which can compete with cities twice the size; while rural Finland is green in the summer and freezing in the winter.

Go for a hike in the summer or early fall and breathe in the fresh air which the Finns are so proud of, or in the chilly months of winter curl up in a café and warm up enjoying the company of the locals. Toes defrosted, head into the chilled air again and enjoy the short walk to an intimate bar or slip into a hopping club to dance the night away, only heading into the cold again early in the morning as the birds begin to chirp.

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Selected places to go in Finland

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