The Fruits of Finland

Cell phones, saunas and reindeer-herding Sami tribesmen. That's what you will find in Finland, one of Europe's most curiously fascinating countries. Finland is an essential part of Scandinavia, but it boasts an ambiance all its own, an intriguing mix of East and West. Finland has belonged to both Sweden and Russia.

Arctic Adventures
Melt your notions of igloos, blubber, and bleak gray skies. Lapland is a vacationer's dream. In summer you can cruise a crystal river, hike over hills carpeted by cloudberries and meander through birch forests, where you're apt to spot Laplanders herding reindeer.

In summer, people are out partying all night long, says Aija Huhtamo, a tour guide in Rovaniemi, on the edge of the Arctic Circle, where the world's most authentic-looking Santa Claus welcomes children and grownups alike to his theme-park village.

Winter as well is a wonderland, especially for adventurous clients. With 42 downhill slopes, the resort town of Levi is a paradise for skiers. Or you can get mushy with huskies at Polar Speed Tours, where you can ride a dog sled for an hour or venture into the wilderness on a six-day safari. In Lapland you have an excellent chance of spotting the aurora borealis, a spectacular northern light show.

Staying in Finland
Finland offers travelers abundant lodging options. Built in 1917 and recently remodeled, Helsinki's Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel in Helsinki features 301 deluxe rooms and suites. More romantic is Starwood's turn-of-the-century Hotel Kamp, which dates from 1887. A grand hotel in every sense of the word, the Kamp features 179 deluxe rooms, six specialty suites and glittering cut-glass chandeliers. Contact your travel agent for more information.

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