1. Culinary voyage in the west coast of Finland. 2. Enjoy the taste of nature. 3. Learn to cook Finland's traditional cuisine. 4. Discover the forests and crystal clear lakes, rivers and sea beneath the midnight sun. 5. Observe wild animals in their natural habitat.
Finland is known for its natural areas, forests and crystal clear lakes and rivers. Growing in the Nordic forests under the midnight sun, animals, berries, mushrooms and wild herbs have a unique and distinctive flavour. On this culinary voyage of discovery along the west coast of Finland familiarise yourself with traditional Finnish cuisine and have the opportunity to prepare unique dishes with professional chefs using fresh natural ingredients that you partake in gathering yourself. Every day you will have a different cookery theme varying from fish, the fruits of the forest and game. Your days will be full of program as you will participate in guided tours dedicated to picking and gathering berries, mushrooms and wild herbs, observing animals in the wild and fishing in the mornings and in the evening you embark in cookery classes with different chefs specialising in cooking with natural ingredients. During the tour accommodation will be in the fascinating and historic Noormarkku Ironworks area where have the opportunity to marvel at the architectural works of the world famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. This tour is suitable for small groups who enjoy nature and cooking and are looking for something special for the palate.
Tour itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival and check in On arrival at the Ahlström Ironworks area you will make your own way to the Noormarkku Club for a welcome dinner which will be served at 20:00. Accommodation in the Ahlström Works area.
Day 2: Fishing After breakfast we’ll do a guided tour to one of the largest and most impressive ironworks areas in Finland, The Noormarkku Ironworks. These historic ironworks are known for their steelwork and ironwork as well as for impressive examples of Finnish architecture. The works houses numerous beautiful old buildings such as a church, several villas, stately homes, workers' houses and old industrial buildings. Some of these gorgeous old buildings are attributable to the world famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. After this guided historical tour we will have lunch in the old Club House. In the afternoon we will venture to Iso-Enträski Lake where learn how to fish under the guidance for a professional guide. Fish from the bank or from a rowing boat. The first cookery class themed "Fish" will be held by the lake in a “Kota”, a traditional Lappish tepee. These traditional tents are integral to the old Nordic way of life. The Sami people used them hundreds of years ago as mobile homes while migrating with their reindeer herds. After the cookery class enjoy your meal while admiring the beautiful views.
Day 3: Fruits of the forest; mushrooms; berries and herbs After breakfast we start an excursion into the forest. Your guide has specialised gathering different mushrooms, berries and herbs. Most of Finland is covered by forests that are full of natural ingredients and products. The unique weather conditions give the berries, mushrooms and herbs a unique fresh flavour and ensure that they are rich in healthy antioxidants with full of flavour. In the afternoon enjoy your lunch in the Club House before the next cookery class begins, this one being devoted to "Fruits of the Forest". In the evening look forward to lovely cuisine and a Finnish beer tasting session. The art of brewing beer is becoming more popular in Finland and breweries source partly their ingredients directly from nature focussing on the importance of quality. These micro-breweries brew artisan beer from clean ingredient’s to make a beer with distinct and unique flavours. You can see the day out with a variety of new flavours on your palate.
Day 4: Game animals Early breakfast in your hotel room before we will set out on a game viewing activity with an experienced guide. View animals in the safety of a hide to assure that they are not disturbed as well as to view them in the nature. With a little luck you will be able to spot elks, deer, foxes and a variety of bird species and will have the opportunity to photograph them as well. After this activity you will have some free time before lunch is served in the Club House. Today's cookery class themed "Barbecue and Wild Game" and will be held near the sauna facilities. Afterwards you have the opportunity to experience a Finnish sauna and cool off in the lake. The heat of the sauna will relax you to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Day 5: Feathered game After you have enjoyed a leisurely breakfast we set on foot out in the direction of the Bothnian Sea National Park to view animals from a birdwatching tower. As one of the major bird migration routes for Arctic birds as they pass through the area surrounding the National Park, with a little luck you will be able to see thousands of birds of a variety of species. This region is also home to various species of waterfowl that you will be able to spot and identify with your guide's assistance. In the afternoon lunch is served in the Club House and after lunch please free to enjoy shopping in the works area or go for a walk in the forest. The evening is reserved for a dinner in Noormarkku Club House.
Day 6: Departure After breakfast please continue for your onward journey.
Your accommodation: Accommodation will be provided in the Ainola, Sahala or Kultala Guest Houses within the Ahlström Works, all of which are very comfortable, each with and their own historical charm. The rooms are exquisitely decorated in Finnish style and it is a lovely place to relax after the day's activities. The designs of the architect Alvar Aalto are reflected in Vainola Lodge and in Sahala Guest House, which can also accommodate a larger number of people.
Food: During this tour you will prepare and enjoy unique wild game dishes. The ingredients are of premium quality and will, to an extent, be obtained by you directly from nature. The restaurants place high value on products sources locally and is of high quality. You can thus look forward to unparalleled flavours of traditional Finnish cuisine.
Additional information:
Tour duration: 6 days / 5 nights
No specific prior knowledge or expertise are required for this tour
Group size: min. 6 - max. 8 people
English speaking tour guide
You should take the following items with you: clothing and shoes that are suitable for outdoor activities
Pricing, departures, general information and bookings:
Inclusions:
Accommodation in an en suite twin shared room
Food
Transfers between the various destinations
Professional tour guide
Cookery classes with qualified chefs and a variety of themes; "Fish", "Berries", "Mushrooms", "Herbs", "Wild Game"
Wine and beer tasting
Guided tours and all the necessary equipment
Exclusions:
Single room surcharge: 34.00 €/night
Rate for 2019:
1640 €/ person
* Kindly contact the tour provider with regards to commission! Season for 2019:
Season: Summer
Information & bookings: Ms Jaana Mälkki, CEO, jaana.malkki (at) wildnordicnature.com WILD NORDIC NATURE OY Business code: 2689304-6 Tel. +358 40 734 6696 Homepage: http://www.wildnordicnature.com/?p=/en/main_page
We hold the right to make adjustments and to kindly reconfirm the specific itinerary and pricing directly with the tour provider.
Getting there: During your tour you will stay in Noormarkku near the municipality of Pori. In summer time you can fly to Pori via Stockholm with NextJet. Alternatively you can also fly to Helsinki, Tampere or Turku and from there make your way to Pori by bus or train. Tampere can be reached by taking a Finnair flight via Helsinki, SAS flight to Turku via Stockholm or alternatively, a Finnair flight to Turku via Helsinki. The Finnish railway company VR offers good rail connections to Pori. From Turku, the best way to reach Pori is by bus. Koiviston Auto Corporation offers direct bus connections.