By Emma Dance
You’ve probably never heard of Tampere. Most people haven’t. In fact, ask most people to name any city in Finland other than Helsinki and they will be lost for words. But Tampere is city with a lot to offer, from culture and history, to fantastic Finnish food, beautiful countryside and the chance to indulge in some real rest and relaxation.
Because of its industrial past Tampere is often referred to as the Manchester of Finland, but that description sells the city rather short. It has a character all its …

By Emma Bodansky
Throughout the summer Finland plays host to a range of weird and wonderful festivals. From rock to classical, puppet theatre to contemporary dance there is something for everyone.
Then there are the festivals that are a little more unusual and allow visitors a unique insight into the more ‘out there’ aspects of Finnish culture. Either way these are great events to get involved in or simply watch!
Naked Run of Finland, 17 June, Padasjoki, North of Helsinki.
Competitors of this annual competition can run up to 10km and must wear nothing …

By Kate McWilliams
Finland never fails to provide a festive feel during the winter months. The most sparsely populated of the Nordic countries offers the perfect place for visitors to ensure they get into the Christmas spirit.  With a range of Christmas markets offering spectacular light displays, specially brewed winter beers and warming hot chocolate, Finland’s cities Tampere, Turku and Helsinki create a magical experience for everyone to enjoy this winter.
Tampere; Recreate Narnia from The Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe
Tampere offers a mix of slick Finnish sophistication with spectacular scenery …

By Jules Ugo
Baltic herring enthusiasts will get a special treat in Helsinki restaurants during the Baltic Herring Market week from 3rd–10th October. HelsinkiMenu restaurant chefs have created their own special delicacies using Baltic herrings so as well as the chance to try herring at the market square diners can enjoy this local delicacy in more refined surroundings too! The HelsinkiMenu can be tried at around 20 different restaurants throughout the city. The menus interpret Finnish food traditions in new and exciting ways and offer local and seasonal produce.
The Baltic Herring …

By Rupert Parker
Finland is a huge country with a tiny population of just over five million. It does have more than 180 thousand lakes, however, and as the plane started its descent to Tampere, all I could see was forest and water stretching to the horizon.
The Manchester of the North
Tampere is Finland’s third largest city and the Nordic industrial revolution started here in 1820 when a Scotsman, James Finlayson, arrived to take advantage of the power of the rapids and manufacture industrial machinery. The town quickly became Finland’s industrial powerhouse …

By Kate McWilliams
The snow has melted and Finland emerges once more with a spring in its step. For spring/summer 2010, Finland has a lot to celebrate with a new high speed train soon to be launched between Helsinki and St Petersburg, a range of exciting music festivals throughout the summer months and 65 years of the legendary Moomin novels. What’s more, Helsinki has earned the status of World Design Capital for 2012 and the first ever World Rowing Masters using traditional Finnish churchboats is soon to take place in Sulkava …