Brightly painted summer cabins peek through the dense forest, their bold reds and yellows creating bursts of colour against the endless green and blue. Stay overnight at Villa Wolax, one of the archipelago’s gateways, for the ultimate retreat: post-sailing indulgence includes traditional wood-burning saunas, unwinding in an outdoor jacuzzi and grilling fresh catch while soaking in unobstructed sea views.
Address: Villa Wolaxin tie 40, 21620 Kuusisto, Finland
Website: villawolax.fi/english.php#
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Experience a unique fusion at Nomad Food & Wine
Based in the heart of Helsinki, Nomad Food & Wine tells Senegalese chef Paco Ndiaye’s story through food, blending three culinary worlds into one compelling fusion narrative. His African heritage, classical Italian training, and Finland’s seasonal produce create deeply personal, inventive dishes that absolutely work, like jollof-style arancini with velvety tomato sauce or fufu-gnocchi with spinach and vegetable stew.
The beige-hued dining room is lined with colourful art, softened by ambient lighting and anchored by an open kitchen. Mbalax, among other contemporary sounds, play gently in the background. The five-course surprise menu is essential, paired with either curated wines or distinctive hibiscus cocktails.
Address: Lönnrotinkatu 18, 00120 Helsinki
Website: nomadfoodandwine.com
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Sweat it out in a Finnish sauna
You can’t visit Finland without experiencing the sauna – it’s not just wellness here, it’s a way of life. Most locals have one at home or at their summer cabin, making it a daily ritual worth experiencing to understand what makes Finns tick. Allas Sea Pool in Helsinki offers the perfect initiation to this: a waterfront complex where locals and travellers gather for the traditional cycle of sweat, plunge into the 9°C sea pool, repeat. Surrounded by the sea, their wood-scented sauna features a panoramic sea view. For private sauna sessions elsewhere, bring along a Long Drink, Finland’s beloved tinned gin cocktail that’s practically a national treasure – you can’t go wrong with the pineapple flavour.