Experience Malmgård Manor: organic bliss and glamour

Just under an hour’s drive from the capital, in a charmingly beautiful rural landscape, are the Malmgård castle grounds. Here lives Count Henrik Creutz, organic farmer whose family have been lords of the manor for 13 generations.

On the way, you might wonder if you have perhaps mysteriously found yourself in the Danish countryside, because the road to Malmgård Manor, lined with old oaks and pastures, with the sun’s rays glinting between the branches, is unparalleled.

On the castle tour, admire the plaques, historical objects and halls of the unique Renaissance castle. Let your imagination take you back over centuries, to a time when these halls were danced in rustling dresses and powdered wigs.

Despite its long 400-year history, Malmgård farm is primarily a working farm, where the country’s tastiest root bread flour and risotto grains are produced, as well as award-winning beers from the farm’s own grains. Stop by the manor shop before you leaveyou won’t be disappointed!

Take great selfies backed by the iconic Ironworks in Strömfors

Enjoy a weekend trip to one of the best-preserved ironwork villages in our country. You’ll be amazed at how lovely it is, how much there is to do and experience in the village, and how strong the legacy of the iron lady Virginia af Forselles shines from the lovely red buildings along the Kymi River.

An atmosphere of the centuries-old traditions continues today in the hands of craftsmen respecting the old ways. In the blacksmith’s workshop, you can see how iron is forged with the only water hammer in the country, and in the adjacent stable you can stop to soak up the artistic atmosphere. In the church of Ruotsinpyhtää located in the village, marvel at the altarpiece painted by Helene Schjerfbeck, which remains the only altarpiece painting by this internationally famous painter. In the small boutiques, you can get lovely souvenirs and cute decorative products.

The most energetic can take the Kukuljärvi hiking trail or rent paddleboards from Wellsters and head to the mazes of the Finnish Amazon to paddle. It’s worth staying for several days so you can do both! In addition, you can go karting, enjoy a pampering and gentle soaks in the yurt sauna, and take a dip into the cooling embrace of the river.

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the 50s in Finland’s smallest shop museum

On your way through the countryside of Loviisa, you must stop to experience the delightful atmosphere of the 50s in Finland’s smallest shop museum, which sits next to the fields near the village of Skinnarby, where Olavi Virta sings wistfully on the radio, and colourful boxes and jars fight for shelf space. Here you travel to a time when lottery tickets were filled in by fountain pen and coffee was sold in tin cans. Don’t leave before you’ve admired the decorative garden of the museum and found some vintage treasures in the lifestyle store Villi Kanala!

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