The sun never quite sets in Finland, which extends well into the Arctic Circle, in summer time, but it also never quite rises during the winter in this scenic country of lakes, islands, forests, pristine wilderness and super-modern technology.

This land of contrasts is full of plenty to delight, amuse, inform and enchant the visitor, from its forbidding castles and onion-domed Slavic churches to the reindeer herds of the indigenous Sami people in Lapland in the north. The lively, modern capital city of Helsinki is packed with galleries, museums and cafes, but beyond, in the countryside, there are miles of pristine wilderness to explore in the rare clean, clear air as 69 percent of the country is covered in forest and there are 35 national parks to explore.

You can come in from the cold to a sauna, as Finland invented them. In fact, the country has an unbelievable 1.6 million, so you'll be hard-pressed to avoid them. Despite its seemingly rugged nature, Finland is by no means a backward country. In fact it is regarded as being one of the most hi-tech societies in the world, with Internet connections per person surpassing that of the United States and United Kingdom.

Dine on reindeer steaks, visit Santa Claus in his northern Arctic home, ski or dog sled across miles of virgin snow, or tap your toes at one of the numerous music and folk festivals held throughout the year. It is not surprising that Finland has been described as the most underrated tourist destination in Europe.

Suomenlinna Fortress

Address: The Visitor's Centre is at Suomenlinna C 74, situated in the middle of the fortress at Tykistölahti bay Helsinki

Admission: Museums charge between EUR3 and EUR5 admission. The various museums usually open between 10am/11am and 5pm/6pm daily with shorter hours in winter. For information regarding the various events and exhibitions contact the Visitor's Centre which is open 10am-4pm, and until 6pm between May and September.

Telephone: Tourist Information desk: (0)9 684 1880 or Visitor's Centre: (0)9 4050 9691

Senate Square

Address: Helsinki

Admission: Free June to August daily 9am-midnight; September to May Monday to Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm.

Telephone: Cathedral: (0)9 709 2455

Uspenski Cathedral

Address: Unioninkatu 39 A 19, Katajanokka Helsinki

Admission: Free Monday to Friday 9:30am-4pm (closed on Mondays from October to April); Saturday 9:30am-2pm; Sunday 12pm-3pm.

Telephone: (0)9 634 267

Market Square

Address: Helsinki

Temppeliaukio Church

Address: Lutherinkatu 3 Helsinki

Admission: Free Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10am-8pm (closed on Tuesdays in winter); Wednesday 10am-6:30pm; Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday 12pm-1:45pm and 3:30pm-6pm.

Telephone: (0)9 494 698

Seurasaari Open Air Museum

Address: Seurasaari Island Helsinki

Admission: EUR6. Free for under 18s, or with Helsinki Card; other concessions available. 15 to 30 May: Monday to Friday 9am-3pm, Saturday to Sunday 11am-5pm. 1 June to 31 August: Monday to Sunday 11am-5pm. 1 to 15 September: Monday to Friday 9am-3pm, Saturday-Sunday 11am-5pm.

Telephone: (0)9 4050 9660

National Museum of Finland

Address: Mannerheimintie 34 Helsinki

Admission: EUR7; free for those under 18, or with a Helsinki Card; free admission Tuesdays 5:30pm-8pm; other concessions available Tuesday 11am-8pm; Wednesday to Sunday 11am-6pm

Telephone: (0)9 4050 9552

Santa Claus Village

Address: Helsinki

Admission: SantaPark: EUR20 (adults), EUR15 (children) Village: 1 June to 31 August 9am-6pm; 1 December to 9 January 9am-7pm; 1 September to 30 November, and 10 January to 31 May 10am-5pm. Santa Park: Opens on 22 November Tuesday to Sunday. Closed public holidays.

Telephone: Village: (0)16 356 2096; SantaPark: (0)16 333 0000

Helsinki Zoo

Address: Mustikkamaanpolku 12, Korkeasaari Helsinki

Admission: EUR10 adults, EUR5 children 6-17. Combination zoo and ferry tickets are also available. October through March 10am-4pm; April and September 10am-6pm; May to August 10am-8pm.

Telephone: (09) 310 1615

Chez Dominique

Address: Rikhardinkatu 4 Helsinki

Food Type: French

Sundmans

Address: Eteläranta 16 Helsinki

Food Type: Local

Bellevue

Address: Rahapajankatu 3 Helsinki

Food Type: Russian

Lappi

Address: Annankatu 22 Helsinki

Food Type: Local

Kynsilaukka Garlic Restaurant

Address: Fredrikinkatu 22 Helsinki

Food Type: Modern Eclectic

Papa Giovanni

Address: World Trade Centre, Keskuskatu 7 Helsinki

Food Type: Italian

Gran Delicato

Address: Kalevankatu 34 Helsinki

Food Type: Café

Nuevo

Address: Sofiankatu 4 Helsinki