Are you dying to go on a fishing trip with your mates? Take the opportunity to do it this autumn when it is particularly easy to fish for perch and pike. Book a complete fishing package, including travel, accommodation and a fishing licence, and make use of a local fishing guide who will take you to the best fishing waters in Åland. That’s your best chance of a catch.

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?

The Scandinavian Islands are located in an area that stretches from Stockholm's archipelago in the west, across the island state of Åland and then over to the archipelago areas of Turku Land and Western Nyland in the east.

In the middle of January 2013 the actual journey to Åland will become a bit more interesting. That’s when Viking Line’s new ship is being launched. The Viking Grace is raising the standard of spa, food and duty-free goods available to you when you travel from Stockholm or Turku. A part of visiting Åland is getting there ... and now getting there is becoming more luxurious, more beautiful and more green.

Christmas in Åland is all about relaxing. There is nothing like a crisp white archipelago environment and silence to soothe and restore the spirit. And though many hotels and holiday villages are closed for the Christmas weekend, there are a few that stay open.

Now you can have your journey by air all the way to Mariehamn in one booking. Travellers from countries all over the world can change flights in Helsinki or Stockholm and land in the island state an hour later. Getting your luggage out is really quick and after a ten-minute taxi ride you can be at a hotel in the town centre.

How about flying to the conference? For me it almost felt like getting out of a private plane. Travelling on the daily flights to Mariehamn from Helsinki, Turku and Stockholm is not particularly expensive. It’s not just conference guests and business travellers who fly to Mariehamn airport; young people and tourists do as well.