Poster

Itinerary for Tour

Start from Turku - head north until 'Smoke Sauna' - head south to Oulu - depart from Oulu.
All destinations with 'Red House' indicates an overnight stay in a cottage.
Not all travel times are there though.

Wildlife in Finalnd

On the ground
Finland’s unspoilt forests are still home to Brown bears, wolves, a healthy population of lynx and other predators - as well as elk, beavers, Red squirrel, reindeer and many more animals that have vanished from other parts of Europe. Woodland wildlife may be hard to spot, however, since most animals and birds are wary of humans.

National parks and nature reserves are naturally good places to see wildlife. Bogs and undeveloped lakeshores are particularly rich in flora and fauna. The national parks of Linnansaari and Kolovesi are home to the endangered Saimaa ringed seal.

 

In the Air

Finland is one of the northernmost countries in the world and the easternmost one in the European Union. So it will come as no surprise that the bird population should feature a number of northern and eastern species rarely encountered elsewhere in Europe. 

Keen birders flock to Finland to see Black and Great spotted woodpecker, Pygmy and Great Grey owls, White tailed and Golden eagles, Merlin, Pink footed geese, Willow and Siberian tits, Black grouse, Capercaillie, cranes and many other species that are rare elsewhere. Finnish birdwatchers are particularly active in April and May when Finland’s national bird, the Whooper swan, and many other winged migrants return north. Good places to watch migrating birds include Siikalahti in Eastern Finland, the Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park, and Laajalahti Nature Reserve just west of Helsinki.

 

Geography

Most of the geographical area covered by Finland lies in the northern coniferous zone, so forests make up nearly 70 percent of its total surface area. In addition, the majority of the most interesting birds – owls, woodpeckers and grouse – live in the old forests.

Approximately one tenth of Finland's surface area is swamp and bog. Bird species there include Arctic waders in their summer plumage in the breeding season. You could see Taiga bean geese, Common cranes and Whooper swans all nesting here.

Lakes and rivers make up another 10 percent of Finland's surface area: in fact there are almost 200,000 lakes in the country. Typical bird species seen on lakes include the Black-throated diver, Red-necked grebe and Little gull. The shallow brackish water bays on the Finnish coast feature a wide variety of waterfowl and waders.

For the hardy and adventurous, who are happy to head up onto the tundra, you may be lucky enough to encounter species such as the Dotterel, Ptarmigan and Gyrfalcon.

 

Where to go Bear watching in Finland

Head for Kajaani in the northern part of Finland, and from there make your way to the Martinselkonen Wilderness Lodge, one of Europe’s finest locations for observing brown bears from a specially built hide. You’ll find plenty of other distractions as well; the lodge owners have established several walking trails, while for birdwatchers there is a hide nearby. 

The bear hide itself occupies an amazing location in a forest-clearing, making it perfect for bear-watching. It’s also perfect for taking photographs. Some thought has been given to comfort as you spend a night in the hide. The chairs are very comfortable, and there’s an area set aside for sleeping and a private bathroom. It’s usually to spend two nights in the hide before returning to the lodge.

Brown bears are not the only species you have a chance of seeing. Reindeer may wander past, as well as wolves and birds. There are as many as ten different species of owl to be seen in the area. Summer’s endless light evenings ensure there’s plenty of time to observe the goings-on below you.

Berry Picking in Finland

I couldn't find much on this subject - all I could find were the seasons for berry picking and the best times to do so. I tried to find where the best spots were but I couldn't.

The berry picking season is at its best in September. This is the time when, for instance the lingonberry and the health bomb cranberry are ripe and delicious. The picking of berries belongs to Everyman’s Rights - everyone is allowed to go where they please so long as it doesn't damage any wildlife, scenery or habitats of animals. 

Cloudberries in July/August in marches and wetlands
"Ripe and ready to pick in the beginning of August, the cloudberry mainly thrives in the tussocks of open swamps with few trees, fuscum pine swamps and backwoods with low nutrient levels.  The cloudberry is very good for you, as it contains plenty of vitamin C and minerals. "

Blueberries in August on both rich and sandy soil in pine forests

Lingonberries in September also on sandy, but drier soil in pine forests

Cranberries in September/October and in May after snowmelt in marches and wetlands

Hiking in Finland

There are 9 National Hiking Areas in Finland. These areas include marked hiking trails and skiing trails, nature trails, camping  sites and lean-to shelters. Many of them also have a visitor centre or hiking centre as well as cabins or lodges  that are rented out.

Teijo -             

Western Finland, Southwest Finland Region
Municipality of Salo (www.salo.fi)
Area: 26 sq.km. Established in 1991.
Teijo Hiking Area offers possibilities for many kind of activities. The versatile landscape with its lakes, rocks and forests attracts hikers. Also the sea adds to the atmosphere and landscape. There are marked trails, lean-to shelters, campfire sites, camping sites and camping grounds, rental cabins and a nature information hut for hikers. Fishing is also possible in Teijo.

The forests of Teijo Hiking Area used to belong to the manor house of Teijo. Marks of the period of the iron works, such as remains of old charcoal pits, can be seen in the area. In the village of Teijo and in Kirjakkala area, there are many old buildings and constructions of the former three iron foundries, which have created the centuries old historically interesting milieu.

Ruunaa -

Eastern Finland, North Karelia Region
Municipality of Lieksa (www.lieksa.fi, in Finnish)
Area 32 sq.km. Established in 1987.

Come and experience the white water rapids of Ruunaa and the neighbourhood of the Russian border! Around Lieksanjoki River you find unforgettable scenery and many activities throughout the changing seasons.

The landscape of the hiking area is ideal for hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing and canoeing. The free-flowing white-water route of Ruunaa is suitable for all kinds of water sports from white-water rafting to canoeing, and it can be a unique adventure. Fishermen appreciate the waters of Ruunaa, where wild and planted salmonoids live. The fishing area is 20 km long. In the winter, it is also possible to drive round the rapids by snow mobile.

There are many hiking trails along the river and in the pine forests, some of them suitable for day trips, and others for hiking trips lasting for several days. Longer trips can be extended to Ruunaa Nature Reserve which is located on the border of the hiking area. In the nature reserve you can hike in the territory of the Wild Forest Reindeer.

Oulujärvi -

Kainuu
Municipality of Vaala (vaala.fi) 
Area: 78 sq.km. Established in 1993.

Lake Oulujärvi is often called ‘the sea of Kainuu Region’. Oulujärvi Hiking Area is truly characterised by the sea-like open waters and the barren sand dynes on the shores. On the other hand, it has beautiful, intricate lake landscape. It is the only state-owned hiking area in Finland located around an inland water area.

On the largest island in the heart of the area, there is the five star camping ground of Manamansalo, which also has the boat harbour of the area. Wild North has a recreational fishing area in Manamansalo.

 

Kylmäluoma -

North Ostrobothnia
Municipality of Taivalkoski (www.taivalkoski.fi, in Finnish)
Area: 74 sq. km. Established in 1979.

Kylmäluoma offers versatile possibilities for enjoying the outdoors. Popular activities in the area are hiking, fishing, canoeing, berry picking, and cycling. During winter skiing and ice fishing are favourites. Kylmäluoma is a wonderful holiday destination especially for families. The Kylmäluoma Outdoor Centre(www.villipohjola.fi) offers many services and is the perfect starting point for day trips to locations around the hiking area. On the other hand, in the hiking area’s wilderness zone visitors can test their survival skills. In winter the area boasts maintained cross-country ski trails, which are 4 to 9 km long.

Kylmäluoma Hiking Area is located in the northeast part of the municipality of Taivalkoski; 45 km south of the town of Kuusamo in the direction of Kajaani. The hiking area’s terrain is mostly covered by stark, rugged pine forest, which typically here include high ridge chains lining the shores of waterways. Visitors following trails at the top of the ridges get a spectacular view of lakes spread out below. Kylmäluoma has remnants of logging culture and meadow agriculture, and structures left from times when reindeer husbandry was practised in the area.

Iso-Syöte -

North Ostrobothnia
Town of Pudasjärvi (www.pudasjarvi.fi)
Area: 11.5 sq. km. Established in 1985.

Iso-Syöte Hiking Area is situated next to the Iso-Syöte holiday resort. It is bordered in the north by Syöte National Park and in the south by Syöte Recreational Forest. These three areas together form the Syöte outdoor recreation and conservation entity. Iso-Syöte Hiking Area, as well as, the areas surrounding it offer fantastic outdoor recreation possibilities throughout the year. Versatile hiking and cross-country skiing trails wind around the area and along its boundaries. The ski trails in the hiking area are a significant part of the Iso-Syöte ski trail network which services the holiday resorts in the Syöte area. Syöte Visitor Centre is the main starting point for hiking and skiing trails.

The main goal for the management and care of Iso-Syöte is to be able to preserve the hiking area’s natural features, cultural heritage and landscape, while developing the area for tourism and outdoor recreation and forestry, while helping the local residents keep their traditional rights. The ability of the terrain to cope with ever growing amounts of visitors is monitored by constantly and systematically keeping track of visitor numbers and by carrying out erosion studies. 

 

Inari -

Northern Lapland Region
Municipality of Inari (www.inari.fi)
Area: 1215 sq.km. Proposed as a state hiking area.

The landscape of Inari Hiking Area, with the impressive Lake Inarijärvi, the hills and fells, the rivers in between, and the shining lakes, offers nature and Lapland enthusiasts something new to see and to do on every visit.

The large Lake Inarijärvi and its surroundings are a good place to explore the wilderness-like nature of northern Lapland. For the local people, the area also serves the needs for recreation, and fishing for household use. Tourism companies bring their customers to Inari all year round. In total, about 200 000 visits are made every year to the area.

 

Hossa -

North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu
Municipality of Suomussalmi(www.suomussalmi.fi)
Area: 90 sq.km. Established in 1979

Hossa Hiking Area has sparkling clear lakes and rivers, grand ridges and hills and versatile possibilities for hiking. The scenery encompasses signs left by the Ice Age and by human habitation. Hossa Hiking Area is an ideal combination of services and peaceful nature.

Evo -

Southern Finland, Kanta-Häme Region
Hämeenlinna (www.hameenlinna.fi)
Area: 47 sq.km. Established in 1994.

Evo is one of the largest continuous forested areas in the southern Finland. Inside the 47 sq.km. large Hiking Area, you can walk on marked trails and stay overnight in lean-to shelters and designated camping sites.

It is also possible to extend your hiking trip to the municipality of Padasjoki on Päijänne-Ilves connection trail or to the municipality of Asikkala on Aurinko-Ilves connection trail. You can try your luck in fishing in the recreational fishing area of Evo. The Hiking Area is suitable for hiking trips lasting one or two days.

Evo is a typical watershed region, where the landscape is intricate and diverse. The scenery is dominated by the esker formation in the middle of the area. On the edges, the terrain is more rocky and difficult. 

 

Arctic Circle -

Southern Lapland Region
Rovaniemi (www.rovaniemi.fi)
Area: 36 sq. km.

Arctic Circle Hiking Area is a wilderness-like destination ideal for year-round outdoor recreation. It is located a half-hours car ride from the town of Rovaniemi. The landscape's signature features are the rugged hills, open water-logged aapa bogs and the River Raudanjoki with its spectacular rapids and lush shoreline forest. The hiking area’s trail network is diverse and has a variety of rest spots offering visitors of all ages a variety of hiking destinations and possibilities.The area around the Vikaköngäs and Vaattunkiköngäs Rapids has the best services within Arctic Circle Hiking Area. The River Raudanjoki offers the possibility for boating and canoeing excursions.The location is easy to access at all times of the year.

My article reviews

by Reka

ANSARI, A., KOENIGSBERG, O. and STAHL, F., 2011. Modeling Multiple Relationships in Social Networks. Journal of Marketing Research, 48 (4), pp. 713-728.

Firms have been using social networks more and more to market different products. This could be a reason why firms keep putting effort into researching and looking into the future of these networks. They also try to predict the level of interactivity and the factors affecting customers. The models in this journal explore the reasons behind customer relationships and the structural characteristics of both multiplex and sequential networks. 

ALEXY, O. and REITZIG M., 2012. Managing the Business Risks of Open Innovation. McKinsey Quarterly, 1, pp. 17-21. 

This article explores the risks that can be associated with innovation. Whenever companies are in an open, intellectual-property-free space, they are in a situation called: open competition, which always has several risks for the company. If a firm is really against risks then it will most likely be against innovation as well as the two usually go hand in hand. The ‘safest’ one company can be in a very competitive and innovative environment is when it specializes on a product or on a product range with similar features.   

KIM, S. and MCKERCHER, B., 2011. The Collective Effect of National Culture and Tourist Culture on Tourist Behaviour. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 28 (2), pp. 145-164. 

Cross-cultural understanding is greatly researched all across this field, but in spite of all the money and time going into cross-cultural training programs, research still suggests that miscommunication still exists between the host and the guest cultures. This fact is usually visible because of the expected behaviour differs from the actual one, meaning that there is a gap between theory and practice. This article explores this gap, saying that tourists behave differently in other countries than at home, forming a so called ‘tourist culture’.  Therefore, their behaviour when they are abroad are a mixture of their own (usual) behaviour mixed with the native one. These findings should have an impact on cross-cultural training.

BAJS,  I., 2011. Attributes of Tourist Destination as Determinants of Tourist Perceived Value. International Journal of Management Cases, 13 (3), pp. 547-554. 

All companies, products and services have a whole lot of different attributes a customer can evaluate, so it is interesting to know that customers actually only evaluate a couple of these. This is one of the main reasons why we should be able to tell why customers choose which attribute. This could be hard as not only every situation is different, but not all customers think in the same way as well. So this is why finding characteristics that a set group of customers prefer could be just the competitive advantage the company needs. A customer’s perception is intangible and hard to define so it is extremely important to conduct a qualitative research, for the best results possible. When looking at tourist destination, the main research question when evaluating them was: why do they prefer this destination over the other?