Spend two nights in Helsinki, Finland’s elegant seaside capital, before heading north for a serene retreat among lakes and pine forests. Embrace a slower pace of life while staying in a luxury villa and enjoying guided wellness classes, as well as excursions designed to connect you with nature, including a sleigh ride to Linnansaari National Park. You’ll also have the opportunity to taste authentic Finnish cuisine, based around seasonal ingredients sourced from the local area.
Winter Wellness Retreat at Kuru Resort
To book call us on:
At a glance…
Combine two nights in Helsinki with a serene nature retreat in Finnish Lakeland
» 6 day tailor-made holiday
» Accommodation: Superior A higher standard of accommodation with a better range and quality of facilities, often in a good location (typically 4 stars)
» Price from: £1,675 pp incl. flights
Day by day itinerary
-
Day 1 » Depart for Helsinki
Fly to Helsinki, Finland’s elegant seaside capital. On arrival, make your way to the Art Deco-themed Lilla Roberts boutique hotel in the stylish surroundings of the city’s internationally-renowned Design District, filled with galleries, museums and vintage stores. Enjoy exquisite cocktails at the Lilla E. bar and delicious Nordic-inspired dishes at the Krog Roba restaurant. Alternatively, upgrade to the newest luxury property in Helsinki - The Hotel Maria, complete with the exclusive Maria Spa.
-
Day 2 » Explore Helsinki
After breakfast, you’ve got the whole day free to explore Helsinki. Many of the top sights are within easy walking distance, including the Old Market Hall, Esplanadi Park, Senate Square and the gleaming white, Neoclassical-style Helsinki Cathedral. You could also take a trip to the Allas Sea Pool – a swimming pool and sauna complex built into the harbour – or hop on a ferry to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Suomenlinna. This 18th-century sea fortress, spread across a cluster of six islands, was built when Finland was still part of Sweden to protect it from maritime attacks. Later on, you might fancy joining a gin tasting session at The Helsinki Distilling Company, or perhaps you’ll indulge in a Michelin-star Finnish dining experience at Finnjävel Salonki. The more casual partner restaurant, Sali, is an excellent alternative.
Stay: Lilla Roberts, Helsinki , The Hotel Maria
Meals: Breakfast
-
Day 3 » Arrive at Kuru Resort
Today, it’s time to leave the bright lights of Helsinki behind as you take the train 2.5 hours north to Mikkeli, a small city in the heart of Finnish Lakeland. From here, you’ll be collected for a further transfer to Kuru Resort, an adults-only luxury resort tucked away in a pine forest on the shore of a lake. It’s the perfect environment for disconnecting from your daily routine and embracing a slower, calmer pace of life amid the serenity of Finnish nature. On arrival, you’ll be shown to your Lake Villa or Nature Villa accommodation, where sleek, Nordic design is complemented by gorgeous views towards the lake. Each one comes with a private balcony, an outdoor patio and a sauna. In the evening, choose between a trio of restaurants for dinner, ranging from a four-course menu served in a teepee to seasonal, Finnish fine dining.
Stay: Kuru Resort
Meals: Breakfast
-
Day 4 » Activities at Kuru Resort
Start your day with a hearty breakfast delivered to your villa. You’ll then have the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of activities geared towards relaxation and spending time in nature. Each day, the resort hosts a series of wellness classes focused on breathing exercises, yoga and meditation. One of these sessions is included for each day of your stay. For your first full day at Kuru, we have also included a sleigh trip to the winter wonderland of Linnansaari National Park and a classic Finnish lakeside sauna experience – perhaps combined with a plunge in the lake, if you fancy braving the icy water.
Stay: Kuru Resort
Meals: Breakfast
-
Day 5 » Fishing & fine dining
Today, you’ll get to try your hand at fishing for rainbow trout before enjoying lunch by an open fire. There will also be an opportunity to rent equipment such as canoes, kayaks, SUPs and e-fatbikes, depending on weather conditions at the time. For your final evening, we have included a six-course Chef’s Menu experience at Restaurant Solitary, which specialises in local and seasonal ingredients of the highest quality, including fresh fish from Lake Saimaa and wild berries and herbs from the nearby forests.
Stay: Kuru Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 6 » Depart for UK
After one last breakfast at your villa, a car transfer will take you to Mikkeli to catch a train back to Helsinki Airport for your flight home. Depending on your flight time, you might also be able to squeeze in one last wellness class at Kuru Resort before departure.
Meals: Breakfast
To book call us on:
At a glance…
Combine two nights in Helsinki with a serene nature retreat in Finnish Lakeland
» 6 day tailor-made holiday
» Accommodation: Superior A higher standard of accommodation with a better range and quality of facilities, often in a good location (typically 4 stars)
» Price from: £1,675 pp incl. flights
Related articles
Fly British Airways direct to the Arctic Circle this winter
With new direct routes from British Airways to the Norwegian Arctic and Finnish Lapland this winter, Europe's northernmost reaches are now more accessible than ever before.
Just back from: Lake Saimaa, Finland
Best Served Scandinavia's Sue McAlinden shares her experiences from a trip around Lake Saimaa, Finland's largest lake and a newly named European Region of Gastronomy.