It could only happen in Finland!

During the summer the Finns just love their crazy events such as Wife carrying, Mobile Phone throwing, sauna competitions. This latest event, Old Geezer Carting, takes place in Ruokolahti in the beautiful region of Finnish Southern Karelia.

The emphasis is definitely on fun and good sportsmanship. The object of the event is to push a traditional milk kart over a 200m sand and gravel course in the fastest time.

The competing pairs must be made up of a pusher (a woman or affectionately known as the Old Lady) and carter / passenger (a man, referred to as the geezer). You Geezer can be your own or on loan for the event!

There are several events depending on age, individuals and teams taking place throughout the day. There is also an event this year to for Souped up carts (sadly that doesn’t involve adding an engine) so the crowd can vote for best dressed cart.

The event takes place on 26 July 2008 and you have until 20 June 2008 to get your entry form in.  

For further details click here.

Paddle through spectacular Finnish nature from Pieksämäki to Lahti.

This popular international canoe event takes place for the 24^th time this coming June. This unique event is the longest canoe / kayak relay event in the world and lasts for 6 continuous days.

100 teams and 1000 paddlers are expected to take part in the event. The teams are made up of club, company and family teams. The route is safe and well marshalled so the event is also ideal for beginners.

Each team is made up of between 6 and 12 paddlers. The 532 km route is broken down into 29 stages of between 6 and 30 km.

The paddler’s journey at an approximate speed of 6 km per hour through stunning Finnish countryside making the most of the long, long summer days.

Click here to go to the official event website.

An open invitation for teams to join the event on 06 June 2008.

Twitchers / birders, experienced and beginners are being encouraged to sign up now for the popular Kuusamo Bird Marathon taking place in eastern Finland.

This successful, Kuusamo Open event is taking place for the 25^th time. The aim of the event is for teams to see as many species as possible, while avoiding disturbing the birds and nature. It also allows the locals to compile a good record of the birds in their region.

There are two competitions, the 18 and 24 hour race. This is made possible by the midnight sun with the event starting at 00.00 on Friday 6 June. The teams are made up of 2-5 people of any age.

The event will be rounded of at the closing ceremony at the Congress centre during the afternoon of Saturday 7^th June 2008.

For entry details click here.

An amazing week of activities for everyone in Finnish Lapland.

New for 2009 is a wonderful activity week in one of Finnish Laplands most spectacular and unspoilt locations, Hotel Jeris. The hotel and cabins are set deep in the forest in western Lapland, 45 minutes from Kittila airport and 20 minutes from the small village of Muonio.

For those wanting to truly get away from it all and relax doing, fun, new activities as a couple or family this is the ideal place.

Accommodation is in cosy cabins set in the forest. All have a private sauna and fireplace.

At the heart of the location is the main hotel building, where meals are taken in a restaurant offering panoramic view across the frozen lake. You can also relax after a busy day with drinks by the fire in the bar.

During the week your guides will show you how to cross country ski so you can set off in your free time to explore the miles of silent trails through the national park. They will take you out on a snowshoe walk through the spectacular surrounding forests pointing out the local nature.

You will visit a local reindeer museum to learn more about reindeer husbandry and feed the reindeers.  On another day, following tuition from your guide, you will set off on an adventure on snowmobiles (children travel in sleighs) across the frozen lake and through the forest stopping to take in the beautiful views across the fells and for a picnic lunch. For many the highlight of the week will be the visit to the small friendly husky farm where you can meet the dogs and will be whisked off on a 2 hour husky safari.

While all the activity is great fun what many will remember from their visit to Jeris will be the smaller things. Such as the silence, taking a crazy dip in the lake ice pool, the fun evenings tobogganing through the forest or standing on the huge frozen lake mesmerised by the Aurora Borealis.

Jeris allows you to combine some much needed quality private family time with once in a life time experiences.

For the full itinerary and prices click here.

A busy start to the season at Wild Brown Bear.

As the popularity of Baltic and Scandinavian cruise continues to grow.

The Port of Helsinki is already predicting a record number of cruise visitors this summer. They have seen a steady increase over recent years and already have 275 cruise ships booked in to visit between May and September 2008. They will bring an estimated 300,000 visitors to this beautiful city.

The ships will vary from the 3000 passenger plus super cruise ships and at the other end of the scale a 95 passenger sailing vessel. Itinenraries will vary but the vast majority of the visitors will spend just one day in the city.

Early Booking Discounts for Summer 2009 sailings.

Book your summer 2009 cruise to Scandinavia and Russia by 31 May 2008 with Emagine UK Ltd and receive additional £100 per person off web prices (Maximum £200 per state room).

For further details on this special offer click here.

The 12 night cruises are from Harwich on Royal Caribbean's impressive ship, Jewel of the Seas. This Radiance class ship offers 13 desks of activity, entertainment and spacious staterooms. Once on board you will have a choice of 5 dining venues, an array of bars, state of the art fitness facilities and outstanding entertainment including the casino and stage productions.

The cruises take in the Baltic and Scandinavian capitals; Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki and Tallinn. For many the highlight of their cruise will be two days in the stunning city of St.Petersburg.

For the full itinerary and prices click here.

Modern Finnish food at its best.

The Michelin Guide for 2008 saw the awarding of stars to four restaurants in Helsinki. This includes two newcomers.

The new comers;

Restaurant Carma  - One Michelin Star

This small restaurant with just 24 seats is located in the centre of Helsinki. Its décor is themed around international design objects. It’s modern food has an emphasis on using local produce. Expect relaxed, professional, friendly service.

Ludviginkatu 3-5
00130 Helsinki
phone: +358(0)9 67 32 36

www.carma.fi

Restaurant Postres - One Michelin Star

This young team offer innovative and exciting modern food at the centrally located Helsinki restaurant.  They have a real passion for desserts, which will become clear when you see their exciting menu.

Eteläesplanadi 8
FI-00130 Helsinki

Tel: + 358-(09)-663 300

www.postres.fi

Retaining their Michelin stars:

Restaurant Demo – One Michelin Star

Demo’s chefs and owners Tommi Tuominen & Teemu Aura have retained their Michelin star that they were awarded for the first time in 2006. The restaurants emphasis is on high standard home cooked food served in a relaxed and cosy environment.

Uudenmaankatu 9-11
00120 Helsinki

Tel.: +358-(0)9 2289 0840
www.restaurantdemo.fi

Chez Dominique – Two Michelin stars

Chez Dominique opened its doors in Helsinki in 1998 and first gained two Michelin stars in 2003 with its cuisine influenced by Nordic and French flavours. Its chef and owner Hans Välimäki who believes -Our job is to surprise, offer experiences not to be found at home nor at any other restaurant. First element in our cuisine has always been the taste. I love to experiment but not on the expense of our customers.

Rikhardinkatu 4,

00130 Helsinki,

Tel. + 358 9 612 73 93

www.chezdominique.fi