Finnish evening

The Turku Archipelago

The Turku Archipelago is made up of around 20 000 islands of varying sizes and is considered one of the world's most beautiful archipelago landscapes. Stunning and varied nature, from rugged bare rocky islets to rich and fertile islands, the colorful and rich cultural history of the area creates its own special atmosphere. It's possible to find rare fauna and flora, which have become extinct in other regions.

Shipping has long traditions in the locality, and its central location in the Baltic Sea has made it possible for people of the archipelago to have good trade relations with mainland Finland, Stockholm, St. Petersburg and Tallinn. The archipelago is also a historically cultural region with traditional sources of livelihood such as agriculture and fishing still alive. Today, tourism is an important industry.

Accessing the islands is made easy by a combination of spectacular bridges, small free local ferries called lossis, and larger connecting ferries on the longer routes. The so-called Archipelago Trail from island to island with eight ferries and a dozen bridges is very popular nowadays.

The old fisherman's village, Herrankukkaro, is situated to the south-west of Turku. The route with the steamship Ukkopekka goes first near the Turku Castle, along the Ruissalo Island's parks and beautiful villas and then crosses the Airisto open sea to the Airismaa Island in Rymättylä.

Rymättylä is known for Baltic herring. Seine fishing was practiced during winter and early summer. There used to be close to 20 seines, and hundreds of kilos of Baltic herring could be caught with a single net. This traditional way of fishing is being revived. Also the early potatoes and vegetables come to the mainland from Rymättylä where the winter is the shortest in Finland and the spring comes early.

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Steamship Ukkopekka

Family-owned Steamship company S/S Ukkopekka operates on the sea area of Turku archipelago. The flagship of the company is an old steamer, S/S Ukkopekka, which takes passengers (max. 150) during the summer season from Turku to day and evening cruises. There are two saloons in Ukkopekka. It takes 2.5 hours to travel to Herrankukkaro.

S/S Ukkopekka is known for its excellent archipelago styled kitchen and high quality customer service. This, combined with the unique atmosphere of an old steamer, guarantees delightful and unforgettable moments in the archipelago. (Refreshment on board at own expense


Herrankukkaro - Mama's pocket

Herrankukkaro is an unique place for group meetings and recreation events. It is located in Rymättylä, which is an old fishing locality in the Turku archipelago in South-West Finland.

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The world's best Finnish invention - sauna

There are four saunas in the Herrankukkaro area, all of them authentic smoke-saunas. The traditional village-sauna for 30 people as well as an ancient Finnish underground sauna "maasavusauna" for 120 people offer an experience of guaranteed relaxation. There are also two smaller saunas: Malt-Sauna for 15 people and an unusual coal burner's sauna for only two people. Hot-water barrels are also included.

The savusauna (smoke-sauna) is a special type of saunas without a chimney. Wood is burned on particularly large stove and the smoke fills the room. When the sauna is hot enough (after ten or so hours) the fire is allowed to die and the smoke is ventilated out. The residual heat of the stove is enough for the duration of the sauna. The löyly (heat, steam) is very gentle in the smoke sauna. This represents the ancestral type of sauna.

Maasavusauna (underground smoke sauna)

Maasavusauna was build up to follow scarce traditional know-how. The mission was successful according to the result; steams are extremely rich on oxygen which creates good sensations and happy feelings. Benches are divided to six levels for everyone to find their own place and limits. (Take your swimming suit with.)

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Food and Drink

Simple but tasty - just the best of the traditional island fare - prepared by local culinary experts. With the experience of many generations, the cooks prepare delicious and enjoyable fares. The local hostesses know the secrets of the traditional island cuisine, as well as the local specialties of the region Herrankukkaro in particular. Meals water the mouth and satisfy the mind. Dining captivates one of the main focuses during the visit.

Dining at Herrankukkaro (Mama's Pocket)

The island style dinner is the highlight of the evening. It is served on a terrace where lanterns bring the light and waterfront campfires create the magical atmosphere. Dinner can also be served in a cosy indoor environment illuminated by candles.

Herrankukkaro is fully licensed for alcohol serving. Simple but tasty - just the best of the traditional island fare - prepared by local culinary experts.

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Buffet of delicacies à la Airismaa

Starters

  • fresh green salad
  • wild mushroom salad
  • pickled cucumber with vinegar from the island
  • homemade cheese
  • crushed lingonberry purée
  • raw juniper berry salted whitefish
  • herrings in herbal marinade
  • Herrankukkaro styled tar flavored herrings
  • pieces of smoked fishes
  • herring steak in marinade
  • eggs

Main dish

  • honeyed steamed root vegetables
  • cooked carrots
  • baked beetroot
  • herrings á la Oskari
  • variety of fish cooked over the open fire
  • smoked fish straight from the smokehouse
  • grilled and smoked island-style lamb or casserole made from game meat
  • boiled potatoes from Rymättylä
  • island style bread and butter
  • butter spiced with sea buckthorn

Dessert

Coffee and a seasonal house specialty for dessert.

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LCM IV