Three Dutchies on an Adventure Around Kimitoön

Sandra, Maarten and their son Bas had been to Finland before. They share their adventures on StralendFinland.nl, a website with travel tips for people from the Netherlands who want to get to know the ‘Land of a Thousand Lakes’. But Kimitoön was new to them. To familiarise themselves with this region, they started off their three-week holiday in southern Finland with a visit to Kimitoön, staying on the island of Örö, kayaking in the archipelago and cooling off in the sea after experiencing a real Finnish sauna. The perfect beginning to a perfect holiday!

Örö, one special island

“We were so excited waiting for the ferry to take us to the island of Örö,” says Sandra. “We had read that Örö had been off limits for civilians for a long time until 2014 and had no idea what to expect. The trip to Örö was a treat in itself. When we arrived, Janne from Visit Örö made us feel right at home. He told us all about the history and nature of the island. After that, we explored the island by ourselves, on foot and by bike.” Maarten continues: “We were really impressed by the thriving nature and the military sights on Örö. But what struck us most was the cosy and relaxing atmosphere. The restaurant and the Barracks Hotel were excellent as well.”

Kayaking into the archipelago

Bas, 16 years old, agrees. But he wants to share another adventure they had. “After we returned from Örö to Kimitoön, we went on a kayaking adventure with Niklas Hollsten from Nordic Activities. I was a bit nervous beforehand, but Niklas explained everything very calmly and clearly. Plus, the sea was really quiet that day, so kayaking between the islands turned out to be very relaxing. Halfway, we stopped on a small, deserted island for some tea and a snack. That was really cool! I think going kayaking was the best way to get to know the archipelago.”

I think kayaking was the best way to get to know the archipelago

Wellness in Kasnäs

After all that hiking, biking and kayaking, the family from the Netherlands spent their last afternoon in Kimitoön at Spa Hotel Kasnäs, where they were staying. For a typical Finnish sauna experience, they had already tried the resort’s barrel sauna – a sauna with a view and in the perfect spot for a dip in the sea right outside. The family made the most of their final afternoon in Kimitoön with a Finnish lunch buffet and several hours of swimming, sunbathing and relaxing at the spa.

Culinary delights in Dalsbruk

With all these outdoor adventures and hours of relaxation, the days the three Dutch visitors spent in Kimitoön felt like a complete holiday in themselves. To celebrate this perfect beginning to their trip through southern Finland, Sandra, Maarten and Bas had a delicious dinner at Runda Munken Bistro in Dalsbruk. They were already starting to get used to the joys of life in Finland: lots of nature, peace and quiet, saunas everywhere and the best food and drink. Kippis!

Text and photos: Sanda van Bijsterveld