Finland Off The Beaten Path Tips by sinoda Top 5 Page for this destination

Juminkeko - Culture foundation of the Kalevala

In the middle of Kainuu, in the town of Kuhmo is a very special building, where the foundation of Kalevala resides and which hosts many changing art expositions related to the very subject of Kalevala.

Come and ask experts Markku and Sirpa all you want to know about the finnish epos.

Ulla's kiosk

If you happen to be driving road 610 from Joutsa to Luhanka you might just as well stop here, at Ulla's kiosk. Here you'll get refreshments, a chance for a nice chat with Ulla, to see a goat, to step back in time and toy around for Ulla encourages children as well as adults to play and fool around every once in a while.

So if you go there just say hi from Sasku and you'll be received with open arms, which you will be anyway.

Open during summer from Tue-Pe 16-21 and Sat+Sun 14-19

Nuuksio - National Park

Nuuksio is a the acclaimed National Park of the area of greater Helsinki.

It's said that is the backyard of nearly one million people.

Here Helsinkians come on weekends or even week-evenings to walk, wander or camp etc. for it is only less than a half an hours drive from the city centre of Helsinki away - west of Helsinki.

Repovesi

Within the community of Valkeala in Kymi (south-east) there is the National Park Repovesi.

Not very vast but beautiful and enchanting.

With many lakes and even more woods, well prepared paths and astonishing sites.

Bengtsk?r - island of the lighthouse

Only one and a half hour by boat from Hanko (the southern-most city of Finland). The fare is some 44e which includes a salmon soup aboard the vessel.

Leaving Hanko at 10 o'clock in the morning the ship arrives at 1130 - two hours stay and then back to Hanko.

You may explore the whole island, which is rather small, including the tower and the catacombs in the rock.

You might even take a dip in the sea if you like to.

There is even the possibility of staying over, but be sure to book in advance!

Website: http://www.bengtskar.fi

Hamina - City of Circles

The town centre is built in expanding circles around the city hall. Try taking one of the circle streets and get a different glimpse of the central square - which actually isn't a square - in every crossing.

The town is surrounded by a star-shaped fortification nowadays giving great frames for concerts and other events.

Located on the South Coast, 150 km East from Helsinki. Don't miss the pictoresque town of Porvoo on the way!

Olavinlinna in Savonlinna

This castle is amidst the very lake district in Savo in the eastern of middle Finland.

This is where people still have time, don't rush and I think know how to enjoy.

Every July/August there is the opera festival in the very castle with rather famous operas with guest stars from all over the world.

You better reserve your hotel room in advance...

Wooden church in Kerimäki

Here you are, the world's largest wooden church... in the middle of eastern Finland.

If you happend to stay in Savonlinna you might consider taking short trip to Kerimäki, maybe some 20 or 30 kilometers away.

Make sure you have a look from the clock tower in the yard of the church - nice view.

Welcome to Paradise

This is a kiosk named after the famous finnish musician Rauli "Badding" Somerjoki -active in the 70s and 80s, popularising folk songs and schlager...

Between Somero and Somerniemi on the right hand side just by the street - only open on Summer days.

While driving through Varsinais-Suomi, the very south-west of Finland (the grain chamber) stop here and enjoy a deliciouos ice-cream while listening to Badding's songs.

Relax a moment... where ever you are!

Travelling is like any other type of movement first of all physical action.

So for instance walking around a city all day long is - like everybody knows - quite exhausting. If you are abroad many days or even weeks and months you surely know the importance of resting every now and then. Do it porperly! Take of your shoes and let your toes feel the air tickling or treat yourself with a massage... ther are many ways.

In Finland there are little things that top the first warming sun beams in delicate pre-spring time. The long and dark winter is just gradually fading, but still it is not warm enough to get rid of you coat or pullover. So, you have to enjoy yourself by warming your face and tanking fresh air - outside - still surrounded by masses of snow.

Ahhh, life is back!