SHARE YOUR MOST ABSURD HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE AND WIN A TRIP TO FINLAND
 ?I wish I was in Finland? is a campaign by the Finnish Tourist Board that questions tourist clichés and challenges travellers to share their most absurd holiday experiences for the chance to win a vacation in Finland. The campaign launches Finland ?s new tourism portal at www.visitfinland.com.
The Finnish Tourist Board launches a campaign which challenges tourist clichés and traditional mass tourism destinations. With the tag line ?I wish I was in Finland ?, the humorous campaign introduces Finland as an authentic and interesting destination for travellers looking for a fresh alternative to the conventional.
 
The campaign features a playful photo competition in which visitors are challenged to upload photos of their most absurd holiday experiences at the new portal. The ten top-rated photos will automatically qualify for a lottery to win a luxury holiday for two in Finland .
The photo competition runs from December 15to February 28, 2010 at www.visitfinland.com
 
New Visit Finland portal invites you to explore, search, book and participate
Visit Finland ?s new portal launched in autumn 2009 at www.visitfinland.comreveals Finland ?s many faces by allowing visitors to explore facts about Finland , search and book trips as well as share experiences with fellow travellers. The website serves travellers, trade and media in ten languages: Chinese, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish.
The portal consists of three sections: Finland Guide allows you to virtually explore Finland by navigating through different topics of interest, viewing the destination location on the map and seeing ratings by other users. The Travel Planner is a one-stop-shop where you can build your entire itinerary, from transportation to Finland to accommodations and activities for your stay. Our Finland is a community section that welcomes you to share experiences by posting travel stories, photos and videos, as well as rate destinations and services.
A mobile version of the portal is also available at http://mobile.visitfinland.comallowing travellers to access their travel plans, find the nearest cash machine, get a weather forecast or add photos to their blogs on the site?s Our Finland section.
By subscribing to the Visit Finland trade newsletter you will be updated with the latest tips on travel to Finland . Sign in at www.visitfinland.com? Newsletter ? Subscribe to Newsletter
Finlandin Brief
Aside from ice hockey, F1 drivers and mobile phones, Finland is perhaps best known for its lakes, forests and archipelago. There are hundreds of thousands of islands and lakes, and the dream of every Finn is to have a little cottage on the shore of one of them, a place where he can kick off his shoes, go fishing, and indulge in the sheer luxury of a good sauna.
Did you know that Finland has?
5.3 million inhabitants (17 people per sq km)
1.8 million saunas (approx. 500 are traditional smoke saunas)
180,000 islands
188,000 lakes (which account for 10% of the total surface area)
465,000 holiday homes
230,000 reindeer (you can meet them face to face in Lapland )
1,000,000 salmon (maybe more)
35 national parks
5.2 million mobile phones (Nokia is a Finnish brand)
1 Santa Claus - the real one!
 

DISCOVER THE FINNISH ARCHIPELAGO BY BIKEThis summer, consider experiencing the breathtaking Turku archipelago. Hailed as the most beautiful road in Finland, the Archipelago Trail is a 250-kilometer (155 miles) route that traverses two main roads, 12 bridges and nine ferries, joining hundreds of islands. Open only in the summer months, the trail offers a great opportunity for a personalized summer adventure by car or bike.The Archipelago Trail links the islands of the Turku archipelago and over 190 kilometers (118 miles) of public roads and 50 kilometers (31 miles) of waterways. Open from the 1st of June to the 31st of August, the circular trail gives travelers the opportunity to get to know the archipelago’s unique islands by land. You can travel by bike or car and hop from island to island by bridge and ferry. Cable ferries are an essential part of everyday life in the archipelago and take travelers from one island to another. The Turku Archipelago is characterized by a rugged and unspoiled natural land- and seascape. Along the route are countless quaint villages, beaches, harbors and other tempting spots to stop for a quiet rest or picnic. The trail can be completed by car in a single day, but to truly surrender to islands’ atmosphere, take the time to travel by bike. The stress-free pace is ideal even for those who are new to cycle tours. With so much to see and explore you can easily spend a few days on the trail.The brightly shimmering sea and small islands are a distinctive facet of Finland, influencing the archipelago’s unique way of life. Many of the islanders are virtually self-sufficient: the sea provides fish, while wheat is harvested and cattle are grazed in nearby fields. Even the sushi in the archipelago is made from fresh seafood from local fishermen. Open in the summer months, Samurai Sushi is a charming restaurant in the Nauvo harbor. Visitors and locals alike enjoy the sun and fresh sushi on the restaurant’s terrace. Samurai Sushi also makes deliveries to nearby islands or to yachts. Continue to soak in the surroundings at Hotel Nestor on Korppoo Island, which can be reached only by cable ferry. Renovated from a barn, the Nestor is a fully equipped hotel that features an art gallery where exhibitions by visiting artists are held. The Archipelago Trail starts from Turku and goes through Kaarina, Parainen, Nauvo, Korppoo, Houtskär, Iniö, Kustavi, Taivassalo, Velkua, Askainen, Merimasku, Naantali and Raisio. Create your own island adventure by designing your own route.  You can travel the trail either clockwise or counter-clockwise, leaving the mainland from either Kustavi or Pargas. To get around the Turku Archipelago, you can rent bikes from a number of outlets both in Turku and on the Ring Road itself. Bike rental costs around 20 Euros ($25) per day. Plenty of international car rental companies and local outlets can also be found in Turku. For accommodations, there are plenty of options, whether you are looking for a larger hotel in the city or an idyllic cottage on the Baltic. Most islands also have a caravan and camping areas where you can rent a small cabin or pitch your own tent. For more information about the Archipelago Trail please visit Turku Touring at http://www.turku2011.fi/public/default.aspx?contentId=20440  -More information about the Turku Archipelago can be found at www.saaristo..orgFor more information about tourism in Finland, visit www.visitfinland.com and the Visit Finland image bank at www.imagebank.visitfinland.com 

               Get cosy on a finnish COTTAGE holiday

Holiday cottage, sauna and rowing a boat form the Holy Trinity for Finns in the summertime. For some, a cottage offers a secluded wilderness retreat, while for others it’s a base for active outdoors pursuits. If you want a truly Finnish holiday experience, do away with your watch, let your hair down, and head for a cottage in the countryside!The half a million holiday cottages, or “mökki” in Finnish, are proof of Finland’s strong cottage culture. Throughout the year, cottages offer a weekend getaway from the busy city; but come June–July, Finns retreat to the countryside to bond with nature. Once there, you are free to unwind, and enjoy the slow life, be it by relaxing on the porch with a good book or by chopping firewood and hiking in the wilderness.In Finland, nature really is in reach. Thanks to a low population density of about 16 per square kilometre (16 per 1/3 square mile) and to the thousands of lakes and the long seashore, most cabins are located right on the waterfront and host a private beach and sauna. And as you step out of the sauna with the steam rising off your skin and look out on the calm water in the still of the evening, you are truly at the heart of Finnish holiday culture.Finns being such cottage enthusiasts, there is also a great selection of holiday cottages available for rent to share in the experience. Whether you wish to spend your holiday by a lake or at the seaside, rough it out in an ascetic cabin or enjoy all the modern amenities of a luxurious villa, there is an abundance of alternatives to choose from.We have chosen three distinct examples of how to spend an unforgettable cottage holiday in Finland in summer.Rent a private island, a wilderness dugout or an old Fire stationIf you are looking for a holiday in the lap of luxury, the secluded Villa Fregatti on Aateli Island is just for you. Villa Fregatti is nestled on a private island located in beautiful Lake Nauasjärvi with breathtaking views of Vuokatti, an outdoor sports resort 560 kilometres (350 miles) north east of Helsinki. The villa is equipped with three bedrooms, a fireplace, sauna, whirlpool, home entertainment centre and heated, glazed-in terrace.Vuokatin Aateli’s own ships Princess Vilma and General Jermu take residents to the island. General Jermu is also available for rent and can serve as extra accommodation, or it can take you out on the waves of Nauasjärvi for fishing, surfing and other water activities. A heliport on the island makes it possible for you to arrive in your own aircraft or helicopter. The price for a weekend at the villa varies between 1,295 (USD 1,722) and 1,475 Euros (USD 1,961), while the rent for the entire week is 8,950 Euros (USD 11,903). Catering and cleaning services are tailored to suit your individual needs.For more information, visit www.vuokatinaateli.fi. If you are searching for an authentic nature experience, Koron Korsu in the middle of Lapland’s wilderness is the option for you. Located in Posio, 130 kilometres (80 miles) southeast of Rovaniemi, Koron Korsu is a cabin hidden inside a sandy ridge on the shore of the clear-watered Korsulampi pond. This rustic dugout contains one room, three bunk beds and a sauna. The cabin is lit by candle light and equipped with only an outdoor toilet – making for a total nature adventure. Drinking water comes straight from the pond, or from the spring next to the cabin. The nearby Korouoma Canyon offers a perfect setting for hiking and fishing.The rent for Koron Korsu is 70 Euros (USD 93) per night. For further information, visit www.villipohjola.fi/item.asp?Section=987&Item=1044,Looking for an even more unconventional cottage? Try Wanha Paloasema, an old district fire station converted into a villa. “Wanha Paloasema”, Finnish for Old Fire Station, is located on the grounds of Hotel Patruunantalo, 110 kilometres (70 miles) east of Helsinki in the historic ironworks area. From the outside, Wanha Paloasema still resembles a fire station, but the interiors have been completely refurbished and only old photos remind residents of the cabin’s days as a fire station. The cottage sleeps 10 people, and has a living room, kitchen, and bathrooms. A lakeshore sauna and large bathtub are available for an extra charge. There are services conveniently nearby. The villa stands 50 meters (164 feet) from Hotel Patruunantalo with a restaurant and wine cellar, and the nearest village with more shops is only a kilometre ( a little more than ½ mile) away.    The weekly rate for this fully equipped villa is 1,106 Euros (USD 1,470), and the weekend rate is 422 Euros (USD 560). To find out more, visit www.lomarengas.fi/ServiceInfo.action?siteName=lomarengas&id=5608. Even if the above three cottage options aren’t exactly what you are looking for, Country Holidays is sure to meet your needs with over 4,000 inspected and classified holiday cottages all over the country. The choice of cottage ranges from modest cabins to villas with all the modern amenities you could wish for. Most of the locations are situated right on the lakeshore and all have a private sauna. The weekly rates range from 500 (USD 665) to 2,000 Euros (USD 2,660), depending on the season as well as on the size, location and standard of the cottage. The smallest cottages offer room for 2 people, while the largest villas can accommodate up to 20 people.When this press release was written the Euro exchange rate was 1 EURO = USD 1.33To find out more about the different options, visit www.lomarengas.fi. For more information about tourism in Finland, visit www.visitfinland.com and theVisit Finland image bank at www.imagebank.visitfinland.com. Contact:Helena NiskanenVisit Finland USATel. +1-917-863-5484   

jugend Helsinki

 Often referred to as the pearl of the Baltic, Helsinki is one of the finest centers of Jugend architecture in Europe. The city is home to around 600 Art Nouveau buildings, the largest concentration of the architectural style in the region. Art Nouveau, or Jugend, as it also became known in Scandinavia and Germany originated at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries as an approach to design where art permeates everyday life. Characterised by highly stylised, flowing, curvilinear forms and organic, plant-based motifs, Art Nouveau influenced the decorative arts in everything from architecture to fashion, furniture, graphic and product design.Jugend architecture flourished in Helsinki, where it was strongly influenced by the Finnish national epic, Kalevala, a major theme in the national romantic movement of that era. With an exterior that displays the national romantic style and an interior that is primarily Jugend, the Kansallismuseo or National Museum is a fine example of the two styles combined.To take in some of Helsinki’s best examples of Jugend architecture a walking tour can be taken through the city center. Within a short distance of each other are the Central Railway Station, the Finnish National Theater and Pohjola House. Visitors can also admire the remarkable interiors of many buildings. A few steps from the Esplanade Park, Jugendsali or Jugendhall was originally built as a private residence. The magnificent hall on the ground floor has also been used as a banking hall. Today it is open to the public as a café, and is conveniently located next door to Helsinki City Tourist Information Office…Jugend gems can be spotted throughout the city, with some districts built almost entirely in the Jugend style. Adjacent to the downtown area, the neighbouring districts of Kruununhaka and Katajanokka make for easy exploration on foot. The Ullanlinna district is only a short tram ride away.   Olofsborg on Kauppiaankatu 7 in Katajanokka is among the most loved Jugend-style buildings in Helsinki. Built in 1903 its towers are inspired by those of the medieval Olavinlinna Castle in Savo. Behind Olofsborg’s design was the famous trio of architects Herman Gesellius, Armas Lindgren & Eliel Saarinen who also designed the National Museum.  For solo travellers

To help visitors find the best examples of Helsinki’s Jugend buildings, Helsinki City Museum has published a new brochure with walking and tram routes marked on the map. The tour maps can be found at online at

www.hel2.fi/kaumuseo/jugend/jugend_kavely_en_ve.pdf (Walking tour)

www.hel2.fi/kaumuseo/jugend/jugend_ratikka_en_ve.pdf (Tram tour)

 For groups

Guided tours for groups with a specific interest in architecture can be arranged by Archtours Ltd., a travel agency that offers both tailored programs and ready-made tour packages open to all. Find out more at their website www.archtours.fi

For more information on tourism in Finland see Visit Finland at www.visitfinland.com

A PUB ON THE MOVE Who said drinking on public transport is forbidden? SpåraKOFF, the world’s only pub tram, has been offering Helsinki sightseeing rides to thirsty customers every summer since 1995. Starting in May, you can again hop on, sit back, enjoy a cold drink and take in the highlights of the Finnish capital. What better way to get the feel of the city than sitting in this moving pub with a cold beer in front of you?

A tram converted into a classical style pub with interior decor of mahogany, brass and velvet, SpåraKOFF is truly one of a kind. The tram carried regular public passengers for 35 years, without a liquor license, before starting a new life as a pub tram in the spring of 1995. The name SpåraKOFF is coined from a Helsinki slang word for tram, “spåra”, and from the name of the oldest industrially operating brewery in the Nordic countries, Sinebrychoff.

The whole tour around the city takes about an hour. SpåraKOFF is an excellent way for summer visitors to experience Helsinki since the route passes many of Helsinki’s main sights: the Central Railway Station, Linnanmäki Amusement Park, the Olympic Stadium, Finlandia Hall, the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, the Market Square and Helsinki Cathedral. The video screens inside show you how the sights look from the driver’s perspective.

You can hop on and off without a reservation at five different tram stops in the center of Helsinki. Your on board crew consists of the driver, as well as a waiter or waitress serving you beer, cider and soft drinks. There are approximately 30 seats.

Regular traffic in 2010 begins in early May and runs until the end of August. The pub tram is on the move five days a week, Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 2pm to 9pm. The fare at the present exchange  rate is $ 10.80 (8 euros) for adults and $ 5.40 (4 euros) for children under 12 years old. Drinks are charged separately.

 For more information about tourism in Finland, visit www.visitfinland.com