by PHIL HARRISON
FINLAND never seemed an obvious holiday destination but within a day of embracing the sauna-based lifestyle I was already feeling relaxed, refreshed and fulfiled: three key features of a great holiday.
Finnish guides promoting Tampere describe the city as “the Manchester of Finland” – but please don’t let that put you off. The odd reference merely refers to its industrial history and fails to encompass the brilliant mix of old and new architecture held within the city.
A short drive from the city of Tampere is the Villa Hepolahti – an idyllic countryside sauna house set in the picturesque surroundings of Lake Pintele.
The villa accommodates 13 people – perfect for a large family or work gathering – offering fishing, sauna and delicious fresh fish, taking full advantage of its lakeside location.
Fishing was the first on the agenda but despite the best efforts of our guide Heikki - who did everything but dive in and wrestle a pike onto my line to help me – I returned with no fish to my name with my dream of living off my fishing prowess in tatters.
On our return from an afternoon’s fishing we were greeted by a traditional lakeside sauna overlooking the picturesque lake.
Getting hot and sweaty with six other guys had never seemed my kind of thing before Finland (each to their own) but in this environment it is positively encouraged.
It became a contest of who could stand the heat as minute by minute, as ladle by ladle of water was poured onto the steaming rocks, we separated the weak from the strong – with the victor’s reward being a traditional Finnish sauna all to themselves.
After the extreme heat of the sauna there is nothing better than jumping into the crystal clear water of the neighbouring lake. It’s hard to explain just how refreshing it feels until you’ve tried it – a feeling I had many more times during the evening as I watched the sun go down.
Once again our host Heikki was on hand to welcome us back into his chic 1950’s Finnish dining room for a feast of freshly caught crayfish, pike fishcakes and Schnapps.
A good rest in my luxurious top floor double bed at the Sokos Hotel Ives, in the centre of Tampere, was just what I needed and a quiet day touring the city ended in the perfect evening meal at the Näsinneula Tower – a revolving restaurant at the very top of the tallest observation tower in the Nordic countries.
This is one of the best ways to see the city as we devoured a delicately presented seven-course meal enjoying 360 degree views covering almost 20 kilometres.
The next day was taken up by a luxurious day of treatments at the Holiday Club Tampere Spa within the city.
This modern complex houses a sauna, steam room, swimming pool and massage suite as well as hotel and holiday flats within minutes of the city centre.
Those looking for a wake up call after a relaxing spa can enjoy being put through their paces at the world’s first Spy Museum where you can enjoy testing your investigative skills in their unique Agent Test.
After that you can enjoy a hearty Finnish feast at the Plevna Restaurant and Brewery where traditional bar wenches serve properly brewed stout, lager and ale in the old Finlayson cotton mills that made this city famous.
A mere two hours and 20 minutes from London Stansted, Tampere is a jewel in the picturesque crown of Finland offering stunning sites come sunshine or snow all year round.
Fact Box
Visit Tampere
www.visittampere.fi
www.tampereallbright.fi
Fly
Ryanair – direct flights from London Stansted to Tampere - http://www.ryanair.com/en
Stay
Sokos Hotel Ives – www.sokoshotels.fi/en/hotels/tampere/ives/
Villa Hepolahti – www.villahepolahti.com/en/
Eat
Restaurant Näsinneula - www.sarkanniemi.fi/nasinneula/en
Brewery Restaurant Plevna - www.plevna.fi/index_e.php
Visit
Holiday Club Tampere Spa - www.holidayclubresorts.com/resorts/tampereenklpyla/
Spy Museum - www.vakoilmuseo.fi/englanti/index.htm