With lake-filled national parks, an Arctic culture and an urbane capital city full of architectural gems, Finland is a varied destination. Explore the many museums, islands and traditional villages for an insight into this picturesque land and its people.

At the southern end of the country lies its cultured and artistic capital of Helsinki. Browse the fascinating displays of the many museums in the Kamppi District. Explore the extraordinary Temppeliaukio Church carved from bedrock and the nearby contemporary curved Kamppi Chapel.

Get around the city with modern bus and metro links. Travel by ferry across the bay to explore some of Helsinki’s 330 islands. Try local food of pasties and reindeer meat.

Consider a change of scenery with a road trip north for about 5 hours. Reach the Finnish lake district of Linnansaari National Park. Enjoy some of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas, including the serene Haukivesi Lake and its islands. Stay in a campground and appreciate the tranquility among ospreys and seals.

Continue north into the snowy wilderness of Europe’s northernmost regions. The Lapland area, which claims to be the home of Santa Claus, is among the best places to spot the northern lights or aurora borealis. Visit Santa Claus Village in the town of Rovaniemi and learn about Arctic life and history in the Arktikum museum.

Reach the winter sports area of Saariselkä far north of the Arctic Circle. Ski, join a reindeer safari, ride on a sled behind huskies or drive a snowmobile.

Admire the SnowCastle, SnowHotel, SnowChapel and SnowRestaurant in Kemi on the Gulf of Bothnia. Stay overnight in this frozen realm and dine at snowy tables between walls and floors of ice. Embark on an ice-breaker trip through the deep-water harbor in the charming town.

Finland is in the northern part of Europe, between Sweden, northern Norway and Russia. Arrive at international airports in Helsinki, Tampere or Turku. Enjoy the country’s northern winter wonderland, central lake district and southern island-rich capital.