The archipelago is also beautiful dressed in winter. On skates you can glide into the centre of the stillness and quietness.

Derek Coombes is a marketing executive from the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea. When he first came to Åland, it was love at first sight. That’s why he came back with his family. This is his story.

In summer 2010, a two-hundred-year-old ship was found at the bottom of the Sea of Åland. The wreck turned out to be a treasure trove. Its cargo included 160 bottles of champagne that were almost two centuries old. Some of the bottles were from the Veuve Clicquot champagne house. That’s how Fabienne Moreau first discovered Åland.

There were 717 entries to the photo competition on Min Ö (My Island Community). Carl-Johan Listherby's picture of the old wooden boat lashed to a stone was the jury's favourite. Carl-Johan has sailed around the whole of Åland with the boat, so the picture has wonderful memories attached to it. The picture also earns him an iPad2.

Are you after close contact with the forces of nature? If you've never tried kite surfing or riding waves on a surf kayak, then you've got something to look forward to. Åland is perfectly situated in the Baltic Sea and has an abundance of islands and coves. You stand a really good chance of finding a place with the right wind and the right waves. The best place is Degersand, with its strong south winds.

Does the idea of a 120-km long cycle ride at high speed on smooth, red tarmac appeal to you? Have a go at cycle training and competitive cycling in Åland, then. There are plenty of excellent paths, and whizzing along in an archipelago environment is a remarkable experience. One recommendation is the Åland race on 6 August 2011. But there are a number of superb tours for both clubs and individuals who want to do their cycle training in an environment with a difference.

This is a suggested cycle ride if you prefer to take it easy along the way. You'll get not just exercise out of it, but also the best of Åland food and drink. You can try out wonderful Åland oddities like bicycle ferries and Ålvados. Reckon on a total of three days and 80 agreeable kilometres.