Things to See in Finland

Moomin World is undoubtedly one of Finland's premier family attractions. It's a sort of Disneyland based on the popular children's books written by Tove Janssen and set on an island linked to the mainland by a footbridge.

The Valamo monastery, Finland's only Orthodox monastery, is a hidden gem. The original monastery was annexed by the Red Army during WWII; the latest church was consecrated in 1977. Like all good monks, the clergy at Valamo produce their own wine (which visitors can buy) using crowberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackcurrants.

The largest national park in Finland, Lemmenjoki offers some of the most exciting trekking in Lapland. You'll see desolate wilderness, rivers, arctic landscape and the Ravadasköngäs waterfall. You may even bump into a lonely gold panner in the middle of nowhere.

The 'World's Biggest Snow Castle' was constructed in Kemi in 1996, and was such a success that it is now reconstructed every winter complete with an ice restaurant and bar (order your drink on the rocks!), ice tables covered with reindeer fur, ice sculptures and hotel rooms where heavy-duty sleeping bags keep you warm in -5°C (41°F) room temperature.

Olavinlinna Castle is in the beautiful Savonlinna lakes area, and is the best preserved medieval castle in northern Europe. Founded in 1475, it was meant to protect the Swedish-Finnish empire. Russians occupied the castle early in the 18th century, adding the jaunty red towers and a yellow house inside its walls. Take a tour for the lowdown.