Visit Sami reindeer farmers in Inari 

Your clients can get a glimpse of the indigenous Sámi culture by visiting the Angeli reindeer farm in Inari. Along with fishing, livestock farming and hunting, reindeer herding is one of the traditional ways of life in the Arctic regions. You can choose from an hour’s visit to the reindeer farm or a longer stay to get deeper insights into the herder family’s life, the Sámi culture and learn why natural diversity is important for the reindeer. 

The experience also is accessible for wheelchair users and visually impaired. Here every guest is special: a visit to Angeli reindeer farm is always private as there are no other visitors at the same time.

Art meets sauna at the Serlachius Museums

The story of the Serlachius Museums begun with the idea of Gösta Serlachius, a former paper mill owner, who thought that art and culture should not be a privilege of only the inhabitants of the capital city. Hence the Serlachius Museums now combine art, architecture, history and excellent food in the small industrial town Mänttä 265 km from Helsinki. 

The two Serlachius Museums are Art Museum Gösta and Museum Gustaf which showcases the history of Finnish paper industry and art. Museum Gösta is situated in Gösta Serlachius’ former manor that has been extended by a modern pavilion with wood architecture overlooking Lake Melasjärvi. 

The museums pay attention to sustainability in all their operations, recycle and will soon switch to geothermal heating and cooling. With their contents they try and increase responsible awareness for climate change, state of the forests and social responsibility. 

Despite their rural location, the Serlachius Museums can be easily reached even without a car as they offer a shuttle bus service between Tampere and Mänttä (1,5 hrs) and within the sites in Mänttä. In addition to that the customers can borrow bicycles, Nordic walking sticks and even a rowing boat in the summertime. 

The attraction will this June be complemented by an art sauna, an architecturally unique sauna building housing art and design. A green roof will merge the building with its surroundings. One more reason to visit this summer!

Experience Finnish food with Fazer 

Fazer is a traditional Finnish food company and one of the largest players in the Nordic countries. Their product range varies from bread and bakery products over biscuits, cereals and mueslis to sweets and chocolates. 

Since 2016, the Fazer Experience Visitor Center in Vantaa provides an overview of Fazer's operations, the 130 years long company history, the products, sustainability and innovations. At the Fazer Experience Visitor Center educating the visitors plays a major role: The exhibition covers topics such as healthy food, wellbeing of brains, recycling, food waste and sustainable farming. A plot with domestic primary grains and a tropical inner garden with cocoa trees and other exotic plants brings the theory to life. 

Tours are available to both individual visitors and groups. Most (young) visitors eagerly look forward to the shop at the end of the tour where all sorts of delicacies can be purchased – some at a reduced price if the packaging is slightly damaged or the “best before date” is approaching. An easy way to reduce food waste and make the customers happy! 

Read more about Fazer’s sustainability efforts 

Meet the underwater world in Kotka Maretarium

For already 20 years the Maretarium in Kotka has provided insights into the Finnish aquatic nature. With 187,888 lakes, 25,000 km of rivers and 46,000 km of coastline there is plenty happening under water. About 60 native and permanent fish species live in Finnish waters and dozens of fish species visit occasionally. 

In Kotka Maretarium visitors can see most of the Finnish fish species, grayfish, and frogs in the summer season. In addition to offering aquarium experiences, the purpose of the Maretarium is to promote knowledge of aquatic nature and sustainable use of fish stocks. In 2014, the Maretarium received the WWF Panda Award for their work. The attraction arranges annual campaigns to encourage their visitors to commit to environmental protection and in the exhibition offers visitors tips how to protect water courses and fish stocks.

Slow down at Puukarin pysäkki

According to Anni Korhonen, the hostess of Puukarin pysäkki, happiness lies in the countryside. Calling the place a “wellbeing guesthouse”, Puukarin Pysäkki is a destination for those who appreciate locality, nature, unique food, and experiences. In the restaurant food made from pure and locally grown ingredients in the Karelian way is served – and enjoyed slowly together around one large table. Those wishing to get acquainted with the secrets of Karelian cooking and herbal knowledge, can participate in the onsite cooking classes. 

Overnight guests can connect with the surrounding nature hiking, paddling, swimming, cross-country skiing, cycling or fishing to get a glance of “the source of wellbeing and the heart of Finnish identity” and the treasures it provides. And those who crave for more, can continue their trip to the nearby guesthouses on the culinary tour “From Guesthouse to Guesthouse”.