Snugly located between Sweden and Russia, Finland is a unique blend of east meets west. The country is renowned for its stunning landscapes that feature nearly 200,000 lakes, its penchant for innovative design and its proximity to the Arctic Circle that brings days of endless sunlight in summer and eternal darkness in winter. But autumn is an ideal time to venture to this under-appreciated country, particularly as the snows fall and a magical world unlike any other is revealed.

Arriving by Air from the UK

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With a flight time of only two and a half hours, Finland is on the doorstep of the UK, making the country the perfect destination for a short break or extended holiday. Most direct flights depart from London or Manchester and fly to Helsinki or Tampere in southern Finland, with numerous services operating daily (operated largely by British Airways, Finnair and Ryanair). However, by taking a connecting service via other mainland European hubs, it’s possible to depart from one of Britain’s regional airports instead.

Despite the rural nature of the country, travelling around Finland is relatively simple thanks to the comprehensive road and air network, so flying into Helsinki or Tampere won’t be an obstacle to exploring the country as a whole.

Places to Stay

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Finland offers an almost unlimited selection of accommodation to suit all budgets and preferences, from cutting edge, designer hotels in the capital city, Helsinki, to cosy and isolated log cabins in Lapland. Whatever your budget and the type of holiday you wish to enjoy, the chances are you’ll be able to easily find accommodation to suit.

Hotels in the cities range from more expensive international branded chains where you can retain a sense of anonymity during your stay to more intimate, family-run establishments that will offer you a warm welcome on your arrival. Smaller guest houses also abound, meaning you can base your trip away from the more densely populated cities if you’re in search of a little rural tranquillity and to take advantage of the country’s mesmerising landscape scenery.

With winter drawing in, a memorable and romantic option is to hire a log cabin, particularly in the north of the country if you’re planning to enjoy the sights of the aurora borealis. Rented directly from the owner or via an established rental agent, a log cabin offers a comfortable antidote to your usual hectic lifestyle, enabling you to combine a spot of skiing, hiking or fishing high above the Arctic Circle, overlooking a tranquil lake or along the untamed Finnish coastline.

Things to Do

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If you’re considering an autumn break in Finland, the chances are you’ll want to venture away from the cities and into the countryside to experience the breathtaking scenery the country has to offer. Autumn – known locally as ‘ruska’ – is a time when rural Finland puts on a show of colour, making it the ideal opportunity to explore the Lappish fells or to hike across the rugged landscape - Pallas-Yllästunturi and Lemmenjoki National Parks being two of the most rewarding locations to explore.

The north of the country makes a fantastic grandstand position to witness the northern lights which grace the skies from autumn onwards, with the most impressive displays usually in the hours before and after midnight. With the lights visible for more than 200 nights each year in Finnish Lapland, you can be confident of an unforgettable view.

With the snows falling in autumn, Lapland also boasts a plentiful number of ski resorts suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities. Unlike the large European resorts, Finland’s resorts are smaller and uncommercial, with slopes that remain in use for up to six months of the year.

For an unforgettable Nordic experience, reindeer and husky rides and ice-fishing are also widely available, enabling the whole family to soak up the magical atmosphere that is truly unique to this part of the world while participating in a once-in-a-lifetime activity that is sure to live long in the memory.

Eating and Drinking

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Membership of the European Union has opened the borders, not just to foreign nationals, but to a host of overseas culinary influences, making the Finnish diet far more cosmopolitan than ever before. Locally sourced ingredients still dominate Finnish cuisine, however, particularly fresh seafood (especially salmon, pike and herring), sourced from the country’s freshwater lakes, wild mushrooms, berries and meat (including reindeer, beef, duck and chicken).

In the cities, such as Helsinki, there is an abundance of restaurants from which to choose, offering meals at a wide variety of prices and, while Finnish cuisine is often the staple at both traditional and pub-style restaurants, European, Asian and American influences are gradually becoming more widespread, as evidenced by the rise of well-known fast food brands.

Bars are the focal point for lively nightlife, such as in the Kampii district of Helsinki, where pale, sweet Finnish lagers are served. Non-alcoholic wines are also popular while, for a taste of home comforts, tea and coffee is readily found in cafes, bars and restaurants across the country.

Shopping

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While Finnish goods are not renowned for their low prices, their cost is more than matched by the high quality for which the country is synonymous, with glassware, ceramics and handicrafts among the most well-regarded products. For a truly unique souvenir to take home after your stay, consider a piece of Sámi jewellery, a traditional birch wood cup (‘kuksa’) from Lapland or a handwoven rug (‘ryijy’). Other notable products include fishing knives and furs, though international restrictions may make taking these home more or less impossible.

Most of the country’s 30 shopping centres are located in or close to Helsinki, the largest of which, Itäkeskus, is renowned for being the largest of its type in Scandinavia. Markets are very common, with most towns and cities having a market hall or square, where local produce is available, and these sites are extremely popular with the residents, who combine their leisurely browsing with an opportunity to socialise over a drink. For the overseas visitor, a visit to a market is a great way to explore the range of traditional Finnish products and to soak up the cultural atmosphere.

Title Image Credit: Paul Williams (Image Cropped)