Sauna:

Some people think that Finland is the only place where you can get a good bath in the sauna. There are two types of sauna. One which  you heat with electricity and the other you heat with wood. As you can guess, the one you heat up with wood, is the traditional sauna, and considered to give the best bath, steam.

In sauna, there has to be a high humidity which you achieve by throwing water on hot stones. It causes a cloud of steam, fumes which makes you sweat.

The finish sauna culture includes beer and at summertimes good sausage. The sausage is usually prepared over the sauna oven, which then demands wood as heating method. Someone prefers beer during the sauna and some prefer it afterwards. Some people say that you get easily drunk if you drink beer in the sauna..=)

Some like going to sauna several times a week, I prefer max one time.

Almost every home in Finland has a sauna, and if you live in an apartment building,like I do, the sauna is usually in the basement, and I have the luxuory with a swimming pool next to the sauna space..=)

A prefect sauna moment/evening should be held close to a beach or a place where you can swim. So when you have gotten enough of the heat, you run straight into the water to cool off, and continue the same pattern a few times..=)

We have an annual "Löylymestaruus"-competition where people compete who can sit the longest time in a sauna. You throw more and more water on the oven and the centigrades rise and rise. And the last out of the sauna is the winner. Some call it torture..=/

Finnish Sauna Society (09) 679 180                   

What and where are the Åland Islands?

The Åland Islands are an autonomous, demilitarised province of Finland.  In the islands the majority of the population speak Swedish.

To Sweden daily Ferry connections travel from Helsinki-Stockholm.  The Ferries stop in Åland on the way.  This allows the sale of tax-free goods all the way.  Two companies operate to Sweden.  Viking Line and Silja Line.

Ålands homepage

Festivals

Some people tend to think that we Finns are awfully quiet, serious, unsocial and uncapable of having a good time. This impression can easily be proved wrong with a visit to Finland during the summer. The same people who go around looking bored all through the winter seem to go through a metamorphosis when summer is arriving. The Finish summer is short whereas the winter is long, cold and gloomy. No wonder we finns want to make the most out of our precious season!! Therefor, the summer is filled with all kinds of happenings. For a foreigner it can be an interesting experience to visit one of them. There certainly is something for everyone.

Most of the festivals are musical; rock, jazz, folk, you name it and we have it. It´s not only about listening to your favourite band, you go to festivals. It's for the people, and the atmosphere. Even a bad weather doesnt stop us. What would be more nice than wrapping up in a wet sleepingbag, in the middle of the night..=) ?!

There are about five or six bigger rock/techno festivals and several smaller happenings. Provinssirock in Seinäjoki is the first festvial for the summer . It has a diverse list of performers which of course draws many kind of people there. The next big event takes place at midsummer. Nummirock in Kauhajoki is the right place for metal and hardrock fans while dancepop, techno people gather in Rantarock, Vasa.  Ruisrock in Åbo is the oldest festival, located in Finlands oldest town and also serves a diversity of bands and music from British pop to Finish hardcore punk. Finland has  a lot to offer thos who like jazz too. The biggest jazz festival Pori Jazz, is a 9-day event iwht plenty of music from Finish to Erycah Badu. There are also many smaller events around the country like Jazz on the Beach, Ankka Rock, Down By The Laituri eg. In Finland we also have a very lively Folk music scene, performing at Folk Music Festivals. Kaustinen Folk Music Festival is the biggest in Finland. There you can find both traditional, experimental and modern folk music from all over the world. People of all ages from all over the world gather there. The last but not the least is Haapavesi Folk.

Not only music, but also many other interesting things are waiting for you in Finland. More information is available on the internet.

I could write a whole book about Finland, but I dont have the time..=) so, It's best if you simply come and experience everything yourself!