There are times when you want to have that little extra something on holiday. Whirlpool, private beach, sea view or simply a bit more space In Åland there are a number of holiday villages that have raised the cottage experience to a new level.

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.

Acupuncture and hot stones or massage and facials. Today many tourists visit Åland to recharge their health batteries. Here are a few tips about Åland's best feelgood gems.

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.