Porkkala Region (Inkoo, Kirkkonummi, Siuntio)

We start with a guided tour of Sjundby Manor, where the fortified building dates from the 1560s. Our guide relates the manor's fascinating history during the period when Finland was part of the Swedish Empire, and also what happened at the time of the Porkkala Parenthesis. We enjoy an elegant hors d'oeuvre in Sjundby's former granary, now an atmospheric restaurant. At Westerby Gård in Inkoo, we enjoy a tasty main dish in a country setting, and the shop on the same site offers products for interior decoration and gardening.

A trip through the islands of the Inkoo archipelago in a water taxi. We visit the island of Bågaskär where the Finnish Lifeboat Institution established an operations and training centre in 2009. Trainees are able to use the latest equipment in tackling the many challenges posed by this marine environment. Beautiful island scenery and a tasty lunch at the Jakobshamn summer restaurant.

One of the main locations in works by the artist Helene Schjerfbeck (1862-1946) is Sjundby Manor in Siuntio, where she spent time with her cousins. She sketched the main building from different perspectives when she was in her early teens and returned to the subject later in life. Her cousins who lived in the manor were of similar age and featured as models in many of Helene’s works. During our guided tour, we visit the artist’s room and hear about the times she spent there.

Welcome to the village of Degerby, now home to Leena Lehtolainen, Finland’s best-known writer of detective novels. Kisu Jernström welcomes us to the unique and delightful Degerby Deli. At Kestikievari in Kopparnäs we enjoy a hearty buffet lunch and you can take a glass (or two) of red wine. At the Lomamäen Pet Park (summer months) we meet Fernando the mule, parrots, pigs, reptiles and other animals.

Visits to unique and historical locations in West Uusimaa where the gardens have been carefully restored and renovated. Rare trees and bushes - and garden art - in the park at Svartå Manor, then a tasty lunch in Linnankrouvi, the manor restaurant. Then to Inkoo and a visit to the beautiful park and gardens of Fagervik Manor. In Kirkkonummi, the new splendour of the Pokrova Monastery’s enchanting gardens is the result of many years hard work. Afternoon coffee at Pokrova.

Take a Royal Line cruise from Helsinki Market Square to Porkkala - you’ll be in good company!

Travelling along a route lined by beautiful gardens and marvellous summer residences accompanied by intriguing stories of steamships, prohibition, smuggling and the Porkkala Parenthesis. Enjoy a delicious lunch on board and, occasionally, untouched nature.

It’s now more than half a century since the Soviet Union withdrew from its naval base in Porkkala and the region was returned to Finnish rule. Now called the Porkkala Parenthesis, this period had not only a very direct effect on the districts of Kirkkonummi, Siuntio, Inkoo and even the City of Espoo, it was also a very significant event in Finnish history.

Finland’s national poet and writer Aleksis Kivi lived at Fanjunkars, a house in Siuntio owned by Charlotta Lönnqvist, from 1864-1871. She gave him both a home and a place with the peace he needed to work. Kivi had become familiar with Siuntio when he stayed with his brother in Purnus in 1857-58 and spent the majority of his most productive years as a writer at Fanjunkars. He wrote Seven Brothers, his most famous work, while living there, revising the book three times.