Holiday Profile of the Month

Holiday Profile of the Month, Finland

By Xander Brett | Photos: Linda Theologou

A Tranquil Retreat in Swedish-Speaking Finland

Tucked deep in a Finnish archipelago, Kirjais Nature Inn & Villas is a clean and calm retreat for backpackers, holidaymakers and weekend tourists alike. With an emphasis on natural harmony, it sits in the heartland of the country’s Swedish-speaking community.

The small island of Kirjais seems a world away from the bustle of Helsinki. Yet, this hideaway is just a car ferry from the mainland and a three-hour drive from the capital. The original building at Kirjais Nature Inn & Villas dates from the early 20th century, and it housed a school until the 1960s, when the site began passing between private owners. The original building still stands, but is now complemented by a raft of new cabins, as the current rental firm has grown to welcome visitors from as far south as Spain. Five cabins are spread around the central villa, with one of the larger cabins (the Flamingo Family Villa), designed specifically for families with children, who receive a discount on their booking.

The company is emphatically dog friendly, and its owner, Camilla Grönqvist, keeps two of her own. They are encouraged, like her visitors, to run free, enjoying the wild beauty of these islands. The business is a partner of UNESCO’s Archipelago Sea Biosphere project, and Grönqvist says sustainability is paramount. “My eventual goal is for guests to stay here without leaving a carbon footprint,” she explains. Little surprise, then, that customers tend to avoid high-octane thrills during their stay, opting instead for saunas, boat trips and bicycle rides around the archipelago’s ring road. Residents speak Swedish as their mother tongue, but communication is easy. “Everyone helps each other out here,” Grönqvist says, “and that includes visitors. While they’re here, they’re included in the island family.”

The local village of Kirjais. www.kirjaisnatureinn.com

Subscribe in Print only £39 / Year (UK only)

Subscribe online only £20 / Year