Tourist information in 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.

In the Middle Ages, the Crusades passed by Åland. At that time, the island state was right in the middle of the Scandinavian artery, a sailing channel that these days is called the Valdemar Fairway. The motorway of the times was mentioned in writing in Latin in the 1200s. The fairway runs from Arholma to Åland and the Finnish archipelago. A number of traces of medieval times have been preserved in Åland.

7000 entries were sent to Visit Åland’s competition for creating compelling ads to different kinds of photos presenting Åland. Susanna von Hertzen won a crayfish party for four persons on the island of Silverskär.

In July 2010, divers exploring an old shipwreck in the Åland archipelago made a most unlikely discovery. Several bottles of very old champagne we re found onboard. With a stamp issue, the Post now focuses on the spectacular find, which pro ved to be some of the oldest champagne in the world!

All ferries and flights from Sweden, Finland and Estonia to Åland are now available collected together in an easy-to-use and smart timetable. Visit Åland has produced this so that those of you who are planning to travel to Åland don't have to bother to search around on the websites of different shipping companies and airlines.

A sea voyage is an exciting beginning of your trip. Several fine shipping companies traffic from Finland and Sweden to Åland - which will you choose?

Did you know that it was the League of Nations, the precursor to the UN, that decided that Åland should belong to Finland? Or that autonomy involves a division of power between Finland and Åland? Book to take the free guided tour of the Åland Parliament and learn more about autonomy, demilitarisation and Åland's fascinating history.

More and more visitors to Åland visit our official tourist portal - www.visitaland.com. Now there is also a new mobile site that is especially designed for you if you have a smartphone. Find accommodation and restaurants. Search on a map and check the weather - everything you need so that you can travel and plan more easily!