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OVERVIEW
If you like bracing crisp air, fairytale forests, crystal clear lakes and a spirit of adventure then Finland may well be the perfect location for your singles holiday. Whether you opt for one of the best hiking experiences in Europe or try your hand at a little canoeing and kayaking there is plenty to get involved with. The forests are famed for their bears, elks and flora as well as the exquisite seasonal produce.
The city life is vibrant, chic and thrilling, making an interesting contrast to the tranquillity of the natural landscape. Helsinki is rich with majestic architecture, lively bars and personality.
With the added lure of the aurora borealis, wood-fired saunas and snowy landscapes. There is something truly magical about Finland. There is also a thriving arts and music scene that is worth investigating while you are in the area.
WEATHER
Finland enjoys four distinct seasons each unique and different. In winter the days are short, North of the artic circle there’s a period where the sun doesn’t rise at al. Snow amasses the land of Northern Finland throughout the months November to April, whilst it arrives a later in its Southern territories. Temperatures range from - 20 degrees Celsius, with the average temperature in Helsinki being around -5 degrees Celsius.
If you’re heading to Finland to watch the Northern lights the best time to visit is between the months September and March. Northern Lapland is the best place to see them, as the lights are visible on clear nights – on average every other night, whilst in southern Finland they are only visible for around 10-20 nights per year.
Summers in Finland are short, starting from May in Southern Finland and lasting until September but the weather is warm with temperatures ranging between 20 degrees Celsius and sometimes into the 30°C. North of the Arctic Circle, the sun never sets remaining visible in the sky at midnight (known as the midnight sun) from June to July, with it remaining visible for 24-hours during summer solstice. Summer is the perfect time for exploring the country when the countryside has completely thawed and the fauna and wildlife is in full swing. This time of year is popular with hikers and sightseers wanting to soak up the sun and Scandinavian way of life.
Autumn is a season of great beauty in Finland, when the leaves turn bright red, yellows and burnt oranges – a photographer’s paradise. This time of year the light changes as nights draw in quicker, and the weather gets cooler, with day tie temperatures ranging between 5 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius. This time of year is popular with cyclists and hikers as they take to the woodland trials
Spring is short, April to May, bringing lighter day and nights, and warmer temperatures, however the further north you go the later spring arrives. Spring see the grounds starting to thaw and the fauna start to blossom, with temperatures ranging from 0 degrees Celsius to 10 degrees Celsius.
MUST SEE & DO
NORTHERN LIGHTS
A trip to Finland wouldn’t be complete without catching a glimpse of the aurora Borelli’s – nature’s most magnificent light show of colours dance across the night sky - visible for around 200 nights of the year it’s a bucket list item not to be missed
HUSKY SAFARI
Take a trip like never before with a husky guided tour, let the happy hounds chauffeur you around on a sledge whilst you take in the beautiful scenery and sites of Finland’s stunning landscape
SNOWMOBILE SAFARI
Opt for a different mode of transport on the snow with an adrenaline filled journey out on a snowmobile. Motor over the snow whilst venturing through forests and frozen lakes, the perfect Finnish scenery
ROUGH GUIDE
CULTURE
The people of Finland are known for being reserved and calm in nature, which sees them not caring for ‘small talk’, dinner parties or idle chit chat whilst carrying out their daily shop.
Although the Finnish are very straight down the line, they are warm and sincere people, who are a particularly proud nation, possessing a strong sense of national identity, so don’t be offended if they ask you more than once what your opinion is of their country.
Lunch is usually eaten quite early between 11.00am and 1.00pm, whilst evening meals are also eaten early in restaurants from 6pm.
ETIQUETTE
When greeting people in Finland for the first time, a simple handshake is often the norm, along with eye contact.Embracing or kissing people on the cheek is rare in Finland. It is courtesy, as a sign of respect, for a man to greet someone in the street by raising his hat, however if the weather is cold, a simple touch to the brim with your hand is regarded as polite.
Tipping: In Finland tipping is extremely rare, with the service usually applied to your restaurant food bill. Although not obligatory, when paying in cash, it is the norm in Finland to round up your bill to the nearest euro, whether this is a drinks bill or a taxi fare.
GREETINGS & LANGUAGE
If you’re looking to socialise whilst in Finland, it’s handy to have a few simple phrases on hand to converse with the locals. To say Hello, it’s pronounced ‘Haloo’. To say good morning it’s ‘Hyvää huomenta Huomenta’, whilst good evening is ‘Hyvää iltaa Iltaa’
Be sure not to forget your please and thank yous, to say thank you it’s pronounced ‘Kiitos’, and please it’s ‘Pyydän