Finland

Built of gray stone, this lighthouse looks like a defiant castle. The island surrounding it rises like a flat rock from the sea as you dock your boat. The air is saturated with the salty scent, and the sound of the waves fills this small, rugged world: just the right place to spend the night high up in the tower, overlooking the sea! Finland's lighthouses once saved lives, but today they are historical relics with a romantic touch. And there are many of them – each with a different character: outstanding photo opportunities on a coastline that could hardly be more varied. The Kvarken Archipelago has also made a name for itself, having long been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its coastline is in constant motion, rising one centimeter out of the ocean within a year. No one is likely to feel dizzy, quite the contrary: no place is more inviting for relaxation than this.

Romantic canoe trips, extensive fishing tours, sailing excursions, and hiking days: the Kvarken Archipelago offers heartfelt enjoyment of nature, enriched with idyllic fishing villages. Björköby is one of the largest of these and is particularly picturesque in summer. In winter, visitors should be fairly frost-resistant, as even the sea freezes over here and icy winds sweep across the land. Olavinlinna Castle, whose roots date back to the 15th century, is sure to warm your thoughts. It is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Northern Europe and impresses with its imposing architecture. Every year, this imposing building serves as the backdrop for the Savonlinna Opera Festival, which lasts several weeks. Are you starting to get goosebumps thinking about your personal experiences in Finland? If drama and vocal power don't convince you, then perhaps Mount Koli will capture your heart. Let's take a look at what it has to offer.

A cool breeze blows across the island, but little of it reaches you behind the high, gray fortress walls. Nevertheless, the air smells of salt and the sea—and wild clouds drift overhead in the wind. You take a seat in a cozy little café to order a coffee and perhaps one of those tempting sugar-sweet pieces of cake. The imposing sea fortress, in the middle of which you find yourself, stretches across several Baltic Sea islands just off the coast. Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its construction began in 1748, when Finland was still part of the Kingdom of Sweden. The fortress chain comprises a total of four bastions and today appears as a rugged but romantic relic of another era. Take the water bus back to the capital Helsinki, where the exclusive Design District awaits you with its extraordinary shopping delights. Here, exuberant creativity has found a worthy home – it is unleashed in countless designer boutiques, galleries, and unique restaurants.