Posted on March 18, 2010 by Fiona Hilliard

So it’s freezing cold for most of the year, the locals have an annoying habit of speaking verrry slooooowly and think nothing of gobbling up Rudolph on a regular basis, but that’s not to say that Finland is not a great place to visit.

For one, Finland is one of the few destinations in the world that can say it experiences the phenomenon of both the sun never setting (summer) and the sun never rising (winter).

This land of amazing contrasts is brimming with natural attractions and stunning manmade features.  From the stark wilderness of the native pine forests to the sleek ultra-modern cities, you’ll always find an excuse for a sightseeing day-trip with Finland car hire.

The capital, Helsinki is choc full of fun attractions including trendy galleries, museums and funky cafés, restaurants and bars. Finland prides itself on being one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world – there are more internet connections per head of population than the United States or UK, so you’re never far from free WiFi or dinky little internet cafés either.

Crime levels are incredibly low in Finland and foreign travellers can be almost certain of a hassle-free holiday. A word of warning though, if you’re driving in Finland over winter months, you should ensure that your rental car has been fitted with snow tyres, as icy roads can prove very hazardous indeed.

So outside of all the saunas, where are the real hotspots in Finland?

Nuuksio National Park makes for a nice scenic drive.  It’s located just 25km from Helsinki city centre, so time-wise, it shouldn’t eat into your holiday too much.  If you’re in the mood for a longer journey, why not check out Tampere.  The country’s third largest city prides itself on being the driving force behind Finnish industry.  There are also some fascinating attractions worth seeing including a pretty cool spy museum and one of the world’s few surviving Lenin museums.  Tampere can be reached within 180km of Helsinki.