by Natascha Brooks
As I step out from the bus after reaching Naantali, a perfect peacefulness washes over me. Who wouldn’t feel at peace walking along the paths of an expertly groomed park, filled with just bloomed flowers, smiling Finns and their eager puppies wagging their tails. The park is the ideal introduction to Naantali, setting the mood for the beautiful scenery and easygoing spirit of the day to come.
Arriving at lunch time, my first stop was to get a bite to eat. Charming restaurants are around every bend on the waterfront, ranging in price and cuisine. While looking at one buffet-style restaurant, I overhear a local woman tell her visiting friend, “Oh this so very typical Finnish,” pointing to a pastry topped with what seems to be egg salad. Called Karelian Pies, these treats can be found around town and all over Finland, and are usually topped with an egg and creamed butter mix. Sunday buffets are popular, pricey, and filled with other “typical Finnish” fare such as salmon soup and herring.
My group opts out of the many buffets, and orders waterfront pizzas at Ravintola Valborg. The restaurant has rustic interior, with sleek wooden bars and tables, but the best seats in the house are found on the deck overlooking the shiny boats and glittering water of Naantali’s harbor.
The “typical Finnish” experience continues in Naantali with a visit to Moomin World. A short walk from the harbor transports you into a Finnish wonderland, and my group is greeted by Moominpappa and Sniff singing, dancing, and putting a smile on every Finnish child (and adult) in the audience.
Walking back from Moomin World, my group finds the real treasure of Naantali. Instead of walking back to the busy Old Town, we veer left, and find ourselves on the sandy beach of an idyllic cove. The sun shines bright on the cove, and the chilly wind is dissipated by the lush green trees surrounding the cove. Now this is a “typical Finnish” activity, I tell myself, as local Finns dive and exercise in the actually-not-too-cold water. My group takes a dip for ourselves, and wade in the water, overlooking the untouched and pristine surroundings. We find it difficult to pull ourselves from this little utopia, but promise ourselves to dive right in, just like the Finns, the next time we get the chance.
We finish our tour of Naantali with a stroll through Naantali’s Old Town. Boutiques and souvenir shops greet you at every turn, but the best stop is fashion designer Jukka Rintala’s shop. With the feel of a mini-fashion museum, we give our adoring comments to the glittering gowns on display, and dream of the events we could wear them to.
Naantali seemed to encapsulate a “typical Finnish” day filled Moomins, the sea, and sweet smiles on the face of every Finn. What I did not anticipate, was the very “Un-Finnish” evening ahead. Catering to the Spanish subculture of Helsinki, Salsa Borealis is a group dedicated to promoting the love of salsa dancing in Finland with multiple free Salsa lessons a week. As my group turns the corner around the lake, it is as if we have been transported to Spain, with salsa dancers twirling to infectious beats. On an outdoor dance floor overlooking the lake, international dancers (and non-dancers like myself) come together to explore a different side of Finland. I am pulled to the dance floor by Kingsley, a Nigerian-born Finn, who tells me, “This is all so very un-Finnish! But we love it!” As I move my feet to the Salsa beat, I overlook the immaculate lake in front of me (typically Finnish), and soak in the maracas ringing in my ear (typically un-Finnish). The juxtaposition is clear, but I love every second of it.
As I step out from the bus after reaching Naantali, a perfect peacefulness washes over me. Who wouldn’t feel at peace walking along the paths of an expertly groomed park, filled with just bloomed flowers, smiling Finns and their eager puppies wagging their tails. The park is the ideal introduction to Naantali, setting the mood for the beautiful scenery and easygoing spirit of the day to come.
Arriving at lunch time, my first stop was to get a bite to eat. Charming restaurants are around every bend on the waterfront, ranging in price and cuisine. While looking at one buffet-style restaurant, I overhear a local woman tell her visiting friend, “Oh this so very typical Finnish,” pointing to a pastry topped with what seems to be egg salad. Called Karelian Pies, these treats can be found around town and all over Finland, and are usually topped with an egg and creamed butter mix. Sunday buffets are popular, pricey, and filled with other “typical Finnish” fare such as salmon soup and herring.
My group opts out of the many buffets, and orders waterfront pizzas at Ravintola Valborg. The restaurant has rustic interior, with sleek wooden bars and tables, but the best seats in the house are found on the deck overlooking the shiny boats and glittering water of Naantali’s harbor.
The “typical Finnish” experience continues in Naantali with a visit to Moomin World. A short walk from the harbor transports you into a Finnish wonderland, and my group is greeted by Moominpappa and Sniff singing, dancing, and putting a smile on every Finnish child (and adult) in the audience.
Walking back from Moomin World, my group finds the real treasure of Naantali. Instead of walking back to the busy Old Town, we veer left, and find ourselves on the sandy beach of an idyllic cove. The sun shines bright on the cove, and the chilly wind is dissipated by the lush green trees surrounding the cove. Now this is a “typical Finnish” activity, I tell myself, as local Finns dive and exercise in the actually-not-too-cold water. My group takes a dip for ourselves, and wade in the water, overlooking the untouched and pristine surroundings. We find it difficult to pull ourselves from this little utopia, but promise ourselves to dive right in, just like the Finns, the next time we get the chance.
We finish our tour of Naantali with a stroll through Naantali’s Old Town. Boutiques and souvenir shops greet you at every turn, but the best stop is fashion designer Jukka Rintala’s shop. With the feel of a mini-fashion museum, we give our adoring comments to the glittering gowns on display, and dream of the events we could wear them to.
Naantali seemed to encapsulate a “typical Finnish” day filled Moomins, the sea, and sweet smiles on the face of every Finn. What I did not anticipate, was the very “Un-Finnish” evening ahead. Catering to the Spanish subculture of Helsinki, Salsa Borealis is a group dedicated to promoting the love of salsa dancing in Finland with multiple free Salsa lessons a week. As my group turns the corner around the lake, it is as if we have been transported to Spain, with salsa dancers twirling to infectious beats. On an outdoor dance floor overlooking the lake, international dancers (and non-dancers like myself) come together to explore a different side of Finland. I am pulled to the dance floor by Kingsley, a Nigerian-born Finn, who tells me, “This is all so very un-Finnish! But we love it!” As I move my feet to the Salsa beat, I overlook the immaculate lake in front of me (typically Finnish), and soak in the maracas ringing in my ear (typically un-Finnish). The juxtaposition is clear, but I love every second of it.