<strong>Learn to converse the Finnish way: </strong>Don't be alarmed by awkward pauses. Finns like to leave stretches of silence<strong> </strong>to ensure no one's cut off prematurely.
Learn to converse the Finnish way: Don't be alarmed by awkward pauses. Finns like to leave stretches of silence to ensure no one's cut off prematurely.
Elina Sirparanta/Visit Finland
<strong>Seek out a sauna: </strong>Sauna, Finns' favorite pastime, is a good way to combat the cold. Löyly -- which means sauna steam in Finnish -- is an eco-friendly wooden sauna complex with views of the Baltic Sea.
Seek out a sauna: Sauna, Finns' favorite pastime, is a good way to combat the cold. Löyly -- which means sauna steam in Finnish -- is an eco-friendly wooden sauna complex with views of the Baltic Sea.
Harri Tarvainen/Visit Finland
<strong>Head to the pub: </strong>A popular option whatever the weather. Although when winter gets subzero, sitting inside makes more sense than outside.
Head to the pub: A popular option whatever the weather. Although when winter gets subzero, sitting inside makes more sense than outside.
Visit Finland
<strong>Dress appropriately:</strong> Despite its location on Finland's southern coast, Helsinki's winter can drop to - 6 C (22 F). Packing the right clothes is essential, especially for those hoping to venture north to Lapland -- where temperatures can plummet to - 50 C. <br />
Dress appropriately: Despite its location on Finland's southern coast, Helsinki's winter can drop to - 6 C (22 F). Packing the right clothes is essential, especially for those hoping to venture north to Lapland -- where temperatures can plummet to - 50 C.
Visit Finland
<strong>Devour local delicacies: </strong>Reindeer is one of the local delicacies recommended for visitors to Finland.
Devour local delicacies: Reindeer is one of the local delicacies recommended for visitors to Finland.
Vastavalo/Soili Jussila
<strong>Absorb the architecture: </strong>Finlandia Hall (the white structure by the lake) is one of the best known works by Alvar Aalto, the nation's most celebrated architect and designer.
Absorb the architecture: Finlandia Hall (the white structure by the lake) is one of the best known works by Alvar Aalto, the nation's most celebrated architect and designer.
Visit Finland
<strong>See the Sibelius Monument: </strong>This welded steel sculpture resembling an enormous pipe organ is a monument to celebrate Finland's most renowned composer, Jean Sibelius. A bust of Sibelius stands next to the sculpture.
See the Sibelius Monument: This welded steel sculpture resembling an enormous pipe organ is a monument to celebrate Finland's most renowned composer, Jean Sibelius. A bust of Sibelius stands next to the sculpture.
Visit Finland
<strong>Take in art: </strong>Helsinki offers a range of museum choices for art lovers. Kiasma has an impressive contemporary art collection.
Take in art: Helsinki offers a range of museum choices for art lovers. Kiasma has an impressive contemporary art collection.
Pirje Mykkänen/Finnish National Gallery
<strong>Dance -- the tango: </strong>The staple of Buenos Aires somehow connected deeply with the Finns. The Tango Frostbite Festival in Helsinki is a good place to show off your steps.
Dance -- the tango: The staple of Buenos Aires somehow connected deeply with the Finns. The Tango Frostbite Festival in Helsinki is a good place to show off your steps.
Visit Finland
<strong>Rock out: </strong>Taking place at a former power plant site at Suvilahti, Helsinki's Tuska Open Air Metal Festival bills itself as the "biggest metal music festival in the Nordic countries."
Rock out: Taking place at a former power plant site at Suvilahti, Helsinki's Tuska Open Air Metal Festival bills itself as the "biggest metal music festival in the Nordic countries."
Terhi Ylimäinen
<strong>Hit the ice: </strong>Helsinki is home to many hockey stars including Jari Kurri and Teemu Ilmari Selänne. HIFK and Jokerit are the two home teams to watch when visiting the city.
Hit the ice: Helsinki is home to many hockey stars including Jari Kurri and Teemu Ilmari Selänne. HIFK and Jokerit are the two home teams to watch when visiting the city.
RONI REKOMAA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images