Things to do
The wedding will take place from Friday to Sunday. You may want to explore Southern Finland while travelling. Below are some ideas for things to do while in Finland. We'll create a Whatsapp group where you can hook up with people with a car for the more remote options on the list (and after Sunday, we might also want to join a trip or two).
TORRONSUO AND LIESJÄRVI NATIONAL PARKS
The closest options for those who enjoy nature (less than 1 h drive away). Great places for hiking, trail running and general hanging. All national parks in Finland have good facilities from toilets to camping places. For camping, Liesjärvi is more recommended as Torronsuo is more suitable for day trips. Torronsuo contains one of the largest mires in near-natural state in Southern Finland ("Suomi" means mire-land, but there are few mires left; they were all made to fields and forests). In addition to hiking, Liesjärvi can be a good place for swimming and swim-running too!
SEITSEMINEN NATIONAL PARK AND RITAJÄRVI RECRETIONAL AREA
Options a bit further away (about 2 h drive). Seitseminen contains the oldest coniferous boreal forest in Southern Finland. It is truly spectacular, but can be crowded. If you'll drive all the way there, make sure to choose your route such that you'll pass most of the primeval forest ("aarnialue" in Finnish) as the rest of the park is not that special. Ritäjärvi offers some nice technical trails for trail running and great surroundings for swim-running. Also hiking is possible, but Liesjärvi/Torronsuo are better options for that.
VENÄJÄNLAMMI BEACH
Venäjänlammi beach is very close to the manor, and it's a nice spot to stop for a swim, especially with children, if you decide to stay overnight. There is also a diving tower!
NUUTAJÄRVI & GLASS VILLAGE
Nuutajärvi, situated less than 30 min drive away, offers the oldest still running glass village in Finland. The village has fascinating history related to Finnish glassblowing, as well as stunning glass exhibitions. That same weekend, there happens to be an vintage fair, which could be a great way to spend your Sunday!
Mitäs, Mitäs, Mitäs festivals, initiated and still arranged by Eeva's friends, are held in Nuutajärvi every July. Along the highway to Tampere.
RIIO BAARI
While in the area, you'll definitely need to stop by Punkalaidun, where Eeva is from, and more specifically at Riio. A bar kept by Eeva's friend and DJ of the night! Riio offers refreshing drinks, with and without alcohol, a terrace, snacks and most importantly local company.
GARDEN PÖLKINVUORI
Do you want to enjoy nature and flowers? Visit the Pölkinvuori Experience Garden in Urjala! It blooms in the middle of the June! In English - Pölkinvuori
CABINS
Our parents have kindly offered that we may use their cabins. One is located close by, the other one about 2 h drive away. Both have a sauna, a lake and BBQ possibilities. We want to invite our friends for a few-days prolonged stay after the wedding in one or both of these cabins. Let us know, if you are interested.
TAMPERE
Tampere is the largest city in the area and where Mikko is from. It's a transport hub and you may well pass through it during your travels. The city offers not only nice restaurants, cafés and pubs, but also surprisingly good trail running. If you are spending a night here, you may take the city bus to Kauppi (TAYS, the main hospital) from where you can enter the trail network. There are over 100 km of trails to choose from! Check web.trailmap.fi for further inspiration.
HELSINKI
The easiest entry to Finland is through Helsinki-Vantaa airport. If you want to spend a night in the city, you may explore the city on your way.