Vehicle
Car route
Duration
5
A Taste of Tradition: Beer, Design, and Local Delights
Discover the flavors, craft beers, and history of Häme and Lahti Regions as you explore charming towns and landscapes. From award-winning local brews and serene smoke saunas to exceptional glass design and delicious food, this three-day tour immerses you in the authentic, creative spirit of the region. Visit historical sites, unwind in picturesque cottages, and indulge in local specialties—this journey offers a perfect blend of tradition, design, and nature.
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Route description
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1Day 1 : Forssa
Beer, smoke sauna, and locally made food
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2Day 2 : Iittala & Hämeenlinna
Glass Design, Lepaa Wines, and stylish good night’s sleep
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3Day 3 : Lahti
An immersive museum center, Finnish wines, and craft beers
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4Day 4 : Lahti
Power up for cycling with the famous breakfast and head towards the harbor.
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5Day 5 : Lahti
Journey home
Navigating Each Day
This route immerses you in unique blend of tradition, design, and local delicacies.
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Häme Region
Day 1
Start your journey at the Olutmylly brewery. In the brewery’s premises, you can explore delicious and award-winning craft beers: pilsners, IPAs, lagers, NEIPAs, bitters, and dark beers. The brewery has a Taproom, a cozy summer terrace, and a shop where you can purchase their produce. Next, head to the countryside, to the Museum Farm Hevossilta, where you can also stay overnight. You may sense the old Forssa with its flavors, colors, and sounds. Upon request, enjoy a smoke sauna, nature, solve a museum mystery, or cook in the kitchen, for example, a menu built in honor of Axel Wahren, the founder of the Forssa cotton factory, where local flavours are seasoned with a touch of a world traveler’s preferences. As you head to your cottage for the night, the hostess in her linen dress might greet you on the path. You can order Häme-style food to the cottages from breakfast to dinner, for example, Hevossilta’s forest mushroom soup or Häme-style tapas. If your party wishes, a forest dinner by the fire can also be arranged: campfire bread, local fish, nearby farm’s root vegetables, game, blueberry pancakes with flowers, and a hint of meadowsweet.
Attractions
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Day 2
Enjoy a pre-ordered cottage breakfast at Hevossilta. Then, turn your car towards Iittala. In Iittala, you’ll find Finland’s most famous glass design manufacturer, the unique Iittala glass factory. Check the tour schedules on the Iittala village website. From the glass factory, continue to the Lepaa winery, where church wines were made as early as the 1900s. The Lepaa Winery has a café offering local savoury and sweet delicacies, as well as lovely a garden and wine shop. Shop and enjoy before heading to the log sauna and dinner at Vanai Bistro & Bastu. The menu varies according to the chef’s imagination, the availability of seasonal ingredients, and the season. Your accommodation will be in a hundred-year-old villa, the unique Matin & Maijan guesthouse, a lodging in the center of Hämeenlinna intended for only adults.
Photographer: Ville Tarhala Attractions
Siirry edelliseenAccommodations
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Day 3
Stretch out and start your day with breakfast in the idyllic Villa Marenki on Eteläkatu in Hämeenlinna.
Villa Marenki handcrafts premium pastries, upholds Finnish café culture, and preserves traditional confectionery expertise. Eat well, as your next stop is Lahti, where a diverse world of design and art awaits at Malva Museum Center.
At Malva, you’ll first encounter Ahto, a stunning, interactive, and multi-sensory installation that transforms with visitor flow—bringing the space to life.
Right next to the museum, Malski offers a variety of culinary delights: Kahiwa Coffee & Wine, Malski Bistro, and Ant Brew, a brewery pub with tasting tours. Enjoy fresh craft beers on tap at the pub, and savor a delicious lunch at Malski Bistro, where vegetarian options are always available.
After lunch, experience award-winning Finnish wines at Aino Winery—easily reachable by taxi if desired.
For an overnight stay, book a stylish room at Lahden Seurahuone, featuring newly renovated spaces for a comfortable and elegant stay.
Attractions
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Day 4
Wake up early, as the breakfast at Lahden Seurahuone is one of the best in Finland.
Once you’ve had your fill, borrow a bike from the hotel and explore Lahti from the saddle. Be sure to visit the city center and harbor, where you can enjoy a wide selection of cafés and restaurants.
In the evening, bike to Myllysaaren Bar & Restaurant Kommodori, where you can relax in the sauna, enjoy some of the city’s best sweet and savory waffles, and unwind with a beautiful lakeside view.
Return to Seurahuone for the night, and while you’re at it, return the bike you borrowed.
Attractions
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Day 5
Before heading home, you can stop by Lahti’s marketplace and Market Square for a coffee and enjoy the sunshine.