Lakeside pleasures in the summer don’t come any better than the annual Summer Opera Festival at Savonlinna (4 July – 3 August). Rossini’s Barber Of Seville makes its event debut this year. The venue itself is magnificent – it is held in the 15th century Olavinna Castle, which is open to visitors throughout the summer. Take an old-fashioned steamboat around the castle on Lake Pihlajavesi to enjoy fabulous views.

Make the most of the longest summer days – twilight lasts a couple of hours and is as dark as it gets – and take in one of Finland’s seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. Suomenlinna made the list in 1991 as a unique example of military architecture. It comprises seven islands full of ancient fortresses and dungeons. It is just a 15-minute ferry ride from Helsinki’s market square, so overnight in the city to see some nightlife – it can be confusing stepping out of a nightclub at 3am and into the sunshine!

Hike, cycle or walk in one of Finland’s 40 national parks. This incredibly wild, wonderful and yet accessible countryside is scattered around the lakes. Get your guides and maps from the visitor centre, pack your picnic, and set off along well-signposted trails. You may well see lynx, wolverines, hawks and, if you’re lucky, otters and golden eagles. Use Finland’s ‘Everyman Rights’ to wander anywhere you like in the national parks and go foraging for lingonberries, bilberries and crowberries.

Steam away the work-a-day-world in a traditional Finnish sauna. For the Finns, the sauna is part of everyday life. Many of the resorts in the RCI Exchange Holiday programme feature saunas in the apartments. The hardy holidaymaker can go for a hot steam, followed by a dip in an icy lake; or you can just enjoy the scents, the mood lighting, the heat and the conversation too. There are many saunas dotted around the country – go for one situated by a serene lakeside for total relaxation.