Åland: Finland with feet in the water

I invite you to explore the Finnish islands, just a few hours by boat from Sweden. Islands where Swedish is spoken, but life is lived the Finnish way... Åland, Turku, Pargas, and Nagu as the backdrop for our adventures, between boat rides, kayaking, yoga, sauna, and hiking.

Departure from Stockholm by ferry

Åland: Mariehamn; Silverskär harbor and go by boat to "Klobben" in Saltvik; Havsvidden; Eckerö

Ferry to Turku

Pargas and Granvik ferry pier; Pensar Syd; Kirjais Österudden to Nagu (by bike); Pargas

Departure from Turku by ferry to Stockholm

In this first article about Finland, I take you on a journey through the Åland archipelago, retracing our first two days of travel. First discoveries, initial immersions in dreamlike settings...

Stepping off the ferry, placing my foot on the metal platform that connects the boat to the island, boarding another boat, touching land by walking on a weathered wooden dock. Looking around and seeing nothing but blue. A horizon made up of rocky islands and pines scattered across the sea like small pebbles.

It is with this Japanese zen garden mindset that our Finnish adventure begins! Five days exploring these islands, from Åland to Pargas, finally on the mainland in Turku.

Silence. I can hear the waves crashing on the stones, the wind weaving through the tree needles, the call of gulls... On this tiny island of the Åland archipelago, the owner proudly welcomes us: everything is still very new. Built with local materials: wood, wood, and more wood. And with the most reliable tools in the world: his hands.

To taste the zen atmosphere of the place, here we are in leggings, sitting on little mats: the yoga session begins. Shhh! We inhale, we exhale. We live deeply. We take the time to feel. The sun's rays on our skin, the wind in our hair, the salt of the sea filling our lungs...

And to think that I had my first yoga class on a tiny lost island in the Åland archipelago, Finland. A country I dreamed of visiting. An activity I dreamed of experiencing. Two dreams in one...

But the dream doesn't stop there. Am I really sleeping? No no, we have now arrived on a second island not far from here. Just a few gull flaps away. Next to the dock, a house. Red, of course. An island just for us, to watch the sky decorate itself with colors. No midnight sun, but a clear night crowned by a full moon.

Dinner can wait, the golden hour first! And here we are launching our drone to capture the setting sun. Later, we will discover in one of the videos a dark spot in the water. An elk swimming between two islands.

Just another normal day in Finland!

And the day wouldn't be complete without a sauna session interspersed with a dip in the sea.

In a wooden house, from roof to floor. Extreme relaxation followed by an intense feeling of being alive! Ideal before going to bed, to continue dreaming beautifully even with closed eyes...

New day, new dreams! After a healthy mind guaranteed by yesterday's yoga and sauna, it's time to embody this in a healthy body. And always in grand settings!

Here we are back on the main island of Åland. On the agenda: biking and kayaking. A way to immerse ourselves in different settings. After a few pedal strokes on bike paths through the woods, we find ourselves with paddles in hand, rowing in almost still water.

But a few seconds later, doubt is no longer allowed: the lake resembles the open sea once we leave the cove. We are now facing the wind and the waves. It must be said that the elements can be unleashed in these parts of the globe. And suddenly, around a rock, a gigantic ferry appears... a totally unrealistic sight!

But after the effort comes comfort: a picnic with a view, from an island-rock in the middle of everything (or in the middle of nothing...) topped off with a typical cinnamon roll for dessert! The sweet break that we will quickly adopt throughout our Nordic journey.

To recover from our emotions, we ride through the forests, crossing a few bridges to renew the landscape. Blue, green, blue-green...

Red!

There we are, at the end of the world. The red rocks welcome us with their houses perched on the cliffs. Green behind, blue in front. As if we were in a perfect painting, mixing all the elements: water, vegetation, and minerals, all connected beneath a blue sky streaked with the early orange hues of the end of the day.

And our house perched on the hill is not just any house. I had never seen a house like this, except in music videos of trendy singers and spy movies seamlessly infiltrating wealthy families. And here I am. Me. In these movie-like settings. I look at the pool and the hot tub and think, "What a dream!" A thank you addressed to the blue sky, carried away by the wind. Thank you!

The sun stretches and plays with its pink hues for long hours. A spectacle with subtle variations: the impression of admiring a sunset in slow motion.

The Nordic sky is truly magical!

Klobben

An isolated rock in the middle of a sea resembling a lake: that's where we had our rejuvenating yoga class. We didn't stay in Klobben's cabins, but we had the opportunity to dine (the best salmon and crumble of my life!) and visit the place: truly splendid! And special mention for the sauna and the special honeymoon cabin.

Address: Klobben island (pronounced "Klobben", but written the Swedish way Klåbben), in the outer archipelago of Saltvik, Åland (about 45 minutes travel time from Mariehamn, Åland)

The hotel is not listed on Booking or Agoda.

Silverskar

From the same owner as the previous island (not far from there): this larger island is perfect for a longer stay, with beautiful red houses that resemble the Finnish version of "Danish"! We also had a delicious dinner made from locally sourced ingredients selected by a passionate chef: delicious!

Address: Silverskär island, Åland

The hotel is not listed on Booking or Agoda.

Hasvidden

A delightful mix of luxury and nature! A magnificent view of the sea from the cliffside houses, enjoyed from the pool or hot tub while watching the sun slowly disappear. Although the accommodation and the location captivated us, the restaurant side left us wanting more.

Address: 90 Havsviddsvägen, Geta, Åland

The hotel on Booking and Agoda.

Kayaking! A magnificent place to set off on a water adventure. Our first kayaking trip in Finland, with spots as calm as on a lake and others more turbulent, between rocky islets and pines, small boats, and large ferries in the distance.

Address: Lervik, Mariehamn, Åland

Website: Paddelboden

To get to Mariehamn (Åland), we took the ferry from Stockholm: the journey is shorter from the Swedish capital than from the Finnish capital. Cruises operate on very large boats with all imaginable comforts inside: restaurants, cafes, shops, relaxation areas to watch the landscapes go by... Possibility to travel by reserving a cabin.

Travel time: from Stockholm to Mariehamn: 5 hours

Website: Viking Line

If these photos haven't been enough to make you dream, this video might just make you book tickets to Finland! At least, it makes us want to return to these dreamlike landscapes. This is our very first drone video, and we hope you enjoy it!

Åland welcomed my first steps in Finland, setting the tone for this trip. A journey filled with strong handshakes, sincere smiles, and laughing eyes. Of endless Nordic landscapes in green and blue. Of red houses. Of salmon and berries. Of rosy skies and clear nights...

To be continued in the next Finnish episode...

In partnership with Visit Finland.