Summer in Finland is the perfect season to combine relaxation and discovering new routes: 70% of the territory is covered by forest, there are 190 thousand lakes and 180 thousand islands. A triumph of greenery that comes with the midnight sun and outdoor life.
Kotka, east of Helsinki, is the city of gardens, home to the Vellamo, a museum dedicated to life in the sea; from nearby Hamina you can set off on an excursion to the islands of the archipelago, such as Ulko-Tammio.
In the evening, you can dine at the Vaakku restaurant, or sleep at the Santalahti Resort in spectacular ‘Glass Villas’, glass rooms overlooking the sea and forests.
To the west, the old forge ‘Strömfors Ironworks’ is a great place for canoeing in the crystal-clear waters of the rivers, or you can go shopping in Porvoo, and then try the traditional Finnish salmon soup buffet in the summer restaurant ‘Fryysarinranta’.
After so much nature, Turku welcomes you with its riverside cafés, music, old covered market and Alvar Aalto architecture. You can plan a day at the seaside in Naantali, where you can try waffles at Amandis or enjoy the cuisine of star chefs passing through at Snickari, or head to Villa Järvelä (15′ from Turku) which offers not only a sauna, a true passion of Finns, but also an ice bath and the chance to dive into Lake Littoinen.
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