1. Finland became an independent country 100 years ago today.
Äkäslompolo, Lapland
2. And it's time you added it to your bucket list.
Elimäki
3. Because, seriously, why haven't you been yet?
Rauhala
4. Finland doesn't get a lot of sun in the winter...
Rauhala
5. ... but it doesn't matter.
Saariselkä
6. Because the entire country looks absolutely stunning the moment snow falls.
Puukkokumpu, Lapland
7. And the nights are just phenomenal.
8. You'll never see anything as beautiful as the Northern Lights.
Sodankylä, Lapland
9. They're magical in every way.
Sodankylä, Lapland
10. Besides, Father Christmas lives in Finland — and you can go visit him.
Rovaniemi
11. You can get a reindeer-driven sleigh to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi...
A reindeer
12. ... and why wouldn't you want to do that?
A baby reindeer
13. You can also get a husky-driven sledge.
Huskies
14. And then snuggle up with the huskies afterwards.
Huskies
15. If you're more adventurous, Finland in winter is a dream come true.
Kangasala
16. There are 187,888 lakes in Finland.
Turku
17. And if the ice hasn't been broken for you to swim in them, you can cross-country ski over them.
Länsimäki
18. Ski jumping is hugely popular in Finland, and it's the most exhilarating sport you can watch.
Kuopio
19. And these are real holiday cottages in Rovaniemi that you can stay in.
20. Just imagine the walks you'd go on.
21. Finnish cities are beautiful too.
Helsinki
22. This is a heated swimming pool in the middle of Helsinki.
Helsinki
23. But the countryside looks like it's straight out of a fairytale.
Vartiosaari, Helsinki
24. Every cathedral...
Espoo
25. ... every forest...
Elimäki
26. ... and every river just looks perfect.
Juuma
27. And if you get hungry on your snowy hike, you can always stop for some grilled sausages.
Koli
28. Finnish cinnamon buns are also to die for.
A cinnamon bun and coffee
29. And Finnish people are famous for making good coffee (and drinking lots of it).
Coffee
30. But as the snow starts to melt...
Utsjoki
31. ... and the days start to get longer...
Helsinki
32. ... Finland only gets even more stunning.
Helsinki
33. Finnish wildlife is really exciting.
A reindeer
34. Not to mention really cute.
A bear
35. But Finland really comes into its own as the evenings start getting brighter.
Parkano, Pirkanmaa
36. When you can sit out late and just contemplate the beauty of everything around you.
Suomenlinna, Helsinki
37. The ski jumps are still there, of course...
Kuopio
38. ... but so are the lakes...
Poljo
39. ... and the forests.
Riihivuori
40. There are so many rowing trips you can take...
Taivalkoski
41. ... and so many berries you can pick.
42. Celebrating Midsummer in Finland is one of the most special things you can do.
Vihti
43. And most Finns go to their summer cabins around Midsummer.
Vaskojoki
44. There, they'll spend time on their jetties...
Yläne
45. ... dipping in and out of the lakes that surround them.
Vartiosaari, Helsinki
46. Finland's population is only 5.5 million people.
47. Which means there's plenty of space to find some peace and quiet.
Raahe
48. But really saunas are the best thing about Finland. Pretty much every Finnish household has one.
A sauna
49. And there's nothing better than a dip in a cold lake after an evening in the sauna.
Purnujärvi
50. Although you can swim at any time of day.
Kuopio
51. Taking boat trips is the loveliest way to spend time on the lake.
Muuratsalo
52. And you can see so many wonderful sights from the water.
Hillosensalmi
53. There are always new places to discover...
Suomenlinna, Helsinki
54. ... and new places to sit and while away afternoons.
55. If you're spending summer in town, you're best off eating at your local summer market.
Kuopio
56. Where you'll find crepes...
Crepes with vanilla ice cream, cloudberry jam, and mämmi
57. ... and blueberries...
Blueberries
58. ... and wild strawberries...
Wild strawberries and raspberries
59. ... and more types of mushroom than you even knew existed.
Mushrooms
60. Helsinki is well worth visiting in the summer. Advertising
Kluuvi, Helsinki
61. It's full of beautiful sculptures...
Helsinki
62. ... stunning architecture...
Temppeliaukio, Helsinki
63. ... and the most wonderful design shops.
Iittala glassware
64. You'll need to stock up on sweets and chocolate.
Chocolates and sweets
65. Especially Fazer's Blue.
Fazer chocolate
66. And you'll see Moomins wherever you go.
Arabia mugs and bowls
67. Seriously.
Moomin stationery
68. You can't go to Finland without visiting Marimekko.
Marimekko shop
69. Finns are so proud of it, they even put Marimekko's iconic flower design on their planes.
Finnair plane
70. If you spend time in Finland over the summer, you're bound to experience an electrifying storm.
Vuosaari, Helsinki
71. But, before long it'll be quiet again.
Lake Päijänne
72. And you'll be able to relax.
Nurmijärvi
73. If you're lucky, you might spot a bear.
A bear with her children
74. So be wary when you go wandering through the forest.
A bear in Kuhmo
75. Finnish pastries are out of this world.
Finnish pastries
76. Cinnamon buns are the most iconic...
Cinnamon buns
77. ... but butter buns are delicious too.
A butter bun
78. And oven pancakes are the yummiest treat.
Finnish pancakes
79. So make sure you try them all.
Butter buns, blueberry buns, and quark buns
80. And make sure you order egg butter with your Karelian rice pie.
Karalian rice pies
81. And say yes if you're offered oven cheese with cloudberry jam.
Finnish cheese and cloudberry jam
82. The birch forests in Finland seem endless...
83. ... and because the sun only sets for a few hours in the summer, the days seem endless too.
Kotajarvi
84. Which gives you all the more time to go exploring.
Karlö
85. And to see the most of what Finland has to offer.
Emäsalo
86. So make sure you get out and about...
87. ... go off the beaten track...
Koli
88. ... and say yes to every adventure that's suggested to you.
Kuopio
89. Especially if someone's proposing a bike ride.
90. And make sure you stay up to watch the sun set.
Utsjoki
91. Finland also has beaches that are well worth a visit.
Kalajoki Hiekkasärkät
92. And it's full of little islands that you'd be foolish to miss.
Helsinki
93. And make sure you see a few castles too.
Savonlinna
94. You'll have heard that the Finnish government gives all new mothers a "baby box" to help them get going...
A baby box
95. ... but have you heard how good Finns are at breakfast?
Breakfast
96. Even as summer draws to an end...
Kyrönlahti
97. ... and the nights start drawing in again...
Hämeenlinna
98. Finland is utterly stunning.
A reindeer
99. It's the most beautiful country on earth.
Koli
100. Happy independence day, Finland!
