In southern Finland, in the region of Päijänne Tavastia is the small city of Heinola. The beautiful placing of the city makes for some great scenic views in the surrounding areas. The city is edged by the Jyrängönvirta River, which opens up into an archipelago of islands just further north, typical to the Finnish landscape. If you're hiring a car in Heinola, head to the Heinolan Lintutarha, a bird zoo where you'll be able to spot all the species typical to the area. This zoo specialises in rehabilitating birds that have been injured or abandoned before releasing them back into the wild.
Just outside the city, the Sibeliustalo concert hall is a great sight to visit, whether you can get a ticket to one of the impressive acts that performs or just to see the unique architecture of the building based by the harbour. Hiring a car in Heinola, head along the E75 to the edge of Lahti and you'll find the building which is home to the Lahti Symphony Orchestra. In the same area is the Lahden Historiallinen Museo, which exhibits art and history displays set in an impressive old manor house.
