INTERESTING PLACES   Finland’s South and those amazing Åland islands: This is the area to see pretty wooden towns (the elegant villas of Hanko used to be the summer haunt of wealthy nobility from St Petersburg), islands and more. There are 6,500 islands in the Åland archipelago (Finland has over 20,000 islands in total) and being flat, this is a cyclist’s paradise. There are boats of all types for hire from an hour to a week, Finland’s oldest churches dating back to the 12th century and some great island restaurants serving fabulous crayfish buffets and barbeques. Turku on the south west coast is the oldest city in Finland and the former capital. In 2011 Turku will be the European City of Culture. Along the coast in Naantali is home to the famous Moominworld theme park.   The Great Lakes District: There appears to be more water than land in the country’s south-east Lake District. During summer, the horizon seems to be one vast glinting mirror – truly breathtaking. This is the largest Lake District in Europe and a fisherman’s paradise. The area includes Tampere, a vibrant university town with the only Lenin museum outside of Russia and the oldest public city sauna in Finland, still working – named Rajaportti in the Pispala district of Tampere. Savonlinna with her awesome castle is arguably the most beautiful setting in the world for the famous summer opera festival, a night spent at Valamo, Finland’s only Orthodox monastery and the world’ largest smoke sauna at Kuopio – they are all here. The Karelia region has an untouched wilderness in addition to waters. The culture here is distinct where locals maintain traditions originating from the Russian Orthodox history. Trekkers in the north of the region often hear the call of elks. The Kajaani region has so many activities it’s hard to know where to start: bear watching safaris, quad biking, fly-fishing, cross country skiing. Roads are good and even in five or six days, a great deal of Finland’s Lake District can be experienced.   Finnish Lapland: Often described as “the top of the world”, Finnish Lapland has a certain magic feel. More and more visitors are choosing to visit in summer attracted by the fabulous wealth of outdoor activities and sights, perfect for the whole family. Fells and mountains are perfect for bikers; the river system creates fabulous white water rafting, fishing and canoeing opportunities – even gold prospecting. Rovaniemi is the provincial capital and is right on the Arctic Circle. The real Santa Claus lives here and it’s home too to Arktikum, a superb museum that brings to life the whole story of the region. Husky safaris, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and endless winter sports – they’re all here.