15/02/2016

Winter magic in the Archipelago

The Western archipelago of Finland is one of my favourite areas in the country to begin with, and recently I finally got the chance to explore it a bit in winter. The region in Southwest Finland is an ideal spot for a weekend trip in basically any season, it’s close to the Capital and it’s easy to get to.

 

Good to know:

  • Distance and time from Helsinki: to Nauvo (Nagu) in the heart of the area – ca. 200km. The drive takes 2-2.5 hours depending on the season. You can also take a bus or train to Turku, from where you can head onwards with public transport. Having a car is convenient though.
  • Famous for: Islands, islands and more islands. The region has pretty much countless islands that are connection through ferries or bridges. Not only in the summer a paradise for kayaking, but apparently also winter kayaking is a thing!
  • Time needed: at least a weekend. Anything more will just add to your experience.

 

Ice-fishing as a way of life

Life in the archipelago is different. Families live very close to nature and integrate their surroundings as a normal part of their lives. The forests provide them with herbs and berries in the summer, the surrounding sea is full of fish – in all seasons. Ice-fishers can spend hours on end in the cold. Alternatively, nets are put in the water over night and the frozen catch is brought up the next day – and there you have lunch.

Ice-fishing works under the rule of Everyman’s right – which means you don’t need a license or a permit to do it, if it’s for your personal consumption. Ice-fishing for many is a crucial part of winter, as it’s fishing in the most traditional way! Finland offers you the perfect silence for the ultimate search for peace of mind.

 

Visiting the Stentorp Sheep Farm

We’re visiting the Stentorp sheep farm in the archipelago. The couple living here lives almost self-sufficiently in their farmhouse. In addition to food from the sea and forest, the sheep provide them with meat and wool for clothing. In the summers, they roam freely in the gardens and around the house, in the winter, they have to make do with a cosy little shed. The wool products are hand-knit in the area, the designs are all by lovely Jill.

They are warm and welcoming, and happy to have guests. Jills eyes sparkle, as she tells us about their life and offers us fish (from outside in their backyard of course) and vegetable soup. We all need to warm up a bit.

Visiting the archipelago is the perfect nature escape that’s within super easy reach of Helsinki, so even ideal for a quick and spontaneous trip. Stentorp even rents out the beautiful yellow cottage with sauna by the sea, which is my dream for the summer! Learn about and get a glimpse of the life in the Finnish archipelago – and enjoy the silence.

I was a guest of Visit Archipelago for #nbefinland. All experiences and opinions are my own. Thank you so much for having me! Can’t wait to come back!