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Finland became an independent country 100 years ago today.
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And it's time you added it to your bucket list.
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Because, seriously, why haven't you been yet?
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Finland doesn't get a lot of sun in the winter...
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...but it doesn't matter.
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Because the entire country looks absolutely stunning the moment snow falls.
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And the nights are just phenomenal.
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You'll never see anything as beautiful as the northern lights.
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They're magical in every way.
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Besides, Father Christmas lives in Finland – and you can go visit him.
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You can get a reindeer-driven sleigh to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi...
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...and why wouldn't you want to do that?
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You can also get a husky-driven sledge.
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And then snuggle up with the huskies afterwards.
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If you're more adventurous, Finland in winter is a dream come true.
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There are 187,888 lakes in Finland.
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And if the ice hasn't been broken for you to swim in them, you can cross-country ski over them.
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Ski jumping is hugely popular in Finland, and it's the most exhilarating sport you can watch.
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And these are real holiday cottages in Rovaniemi that you can stay in.
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Just imagine the walks you'd go on.
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Finnish cities are beautiful too.
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This is a heated swimming pool in the middle of Helsinki.
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And the countryside looks like it's straight out of a fairy tale.
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...and every river just looks perfect.
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And if you get hungry on your snowy hike, you can always stop for some grilled sausages.
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Finnish cinnamon buns are also to die for.
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And Finnish people are famous for making good coffee (and drinking lots of it).
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But as the snow starts to melt...
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...and the days start to get longer...
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...Finland only gets even more stunning.
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Finnish wildlife is really exciting.
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Not to mention really cute.
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But Finland really comes into its own as the evenings start getting brighter.
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When you can sit out late and just contemplate the beauty of everything around you.
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The ski jumps are still there, of course...
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...but so are the lakes...
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There are so many rowing trips you can take...
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...and so many berries you can pick.
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Celebrating midsummer in Finland is one of the most special things you can do.
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And most Finns go to their summer cabins around midsummer.
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There, they'll spend time on their jetties...
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...dipping in and out of the lakes that surround them.
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Finland's population is only 5.5 million people.
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Which means there's plenty of space to find some peace and quiet.
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But really, saunas are the best thing about Finland. Pretty much every Finnish household has one.
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And there's nothing better than a dip in a cold lake after an evening in the sauna.
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Although you can swim at any time of day.
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Taking boat trips is the loveliest way to spend time on the lake.
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And you can see so many wonderful sights from the water.
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There are always new places to discover...
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...and new places to sit and while away afternoons.
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If you're spending summer in town, you're best off eating at your local summer market.
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Where you'll find crepes...
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...wild strawberries...
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...and more types of mushroom than you even knew existed.
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Helsinki is well worth visiting in the summer.
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It's full of beautiful sculptures...
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...stunning architecture...
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...and the most wonderful design shops.
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You'll need to stock up on sweets and chocolate.
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Especially Fazer Blue.
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And you'll see Moomins wherever you go.
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You can't go to Finland without visiting Marimekko.
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Finns are so proud of it, they even put Marimekko's iconic flower design on their planes.
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If you spend time in Finland over the summer, you're bound to experience an electrifying storm.
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But before long it'll be quiet again.
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And you'll be able to relax.
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If you're lucky, you might spot a bear.
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So be wary when you go wandering through the forest.
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Finnish pastries are out of this world.
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Cinnamon buns are the most iconic...
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...but butter buns are delicious too.
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And oven pancakes are the yummiest treat.
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So make sure you try them all.
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And make sure you order egg butter with your Karelian rice pie.
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And say yes if you're offered oven cheese with cloudberry jam.
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The birch forests in Finland seem endless...
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...and because the sun only sets for a few hours in the summer, the days seem endless too.
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Which gives you all the more time to go exploring.
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And to see the most of what Finland has to offer.
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So make sure you get out and about...
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...go off the beaten track...
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...and say yes to every adventure that's suggested to you.
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Especially if someone's proposing a bike ride.
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And make sure you stay up to watch the sun set.
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Finland also has beaches that are well worth a visit.
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And it's full of little islands that you'd be foolish to miss.
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And make sure you see a few castles too.
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You'll have heard that the Finnish government gives all new mothers a "baby box" to help them get going...
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...but have you heard how good Finns are at breakfast?
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Even as summer draws to an end...
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...and the nights start drawing in again...
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...Finland is utterly stunning.
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It's the most beautiful country on earth.
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🇫🇮 Happy independence day, Finland! 🇫🇮
