Finally we have a guidebook and web service that offer thorough information in an inspiring format about interesting hotels off the beaten track in Finland.
By "concept hotel" we mean a hotel with a soul - a quality that makes it different from all the other hotels - an individual in a good sense.
Traveling offers us a chance to escape from our home and our everyday life, to live comfortably - even luxuriously - and to experience the joy of life, whether over today's fortunes, nostalgia about yesterday, or excitement over tomorrow. Sometimes it can be refreshing to just go without any special reason: look for something - anything - and be pampered and noticed - or unnoticed.
A tourist needs sleep, food, drink, and an intimate place for cleansing. Hotels, restaurants, and cafés become second homes for him. They are multicultural, communal living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. They are open spaces with an unreserved atmosphere, while homes are largely closed and private.
Those who travel a lot have noticed how the main streets of many European cities are starting to resemble each other, with the same shopping malls, hotel chains, restaurants, and cafés. The same international brands of cosmetics, music, clothing, beer, and television shows are available from Rome to St Petersburg, from Oslo to Lisbon. Lifestyles are homogenized and culture is globalized.
State Independent republic since 1917. Independence Day is celebrated December 6. Member of the European Union since 1995. Åland islands are autonomous.
President Mrs Tarja Halonen
Prime Minister Mr Matti Vanhanen
Capital Helsinki, population 556 000. About one million inhabitants in the greater metro area of Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa.
Language Two official languages: Finnish and Swedish. About 6% of the population are Swedish speakers. A minority language, Sami, is spoken in the Sami area of Lapland. English is commonly spoken.
Weather Four distinct seasons. In winter the temperature can drop to -20ºC, while in summer it can go up to +30 ºC. In summer in Lapland the sun doesn't set for 73 nights, while in winter there the sun doesn't rise for 51 days.
In the technology-oriented information society of contemporary Finland, a new interest has arisen towards the Finnish countryside and its unique qualities formed by the harsh climate of the north, pure nature, and the short yet bright summer of the midnight sun that intensifies the aromas of the vegetation.
Believe it or not, a fish related to cod swims in Finnish lakes. Burbot, or made in Finnish, might have a homely form, but especially in winter this codfish tastes absolutely delicious.
Finns drink incredible amounts of coffee - in fact, more per capita than any other nation in the world. Still you find no Starbucks or Pret A Manger on our streets. The quintessential place for a Finn to drink coffee is at work or at home. This private coffee moment has even been interpreted as a key to Finnish culture.
Put together Argentinian tango, Slavic melancholy, and German march music, and what do you get? The Finnish tango. The Finns are a melancholy people and we have tangos to match. While Finnish tango is rather mournful, the original Argentinian tango is dark, hot, and sensual - although Argentinian philosopher Ricardo Gomez has noted that while people believe that tango is about passionate love, it really is about loneliness, yearning, and sexual passion.
Thousands of different wild mushrooms grow in Finland. About 200 varieties are edible and 22 of the most delicious ones are certified for commercial use.
Finnish wine culture is experiencing a boom - we might discuss Barolo or the New World expertly - but Finnish berry wines have stayed out of the limelight. There is no real reason for this, though, as over the last few years berry wine makers have created some very fine products.
The Finn is the most watery person in Europe... Here people take baths that last three four hours and steep their bodies in water right down to their most secret selves. - Angel Ganivet: Cartas finlandesas 1896-1897.
Kiitos - Thank you.
Pitkä - Large beer, please.
Hyvää huomenta - Good morning.
Hyvää yötä - Good night.
Mennäänkö meille vai teille? - My place or your place?
Nokiastani loppui virta - I need to charge my cell phone.
Missä minä olen? - Where am I?
Taksi - Taxi.
Sulje suusi, kalanaama! - Shut your face, you fish face!
Öööö...Ääää... - (Just wait, some Finn is trying to tell you something.)
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