India, Oct. 8 -- The first thing that struck me in Helsinki? Birds tweeting as background music in the airport washrooms. A subtle, yet strong introduction to a country with over 75 percent forest. Perched on the northern coast of the Baltic, shaped by centuries of Swedish and Russian influence, the city has evolved significantly from its 16th-century origins as a small trading post. Today, Finland's capital balances maritime heritage with orderly urban planning. Pastel-painted wooden mercantile houses on the harbour-side stand beside sleek modernist buildings that reflect Finland's contemporary design sensibility. Ferries trace gentle arcs across the water, linking the city to islands that once formed a defensive network. From neoclassic...