Lonely Planet Finland: A Travel Survival Kit

I've found the information in this book very handy, but I couldn't help but feel that the author and his predecessors didn't enjoy their time in Finland. Ok, ok, so I've been bored in Finland too. But that's why I buy a guidebook... to turn me on to those hidden gems in the country that I might not have noticed otherwise. This book left me feeling that there weren't any hidden gems... there are obvious gems and then some boring industrial wastelands. But apart from this lack of enthusiasm for the country, I didn't notice any wrong information and the sections on major cities have turned out to be extremely handy (especially the maps).

I visited this country with my Finnish boyfriend in 2002. THe book was a great help. It helped me decide which tourist spots, shopping areas, historical sites and places of interest to check out. The only part that I didn't like was that it didn't touch too much on the smaller cities of Finland, but in general, it's a good buy. Definitely worth it, but make sure you get "Culture Shock, Guide to Finland" if you do travel to Suomi. Having a cultural view of this beautiful country is important.

I've just been to Helsinki for a few days, and although I didn't get the chance to test this book's usefulness in other parts of the country, it certainly proved worth having just for Helsinki. It tells you all the basic stuff, and some of the interesting stuff. I was able to get from the airport by bus and walk to my hotel from the bus station simply by glancing at the book on the flight to Helsinki. Everything is very clear and nicely laid out, and it's a handy size too. I hope I'll return to Finland; this is the first thing I'll pack.

I'm an Australian exchange student who lives in Finland, and I have found this book to be most informative in many areas. It includes information on almost every city in Finland, which has been invaluable to me whilst travelling. It is easy to find what you are looking for, and contains information on everything, including History, culture, food, language, activities, special packages and places to stay. I would definatly recommend this book to anyone travelling to Finland, as with it you can see more of Finland in less time and with less problems.

Most travel guides for Finland highlight only Helsinki and Lapland, but Lonely Planet covers the entire country. I found the remote town where my ancestors came from mentioned and even a hotel listed. Each city has a highlights section, hotel and restaurant listings. INcludes maps, some color pictures and a bit of history and Finnish culture. I'm taking it along on my trip to Finland this summer!