Nordic Travel Fair, Visit Helsinki and Visit Finland organized together a blogger program, Nordic Blogger’s Experience, which brought international travel bloggers also to Turku. The two-day visit was part of the journey´s cultural theme. The program included visits in the local businesses and sightseeing.
One of the bloggers visit destinations was Herrankukkaro, which is a conference and recreational center built around a fisherman’s homestead. It is located in the heart of the archipelago, a half an hour’s drive from downtown Turku.
Herrankukkaro-experience started when we met in front of a restaurant called Smör, and hopped into a taxi. Our group consisted of a very international gang, the participants came from Belgium, Spain, the Czech Republic, Brazil, Finland and Russia. And I got the great honor to be the only Finnish blogger of the event! Brazilians were horrified of the cold weather and I tried to comfort them by reminding that if the weather forecast would have been accurate, the temperature would have been nearly three times colder! Morning news warned also that the seawater could rise dangerously high in the coastal areas. (I decided not to tell this to our guests). According to the warning, water could flood so that it would be able impossible to cross the road! “Phew, I wonder if this is pretty wise”, I thought when we drove towards the Rymättylä-island. But at the destination we were overwhelmed by the stunning Winter Wonderland -views and the thick snow cap! Flooding waters or storms could have not been more far away..
The world’s largest smoke sauna melted the hearts
After arriving to Herrankukkaro, bloggers were able to accommodate to the boat hotel. A rather exotic – and definitely a safe place to stay, no matter how much the water would rise. Although, bloggers wouldn´t have minded even if the ship would have risen to the waves during the dark hours of the night and sailed into the sunset. Not because they didn´t enjoy their stay in Herrankukkaro, but because they could have written a quite spectacular blog posts about it!
We were welcomed with some drinks. Hot drink warmed lovely, although the taste of tar was clearly not to everyone’s liking.. After the drinks we moved to a campfire site where we barbecued pieces of salmon for a quick snack. Then it was time for the real action. The world’s largest smoke sauna waited for us. When bathing in the sauna´s gentle steams, we discussed about the politics, shared some secrets, and of course, the best travel tips. Then we headed to the baths outside and wondered out loud how strange is to have a warm bath in the middle of frost and a snow fall. Crazy Finns!
But apparently the Finns know how to prepare excellent, tasty food. At the Herrankukkaro buffet bloggers admired especially the Finnish cheeses, mushroom salad and salmon – which was glow fried just a few minutes ago. For dessert we enjoyed homemade lingonberry quark and bloggers went completely nuts: “The best dessert I’ve ever eaten!” One person enthused.
A very successful experience, obviously.
