Breathe in, breathe out. You’re in Finland now.

If you love your air clean, your nature wild and your cities packed full of cultural interest, then Finland is a smart choice for a holiday destination.

With a population of more than 5.5 million people, Finland has a safe and welcoming culture; and a history and heritage that spans millennia.

These days, its two official languages are Finnish and Swedish – but the language that connects everyone is that of nature. Thanks to its huge number of lakes, forests and saunas, Finland is an outdoors-loving, wellness-centered country that has been officially named the happiest country on earth for the past six years by the World Happiness Report.

With all this goodness, it’s easy for tourists to arrive in Finland and simply step into happy.

ARRIVE WITH STENA LINE

Start your Finnish adventure with Stena Line! Pack the car and travel by ferry from Nynäshamn to Hanko, bringing you directly to the southern Finnish coastline and its long archipelago.

Here, the many villages and islands lull you into a laidback ease with their maritime charm, raw elemental edges and sea-to-plate cuisine.

Take your time driving along the coast, or bring your bike and cycle the many trails that weave through the natural beauty of the area.

CITY BREAKS

Finland's rural towns and villages are the best way to meet artisan craft makers and sample Finnish heritage, but if you want to pick up the pace, Finland’s urban centres are within easy reach for those travelling by car or motorcycle.

The capital Helsinki is less than a two-hour drive from Hanko, and is noted for its architecture, museums, art galleries, shopping and music scene.

Just over two hours from Helsinki, Tampere is a gateway to the popular Lakeland region, and flooded with public saunas, museums and family attractions.

And the oldest city in the country, Turku, is just a two-hour drive from Helsinki. Experience its castle and cobbled streets, before exploring the beautiful islands and inlets of the Turku archipelago.

HOLIDAY LIKE A LOCAL

Finland is a land of forest and lakes, and the Finns love to escape to nature. Jokamiehen (everyman’s rights) means you can explore just about anywhere, and you will find marked hiking routes and accommodation options in many of the national parks.

During the summer, Finns flock to the vast Lakeland region – the largest lake district in Europe. Soak up the tranquility by staying in a cottage equipped with high-speed internet and private lakeside sauna, or in a more basic wooden hut for a true off-grid experience.

And if you want a tale to tell around the campfire, wildlife tour operators can help you track Europe's ‘big five’ – bears, wolverines, wolves, lynx and elk – depending on which region you are in.

FINLAND FOR FAMILIES

Aside from endless playtime in parks, forests, coastline and bike trails, Finland has some great attractions for families.

If you like adventure parks, head to Särkänniemi in Tampere to experience adrenaline rides, a fairytale farm and an aquarium.

Or if there’s energy to burn, the Flowpark Varala brings the treetops to life with cable swings, zip lines and more in this ecological adventure park.

For fans of Tove Jansson, don’t miss Moomin World near Turku, where you can experience the magical storyland and meet the characters.

FESTIVALS IN FINLAND

Finns love a festival – from unofficial island gatherings to folk festivals marking the seasons.

Summer brings a full calendar of events that cater to every musical taste from jazz to techno, including the Silence Festival in Lapland! Rock music fans will enjoy the legendary line ups at Rockfest, while Flow Festival brings global popstars to Helsinki.

For something special, Savonlinna Opera Festival is a month-long festival held each summer in a towering medieval castle by Finland’s largest lake.

For the more offbeat, travel to Helsinki in autumn for the Baltic Circle Festival - an international contemporary arts festival.

WHEN TO GO

Whenever you to Finland, there is always something to enjoy – from frozen lakes to midnight suns, blazing autumnal forests to springtime awakenings.

Do what the Finns do and make the most of each season: ski, skate, ice-plunge and chase northern lights in the stillness of winter; celebrate, swim, cycle and explore coastal trails and national parks in the energy of summer.

EAT, DRINK, TASTE, SHARE

Finnish food is fresh, simple and seasonal. Tuck into a basket of rye bread alongside salmon soup. Join a crayfish party. Enjoy what Helsinki’s Michelin-starred chefs can do with the purest of ingredients and a lot of imagination. Order Karjalanpiirakka – a rye-crusted pie filled with rice, potatoes or carrots and topped with eggs and butter. Slather a pastry in cloudberry jam. Wash it all down with a strong coffee or a shot of Finlandia vodka. Work it all off on a forest trail, and then go for another sauna.