Hostelling @ Kartano Hostel in Kokemäki

'Hostelling @...' is a post where we take a quick look at the hostels around Finland. This time we're visiting Kartano hostel.

If you are looking for a place to relax or you are travelling from Turku to, say, Tampere, why not stay on the way at Kartano Hostel in Kokemäki.

Kartano Hostel is an active farmhouse too. During the summer there is a huge selection of berries that you can pick in the gardens by yourself or alternatively you can buy them freshly picked at the hostel shop, where they also sell tasty lemonades and jams made from the berries. And are you an HI Member? If you are, you get 10% discount off all the purchases made at the shop. Nice, delicious discount!

Lingonberries that will become delicious jams and lemonades.

Kartano Hostel has both private rooms as well as dormitories.

Also check out the activities available at Kartano Hostel!

Hostelling @ Dream Hostel in Tampere

'Hostelling @...' is a post where we take a quick look at the hostels around Finland. This time we're visiting Dream Hostel in Tampere.

Tampere used to be the centre of industrialisation in Finland and this can still be seen in the city's daily life as well as art and culture. These days Tampere is a vibrant university town and there is something going on all the time.

There's plenty of space in the common areas at Dream Hostel.

Dream Hostel is a funky design hostel that has a great backpacker atmosphere. Take advantage of the hostel's offerings: pick a book from the book swap or rent a bicycle.

You get privacy in the dorm rooms too, thanks to the well designed bunk beds.

The staff at Dream Hostel will also tell you the best spots for the local nightlife, which is just around the corner from the hostel.

These guys at Dream Hostel obviously know that hostelling is fun.

How to get to Tampere? Easily. By train, by bus (either Expressbus or Onnibus) or fly to Tampere by RyanAir from London, Germany, Milan or Budapest.


P.S. Check out the list '10 of the best luxury hostels in Europe' that Kash Bhattacharya made for Guardian. Dream Hostel made it to the list as the only hostel from the Nordic countries. Great work Dream Hostel!

Hostelling @ Timitra Hostel in Lieksa

'Hostelling @...' is a post where we take a quick look at the hostels around Finland. This time we're visiting Timitra Hostel in Lieksa.

Timitra Hostel

Lieksa is a town near the Russian border in Karelia. It is also close to Koli, which is seen as the national landscape in Finland.

Are you an HI Member? If you are, you'll get to enjoy a 20% discount off the rental of a kayak at Timitra Hostel.

Lieksa's Timitra Hostel is situated in a building that used to serve the army, but these days it is an atmospheric hostel. The owners of the hostel have decorated the rooms and common areas with timeless Finnish design.

Lieksa also hosts the annual festival Lieksa Brass Week in July, which brings to town brass enthusiasts from all over the world to enjoy the many concerts and other events.

Rooms at Timitra Hostel are big and cozy.

How to get to Lieksa? By train via Joensuu is the most convenient way. You can also catch a bus (sadly not much information in English).