Casino

In the summertime the Eastern Harbour teems with life. On a regular evening thousands of people will visit the area to eat, drink and, a bit later, dance till dawn.

A grand climax with fireworks and entertainment, or a time of devotion at the Seafarers’ Chapel. Tailor-made conferences and meetings are something of an Åland speciality.

Mariehamn's newly opened casino feels a bit more friendly than I expected. I'm no James Bond - I'm simply an amateur at poker and roulette. But when I step into the Casino, I feel welcome - I like the place right away.

This year's Met-season with digital opera performances from the Metropolitan in New York starts with Donizetti's opera Maria Stuarda. The performances at Mariehamn Town Hall start with a 30-minute introduction and the opera bar is opened one hour before the performance. Now you can combine a weekend in Mariehamn with opera of the highest calibre.

The snowy winters in recent years have made Åland a paradise for cross-country skiers. Elite skier Lennart Holmström guides you round the best trails. “Åland is a real gem when it comes to cross-country skiing. You get both easy and difficult ski trails, all in a naturally beautiful environment.”

Germundö – Åland’s biggest ski slope, is located in Saltvik, about 30 kilometres from Mariehamn. There is a lift, a cafe and two ski runs that are excellent for skiing, snowboarding and pulka.

Would you like to try out an activity that is really different, one where it’s all about working together? A new curling centre is opening in Eckerö in Åland in spring/summer 2013. “It’s an excellent way for companies, groups of friends and school classes to build up a proper team spirit. And for professional curlers it’s an excellent training rink,” says Mari Wickström at Åland’s curling centre "Vianor curlingcenter".

“A traditional Christmas buffet with an archipelago twist.” That sums up the Åland Christmas buffet, which draws inspiration from both Sweden and Finland. But smoked perch, pine tar marinated herring and shoemaker’s salmon (salted and pickled in brine or vinegar) are Åland dishes that give the Christmas buffet extra spice.