Planning a Trip

In the United States, contact the Scandinavian Tourist Board, 655 Third Ave., Suite 1810, New York, NY 10017 (tel. 212/885-9700; www.goscandinavia.com), at least 3 months in advance for maps, sightseeing pointers, ferry schedules, and other information for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

If you get in touch with a travel agent, make sure the agent is a member of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). If a problem arises, you can complain to the Consumer Affairs Department of the society at 1101 King St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314 (tel. 703/739-2782; www.astanet.com).

Tourist Offices -- For information in North America, contact the Finnish Tourist Board, Box 4649, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163-4649 (tel. 212/885-9700). In the United Kingdom, contact the Finnish Tourist Board, 3rd Floor, 30-35 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5LP (tel. 020/7365-2512).

Maps -- The National Board of Survey publishes Road Map of Finland (GT 1:200,000), an accurate, detailed road and touring map; and Motoring Road Map (1:800,000), a new edition of the Motoring Road Map of Finland, appearing annually, and the only map with complete information on road surfaces. These maps are the most important ones, although the board also publishes numerous touring maps. If you're visiting just Helsinki, local tourist boards provide helpful maps -- and for free.

By Package, the Easiest Way to Go -- For travelers who feel more comfortable if everything is prearranged -- hotels, transportation, sightseeing excursions, luggage handling, tips, taxes, and even meals -- a package tour is the obvious choice, and it may even help save money. A reliable tour operator is Scantours, Inc., 3439 Wade St., Los Angeles, CA 90006 (tel. 800/223-7226 or 310/636-4656; www.scantours.com).