Finland
Cosmopolitan, bustling cities renowned for art and unique
architecture, along with stellar natural attractions, make our
Finland Tours increasingly popular among travellers.
After a long history of subjugation by several of its neighbours,
Finland finally gained complete independence in 1917 and though
Scandinavian and Russian influences are evident in some aspects of
the country today, the Finnish have, for the most part, managed to
retain their unique architectural style, culture and identity.
The seventh largest country in Europe and one of the most sparsely
populated nations in the world, Finland has an inhabited history
that some believe began at the end of the last Ice Age; about 10,000
years ago. Today, it is an increasingly popular tour destination, as
not only does its low crime rate mean that it is among the safest
countries in the world, but it also offers so great a range of
activity and attraction that even the most discerning of travellers
will leave satisfied.
View all our Finland Tours
Finland's landscape is dominated by water. The Nordic country is
often referred to as the 'land of thousands of lakes,' which might
actually be more accurate, were the idiom: 'land of hundreds of
thousands of lakes.' Within its borders, Finland manages to pack in
close to a staggering one hundred and eighty-eight thousand lakes
that are all over five acres in size and which together constitute
one tenth of the nation's total territory. Add to this the mountains
in the northwest, the southwesterly coastline and the fact that
two-thirds of the country is sheltered under a blanket of forest and
you have a destination with all the elements that cater to active
holiday-makers, whatever their taste may be; Mountain biking or
hiking in the elevated areas, rambling or exploring in the forests,
or boating or fishing off the coast or in one of the many lakes.
Reindeer safaris and dog sledding are among the activities that are
available in Finland and only in a few other countries. Even
not-so-active travellers will find their ideal relaxation venue, be
it under an unspoiled canopy of leaves overlooking a placid lake,
atop a snow-crested mountain with a sweeping vista of the lowlands
or on a gold-sand beach, listening to the lapping waves of the Gulf
of Finland.
Due to their geographic locations, some portions of northern Finland
experience no sunsets for 73 days in summer and no sunrises for 51
days in winter, a peculiar experience that never ceases to attract
travellers to the country. Those looking for more interaction on
their getaway will find it in Helsinki, Finland's capital and the
northernmost capital city in Europe. This bustling metropolis was
once a coastal backwater town, but now it is a city that houses
numerous important historic sites, as well as serving as one of the
world's centres of art and architecture. It is not to be missed on a
tour of Finland.