Suomalaisella elämäntavalla maailmalle -hanke päättyi 31.3.2018. Niin koti- kuin ulkomaistenkin matkailijoiden kiinnostus aitoja suomalaisia matkailupalveluita kohtaan on kuitenkin nousussa. Yksinkertaiset asiat, kuten suomalainen rantasauna, aktiviteetit luonnon rauhassa, lähiruoka ja paikallisperinteet ovat rikkauksia, joita kannattaa tuotteistaa matkailijoille. Tästä blogista löytyvät videot ovat vapaasti käytettävissä, samoin hankkeessa tehtyjä Turun saariston ja Keski-Suomen kohteita yhdistäviä reittiehdotuksia saa tuotteistaa ja jatkojalostaa eteenpäin. Matkailuyrityksiä kautta Suomen palvelee sähköinen julkaisu nimeltä Maaseutumatkailuyrityksen tietoreppu. Julkaisusta löytyy yrittäjien haastatteluja suomalaiseen elämäntapaan nojaavan matkailutarjonnan menestystekijöistä sekä tiivistelmiä ajankohtaisista asioista kuten videomarkkinoinnista, online-varausratkaisuista sekä uudesta lainsäädännöstä koskien matkapalveluyhdistelmiä.

Kiitämme hankkeeseen osallistuneita yrityksiä, yhteistyökumppaneina toimineita matkailun markkinointiorganisaatioita sekä muita alan yrityksiä ja toimijoita.

The project has finished 31th March 2018

Photo: Aavameri

But do not worry - Finnish Lifestyle is still alive and kicking more than ever! 

In fact according to statistics and news about tourism in Finland we are more interesting than ever. And no wonder. Who would not love fresh air, clean nature, organic and local food, and new experiences!

This blog has many stories and videos for you to read and have a look. You can still use it as a source of inspiration when planning where to go and what to do in Finland.

You can always find up to date information from the pages of Visit Finland for example. For details about Turku Region and the archipelago use Visit Turku pages and for Lakeland Area around Jyväskylä you find information from Visit Jyväskylä pages.

We want to thank all our entrepeneurs for their enthusiams and for taking part. A big thank you also goes to our funders at Centers for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in Jyväskylä and Turku. 

SEE YOU SOON IN FINLAND - SAFE TRAVELS

You better be good.... Santa Claus is coming to town!

Picture: Visit Finland Juho Kuva

Do you know that Santa Claus comes from Finland? Of course you do! 

In fact now is his busiest time as in just a couple of days Santa will start his global journey from "Korvatunturi" Fell in Finnish Lapland to visit the homes globally. He of course travels with Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer!

In Finland Santa actually does pay a visit to your home. The Finns celebrate Christmas already on the eve of the 24th December. It is customary that Santa Claus visits homes to deliver presents and good will for all, big and small. 

Finnish Christmas is most commonly spent at home although lately also other places have become more popular. You can rent a cottage for example, or stay in a farmhouse with an "all-inclusive" package for the whole family including loads of food and drink, outdoor activities, and even a visit to a local village church for an early morning ceremony. In the cities some people prefer to stay in a hotel, which also offer you a full package with food and activities. 

Typical Christmas food in Finland includes pork roast as the main dish in most homes and a variety of fish, casseroles and salads that are served as a side-dish. This buffet style dinner would not be perfect without a selection of desserts like plum pudding with whipped cream, loads of chocolate, and home baked delicacies. All this food is washed down with home-made beer, wines, and an occasional vodka snaps as well! In many families a Christmas Sauna is part of the tradition, either early in the morning or very late in the evening. 

HYVÄÄ JOULUA (Merry Christmas in Finnish)

Read more about Finnish Christmas 

9 Days relaxation in archipelago - a new route from Nationalparks.fi

Discover the natural and cultural attractions of this amazing archipelago. On peaceful islands with old wooden houses and fine sea  views, time stands still, giving you a chance to truly relax. 
The pages of Nationalparks.fi provides you with up-to-date information on the national parks and Metsähallitus' other hiking destinations and their facilities, and routes. Find recreation in these magnificent spots!

Link to the route material 

Fancy a visit to the most beautiful archipelago in the world?

Map drawn by students at Turku University of Applied Sciences

Are you seeking for new adventures by the sea? Why not try the new "Archipelago National Park Trail" made possible for the first time ever summer 2017?

Many Finnish and even foreign tourist have already experienced the "older" version called Archipelago Route that starts from Turku and connects the main islands of Pargas, Nagu, Korpo, Houtskär, Iniö, and Kustavi.

However, this time around you can travel to the outer islands and really experience the open sea when taking this new trail from the island of Korpo (Korpoström) towards Örö, an old army fortress at the outskirts of the Archipelago Sea. From there you can continue towards Kasnäs and the island of Kemiö and  the continue to the city of Salo and back to Turku.

We have made it easier for you with the help of talented students from Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS). A group of future service designers worked with the project team, and the result is a PDF map with detailed information and tips for the route. At the moment the map can be accessed via the links at TUAS website but we hope that in the future the tourism "Visitdotcoms" of the area will be hosting the files and provide easy access to the route details.

Detailed area information:

1. Archipelago Trail  - an overview
2. Distances, links and symbols
3. Pargas
4. Nagu 1
5. Nagu 2
6. Korpo
7. Örö - Kasnäs - Dalsbruk
8. Mathildedal - Teijo

We wish you a pleasant journey with plenty of sun shine and fresh sea air! 

Copyright: Aavameri

A new trail at Turku Archipelago available

Pic: Isokari by Susanna Saari

The three main destinations of this trip – Mathildedal, Pensar and Isokari – are absolute gems of the Finnish southwest coast. If you appreciate magnificent natural scenery, the tranquility of nature, an authentic cultural heritage and personal service, this trip is for you.

The route runs south to north, but the destinations are independent of one another, so you may choose to visit only one or two of them or change the order of your visit. You can tour the route in your own or a rental car, or opt for a combination of bus, taxi and bicycle. All the destinations are also accessible by boat, as they feature guest harbour services. If possible, take the time to visit Turku, the biggest city on the coast, or the idyllic small towns of Parainen (Pargas in Swedish) and Uusikaupunki. We recommend spending at least two nights at each destination. Let yourself be captivated by the scenery and cultural heritage of the archipelago.

The following slides introduce you to this newly created route. Please click the pictures to make them bigger!

Pic: Enjoying Pensar Syd with all senses

Pic:Alpacas at Mathildedal Iron works

TURKU ARCHIPELAGO – A TREASURE CHEST OF AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES

Measured by the number of islands, Turku Archipelago, with its 40,000 or so islands and islets, is among the world’s largest. The southwest corner of Finland is a veritable treasure chest for the visitor. Let yourself be captivated by the eye-pleasing archipelago scenery, the peacefulness of the countryside, the relaxing impact of the nature activities or the cultural heritage of the region.

Would you like to enjoy the fresh sea breeze and nature activities near Turku as close to the sea you can? Or take your family, group of friends or company e.g.  on a sail race in the archipelago sea from Villa Wolax? Or would you like to let the experienced fishing guide of Fishing Patrol show you the best places to fish a pike? Or explore the islands with rich flora & fauna with the kayaks guided by Aavameri guides?  

Or would you just like to relax?  Perhaps take a cruise at leisure to admire the scenery with rocky islands, and after that to enjoy the authentic Finnish sauna, delicious local dishes and accommodation in archipelago surroundings offered by Paradise Island, Mama’s Pocket or Archipelago Hotel Vaihela? Maybe you are looking for a luxury venue for a private party or meeting? In  that case Villa Airisto Charm with a fantastic sea view is your choice!

Companies mentioned in this post and their location 

If you are willing to get a deeper insight into the giant archipelago, take for example a one week holiday and visit three heritage gems at one go. Begin with the old, picturesque iron works village of Mathildedal at the edge of the Teijo National Park which has a varied sea, lake and bog landscape. Ruukintehtaat Resort offers you with food, accommodation and many activities. Travel with the ferryboat to the Island of Pensar Syd and enjoy the tranquility of the nature by lodging in an own villa by the sea. Crown your holiday with the fascinating Isokari Island in the Bothnian Sea National Park, where the old lighthouse rises 50 meters above the sea level offering a breathtaking view in all directions. 

If you have the possibility for a longer holiday, take an excursion from Mathildedal to Taalintehdas, yet another old iron works village by the sea, the location of a nice country shop of Rosala Handelsbod, While in Pensar Syd you can combine visiting the charming Nauvo village with a bustling guest harbor and stay a couple of nights in a traditional Finnish summer cottage at Hinders some kilometers away. On the way out to Isokari Lighthouse Island stop by in Kustavi, a nice archipelago municipality. Lootholma Resort offers accommodation and activities for the whole family, and the traditional farm house milieu of Itätalo Estate about 10 kilometers from the Kustavi center is the place to de-stress your mind.

For more information click the home pages of the above mentioned companies (see the company listing on the right) or find more inspiration for your holiday planning in the web sites of Visit Turku or Turku Archipelago

Text: Telle Tuominen /TÙAS