December 2017 www.womanthismonth.com LIFESTYLE | travel 64 HEAD TO this northern land of almost 200,000 lakes to spot some spectacular wildlife. Responsibletravel.com has a 100 per cent success rate on photography expeditions to capture the elusive wolverine and can also help you get your eyes on reindeer, moose, brown bear, wolf, osprey, Arctic fox, pine marten, beaver, black woodpecker and hundreds other endangered, rare or endemic species throughout Finland’s forests, bogs, moorlands and Arctic highlands. Warm up with a few days in the capital, Helsinki. Hop on a ferry to Suomenlinna, a giant maritime fortress spread across seven islands. Check out the sparkling whitewashed Helsinki Cathedral and Temppeliaukio, a church that’s partly underground and hewn out of rock. The city also has a burgeoning culinary scene with cooking schools, food trucks and Michelin stars. Shopping is a favourite pastime, alongside outdoor sports. And visit in summer to take advantage of nightlife in the midnight sun. Finland Explore the city on a traditional tram. Take a dip in Finland's oldest public pool – Yrjö nkatu Swimming Hall. There are single-sex sessions at which swimwear is optional. Get some serious bragging rights by spotting the majestic and elusive wolverine. If you're feeling brave, try ice swimming followed by a plunge into a steam pool. Check out Demo for a Michelin-starred dining experience. Sleep in an igloo under the stars at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. For a somewhat other worldy religious experience, don't miss seeing Temppeliaukio the rock church.
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