Finland

Előszó

Introduction Each year, many of the tourists who choose to visit northern Europe pass through Finland on their way to the mythical Nordkapp, the most northerly point of the European continent. During this long voyage, many of them perhaps forget to pay much attention to the seemingly endless landscape which accompanies them visually right up to the last moment, so great is their anxiety to reach their legendary destination. These vast stretches of woodland and forest form a landscape which in fact would take our breath away, could we see it from above. However, there are not many mountain ranges from which we can gazé out over this view, embracing thousands and thousands of lakes, an incalculable number of small islets covered with pines, firs and birches, winding, untamed waterways which force their way between cliffs, pinewoods and birch forests. Here the roads have to follow the edges of the lakes, and cross the waterways at the narrowest point. There are plenty of panoramic routes, but the best way to discover Finland is undoubtedly to bury oneself in its luxuriant and unspoilt natural endowment on foot or by bicycle, giving oneself the chance to make contact with this wonderfully evocative countryside. Consider the Finns themselves: from childhood onwards they become used to living in close harmony with their rich natural surroundings, and for the people of this country, respect for this priceless and irreplaceable gift is the only way to enjoy a real reiationship with the environment in which they live. So try to become a little Finnish Vissza