Wild Food, Nature, and Sauna: A Finnish Escape

Tampere
Tampere is one of the most loved cities of Finland. It’s a city with numerous events, fascinating cultural experiences, and soothing nature. This is a place, where urban city life walks hand in hand with vivid nature. The nature is close everywhere you turn your head in Tampere. The location between two big lakes brings the water element to the city and you can find parks and urban nature even right in the middle of the city – all year round.

Tampere region is the home of happiness with welcoming, laid-back people. Culinary scene is constantly evolving. Enjoy the tasty dishes and relaxed atmosphere in the restaurants of the city! Tampere – The Sauna Capital of the World – welcomes everybody to its cosy warmth! Did you know there are 70 public saunas in Tampere and the surrounding region for anyone to relax in, throughout the year? 

Ruka-Kuusamo
TBC

Flights with Finnair and arrival to Helsinki Airport

Transfer to Tampere by train
TBC

Check in to Lapland Hotels Arena
Address: Ratapihankatu 54, Tampere

Lapland Hotels Arena in the heart of Tampere is part of Nokia Arena's events, action and modern atmosphere. The modern and relaxed style and rugged elegance of the rooms draws inspiration from the Artic stone cracked open by the harsh winter and birch tree forests decorated by frost. The hotel is located at the heart of a new entertainment centre.

Awaken to a delightful morning with a sumptuous breakfast. Crafted from fresh ingredients, the breakfast offers an array of options, from vegetarian delights to timeless classics, ensuring a fresh start to your day. There is a sauna in your room, so you can enjoy an evening sauna or a morning sauna before the Friday’s activities. @laplandhotelsarena

20:00 Dinner at Restaurant Villit ja Viinit
Address: Rautatienkatu 12, Tampere

Villit ja Viinit is an experimental attitude thriven restaurant in the heart of Tampere. Exciting food menu is constantly changing to present the best things season has to offer. Villit ja Viinit is always in search to amaze with distinctive wild attitude. Together with local ingredients, the menu at Villit ja Viinit is based on seasonal thinking, the menu changes at least every month.

Restaurant (by the same owners) next door is Restaurant Kajo, which can now be found in the Michelin guide (first restaurant from Tampere). The concepts of both of the restaurants are strongly built on responsibility and sustainability. They let no part of the ingredient go to waste - that is what inspires the restaurant to find new ways to prepare their food and explore endless possibilities in their cooking. Restaurants get their very local ingredients from the region & near-by. @villitjaviinit

Breakfast at hotel

xx:xx Lobby-call and transfer

10:00-11:45 Gone with the forest - Revitalizing Nature experience with Villipihlaja
Location: Kauppi Forest

The autumn is here, and today we will head to the forest to enjoy the autumn colours. Wild vegetables & herbs are real local food, and their carbon footprint is minimal. They are also very nutritious, so why not learning more about them? After this trip, you’ll see your surroundings with fresh eyes.

While exploring the flora & fauna of the forest, your guide teaches you some effective breathing exercises with ‘mindfulness-like’ exercises of calming down, by enjoying the wild tastes of nature, and by observing and using our senses. This boosts your natural recovery. Sustainability, responsibility, and respect for the nature are the core values of the company. The person behind Villipihlaja is Karoliina Laitinen, a dancer gone wild! Let our Finnish nature and forests do their magic and take your stress away! @villipihlaja

NB! You will be walking along forest trails with uphill and downhill sections as well as many roots and rocks. We recommend weather-appropriate and forest-friendly clothing.

12:00 Sauna & Lunch at Sauna Restaurant Kuuma 
Address: Laukontori (Laukontori Market Square) Laukontori 21, Tampere.

Tampere – The Sauna Capital of the World – welcomes everybody to its cosy warmth! Did you know there are almost 70 public saunas in Tampere and the surrounding region for anyone to relax in, throughout the year? The status as the Sauna Capital is based on saunas being of high level and Tampere being home to most public saunas in Finland.

Saunaravintola Kuuma is a public sauna but also an idyllic restaurant, right in the middle of the city. Kuuma offers a social, cozy “living room for everybody” in a New-Nordic style. There are three mixed saunas - wood-heated saunas and a modern smoke sauna. The wood-heated sauna might be more of a traditional type of experience for the first-time sauna-goers, whereas the smoke sauna can give the experienced sauna enthusiasts a chance to step up a notch. @saunaravintolakuuma

NB! Take your bathing suit & flip-flops with you (for the sauna & walking outside at the terrace), the towel will be provided for you. You’ll have a lunch & a sauna at the restaurant.

14:00-15:00 Rajaportti sauna
Address: Pispalan valtatie 9, Tampere

The history of the sauna culture in the city goes back to the oldest public sauna still functioning: Rajaportti sauna  in the district of Pispala, Tampere, from 1906. Today, you’ll also see the contrast of modern & historical saunas.

You will also meet the sauna guide & sauna heater Alexander Lembke, who is originally from Germany. Working as a sauna guide and a heater at the oldest public bath in Finland, Rajaportti, Alex takes a steam every single day, and knows the sauna habits, history of sauna in Finland & health effects. You will hear more about the public sauna culture & the Sauna Capital of the World. @rajaportinsauna

15:30-17:00 Afternoon Walk & coffee in Pyynikki Nature Reserve

Tampere boasts plenty of urban nature and lake nature in and around the city centre, there are plenty of easy-to-access nature trails in the city. You can also easily take the tram or the city bus to various nature trails. There are also three different national parks in the Tampere region.

Afternoon coffee will be served at the world’s largest gravel ridge Pyynikinharju and its Pyynikki Observation Tower, one of the most popular local sights in Tampere. Pyynikki Observation Tower is located in the Pyynikki Nature Reserve, just a stone’s throw away from the main street. Indulge yourself with the famous doughnuts from the café after enjoying the views! These doughnuts are the best in Finland, some say even the best in the world!

~17.15 Early dinner / snacks at Restaurant Väst
Address: Tehdaskartanonkatu 36, Tampere.

Restaurant Väst offers a fresh taste of Nordic charm, a touch of summer night magic, and the mixed history of Hiedanranta. The dishes and drinks highlight the best seasonal flavors, combining local ingredients with a relaxed atmosphere. Väst is one of the newest additions to Tampere’s restaurant scene.

The story of Hiedanranta is woven from fascinating contrasts: manor romance, red-brick factory buildings, and a vibrant street culture shaped by skateboarding, DIY traditions, and colorful graffiti. At Väst, this diversity serves as inspiration. Alongside the area's past, the restaurant brings something new, as it is part of Hiedanranta’s growing and evolving future. @ravintolavast

Meeting with Miia Huitti
You will meet the founder & CEO of The Finnish Happiness Institute, Happiness Coach, speaker & writer Miia Huitti at the dinner. You will learn more about the Finnish happiness, which involves good food, nature & sauna.

Time to relax at the hotel before the train

xx:xx Transportation to the railway station

xx:xx Night train to Kemijärvi
Details TBC

xx:xx Arrival to Kemijärvi by night train / breakfast

xx:xx Transfer by bus to Ruka-Kuusamo

xx:xx Settle in accommodation in eg. Rukan Salonki 

xx:xx Wild food dinner & evening sauna

Breakfast at accommodation

xx:xx Morning outdoor activity

xx:xx Wild food lunch & Afternoon sauna no 2 at eg. Pohjolan Pirtti

xx:xx Check in to another accommodation

xx:xx Wild food dinner & evening sauna

Breakfast at accommodation

Packing & check out

xx:xx Transfer to Kuusamo Airport

11:40-13:20 Flight with Finnair to Helsinki (AY490)

Flights with Finnair from Helsinki from xx onwards, according to the flight schedule.