Finland

 

THE FINNISH ARCHIPELAGO FROM HELSINKI TO TURKU

 

 The greatest treasure of the Finnish landscape is its archipelagos,particularly the south western archipelago with more than 20,000 islands and skerries-small rocky islets.It is a unique maritime landscape that captures the imagination of everyone who sees it.

 Many of the islands where inhabited as long ago as the late Stone Age and the remains of many Iron-Age settlements have been found here.Half of the villages in this national park have been inhabited since the Middle Ages.

 Some of the oldest churches and relics in Finland,as well as traces of ancient agriculture,dating back to the twelfth century,can be found on the Aland Islands.A substantial number of ships have foundered here,the most famous of them being the Vrouw Maria,a Dutch vessel laden with treasures that had been acquired by Catherine the Great.In 1999 the ship`s wreckage was finally located,and examination of it continues.

 Turku is Finland`s oldest city,largest port,and its former capital.This is a good base for visiting the islands,particularly by bicycle,as there is a fantastic system of free ferry services that cross back and forth all the time between islands.The biodiversity here is exceptional,and you can see wonderful seabirds,elks and seals as you soak up the tranquil,rural charm of the inner islands,the huge lighthouses of Bengtskar,Isokari and Uto and the astounding beauty of the seascapes

 

WHAT IS IT: A collection of over 20,000 islands and skerries

WHAT IS THERE TO SEE: The Blue Mussel Visitor Centre at Kasnas,the harbour village of Naantali,the town of Kotka,Helsinki

WHEN SHOULD I VISIT: The best time is from May to September

YOU SHOULD KNOW: The area is a UNESCO Sea Biosphere Reseve