Finland’s former political capital is proudly preparing for a year in the spotlight as Europe’s cultural capital in 2011. Turku’s attractions include historic buildings, lively bars and romantic riverside restaurants.

The 176,157 good burghers of Turku are famously proud of their town. Local writer Roope Lipasti feels this pride is justified by the rich cultural history of Finland’s oldest town, which was founded in the 13th century.

“Many of us still don’t see Helsinki as Finland’s real capital,” he says, even though Turku’s capital status was officially removed by Tsar Ale-
xander I way back in 1812. Turku’s hinterland in south-western Finland is still today known as Varsinais-Suomi or “Proper-Finland”.

Finland’s closest neighbour Estonia will get an information centre in Helsinki. The centre will serve anyone interested in Estonian culture and provide information on tourism in Estonia. The Estonian House will be opened next autumn in Suvilahti.

The City of Helsinki is currently building a versatile cultural centre in Suvilahti, along Sörnäisten rantatie. This modern facility is being built on the old industrial site for the use of artists and others working in creative fields. The facility will also accommodate associations that promote Finnish-Estonian relations. This centre will become the new home of the Tuglas Association, Finland’s oldest Estonia friendship association.

In 2011, the biggest storytelling event in Estonian history will take place in Tallinn. Writers, musicians, artists and actors will tell, paint, sing and act out tales inspired by the sea, tales of Estonia and its people.

Storytelling gives birth to meaning and understanding. Our stories help to discover and preserve the image of a young Estonia as part of Europe. A story does not always have to be positive, just as life is not entirely positive. The hero of a story must conquer challenges, but in the process also undergo personal transformation. It is the same with the story of Estonia’s history: Estonia has often been at the crossroads of other cultures and this is clearly echoed in our stories, always in a lively and intriguing way.

Ask anyone who has visited Estonia about what they liked best, and you’ll get many different answers. However, some aspects of Estonia seem to be mentioned more consistently than others.

Here are just a few reasons why Estonia is special:

Medieval Old Town Tallinn: It’s impossible to deny that this is the main reason most people first come to Estonia – to see the best protected medieval city in Europe.

Manor Houses: Luxurious manor houses, built over the centuries, are open for visitors and many also have been converted to high-class hotels.

The undertaking, set to launch in April, is the brainchild of St. Peter Line, a newly-founded ferry operator registered in the EU and sailing under the Maltese flag. The company is offering passengers from all over the world the chance to take the ferry line from Helsinki and spend 72 hours in Saint Petersburg or another desired city without a Russian visa. The country’s visa laws require, however, that tourists travel in a group of at least two people and book their accommodation beforehand from a travel company authorised by the Russian government. The visa freedom on route trips has been made possible by newly-adopted changes to Russian legislation, supported strongly by the Saint Petersburg City Government.

Architectural gem St. Petersburg is only a short train journey away.

With its network of canals and striking neoclassical architecture, St. Petersburg is often nicknamed “The Venice of the North”, and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

It is a popular destination for sightseers from Finland, located only 380 kilometres from Helsinki and connected by a regular train service.

Founded by Peter the Great in 1703 to rival other European capitals in both scale and opulence, it was ...

Dubbed the Manchester of Finland for its industrial past, Tampere offers diverse treats to visitors all year round.

Known for its location between lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi, Tampere is the biggest inland city in the Nordic countries, with a population of around 210,000. In 2009 it was chosen as the best city travel destination in Finland by domestic travellers. It’s not hard to see why: the city delights with its all-round services, historical and cultural vibe and beautiful nature.

Moving to Lapland has been a unique cultural experience for one native New Zealander who wanted to try out life way up north.

“It's like being in the south of New Zealand,” laughs Paul Palmer, when reflecting on his adopted home of Levi. “The people are trustworthy, friendly and honest. Having travelled around the world as a photographer, it’s refreshing to be in a place similar to New Zealand: where if people say they’ll do something, then it actually happens.”

It hasn’t been an easy start to the winter season for Lapland’s tourism industry, which has grappled with recession, swine flu, striking pilots and ski slope workers. They’re hoping for a white Christmas.

The number of overseas tourists travelling to Finnish Lapland for Christmas and New Year has been increasing steadily during the past ten years. In December 2007, a record 110,000 tourists on 612 charter flights landed at airports in Lapland. Last year saw a 20 per cent decline in visitor numbers.

For the history buff, the Estonian capital offers a wide variety of Soviet nostalgia.

“All this stuff, it’s like, so old,” said a visitor to Tallinn who was dog-tired from a long day in the medieval Old Town. “I mean, have they got any newer stuff?” Actually, they do. And you don’t have to look far to find it.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast and then walk it off by trekking three kilometres along the Pirita seashore to the Estonian history museum (Pirita tee 56). Around the back of the museum – and it’s a bit unofficial – you’ll find a veritable colony of Soviet figureheads such as Lenin, Stalin, Dzerzhinsky (father of the KGB) and a host of others lying supine in the grass. They are statues, of course, and they are resting until the museum finds a place for them all.