See what the experts are saying about Joutsa. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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Introduction
Finland offers visitors a tremendous variety of sights and experiences, everything from sophisticated Helsinki to the vast wilderness. To help you decide how best to spend your time in Finland, we've compiled a list of our favorite experience... Continue reading »
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Frommer's favorite experiences
Taking a Finnish Sauna: With some 1.6 million saunas in Finland -- roughly one for every three citizens -- there's a sauna waiting for you here. Visitors can enjoy saunas at most hotels, motels, holiday villages, and camping sites. Explori... Continue reading »
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Best dining bets
Ravintola Nokka, Kanavaranta 7F, Helsinki (tel. 09/687-7330): In a 19th-century building, this elegant restaurant is a showcase for the products of Finland. Its chefs dazzle with their prowess with home-grown produce and fresh game. Cheerfull... Continue reading »
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Best hotel bets
Hotel Kamp, Pohjoisesplanadi 29, Helsinki (tel. 09/57-61-11; www.hotelkamp.fi): One of the most luxurious hotels in the north of Europe, the Kamp brings five-star comforts to the Finnish capital. It was constructed in 1887, but has been drama... Continue reading »
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The best active vacations
Bicycling: Thousands of miles of narrow paths and captivating gravel tracks lead to towns where broad highways are flanked by well-maintained bicycle routes. Local tourist offices can provide maps of the best trails. Canoeing: Choose from... Continue reading »
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The best buys
Clothing & Textiles: There's everything from cottons and linens (often in stunning modern fashions such as those by Marimekko) to warm stoles and shawls. Collectors also seek out ryijy rugs and raanu wall hangings. Many of these goods are dis... Continue reading »
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The best festivals and celebrations
Tar Skiing Race (Oulu): This cross-country ski race was established more than a century ago and has been held almost every year since then. In March, hundreds of participants from around the world show up to compete on the 76km (47-mile) race... Continue reading »
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The best museums
Ainola (Jarvenpaa, outside Helsinki): This was the home of Finland's famous composer, Jean Sibelius, who lived here for more than half a century until his death in 1957. Along with his wife, Aino (for whom the house is named), he's buried on... Continue reading »
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The best offbeat travel experiences
Camping Outdoors: There are about 350 campsites with some 6,300 camp cabins and holiday cottages. If you have an international camping card (FICC), you don't need a Finnish camping card. Campers can buy a family camping card at the first site... Continue reading »
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The best small towns and villages
Turku: Finland's most charming town developed around an ancient trading post. Its castle played a prominent role in Finnish (as well as Scandinavian) history. The national capital until 1812, Turku today is an important cultural center, with... Continue reading »
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Planning a trip
In the United States, contact the Scandinavian Tourist Board, 655 Third Ave., 18th Floor, New York, NY 10017 (tel. 212/885-9700; www.goscandinavia.com or www.finland-tourism.com), at least 3 months in advance for maps, sightseeing information... Continue reading »
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Fast facts
American Express -- The Helsinki branch is at Mannerheimintie (tel. 10/818-9101). It's open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Whenever it's closed, you can call a 24-hour-a-day toll-free information line about lost or stolen credit cards or travel... Continue reading »
