HI Finland selects a rural hostel in Central Finland as its Hostel of the Year

Vaihelan Tila has been awarded the title of Hostel of the Year 2015 by HI Finland. The hostel, with its surrounding farm, is located in the village of Pappinen, in Joutsa. The owners of Vaihelan Tila, Birgitta and Juha Ruohtula, offer a diverse package of services giving travellers a genuine experience of life in the Finnish countryside. The farm has offered accommodation to travellers for five decades.

It continues to be active in forestry and arable farming, along with a mixture of animals from cats to wild boars. The farm buildings include a small farm museum with a display of historical agricultural items. A wood-heated sauna welcomes guests in the hostel grounds. A smoke sauna is also available on reservation, offering a different flavour of the Finnish sauna culture. The smoke sauna is located on the lakeshore, a short walk from the hostel. There is also a jetty for swimming. Swimming is possible even in winter – if you are brave enough to take a dip in a hole in the ice!

Birgitta enjoys her work in the hostel: “My work is so varied; every day is different. I get to meet people from all over the world. And the best thing is that the same guests keep coming back again and again.”

In the heart of Finnish Lakeland

Joutsa is a small rural town that offers travellers an unhurried experience and lots of local culture. Birgitta has her own favourite pastimes in Joutsa: “When I do my shopping in summer, I sometimes like to sit down in the market café to enjoy a cup of coffee. I visit the craft centre in the Taito Shop to get ideas and admire their colourful yarns. They often have exhibitions as well. The library in the town centre is a nice place to visit.”

For tourists, Birgitta further recommends Leivonmäki National Park, Haihatus Art Centre, and several local craft boutiques, such as Design Pylsy and Pikkupuoti. Joutsa also offers lots of opportunities for recreation, such as horse riding and motor sports.

Hostel Vaihelan Tila wants to offer a quality hostel experience

The Ruohtulas cultivate a high-quality customer experience by developing their hostel activities and participating in HI Finland’s trips to hostels in other countries to pick up new ideas. This year, the Ruohtulas will begin work on implementing Hostelling International’s HI Quality system. Their hostel offers accommodation for 14 people in rooms with 1-4 beds.

Every year, HI Finland awards a commendable hostel the title of Hostel of the Year. The selection criteria for this year’s award called for an active role in the development of activities along with positive customer feedback. The title has been awarded since 2004; Last year, the recipient was Laivahostel Borea in Turku.

Hostel Mannila in Finland – not your typical hostel experience

Located at the shores of largest lake in Finland, Hostel Mannila surely has a splendid location. Lake Saimaa and nearby Punkaharju ridge area offers one of the most scenic views in Finland and should be everybody’s to-do list while traveling in the land of midnight sun.

Hostel Mannila is ideal for those yearning for peaceful surroundings. Smell of freshly cut grass and home cooked breakfast are part of an authentic Finnish countryside experience. You can enjoy your stay in red-painted cottages, in a summer hostel or in a hotel. For those who not seek complete isolation, a town of Savonlinna is only 30 kilometres away.

Wide variety of activities offered ensures that no one can get easily bored: skiing tracks start from the door-step in the winter, kayaking in summertime, horse riding and lakeside sauna are just one few activities to be mentioned. Surrounding areas have plenty of sightseeing from war memorials to art exhibitions.

The reception and a restaurant are at the 'Rantakatti' building.

Midsummer is celebrated at Hostel Mannila with a bonfire at the lake.

If you’re looking for a place off-the-beaten track, Hostel Mannila should not be passed. Finnish Lakeland is waiting for you!

P.S. Did you know Lake Saimaa is home for the rarest seal in the world?

Hostel Mannila is open all year around. Book your stay at: www.hihostels.com


Article by Laura H.

Edited 16 February 2015

#ILoveTravellinginEurope, Happy European Tourism Day!

Did you know that today is the European Tourism Day?

That of course means that there is a reason to celebrate! Our theme of today (well, everyday) among hostelling network in Europe is I love travelling in Europe. You do too, don’t you?

Here’s some of us Finnish hostelling people revealing why they love travelling in Europe. Hopefully they can inspire you with their chosen destinations.

3 questions will be answered:

1. Why do I love travelling in Europe?
2. My favourite destination in Europe (outside Finland)
3. My favourite destination in Finland

Emmi 
Eurohostel, Helsinki

1. I love travelling in Europe because the connections are so smooth.
2. London has it all! There’s so much to see and do.
3. Lapland is my favourite destination in the whole world. I love its nature and the peaceful and quiet atmosphere you can find there. It’s a great and welcomed contrast that I find there for the hectic everyday life.

Emmi (left) and Lea from Eurohostel in Helsinki

Lea
Eurohostel, Helsinki

1. The sameness of how the systems work is refreshing sometimes, especially if I compare to Africa and Latin America, where I usually travel.
2. I love Estonia, I like their language especially!
3. Lakeland Finland - well, because of the lakes.

Annika
Eurohostel, Helsinki

1. It’s fairly cheap to move around Europe
2. I was surprised by how beautiful Scotland is.
3. Lapland and over there especially Levi are special because of their ambience in the winter with all that snow. It’s full of magic and has a very Christmassy atmosphere.

Annika from Eurohostel in Helsinki

Birgitta
Hostel Vaihelan Tila, Joutsa

1. The distances are short, it doesn't take much time to fly from one destination to another. That makes short breaks possible. The architecture and culture of the old European cities are interesting, worth experiencing.
2. Reykjavik in Iceland has been the most memorable trip. I'd like to get to know the whole island outside the capital city too.
3. To be honest I travel abroad more! Though I am planning to make day trips to neighbouring towns to see local culture and art.

Birgitta from Hostel Vaihelan Tila in Joutsa

Lapland, true winter wonderland destination: outdoor activities in Saariselkä

After visiting Lapland's 'capital' Rovaniemi and busy skiing resort Levi, we'll head for peaceful location in Saariselkä.

 

Hostel Ahopää, Saariselkä

Located at the root of one of the most loved national parks in Finland, Hostel Ahopää is a heaven for outdoor fans. The unique wilderness of Lapland is just one step away and beautiful fells invite you to go explore the magic of polar nights…

This area is suitable for a wide range of outdoor activities and the hostel has excellent selection of outdoor activities equipment, including GPS devices, available for hire. The accommodation price includes during the season participation in weekly hikes in the Kiilopää area. You can also choose from the many clearly signposted trails and go exploring your own. And why not try a refreshing dip in a fell brook after the sauna!

Hostel Ahopää has rooms and dorms sleeping 2–6 people. The dorms for male and female guests are separate, with shared toilet facilities just outside the dorms. All guests are welcomed to use the shared kitchen, a bathroom, and sauna facilities in the main building.

Did you know? Urho Kekkonen National Park is named after famous and longest-serving Finnish president, Urho Kekkonen. He was known for his sincere admiration for Lapland’s nature and often chose to spend his holidays in the wilderness. Urho Kekkonen also has been one of the protectors of Hostelling International Finland!

Lapland, true winter wonderland destination: ski and après-ski in Levi

We started our 3-part series of having a look at what Lapland has to offer during winter-time from Rovaniemi, the biggest town in Finnish Lapland. Now we are off to the biggest skiing resort in Finland: Levi.

Levi is a popular holiday destination is bursting with interesting activities such as husky and reindeer sledging, snow mobile safaris, ice karting and ice galleries. From the reception you can rent snowshoes and wonder around in serene beauty. After a day spent in nature you can relax by taking a massage or trying out several delicious restaurants in the area.

Hostel Hullu Poro, Levi

Hostel Hullu Poro is located two kilometres from Levi centre. You can easily arrive to Levi centre from Kittilä airport only in 15 minutes. Hostel has twin bed room apartments, where you have kitchen, common room and a bathroom. One apartment can host four people. You can also book a dorm bed.


National symbol of Lapland: Every year Levi hosts World Cup of Alpine skiing in the most Northern competition location in the world. Starting from 2013 winners are awarded with their very own reindeer and you might see these famous reindeers while visiting Levi!