Finland is a truly amazing and magical country in which you can feel the living breath of nature, a corner of romance and peace. Hundreds of small rocky islands along the coast, many merrily singing streams filling sky-blue lakes surrounded by a wall of pine forests, Lapland , where the official residence of Santa Claus is located - and this is far from all that you can see with your own eyes by choosing a vacation in Finland . By the way, Finland is considered the cleanest country in Europe.
Tours to Finland - a fabulous journey to the country of a thousand lakes, the country of endless forests and enticing mysterious distances with their unexploredness. Tours to Finland will help you discover the most beautiful corners of this wonderful region, which attract tourists from all over the world at any time of the year.
In summer, the most popular holiday on the lakes of Finland in cozy and comfortable cottages, and, of course - fishing, and for professionals - special fishing tours to Finland for one or several days. Some choose to tour Finland by car (own or rented). The advantages of such a holiday are undeniable: mobility and independence, the possibility of getting to know the country as closely as possible, as well as visiting neighboring countries.
Holidays in Finland are a great opportunity to have fun, actively and diversified time with the whole family. Ski tours to Finland , dog and reindeer sledding, relaxation in cozy cottages, spa hotels and water parks, a cruise along the Saimaa Canal, cycling, hiking and horseback riding, fishing - holidays in Finland are unusual and varied.
In winter, New Year's tours to Finland are in the greatest demand - this is a trip to Santa Claus in Rovaniemi , the opportunity to see the polar night and the northern lights. Ski holidays in Finland are also gaining popularity among tourists in the resorts of Levi and Ylläs , where you will find comfortable cottages near the ski slopes, all kinds of winter active programs and entertainment.
Official name : Republic of Finland.
Capital : Helsinki.
Language : Finnish and Swedish.
Climate : snowy winters and fairly warm summers. In winter, average temperatures range from -3 °C in the south to -15 °C in the north. In winter, the polar night sets in in the northern part of the country, and in the south it gets dark at about 15:00.
Currency : euro (EUR), 1 EUR = 100 euro cents. You can exchange currency at banks, at some post offices (Postipankki), at many hotels, seaports and at Helsinki Airport, but the most favorable rate is at bank branches. Often you need to show your passport for the exchange. You can exchange currency at the post office daily from 6:30 to 20:30. Banks are open on weekdays from 9:15 to 16:15. All banks are closed on holidays and weekends.
Customs: import of national and foreign currency is not limited. Persons over 18 years of age can import duty-free: a liter of spirits over 22° or 2 liters of aperitifs with a maximum strength of 22° (including champagne), as well as 4 liters of wine and 16 liters of beer, 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 50 ml of perfume and 250 ml of eau de toilette, 100 g of tea or 40 g of tea extract or tea essence (tourists 15 years and older - 500 g of coffee or 200 g of coffee essence). The import of bird eggs, meat and meat products, milk and dairy products is prohibited. Goods for which there are no quantitative restrictions are allowed to be imported for an amount not exceeding 185 EUR (including the total value of imported beer). Cider and long drinks cannot be compared with beer. Alcoholic drinks imported by a passenger at one time may be different types of drinks, but their total number should not exceed the allowable limit. Duty-free and tax-free, for example, 0.5 liters of spirits and 1 liter of aperitifs can be imported. This rule, however, does not apply to still wines and beers.
Transport : You can travel around Finland by plane ( Finnair domestic flights connect 22 cities), by bus (discounts for children and groups, as well as a special tourist ticket) and by train (there are also discounts for groups and a 50% discount for children from 6 to 15 years). Public transport in Helsinki - buses, trams and metro. Tickets are sold at newsstands or on the transport itself. The metro operates from 5:25 to 23:20, on Sundays the interval of movement is increased.
Shops, shopping : shops are open on weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00-18:00 (large shopping centers - until 20:00-21:00) and from 9:00 to 15:00 on Saturdays (large shopping centers - until 18:00). On holidays, all shops, except R-kioski, are closed. As souvenirs from Suomi, you can bring designer products made of glass, ceramics, wood and metal, deer skins, antlers, Sami handicrafts (birch bark boxes, tin chasing), national Finnish dolls, figurines of bears and white deer, traditional Finnish chocolate Fizer.
Cuisine, restaurants : Finnish dishes are traditionally prepared from organic natural products. Lots of fish, vegetables and cereals. Especially popular is oatmeal porridge with milk, which is prepared from various cereals. From meat dishes, preference is given to fried or stewed beef. It is worth trying Finnish national dishes: dried fish soaked in lye, kalekukko rye fish cake, mämmi (sprouted rye grain pudding, served with sugar and cream). Tipping is not accepted in Finland.
Security : low crime rate. Smoking in public places in the country is prohibited and this is not a formal ban at all - the Finns vigilantly monitor its observance. In many night bars, the sale of alcohol ends at 1:30, and some establishments do not have a license to sell alcohol at all.