Summer in Åland

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.

Every winter the telephone at Maria Häggblom's hardly ever stops ringing. Half of the callers ask, "Is the ice settling?". The other half ask, "When is the ice going to break up?" There are two types of guests: those who fish for perch and those who fish for pikeperch.

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.

Lillajul, or "Little Christmas", is an old and popular tradition in Åland. It is always celebrated on the Saturday before the first Advent.

"A huge success". The first shows of digital opera at the Stadshuset in Mariehamn were a success. The performances from the Metropolitan in New York have been shown in several smaller places in Sweden and in Finland. Now you can combine a weekend in Mariehamn with opera of the highest calibre.

How did a Turkish pirate ship end up as a model in an Åland church? In the past, models of ships - known as votive ships - used to be set up in churches as a symbol of gratitude to divine providence. A truly special votive ship hangs in St Anna's church in the Kökar group of islands in the remotest part of the Åland archipelago.

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.

The 44th Kanonloppet starts on Saturday 8 October 2011. The race got its name from the cannon that signals the start for the five hundred runners who are to run the whole way from Breidablick to Mariehamn. For those who prefer to walk, the Ålandsmarschen (Åland March) takes place on the same day, and there are also two races for children: the Lilla Kanonloppet and the Julleloppet.