On our arrival in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, it was 10pm but the sun was still shining brightly.

Around the city centre well dressed people filled the outdoor eating venues. Chatting to a local cabby, we gleaned our first insights into Finnish culture and discovered the Finns are a nation of sauna-enthusiasts.

Statistics say that there is one sauna on average to every three people in Finland. Far more than a physical act of cleansing, saunas have become a social ritual for relaxing the body and soothing the mind. They are found everywhere throughout Finland, particularly inside residential homes, hotels and workplaces, and even in the Parliament building in Helsinki.

For many Finn’s, the ideal sauna experience is taken in a log cabin with windows offering a lake view and afterwards cooling off by taking a dip in a lake or in winter to have a vigorous roll in the snow. It’s no surprise that saunas are a favorite pastime.