Food in Finland is traditionally fresh, simple and often made with ingredients sourced from local lakes and forests. Seafood figures prominently in Finnish cuisine, with reindeer, bear and elk served across the country as delicacies. Poronkäristys is a popular dish comprising sautéed reindeer, mashed potatoes and lingonberries, while Lohikeitto is a scrumptious soup featuring salmon, potatoes, carrots, leeks and dill, usually accompanied with rye bread.

Karjalanpaisti is a hearty stew made with beef or pork, carrots, onions, seasoning and bay leaves, while Lihapullat are delicious beef meatballs which can be eaten on their own or served with gravy and potatoes. Pullat are sweet cardamom-flavoured buns filled with cream which are often served with coffee and Mustikkapiirakka, a delightful Finnish blueberry pie dessert, is a hugely popular dessert.

The Finns are the highest consumers of coffee per capita in the world, so it’s no surprise you’ll find wonderful blends of the hot drink in coffee shops across the country. Berry liqueurs are very popular in Finland, with many varieties available including lakka (cloudberry), mesimarja (arctic bramble) and mustikka (bilberry).

The summer months of June, July and August are a great time to visit Finland when the days are longer and warmer, with the countryside in full bloom. Temperatures in July average 17°C and can rise to around 26°C, and popular summer activities include hiking, golf, bird-watching, sailing, swimming and canoeing. It’s also the time to see a lively summer festival – key events include the Midnight Sun Festival and the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival.
Finland becomes a snowy wonderland during the winter months of December to February, with a myriad of thrilling outdoor activities to enjoy including cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and ice skating. February is normally the coldest month, with temperatures averaging from - 22 to -3°C. In the north of the country winter temperatures can tumble as low as -50°C, with strong winds. Average annual rainfall in Finland is between 600 and 700mm.

You won’t struggle to find exciting things to see and do in Finland during your cruise to this awe-inspiring Scandinavian country. There’s plenty of outdoor activity to enjoy, depending on the time of year you visit – trekking, golf, horse-riding, wildlife watching and a host or thrilling water sports are among the delights in summer, while lively pursuits in the snowy wintertime include husky sledding, skiing, ice skating, snowshoe hiking, ice hockey and ice climbing. Must-see attractions in Finland include Turku and Olavinlinna castles, Helsinki Cathedral, Lake Saimaa, Suomenlinna Fortress, Urho Kekkonen National Park and the riverside town of Porvoo with its charming ruby red wooden houses.
Helsinki is a captivating capital with breathtaking architecture, imposing harbours, sensational gourmet restaurants, high-end designer stores and pulsating nightlife. Major attractions in the city include Senate Square, Sibelius Park, Kauppatori market square, the National Museum of Finland and Kamppi Chapel. Like most Scandinavians, the Finnish love their saunas and there’s no shortage of places to relax and flush out the toxins in a hot wooden cabin – the country is home to more than 3.5 million saunas! Family attractions that ensure a feast of fun include Linnanmaki amusement park, Korkeasaari Zoo, Moominworld theme park, Moose Manor and the Predator Centre where you can get to see European brown bears up close.