Åland favourites – 5 tips

Västerro. At Västerro, fisherman and artisan food producer Anders Westerberg experiments with ingredients from the sea and nature at his smokehouse and gastronomic greenhouse. Here, you can book exclusive culinary experiences in package form and wonder at the improbable delicacies, such as smoked grapes and deep fried ruffe. Glamping. You’ll be staying overnight in a tent, but sleeping on a mattress in a real bed. In other words, glamping, or glamorous camping, is perfect for those wanting a bit of adventure without giving up any comfort. You’ll be outdoors, but in a spacious tent with a high ceiling and real furniture. You can go glamping in Åland at Rundhusbyn or Snäckö Canvas. Carlsros strandbar. You can savour the irresistible combination of epicurean delights and beach life at the elegant beachfront bar at the Carlsro spa hotel. Plop yourself into one of the red-and-white striped sunchairs and alternate between sipping the delicious drinks from the bar and taking a dip in the sea. This is the best way to enjoy the summer, sun and lovely lazy days! We recommend combining the beachfront bar with an overnight stay at the hotel, a good steamy sweat in the beach sauna and a delicious Danish-Ålandic smørrebrød sandwich.

World class artists. Music fans will find something to their liking in Åland, regardless of the genre. Sometimes famous international artists perform here, sometime homegrown talent from Åland. And there is no shortage of these. Opera singers such as Sofie Asplund, Frida Österberg, Jenny Carlstedt, Therese Karlsson and Philip Björkqvist took the first steps on their musical journey here in Åland, going on to perform on the biggest stages all over the world. Every now and then, they grace local stages with their own concerts.

PHOTO: Marcus Boman

PHOTO: Tiina Tahvanainen

Forest yoga. In Åland’s archipelago, yoga instructor Caroline Henriksson wants you to join her for a session of forest yoga, which is a combination of Japanese “forest bathing” (Shinrin-yoko) and soft yoga on the body’s terms. You’ll start with a wandering sensory meditation in the forest, followed by yoga on the hill, surrounded by forest. Everything ends with a forest version of the savasana (corpse pose), either sitting on a stump or lying in a hammock. Many experience greater calm in the forest than a yoga room. In the summer, a boat excursion is also possible, with yoga on the rocks and a picnic meal.