If you're a design lover visiting Finland, here are the places you need to see.

Before traveling to Finland, I would have first thought of Denmark or Sweden first as a destination for design in the Nordic countries but a trip earlier this season changed my thinking. Finland is an incredible place to discover design of new and old (though you might have already known this from checking out our Helsinki travel guide). This year is an extra special year for Finland as it marks the country’s 100 years of independence. The country secured its independence on December 7, 1917 and, since then, has flourished as a country of architectural, cultural and design significance.
With our friends at Artek and Vitra, I explored some of the best sights to see and visit to learn more about Finnish design and discover what makes it unique from other places in the world. Desk of Alvar Aalto
1. The Aalto House: It was surreal, to say the least, to see the desk where Alvar Aalto himself drew his sketches and drafted his designs. The home now serves as a museum that stays as close as possible to the original design and layout that Alvar and his wife Aino created.
A model of the Aalto House
The living room at the Aalto House which transitions into his home studio
A sculpture of Alvar Aalto by none other than Alexander Calder himself.
(L) view from the dining room; (R) view from the living room. The home is filled with thoughtful details, like low window sills allowing for views into...