DESTINATION: LOHJA

Lohja – a cosy lake town in South Coast Finland

Lohja is a beautiful region in the midst of unspoiled, true Finnish nature, only a one-hour drive west from Helsinki. Enjoy the peacefulness of Lake Lohjanjärvi, the largest lake in Southern Finland. Be amazed by the same landscape, lakes, and forests that inspired the creator of the Finnish national epic, The Kalevala. Explore the myths and mythology of the Kalevala and learn healing methods from the old Finnish way of life.

Lohja is a traditional region with well-established roots. At the heart of the cosy town is the 500-year old church site where people gathered and traded long before the church was built. Later fine manors and industrial plants were erected, helping Lohja grow even bigger and more prosperous. Municipal mergers have enriched the Lohja area with new and charming villages, fertile countryside, and beautiful cultural landscapes. The area’s unique specialty are apples and the many sweet delicacies made from them. In Lohja region there are more than 200 000 apple trees which ripen during August–September and, of course, charming hanami – flowers in May.

What is the enchantment of the lake and forests? It is a moment spent with loved ones in the peace of your own cottage, hiking in the lush groves of the shores of Lake Lohjanjärvi or skating on the ice of a frozen lake in winter. The enchantment of the lake is relaxing by the water, sunny summer events and local delicacies on the terrace of the summer café.

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Available activities

  • TRADITIONAL FINNISH TEXTILE ART WORKSHOP

    TRADITIONAL FINNISH TEXTILE ART WORKSHOP

    TRADITIONAL FINNISH TEXTILE ART WORKSHOP

    Package type: half day
    Season: January–December
    For whom: groups (min. 5–max. 10 pers.)

    Helsinki 60 km

    This workshop will take place at the Kettukallio Experience farm situated in the Finnish countryside, some 20 minutes’ drive from the city of Lohja and surrounded by a beautiful Finnish forest. An alternative option is to have this Textile Art workshop at a local Yarn Shop Vaudevilla in the heart of Lohja. The shop is full of colourful textile materials to see and buy.

  • TO THE ROOTS OF FINNISH WELLBEING – NATURE CONNECTEDNESS IN A FOREST PARK

    TO THE ROOTS OF FINNISH WELLBEING – NATURE CONNECTEDNESS IN A FOREST PARK

    TO THE ROOTS OF FINNISH WELLBEING – NATURE CONNECTEDNESS IN A FOREST PARK

    Package type: half day
    Season: May–October
    For whom: individuals / groups
    (min. 5–max. 20 pers.)

    Helsinki 80 km

    The forest park is a 3ha collection of trees located on the shore of Lohjanjärvi, in the rural Skraatila village. The collection includes more than 100 taxa and 300 varieties of trees and shrubs from three continents. In addition to the guided wellness trail there are different garden themes and site facilities include a cafeteria, several terraces, parking lot (suitable for busses), two eco toilets with running water.

  • DESIGN AND MYTHOLOGY IN THE FINNISH COUNTRYSIDE

    DESIGN AND MYTHOLOGY IN THE FINNISH COUNTRYSIDE

    DESIGN AND MYTHOLOGY IN THE FINNISH COUNTRYSIDE

    Package type: full day
    Season: May–September
    For whom: groups (min. 5–max. 10 pers.)

    Helsinki 87 km

    Finns are well-known for their design, and this tour visits places for art and design enthusiasts, food enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys cute historic villages with a unique, local atmosphere. The sculptor and environmental artist studio in Siuntio village is located in a beautiful rural area, surrounded by farms and local rural life. Fiskars Village is in the historical surroundings of an old village area outside the town of Raasepori.

  • KALEVALA EXPERIENCE

    KALEVALA EXPERIENCE

    KALEVALA EXPERIENCE

    Package type: 2 days
    Season: May–September
    For whom: groups (min. 5–max. 20 pers.)

    Helsinki 80 km

    The tour visits the sites of the Finnish national epic Kalevala which has shaped the nation’s identity. The epic is a collection of thousands of poems by writer Elias Lönnrot who was born in the Lohja region in the 19th century. The Kalevala relates stories of love and loyalty, hatred and jealousy, it tells about the prehistoric past when people lived closer to nature. The Kalevala epic has inspired generations of artists, cloth and jewellery designers, musicians, and film producers.

  • HEALTH HIKING IN KARNAINEN NATURE SPA

    HEALTH HIKING IN KARNAINEN NATURE SPA

    HEALTH HIKING IN KARNAINEN NATURE SPA

    Package type: half day
    Season: January–December
    For whom: groups (min. 5–max. 40 pers.)

    Helsinki 50 km

    Karnaistenkorpi is the largest integrated recreation area in the Lohja region, covering approximately 200 ha. There are valleys, patches of marshland, quietly flowing forest streams and two beautiful forest ponds. Spending time in nature to keep fit is part of Finnish lifestyle today and the Kisakallio Sports Institute offers a wide variety of sports, activities, educational opportunities as well as excellent facilities for professional and amateur sports enthusiasts. Spending time in the Karnainen Nature Spa by hiking helps people to reduce blood pressure, reduce cortisol levels, boost the immune system by increasing the levels of natural killer cells, reduce stress level and improve creativity.

  • TASTE OF LOHJA ISLAND

    TASTE OF LOHJA ISLAND

    TASTE OF LOHJA ISLAND

    Package type: full day
    Season: June 12–August 28, on Saturdays
    For whom: groups (min. 10–max. 25 pers.)

    Helsinki 80 km

    The story of apple farming in Lohja began in the 16th century when lord of the manor Erik Fleming brought apple tree seedlings from Tallinn. Many envied Fleming’s apples, which he could pick directly from his own trees and so apple trees began to appear in home gardens ranging from manor houses to working-class homes. The tradition of apple farming is still strongly visible all around Lohja and especially on Lohjansaari island situated in the middle of Lake Lohjanjävi, the largest lake in Southern Finland.

  • LOHJA APPLE CARNIVAL

    LOHJA APPLE CARNIVAL

    LOHJA APPLE CARNIVAL

    Package type: 2 days
    Season: September (the annual Apple Carnival is a one day event only, towards the end of September)
    For whom: small groups (min. 8  max 16)

    Helsinki 60 km or 1 hour

    The annual Apple Carnival is a one-day event held in the second half of September during the best apple season in South Finland. The carnival offers a variety of seasonal fruit and vegetables, handicrafts, local food, music, dance and many other cultural programmes. The Apple Carnival takes place close to Lohja City centre in the garden and field of the Lohja Museum. It is a very typical Finnish event, where local people and visitors meet each other and visitors catch many local delicacies and have a chance to taste traditional food. Lohja is called the city of apples with over 200 000 apple trees, so this event suits the region very well.

  • LOHJA HOMEVISIT AT LAINE FAMILY WITH CHRISTMAS THEME

    LOHJA HOMEVISIT AT LAINE FAMILY WITH CHRISTMAS THEME

    LOHJA HOMEVISIT AT LAINE FAMILY WITH CHRISTMAS THEME

    Package type: 2 days
    Season: December
    For whom: small groups (min. 8–max. 15 pers.)

    Helsinki 60 km or 1 hour by bus

    This package introduces the most traditional ways to experience spending two days like a Finn. Sauna, smoke sauna, food, old traditional Christmas fair event and a visit to a Finnish home to spend a Christmas evening with the Laine family. Warm hearted local people to meet and taste rural delicacies by the campfire. Finns love to travel to rural sites during midsummer and during Christmas time. If we don’t have the opportunity to travel to rural sites, we try to create the best traditional Christmas at our home. 

Aland Islands and Lohja, Finland

DESTINATION: ÅLAND

DESTINATION: ÅLAND
DESTINATION: ARCHIPELAGO OF KÖKAR IN ÅLAND

DESTINATION: ARCHIPELAGO OF KÖKAR IN ÅLAND
DESTINATION: BRÄNDÖ ISLAND IN ÅLAND

DESTINATION: BRÄNDÖ ISLAND IN ÅLAND
DESTINATION: LAPPO ISLAND IN ÅLAND

DESTINATION: LAPPO ISLAND IN ÅLAND
DESTINATION: JURMO ISLAND IN ÅLAND

DESTINATION: JURMO ISLAND IN ÅLAND
DESTINATION: LOHJA

DESTINATION: LOHJA

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