Slow Travel Retreat in Finland - is it worth it?
- Kati Pankka
- Jun 3
- 4 min read
As a native Finn and travel professional, I was invited to join the very first Five Senses Retreats in Nuuksio National Park. In return, I was asked to share my personal experience and create some honest content. So here we go!
The challenge of finding balance
As a tour guide, a toddler mom, and a student, finding balance is crucial, and this retreat offered just that. The weekend was perfectly paced, allowing time for guided activities and personal reflection, with moments to connect with fellow guests. The retreat reminded me that taking time for oneself isn't a luxury but a necessity.
Sensory sessions - what are they?
This was a whole new term for me, but I quickly gathered that they're kind of like activities, but slower, calmer, and more intentional. This was a refreshing perspective on traveling in Finland.
The retreat began with a digital detox and a focus on mindfulness, where forest bathing became a grounding experience. Feeling the moss under my feet, I truly reconnected with nature, which helped me unwind and reset my nervous system.
Collaborating with local specialists like Anna Nyman (Foraging in Finland) in the Nordic Pantry and Herbal Sauna Sessions added depth to my knowledge and inspired me to integrate these experiences into my life. The lakeside sauna and cold plunge, enhanced with wild herbs, offered a unique touch of luxury and relaxation.
One of the highlights was Arja Kastinen's kantele workshop, where we quickly learned the basics of playing the string instrument and even performed creative solos. As a cherry on top, we did a full yoga session accompanied by the tunes of Finland's national instrument, the kantele. This was special! I would never have thought of such a combination, but it worked out so well.
Cyanotype photography was another topic I had never even heard of. This time I decided not to google it in advance, but allow myself to be surprised. And surprised I was! It's hard to even explain, but you can see some glimpses of the creative process in my second YouTube video. I loved how we all were first a bit confused, but gradually started to get the hang of it and started inspiring one another. Eventually, two hours just flew by. As an added benefit, I got to take away self-made nature-powered art cards, just in time for Finnish Mother's Day.
All meals were included, and we got to visit Finnish Nature Center Haltia independently at a relaxed pace. The hosting venue Haltia Lake Lodge provided a beautiful home base for our sensory sessions. Many other guests stayed overnight in the boutique hotel rooms, while I opted for something more down to earth and stayed at the neighboring Solvalla Sports Institute.
So is it worth it?
If you're juggling multiple roles like I am, remember: you don't need to be at a breaking point to deserve stillness. Spending time in nature is vital, and I learned that sometimes, a whole day surrounded by nature and calm experiences is exactly what we need.
The retreat allowed me to unwind without the usual responsibilities, a contrast to the work that comes with a typical DIY-vacation or cabin trip (or "mökkireissu" as we would call it in Finnish).
This retreat helped me embrace relaxation and mindfulness in a slow and lingering way. It was not just one weekend. I can feel the impact still more than a month after. It's not a budget holiday, but an investment in yourself. Authentic and unique experiences that I can highly recommend to anyone seeking a break from the everyday hustle.
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ARE YOU READY FOR A SLOW TRAVEL RETREAT IN FINLAND?
Book your spot now for the upcoming Summer retreat and get a -15% discount! On the booking page at Five Senses Retreats, use code: Friend15Summer26.
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Commercial collaboration disclaimer:
I'm not a content creator. A teeny tiny microinfluencer at best. I had never been offered a legit collaboration like this before. I got the retreat program as a courtesy, but paid for my accommodation and travel by myself. This was an intriguing opportunity to brush up my videoediting and blog posting skills, without too much pressure to perform. I felt like I got to experience the retreat fully and got a chance to share my humble opinions freely.
Based on the analytics of my first YouTube video and the pre-retreat blog post... It's becoming pretty obvious that I haven't cracked the code yet. Considering the time and effort I've put into this "content creation", my hourly rate would be pretty low. Haha! However, I'm grateful for this opportunity to learn by doing. To see authentic Finnish experiences through the eyes of international visitors. I wish all the best to Jonathan, the creator of the Five Senses Retreats, and hope that international and local travelers will find the calm and peace that Finland can offer.
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