NORTHERN SISTERS
BALTIC SERENITY
An 8-Day Women's Retreat to Recharge in the Finnish Archipelago
NORTHERN SISTERS BALTIC SRERENITY
An 8-Day Women's Retreat to Recharge in the Finnish Archipelago
When the islands grow quieter and the wind begins to sweep across the sea, a very special season begins in the Finnish Archipelago. Nature slows down—and so do we.
Together with Rebecca, you'll spend a restorative week in a modern seaside holiday home overlooking the Baltic Sea. Your days are filled with soothing sauna rituals, walks along the shoreline, forest bathing, meditation by the sea and—in winter—the invigorating experience of ice swimming. Between activities, there's plenty of time to enjoy delicious food, meaningful conversations and those quiet moments when everyday life feels a world away.
You'll discover Finnish sauna culture where it truly belongs: in a traditional village sauna, a woodland sauna surrounded by nature, and a sauna by the sea. Complemented by birch whisk rituals (vihta), sauna yoga and a traditional peat sauna, you'll experience sauna not simply as a wellness treatment, but as an essential part of the Finnish way of life.
This Nordschwestern journey is an invitation to slow down, restore your energy and experience the Finnish Archipelago during its most peaceful—and perhaps most beautiful—season. Personally guided by Rebecca and shared with a small group of like-minded women who feel at home in nature.
HIGHLIGHTS
A Women's Nature & Wellness Retreat in the Finnish Archipelago.
What Makes This Journey Special
Sauna as a Source of Renewal
Discover the richness of Finnish sauna culture—from a traditional village sauna to a woodland sauna by the sea. Along the way, you'll experience soothing sauna therapy, birch whisk rituals (vihta), sauna yoga and the unique tradition of a peat sauna.
The Quiet Power of the Seasons
Autumn and spring reveal a different side of the Finnish Archipelago. Empty coastal paths, crisp sea air and the peaceful rhythm of island life create the perfect setting to slow down, switch off and restore your energy.
Embracing Nature in Every Season
Coastal walks, forest bathing, meditation in nature and—in winter—the invigorating experience of ice swimming invite you to reconnect with yourself through the changing landscapes of the Archipelago.
Time to Savour the Moment
Shared meals, regional specialities, evenings around the campfire and a modern seaside holiday home create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where relaxation comes naturally.
Personally Guided by Rebecca
Rebecca accompanies the journey throughout. As the founder of Finnspirit and a qualified sauna master, she shares Finnish sauna culture with authenticity, warmth and a deep understanding of what truly nourishes both body and mind.
The Journey
Day 1
Arrival & Your First Sauna Together
Your journey begins in Turku, where Rebecca will meet you at Turku Bus Station at 5:00 pm. From there, we'll travel together to Kustavi (approx. 60 km, around 1 hour 15 minutes), a peaceful island municipality in the heart of the Turku Archipelago.
After settling into your seaside accommodation, we'll ease into the week with our first shared Finnish sauna. It's the perfect way to unwind after your journey, get to know one another and begin embracing the slower rhythm of island life.
We'll round off the evening with a light snack and a relaxed introduction to the days ahead.
Meals: Evening snack.
Day 2
Reconnecting with Nature
After breakfast at your accommodation, Rebecca will collect you for a leisurely walk through the peaceful landscapes of the Finnish Archipelago. Together we'll explore quiet coastal paths and forests, taking time to slow down, breathe deeply and reconnect with nature.
Around midday, we'll pause outdoors to enjoy a warming bowl of traditional Finnish soup in a beautiful natural setting.
In the evening, we'll head to Kalliokumpu Eco Lodge, where a relaxing forest sauna awaits. Afterwards, we'll share a freshly prepared Archipelago dinner before returning to your accommodation.
Meals: Traditional Finnish soup for lunch; dinner at Kalliokumpu Eco Lodge.
Day 3
Forest Bathing & Sauna Like the Locals
After breakfast, we'll immerse ourselves in the peaceful practice of forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku). The tranquil island forests of Kustavi provide the perfect setting to slow down, awaken the senses and reconnect with nature.
In the afternoon, we'll experience Finnish sauna culture just as the locals do. We'll visit Kustavi's traditional village sauna, where you'll alternate between the warmth of the sauna and refreshing swims in the Baltic Sea. It's an authentic, unhurried experience that captures the true spirit of Finnish everyday life.
Later, we'll gather at Kalliokumpu Eco Lodge for a relaxed dinner, reflecting on another day spent close to nature.
Meals: Outdoor lunch snack; dinner at Kalliokumpu Eco Lodge.
Day 4
Turku & Traditional Peat Sauna Therapy
After breakfast, we'll set off for Turku, Finland's oldest city and former capital. During a relaxed guided walk, you'll discover its historic riverside, charming streets and the unique atmosphere that has shaped Finnish history for centuries.
In the afternoon, you'll enjoy another sauna highlight at Forum Sauna, one of Turku's oldest public saunas. Here, you'll take part in a traditional Finnish peat sauna therapy—a natural wellness treatment that has been used by Finnish folk healers for generations. Rich in minerals and organic nutrients, Finnish peat is valued for its soothing and revitalising qualities, leaving many guests feeling wonderfully refreshed.
In the evening, there will be the opportunity to enjoy dinner together at one of Turku's restaurants (at your own expense) before we return to Kustavi.
Day 5
Sauna Yoga, Seaside Meditation & Flamed Salmon
After breakfast, we'll begin the day at the harbour of Vuosnainen, where a seaside sauna awaits.
Here you'll experience Sauna Yoga—a uniquely Finnish practice led by Rebecca, a certified Sauna Yoga instructor. The 45-minute session takes place in a gently heated sauna at around 55–60°C, where simple, mindful movements combined with the warmth help improve flexibility, relaxation and overall wellbeing. For the session, you'll wear light clothing such as shorts and a T-shirt or vest.
Afterwards, there's plenty of time to enjoy a few more sauna sessions, cooling off with refreshing dips in the Baltic Sea between each one.
Following an outdoor picnic, we'll take a peaceful walk through the island forest along a scenic coastal trail, ending with a guided meditation by the sea—a chance to pause, breathe deeply and simply be present.
In the evening, we'll gather around the campfire at Kalliokumpu Eco Lodge to prepare one of Finland's best-loved specialities: traditional flame-grilled salmon (loimulohi), slowly cooked over an open fire.
Later, we'll return to our accommodation.
Meals: Outdoor picnic; campfire dinner featuring traditional Finnish flame-grilled salmon.
Day 6
Forest Cocooning & the Finnish Birch Sauna Ritual
After breakfast, we'll return to the forest for another gentle forest bathing experience before settling into one of the most relaxing moments of the week: Forest Cocooning.
Wrapped in soft blankets, sheepskins and cushions, you'll settle into a comfortable hammock suspended between the pines and spruces of the island forest. Here, surrounded by birdsong, the scent of the trees and the gentle movement of the wind, you'll have time to simply rest, breathe and let nature do the rest.
Later, Rebecca will welcome you back to the island kitchen at Kalliokumpu Eco Lodge, where warm coffee, tea, hot berry juice and homemade pastries await.
Those who wish can then take part in a traditional Finnish birch whisk ritual (vihta) in the woodland sauna. Using freshly cut birch branches, this centuries-old sauna tradition gently stimulates circulation while filling the sauna with the unmistakable fragrance of the Finnish summer.
We'll end the day by sharing another delicious dinner together at Kalliokumpu Eco Lodge.
Meals: Afternoon coffee, tea or hot berry juice with homemade pastries; dinner at Kalliokumpu Eco Lodge.
Day 7
A Day at Your Own Pace
Today is entirely yours to enjoy.
Read a good book, take a leisurely walk along the coast, linger over a cup of coffee or simply embrace the unhurried rhythm of island life.
If you wish, spend the afternoon soaking in your wood-fired hot tub, overlooking the peaceful Archipelago—a perfect way to reflect on the week and savour your final full day by the sea.
Day 8
Departure
After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to the Finnish Archipelago.
We hope you'll leave with more than beautiful memories—taking home the quiet calm that comes from time spent in nature, the warmth of the Finnish sauna, and a renewed sense of balance.
Relaxed, restored and full of lasting impressions, you'll begin your journey home, carrying a little of Finland with you.
"Jos ei viina, terva ja sauna auta, niin sitten kaivetaan hauta.*"
*As the Finns say: 'If sauna, tar and schnapps can't cure it, the illness is fatal.'
"Es war eine großartige Reise durch die finnische Saunakultur! Aber nicht nur das ...Sami und Rebecca brachten uns Land und Leute nah. Danke ! für diese sehr persönliche und warmherzige Begleitung! Wir waren nicht das letzte Mal in Finnland!
Annette H. - Woltersdorf
Destination & Route
Price
8 Days · From €1,780 per person
from/ to Turku
✔ 8-day women's journey ✔ Small group (4–7 women) ✔ Modern seaside holiday home accommodation ✔ 4 guided sauna experiences ✔ 3 traditional sauna therapies & rituals ✔ Forest bathing, meditation & coastal walks ✔ Introduction to ice swimming (winter departures) ✔ Guided walking tour of Turku ✔ Shared transfers from and back to Turku ✔ Personally guided by Rebecca
Travel Dates:
17 October – 24 October 2026
21 November – 28 November 2026
Group Size: min. Minimum 4 · Maximum 7 guests (small group)
Please note: If the minimum group size is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the journey up to 28 days before departure.
This journey is not suitable for wheelchair users.
What's Included
INCLUDED
Prices for the 8-day (7-night) NORTHERN SISTERS – BALTIC SERENITY Women's Journey start from €1,780 per person, based on two women sharing a twin room in a modern seaside holiday home with a private Finnish sauna, fully equipped kitchen and wood-fired hot tub.
Experiences
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4 guided sauna experiences (including admission) at carefully selected saunas in Kustavi and Turku, including the Kalliokumpu Forest Sauna, the Kustavi Village Sauna and a seaside sauna.
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3 authentic Finnish sauna rituals and therapies, including a traditional birch whisk ritual (vihta), Sauna Yoga, and a peat sauna treatment in Turku.
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Guided walking tour of Turku.
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Guided nature walks through the Finnish Archipelago.
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Forest bathing and guided meditation by the sea.
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Introduction to ice swimming (winter departures only).
Accommodation & Meals
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7 nights in a modern seaside holiday home in Kustavi, sharing a comfortable twin room.
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3 lunches, including one traditional soup lunch and two outdoor picnics; Afternoon coffee and homemade pastries on one day; 5 evening meals, including; 3 freshly prepared dinners; 1 campfire dinner featuring traditional Finnish loimulohi (flame-grilled salmon); 1 light outdoor evening meal.
Transport
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Shared transfer from Turku to Kustavi on the day of arrival (departure from Turku Bus Station at 4:30 pm); Shared transfer from Kustavi to Turku on the day of departure (departure from your accommodation at 8:00 am).
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All local transfers to the included activities and sauna experiences, as outlined in the itinerary.
Sonstige Inklusivleistungen
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Personal guidance and local expertise from Rebecca Lang throughout the journey, from arrival in Turku until your return, in German or English.
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Carbon offsetting for your return journey to and from Finland, as well as for all included travel during the programme.
*Please note: If one of the saunas listed in the itinerary or included services is unavailable, it will be replaced with a suitable alternative of a comparable standard.
Optional Extras
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Single room supplement: + €420
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Additional nights in Helsinki (available on request)
NOT INCLUDED
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Travel to and from Turku. We're happy to help you plan or book your journey, whether by ferry, train or flight. From Helsinki Airport, a direct express coach reaches Turku in around two hours.
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Travel insurance, including trip cancellation and medical cover.
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Meals and drinks not included in the itinerary (there are good grocery shopping facilities in Kustavi, making it easy to prepare your own breakfast or additional meals if you wish).
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Optional excursions and activities not included in the programme.
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Gratuities.
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Personal expenses
Turku Day: Around midday, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Finnish lounas (lunch) together. Between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, many cafés and restaurants across Finland serve a reasonably priced lunch buffet or daily set menu—a popular tradition among locals. A typical lunch usually costs between €15 and €18.
In the evening, those who wish are welcome to join the group for dinner at one of Turku's excellent restaurants. Dinner is optional, and each guest pays for their own meal.
Finnish Sauna Culture – UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
The sauna lies at the heart of Finnish life and has been an essential part of the country's culture for centuries. Traditionally, it was far more than a place to bathe. People brewed beer there, washed their laundry, smoked ham, gave birth, cared for the sick and even prepared the deceased for burial.
Today, Finland is home to more than three million saunas for a population of just 5.5 million people—enough for virtually every Finn to enjoy a sauna at the same time.
Unlike in many other countries, the Finnish sauna is not simply a place for relaxation. It is also a social space where people gather to talk about everyday life, work, relationships, politics and everything in between. As the Finns like to say, "In the sauna, everyone is equal."
In recent years, public sauna culture has experienced a remarkable revival. Cities such as Helsinki and Tampere are now home to some of the world's finest public saunas, where locals continue this cherished tradition.
Join us on a journey that combines authentic Finnish sauna culture with the charm of Finland's vibrant cities—an experience that is as culturally enriching as it is deeply restorative.
Accommodation
Throughout the journey, you'll stay with your fellow travellers in cosy seaside holiday homes, with a maximum of four women sharing each house. Each home features a comfortable living area, a fully equipped kitchen and, of course, its own private Finnish sauna. On the terrace, a wood-fired hot tub invites you to unwind while taking in the peaceful surroundings of the Archipelago.
The Carbon Footprint of Your Journey
0,22 t CO2e
(Example: Travemünde – Helsinki, travelling with the Finnlines Finnswan)
0,42 t CO2e
(Example route: via Denmark, Stockholm and Helsinki, aboard the Viking Line Cinderella)
0,55 t CO2e
he CO₂e estimates include return travel, local transfers, accommodation, meals and all included activities (such as the Finnish sauna experience). Figures are calculated per person for the entire return journey.
