It is no surprise that the Finnish capital is frequently ranked as one of the world's best places to live. It is clean and safe, intimate and nostalgic on the one hand, modern and vibrant on the other. After a disastrous fire in 1808, the city was rebuilt from a scratch with Neoclassical and Empire-style brick buildings lining up wide elegant streets. The modern attitude of Finnish design also exists everywhere around the city, from the urban landmarks built by star architects like Alvar Aalto and Eero Saarinen, to the sleek Nordic designs of interior decorations houses like Marimekko and Artek. Senate Square overlooked by the exquisite Lutheran cathedral, South Harbour and its waterside market square, tree-lined avenue of the Esplanadi, hip neighborhoods like Punavuori and Kaartinkaupunki, university neighborhood of Kruununhaka -also known for its vintage shops- are not to be missed while you are there. Helsinki is famous for its small producers of craft beer and cider as well. Every April, they come together at Helsinki Beer Festival to celebrate this ages-old tradition at an old factory building with tastings, live music and good food. Those who would like to see the northern lights and the local Sami culture could organize a getaway to Lapland from Helsinki as well.