The land of the thousand lakes

Finland offers activities of all kinds. From the Finnish arcipelago in the south to Europes last wilderness up north. In between you find the vast forrests and the numerous lakes, which also invite you to an active holiday with hikes and cycling trips.

Regardless of the season you will be spellbound by the fantastic nature in Finland. The winter landscape with limitless possibilities for winter sports, the arrival of spring, the long and lovely evenings of the summer and the breathtaking play of colours in the autumn - you will always be fascinated!

It is no coincidence that Finland is called "The land of the thousand lakes". All over the country you will find crystal clear lakes and waterways, which, dependning on the season, invite to go fishing, bathing or for that matter iceskating. Often located in deep forrests, the lakes are a perfect oasis for peace and relaxation.

If you are of adventurous nature, Finland is the perfect country to explore. In addition to the numerous lakes and forrests, you will also find mountain ranges where you can explore the special Finnish nature or maybve even see a moose or one of the other wild animals of Finland.

The lakes

A blue labyrith of lakes, rivers, canals and islands, combined with forests and mountain ranges, spread out over several hundred kilometres of beautiful and breathtaking nature. You find lakes in all sizes and shapes all over Finland, but the eastern part is especially blessed with water.

The Saimaalakes, along the Russian border, is a large network of waterways and the continue to the west to Kuopio and Nurmes up north. They have given Finland its name as "Land of the thousand lakes" and are an ideal holiday destination, regardless if you want to enjoy the peace and quiet and the fresh air or you wish to explore the numerous lakes, rivers and forrests. The area also offers a special European culture, which can be explored in the small cosy villages, where you also can learn about Finnish traditions.

You can find other important and beautiful lakes and waterways on the other side of Tampere and close to Jyväskyla in the central part of Finland.

The midnight sun over Finland

During midsummer the sun shines 24 hours a day. In Utsloki in the northernmost part of Lapland, the longest day of summer lasts for more than two months. In the souhtern part of Finland it never gets dark in the summer either. The twilight in the evening turns into the morning dawn.

In the land of lakes, the horizon is endless

Finland has more than 180.000 lakes, 35 national parks and thousands of kilometres of coastline to offer. Thanks to the "All man's right", which gives everybody access to the wilderness, Finland offers fantastic opportunities to explore nature from both sea and land. Furthermore the popular sport Nordic Walking was invented in Finland. If you haven't tried it before, it is an obvious opportunity to get your first experiences here in the country of origin, while on holiday.

Invented by the Finns: Nordic Walking

Holiday, nature and active recreation is the perfect combination. Nordic Walking is the ideal endurance sport for everyone. Regardless of age, season and locality, it is all about getting started. Why not try Nordic Walking in your holiday in a holiday home?

And where else than in Finland, the home of Nordic Walking, can you find a more right place to get to know this sport. Already back in the 1950ies top athletes in cross country skiing and biathlon used Nordic Walking as summer training. The athletes didn't want to lose the feeling of ski sticks during the summer and besides it is a good way to keep the whole body in motion in a gentle way, which in addition activates 90 % of the body's muscles. During the 1990ies Nordic Walking became a very popular leisure activity which is excercised all over the country. Finland offers ideal conditions for Nordic Walking, which can be praticed all over the country on beautiful nature and hiking paths. In addition Nordic Walking paths, Nordic Walking parks and routes of different lengths and difficulty levels have been established throughout the country. Something for every taste and capability.

Experience the homeland of Nordic Walking while your on vacation in a holiday home in Finland. dansommer can now offer exclusive holiday homes in the lovliest Finnish landscapes.

Finland –the home of the sauna

Rustic and smokey - that is how people have enjoyed the sauna in Finland for centuries. Relaxation with warmth is only complete in a sauna and that is why it is so popular all over the world. The original version still exists in Finland.

The Finnish way of life

The tradition around the sauna dates back several centuries and exists almost everywhere in the country (2 million saunas for a population of 5 million people). The sauna ist standard equipment in Finnish homes and swimming baths. Even Finnish companies invite their cooperation partners to a visit to the sauna. In modern times the sauna experienced a slight decline as a cultural centre in the Finnish homes, but in the past the sauna was a central part in Finnish family life. Especially in the countryside it was also used as work room, bath, sick room or maternity room, to a lesser extent it still happens today. A few Finnish children are still born in a sauna. Even though the modern use of a sauna is reduced to merely use it as a bath, inventive Finns have built in almost unbelievable places, such as floats, in tents and caves.

"Savu" - sauna with smoke and birch twigs

The original aroma in the Finnish sauna is smoke and birch. A wood burning stove heats the sauna and the smoke spreads all over the sauna and out through doors and windows. It takes several hours before the ideal temperature of 90 is reached and it keeps up for many hours. If it gets too hot, you sprinkle a bit of water over your body. And then birch twigs are dipped into water, shaken over the oven's steam and slapped on the skin. That increases the blood circulation and also is very much fun. After sweating, a refreshing swim follows in the water. During the summer this takes place in the lake and during the winter in the snow or for the bravest through the ice. In connection visits to the sauna, it is vital to listen to your body. It is not a race, but individual relaxation. Try a holiday home in Finland with a sauna, it is pure pleasure!

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