NordenBladet — Flea markets are worth visiting, you’ll get a great cultural experience, see local arts and crafts and probably this is the place where you buy some souvenirs to take back home with you. Don’t forget to haggle for your purchases!
Jaffa Flea Market is open Sunday to Thursday 10am to 6pm and Friday 10am to 2pm. If your time is limited in Tel Aviv, the Jaffa area is very interesting to visit — not so much as a shopping area but as the place to get some ‘cultural experiences’. If you are all about ‘heavy brand clothes shopping’, I suggest to visit the Dizengoff Center instead! 😛
Jaffa Flea marketplace is filled daily with tourists and locals alike, all seeking the perfect (bargained for) purchase that captures the charm and magic of this unique shuk. Flea Market runs across the streets of Olei Zion, Yehuda Margoza, Beit Eshel and the alleyways connecting them.
Jaffa is the ancient port out of which modern day Tel Aviv has grown. Just next to Jaffa’s picturesque Old City and ancient Clock Tower, is a treasure trove of antiques, handmade and secondhand items over at the Jaffa Flea Market, or, in Hebrew Shuk Hapishpishim.
Jaffa’s Shuk HaPishpushim, or Flea Market, is an outdoor secondhand and antique shopping area. Founded in the early part of the 20th century, the Jaffa Flea Market has, in recent years, become a trendy spot for fashionistas, artisans and lovers of all things old or handmade. Today’s sprawling streets and central market area are an eclectic mix of indoor restaurants, stop by eateries, outdoor junk vendors, and shops with refurbished furniture, household items from earlier periods, and second hand clothes.
Read also: Helena-Reet: A few tips to make your Israel visit perfect in summer time!
OHMYGOSSIP — I recently came back from my lovely vacation and must say that summer in Israel is hotter than hot! Last time I was in Israel in December and then the temperature was about 15 degrees colder. Now in August I experienced up to 42°C at Negev desert, in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem was around 36°C.
Helena-Reet: The very best outdoor pools that Israel has to offer
OHMYGOSSIP — Israel is the perfect destination to have a diverse and interesting holiday. There is plenty to do, but one of the best ideas in summer time is to visit a pool or a water park to cool yourself off. Here are my suggestions for the one’s who love the luxury, for families with kids and for serious sport lovers.
TOP food experiences in Israel: Dr Shakshuka’s Restaurant in Tel Aviv
OHMYGOSSIP — Dear Ohmygossip readers! I have another great travel experience to share with you! As most of you know, last year I started collaborating with Israel Ministry of Tourism & Israel Government Tourist Office Nordics. As their media ambassador I had a great chance to visit Israel with my husband Margus, meet many interesting people and visit many nice places.
NordenBladet — The MATKA Nordic Travel Fair together with the Caravan fair gathered nearly 67,000 visitors to Messukeskus Helsinki. Visitors came to get inspiration and new ideas, and to dream.
According to a survey done by TNS Gallup, 69 % explored European destinations, 56 % Finnish destinations, 49 % more remote destinations, and 43 % different forms of transportation. Visitors came to get information about next summer’s (44 %) and spring’s trips (41 %). 17 % reported to plan trips for next winter.
When compared to last year, 80 % of the visitors plan on using the same amount of money or more on travelling. Two thirds replied that visiting the MATKA fair will affect their travel plans.
83 % of the respondents value the fact that Finnish destinations are also on display. In Finland the visitors are interested in nature travel (37 %), Finnish cities (36 %) and different events and culture (35 %).
Visitors come to the MATKA fair to dream (80 %), to get new experiences (78 %) and to find special offers (73 %). Three thirds state that meeting travel trade professionals face to face is also important.
– Despite the freezing winter temperatures and heavy snow people came to get new ideas and inspiration for their trips. The MATKA Nordic Travel Fair definitely has a firm position as the meeting place of travel buffs and travel trade professionals. With over 80 countries represented plus various Finnish destinations it provides an excellent overview of the variety of travel options, states Heli Mäki-Fränti from the Association of Finnish Travel Agents (AFTA)
The survey was done by TNS Gallup, commissioned by the MATKA fair. The number of respondents was 300 visitors.
♥ Next year the MATKA Nordic Travel Fair and the Caravan fair are organised 19-22 January 2017.
Foto:
The Norman Hotel's sundeck and infinity swimming pool
NordenBladet — Israel is the perfect destination to have a diverseand interesting holiday. There is plenty to do, but one of the best ideas in summer time is to visit a pool or a water park to cool yourself off. Here are my suggestions for the one’s who love the luxury, for families with kids and for serious sport lovers.
OHMYGOSSIP – Those of you who travel the world know how brutal a long-haul flight can be. Unless you are one of the few who can afford First or Business Class, a long flight may be a real test of endurance. From bloating, to swelling, to migraines and fatigue you are likely to experience a wide range of unpleasant sensations when you are on a plane. While there is no miracle pill that you can take to alleviate the discomfort, there are a few things that you can do to make a long-haul flight more bearable.
1. Moisturize before and during your flight
Pressurised cabins have low levels of humidity and are very dry places to be for any length of time. Skin gets very little oxygen during the flight as you are enclosed in this environment. The results is dehydration, sensitivity and tired dull skin. It’s important to hydrate your skin before or even during the flight. Many international flights provide moisturizing lotion in the lavatories, but bringing your own is always better.
2. Wear Compression Gear and Comfortable Clothes
As we get older we are more likely to collect edema fluid in our lower legs if we stand or sit too long. You may notice “sock marks” when you take off your shoes and socks after a long flight. Wearing compressions stockings considerably improves that symptom. The gradual compression on the leg will prevent the swelling, but if the stockings are too tight they may prevent your blood from flowing properly and do more harm than good. That’s why getting the right size is very important. Also, wearing loose and comfortable clothes that will allow movement is essential.
3. Take a good night sleep before your flight
When you travel to a different time zone your body clock will be out of sync for a while. Some lucky folks may easily fall asleep under any circumstances, but for most people a minimum of comfort is necessary in order to fall and stay asleep. Unfortunately, with airlines trying to squeeze more rows onto every plane, seats are getting harder and narrower every year making your chances to drift to sleep slimmer and slimmer. So getting a good night sleep before a long-haul flight is vital. The longer you go without sleep, the weaker your immune system becomes.
4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Dehydration is the biggest issue for most travelers who fly, so it’s very important to keep yourself hydrated. The fact that you can’t bring liquids through security shouldn’t keep you from bringing an empty bottle with you, which you can later fill at the water fountain. It is important to start drinking at least an hour before you fly and keep drinking during the flight as well.
5. Avoid carbs and alcohol before or during the flight
Skip the alcohol and caffeine and you’ll arrive with a much greater chance of staying healthy. Many people don’t realize that alcohol and caffeine are extremely dehydrating, so drinking prior to or on a flight in combination with the low cabin humidity, lowers your resistance to cold and flu germs.
6. Stretch and move during the flight
Sitting still for long periods in cramped conditions can cause deep vein thrombosis (DTV), a potentially life-threatening disorder in which blood clots form in the legs. As we get older, the risk factor gets higher. To prevent DVT you need to keep your muscles active, which is more difficult when you are stuck in a seat for hours. While on a long-haul flight, try to walk around the cabin at least every every hour. You can also do some simple stretching exercises while seated, like ankle turns, foot lifts, arm bends, forward bends.
The above is by no means an exhaustive list of things you can do to keep your body healthy during a long-haul flight. We each have our own tricks that make plane rides fun and comfortable. What’s your go-to strategy for long-haul rides?
Featured image: Tel Aviv airport (Ohmygossip.com/ Helena-Reet Ennet) Written by: Anda Galffy/ travelnotesandbeyond.com
NordenBladet – Naantali is famous among Estonians for the Moomin world, but this resort town also hosts the Finnish president’s summer residence in Kultaranta! While already in Finland, Naantali, then why not also visit the Finnish president’s summer residence in Luonnonmaa?! For those of you who wish to do so, there is legal permission for that! 13 euros for an adult and 5 euros for a child – and there you go – to the president’s estate. As for me, I made the decision to go and see!
Alas! …it is all very pleasant, beautiful and glamorous, yet the visit still turns out not as glossy as perhaps expected. The common tourist can only access the front yard! Neither the residence nor the interior gardens, where the president might invite friends over to grill together in bathing suits and maybe also have a nice cold beer on a hot summer day – this all is out of reach. Haha! Yet the place is worth seeing – you will get an idea how and where this world’s powerful fill the leisure moments. And many do so – Kultaranta hosts 18 000 visitors every year! The place is picturesque and worth the visit!
The official tour takes you from one rose plant to the next in the park, where the tour guide reveals the history of the beautiful site in a few words. For example, you will know that long ago the wealthy landlord Alfred Kordel acquired this ground on an auction and there he later established the Kultaranta castle. In 1916 the edifice was completed and when landlord Kordel passed away, it became state property. The newly independent Finland decided that the palace would be a suitable summer residence for the president and already since 1922 every Finnish president has spent their holidays in this palace. The palace comes with 54 hectares of land where you can find parks, greenhouses and other constructions. The castle, made from stone and holding 19 rooms, was designed by architect Lars Sonck.
The residence’s main building, a granite castle, was erected between 1914-1916 by the architect Lars Sonck and it is surrounded by 54 hectares of parks and greenhouses. In 1922 the Finnish Republic obtained the venue and it was decided that Kultaranta becomes the president’s summer residence. Besides the grand territory Kultaranta estate is fascinating also due to the surrounding shores! And what is even more romantic – from the shore there is a beautiful view to Naantali as well as to the Moomin island! Thus the offsprings of the presidents have for their neighbours the Moomin characters themselves!
The history of Naantali goes back to the Middle Ages when a settlement evolved near a monastery. In the 15th century Naantali gained city rights. In later times the town grew into a fine destination for spending summer holidays. Naantali resort is steeped in traditions – besides the Moomin world, the Väsk island, the Kultaranta residence and the beautiful old town of Naantali it also has to offer SPA, sauna and bathing enjoyments and luxurious accommodation fr the visitor. We stayed overnight in Naantali Spa Hotel and only have words of praise to describe it (see „Naantali SPA Hotel” ☆☆☆☆☆ naantalispa.fi and sunbornhotels.com, Matkailijantie 2 FI-21100 Naantali)!
Naantali also has many restaurants famous for their good quality – though the prices are crispy, the gourmet experience is well worth it! Starting from 14 June the Ukkopekka steamboat bridges the distance between Turku and Naantali – therefore whoever so wishes, may as well also have a stylish glimpse at Turku during the vacation.
If you plan to visit Naantali, I would recommend to find more information about Naantali from Naantalin Matkailu OY website (see naantalinmatkailu.fi) or once in Naantali you can just step in – they will keep you updated about everything that is going on in Naantali and the vicinity, also the staff can share information about places of interest that you either wish to see with your own eyes or read about.
Take a look at other posts from the trip to Finland as well!
NordenBladet – It is about time to unfold the next tourism attraction sights! In case the Moomin world has already been seen and there is still some time left for an adventure with the kids, I warmly recommend visiting the Väsk island located nearby. There you’ll find a day full of sports activities in the open air.
VÄSKI
(Official homepage: http://en.vaski.fi/)
Väski is an island of adventures – exactly that! Being a tiny island, everything here has been built around this adventure. You can reach Väski by boat (which is already a great adventure for the children!) and the boat sets sail quite close to the Moomin gates. There is a big Väski-flag waving in the harbour, making it easy to spot the right place. Families with babies might perhaps postpone this visit a year or two, since it is a bit inconvenient to navigate with the baby carriage (though possible). The island is especially meant for youngsters in pre- or early teenage years, those who like to run around, jump, climb, etc. Of course if the children are of different ages then it is an option that the mothers and babies spend some time camping and enjoy the beach while the fathers with youngsters take the tour.
Should you wish to enjoy the island to the maximum, follow these guidelines:
1) make sure that you have all day for visiting the island
2) bring along your bathing suits and beach blankets
3) bring along your own barbecue supply (there are places where you can use the grill) and also bring your refreshments for the day, since there are neither any shops nor cafes – there are two kiosks where you can purchase drinking water, chocolate and the like.
Let the pictures now talk for themselves!
Photos: NordenBladet /Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – In today’s post I am writing to you about Naantali´s main tourist attraction – Moominworld! Naantali is located in South-Western Finland, it is a wonderful resort town. When the weather is good, there is plenty to do. Because the natural surroundings is very lovely, it is great to promenade near beach or discover the lovely resort and the old town. But now more about Moominworld! Moominworld
(Official Website: http://www.muumimaailma.fi/)
Moominworld is a children’s theme park created in 1993, is dedicated to Tove Jansson’s Moomin book series and designed and created by Dennis Livson. Moominworld´s conception and philosophy assess the family values, friendliness and respect for other people. It also promotes a natural, safe and adventurous childhood. Moominworld is located in Naantali Kailo island opposite the Naantali´s old town, not far from the Turku city (16 km from Turku and 180 km from Helsinki). The island can be reached via the pedestrian bridge. Naantali is like a fairytale city – lovely “doll” houses, very tidy and clean, and when you arrive to Moominworld, you will forget for a moment that you are an adult – the island is so fabulous and cute! You really feel there that life is beautiful.
Children can see with their own eyes the whole Moomin family and other Moominworld residents. The Moomins are very friendly and welcome everyone personally, children (also adults) can hug them and take photos with them. Children are also welcome in the homes of all Moominworld inhabitants – you can see with your own eyes how Moominmamma have cooked a cake or Moominpappa writes his memoirs. Several times a day there is also a theater (included in the ticket price), where the Moomins themselves will give a performance. On the island you´ll find many familiar places which you have seen in Moomin books and cartoons. Also there are several food places, shops and lottery booths.
Take at least one full day to visit Moomin World! Moominworld is open this summer until August 28!
OHMYGOSSIP – Heipparalla! If only I would know exactly what that means, but we use it as conjunctive after our last trip to Finland – now it´s our private slang or so. My daughter Ivanka Shoshana (8) said “Heipparalla” after every cool thing she saw and for us it is now such a positive statement that we all use if there is sth positive! Now, so, Heiparalla dear readers. We’re back from our journey, and I strongly recommend this trip to everyone!
We had planned the trip for the children – we wanted to make 100% children´s trip, where all the steps which are taken into account were made thinking about the children, and we couldn´t come out with better ideas than Naantali in Finland! This place is all about children´s activities! We were in Finland (Naantali) for four days, and for every day I made a special program:
Day 1: Naantali Spa
Day 2: Moominworld
Day 3: Väski
Day 4: Kultaranta
We stayed in five-star “Naantali Spa Hotel” ☆☆☆☆☆ (Official Websites: Naantalispa.fi and Sunbornhotels.com, Matkailijantie 2, FI-21100 Naantali), which is part of the Sunborn Hotels chain. It is very close to Naantali´s city center and just a walking distance from Naantali´s main tourist attractions – Moominworld (Official Website: Muumimaailma.fi. Read my blog about Moominworld HERE) and Väski. The Naantali Spa Hotel lies near a beautiful lake and has a main building and side building, which is about 100 m from the main building. We stayed in a double deluxe room in the main building, which is the best solution if you travel with children because it is more convenient.
SPA, various children´s game rooms, restaurants and shops are all in the main building. The hotel is really nice and the location is wonderful! Naantali is really like a small fairytale town – very cute houses, a lot of nature and hiking trails, small sandy coastal strips, etc. Reminds me a bit of the Kuressaare city in Estonia. There are all sorts of sports facilities in the hotel’s courtyard – tennis, volleyball, playgrounds for children, a beach area, and a large convenient parking for cars. Very nice hotel!! It left us a very good impression, and in the future I would certainly love to visit other Sunborn SPA and Yacht Hotels as well!
The hotel has many restaurants, shops and cafes .. Unfortunately, I didn´t take so many pictures inside the hotel (I suggest to view their website, there are very good and comprehensive galleries: Naantalispa.fi/en/gallery), but I want to say some words about the breakfast buffet. First, I love that it is open until 10:30. I hate to put the waking alarm just because you need to go to breakfast. Also, we loved that there were several halls and terraces – plenty of space and privacy! Last but not least – the food was very good 🙂
Our double deluxe room´s balcony was opened to the huge roof terrace at the back side of the hotel! Higher floors and balconies were smaller and fenced. One thing I noticed right away was the silence! I love quiet and peaceful places! Despite the fact that it was the peak season and the hotel have plenty of restaurants-bars, I did not hear any noise – not once! It would be creepy to relax if there is nonstop rock and roll, which you hear through the walls.
Fortunately, the hotel neighbors were polite as well… they either wasn´t there at all or we did not hear them. Anyhow, it was very cozy and silent. And also was positive, that despite the fact that there were ashtrays on terrace tables, nobody smoked! Nowadays, I do not think there are many people left who smoke anyway – everybody thinks about their health! So in summary, there were silence, peace and fresh air! Divine!
The hotel has Classic, Superior, Deluxe, Deluxe Double, Double Deluxe and Moomin-themed rooms and suites (see: naantalispa.fi/en/hotel/presidential-suite/). I chose a double deluxe room for us (see: naantalispa.fi/en/hotel/deluxe-room). Moominmamma, which you saw in the picture is ours, we took it with us from home. However, when we register ourselves into the hotel, the receptionist gave complimentary color book and crayons for both children. This, of course, immediately made them feel good (read: even better!).
(Moomin room picture and 3x suite´s pictures are taken from Naantali Spa´s webpage!)
There were no complimentary drinks nor fresh flowers or fruits in the hotel room (I guess this privilege is only for those who will stay in the suite ???) – but there was mini bar/fridge. When I travel with children, I have always a little food box with juices and snacks with me, so it is very comfortable when there is a fridge where you can put your own stuff as well. The mini bar prices are of course (as in any other hotel – triple), so it is wiser to go to the store and buy your own stuff but actually the room service food menu was quite favorable.
Of cource, there were Wifi and TV – it is elementary. What I also like is when there are decent shampoos, balsams and lotions in the hotel´s bathrooms. And I do not know what greed in nice hotels always awakens in me, but I always have to take some bottles at home with me. As you can guess, I have a pretty nice collection of hotel shampoos thanks to this.
The room had enough space for four (two adults and two children), but there were only two dressing gowns for adults. We needed to rent Children´s robes from the SPA. There is a huge SPA at the hotel and without bathrobes it is very uncomfortable – most people changed in their rooms and went directly to SPA and back (wearing just a swimsuit and bathrobe). Very comfortable! I just love the SPA´s, I could live in the SPA´s!
You can order a variety of treatments in Naantali SPA and spend time with various swimming pools and saunas. Specifically, there are 2 saunas (one Turkish bath and one ordinary sauna), two big hot tubs and two swimming pools with colder water, and an outdoor pool. Babies do not have a separate pool. In our family there are no babies anymore, but I just mention it.
For smaller children there are waists and some toys which they can take in the water. Also, there is a cafe where you can buy drinks, snacks and sweets and add them to your hotel bill, so you don´t have to take money with you. For hotel guests the SPA visit is free, and you can go between your room and SPA as many times as you wish during a day. Estella Elisheva (10) used this opportunity repeatedly and even before the sleeping time went to swim.
A small iPad and TV pause after a warm and pleasant SPA and before we went to discover Naantali.
As you can see from the map, Naantali is a tiny place – everything is close. It is easy to walk from hotel to Naantali´s old town, but if you want, you can also take a little train. We chose to walk. There are very many beautiful houses in Naantali, it is a pleasure to walk. My first emotion was – we will move here! Haha.. but let me tell you… I almost always have this emotion when I travel in new beautiful places.
Naantali SPA second house.
Once you are in Naantali, step through Naantalin Matkailu OY (Naantalinmatkailu.fi). It is a tourist office where you can find info about absolutely everything that takes place in Naantali. Also, there are free maps, brochures, and everything else you may need – for example, you can buy tickets to various events. Naantalin Matkailu office is located in the exact center (Kaivotori 2, 21100 Naantali) and if you want to go to Moominworld or Väski Adventure island, it will be on your way there. You can buy Moominworld, Kultaranta or Vaski tickets in advance from their office if you want to avoid the queues. By the way, you can also buy a special Finnish Tammirauma “Dark Bees” honey from them!
Naantali is a delightful destination for family vacation – both children and parents have plenty to do! Summer is undoubtedly the best time to visit Naantali, but I believe that there is also very beautiful in winter time – moreover, I heard that Moomins will wake up for a week in February! 😉
xoxo,
Helena-Reet
*NordenBladet makes cooperation with Sunborn Hotels, Naantali Spa Hotel and Naantali Matakilu OY, but it does not affect my opinion and suggestions! Photos: NordenBladet /Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – This year’s summer is so loaded with life events and work that planning just a few days off with the family of four can be quite a challenge. Everyone in the family has a hectic schedule – either a secondment, a summer camp, scheduling the kids to spend time at grandparents’ home, then again the guests coming over, a theatre evening now, a concert night then – trying to make all the plans match is rather complicated! I have been web searching for information about a place suitable for a family vacation, so that everyone of us would be excited about it and so that it would also not take more that just a few days. The customary one week „summer holiday” travel was off the table due to this and hence my thoughts soon drifted towards Finland.
Finland as a holiday destination has already been often visited. However, since the country and its people are close to the heart and since crossing the Gulf is quick and easy, it wasn’t really much of a trouble to decide. „Finland… well then… but which part of the country?”, was my next question, since I hoped that my children would find it amusing and that I might also enjoy a pleasant stay in a lovely SPA …a very common wish for many a mother, I would say… Back in January when I visited a tourism fair in Finland I returned with dozens (hundreds!) of visit cards and booklets, the majority of them introducing places of interest in Finland. So there I were, browsing the materials, and voila! – NAANTALI. Precisely what I wished for at the moment, precisely what I had been looking for.
THREE main reasons why we chose Naantali this time:
#1 Very close – Naantali is only a few hours driving from Helsinki (the distance by air is 164km and 182km via E18 road. Starting off from Estonia, Tallinn, you actually need just 4-5h to reach this destination. An enormous bonus is that you can go by car – because what I really like is taking piles of luggage with me without much concern what exactly I might or might not need. Especially when we travel with children – whoever has got children certainly knows that 80% of the total luggage is usually made up of kids’ stuff. Packing this way just takes a moment – you simply heap everything in the suitcase and the car will do the rest. Besides, with the car you can take a break whenever you please, either for a toilet stop, either for taking pictures of the beautiful landscape, either for spontaneous shopping if there is an outlet, either just out of curiosity, either for a meal – you can just stop the car and take care of everything. I choose this! No distress, no restraints, convenient schedule!
#2 Children have a lot of great activities – I trust that Naantali is a good choice for a holiday, since the surrounding tourism is designed to invite children and parents alike. The travel booklet lists all ongoing events and holiday activities (see naantalinmatkailu.fi). Furthermore, there is a theme park after the writer Tove Jansson’s beloved children’s book „The Moomins”. It is supposedly this fiction theme park, the Moomin world (see muumimaailma.fi) in Naantali that attracts the most tourists. Probably just as thrilling for the youngsters is the Adventure Island Väsk (see vaski.fi), a boat trip away, and even the journey by boat to the island is already just as great an adventure for the kids. Full day card to the Moomin world is 28 euros and attending for two days in a row is 38 euros. Väsk tickets are 24 euros for each visitor (this includes the boat trip to the island and back).
#3 Luxurious style – Naantali has a most delightful five star spa hotel „Naantali SPA”, a branch of Sunborn hotels chain (see naantalispa.fi and sunbornhotels.com). I really enjoy adding a splendid luxurious style to the simple virtues of a good night’s rest. Therefore I am often extra emphasizing the hotel selection procedure. Concerning hotels – a rather modest choice can completely ruin the chances of creating a pleasant emotional foundation. Certainly there are the exceptions where precisely the somewhat crazy conditions are a part of the very agenda of the holiday… in this case I might consider a camping site, however, I would skip a snooze in a tent, since I find this more suitable for younger holidaymakers. A beautiful hotel room creates good feelings – luxurious hotels as well as edgy airports – these two are the nuances that add extra colour to the holiday experience. This particular holiday does not include the airport pass, nevertheless, the hotel is super spectacular. Naantali SPA hotel has got the biggest swimming pools and greatest sauna world, pleasing the highest expectations of kids and grown-ups. Not to mention the magnificent restaurants and the real essence of this holiday option – the charming family rooms! By the way, finding cozy family rooms in a hotel are definitely not an easy task to solve, if you don´t quite look for the president´s suite. Most hotels offer 2+1 options… thus travelling with two kids is already a lot more tricky. I wonder what would be the choices for even larger families?!
To illustrate this advantage, I copy here some of the pictures from the hotel´s home page – for example this is what the hotel is like from the outside like and here is what you can further find behind the facade: the Deluxe double room in the main building (32m²) that I have booked for three nights along with the SPA visit. As I have understood, our room has extra beds. The price for this room for three nights is 762 euros. Family ticket for the SPA (2 grown-ups plus 2 children aged between 4 and 12 years), Sun-Fri 50 euros, Sat 65 euros (complimentary for hotel residents!).
Estella Elisheva (10yrs) ja Ivanka Shoshana (8yrs) (2x on the pictures beneath) are already overwhelmed by the „travel fever”, longing for this holiday to begin. The Moomin cartoons that had been set aside have now been newly taken into the agenda, and Ivanka Shoshana seems to already have memorized the entire district map of the Moomin world from the Muumimaailma.fi webpage. Estella on the other hand seems even more keen on the Naantali SPA water park. We will see what gives the most wow-effect once we arrive. The detailed travel plan for these 4 days is still work in progress – a few other places of interest are also an absolute must! Myself – I am also already much looking for this great holiday! A pleasant little vacation can only do you good!
We are travelling to Naantali for four days in the beginning of July, I guess I´ll be posting more on this topic once we begin this journey. We will be hoping that the weather favours us!
OHMYGOSSIP – With the average cost of a wedding hovering around $30,000, it’s no wonder that modern couples are saving some green everywhere they can, from doing their own wedding day makeup to DIYing their bouquet. There are also money-saving honeymoon options for the cash-strapped bride and groom. Instead of choosing that dreamy international adventure, many couples are opting for a shorter “mini-moon” a little closer to home. But just because a domestic mini-moon is cheaper, doesn’t mean that it won’t be as romantic. Here are 15 swoon-worthy US destinations for every type of newlywed couple.
Sun Seekers
1. Miami, Florida: No, South Beach isn’t just for spring breakers. This popular touristy locale is perfect for a romantic getaway, with its beautiful art deco hotels, white sandy beaches and lively nighttime entertainment.
2. Maui, Hawaii: Pretty much any island in Hawaii would be ideal for an unforgettable mini-moon, but we’re partial to the stunning island of Maui. With breathtaking waterfalls, beachy resorts and postcard scenery, it’s definitely worthy of your first few days as newlyweds.
3. Clearwater, Florida: Located on the Gulf of Mexico in Pinellas County, the white sand beaches of Clearwater are a beach bum’s dream. From dolphin searching to parasailing to Adirondack chair lounging, you’ll never run out of things to do in this warm and wonderful Gulf-coast town.
Foodies
4. Portland, Oregon: With microbreweries, food trucks and coffeehouses galore — a trip to Portland is almost guaranteed to include some good Instagram-worthy eats.
5. Atlanta, Georgia: The capital city of Georgia may not be widely known for its grub, but spend a few days in the city and you’ll understand why it’s high on almost every foodie’s American dining list. From Antico Pizza to Sublime Donuts, you’ll definitely end up eating your weight in food on this stunning southern adventure.
6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Home of the iconic Philly cheese steak, a mini-moon to Philadelphia is packed with delicious goodies. Whether you’re looking for savory bites or sweet treats, Pennsylvania’s largest city is just waiting to seat you in one of their thousands of yummy restaurants.
Adventure Junkies
7. Sedona, Arizona: A true desert town, this beautiful city is surrounded by nature’s playground. We’re talking red-rock buttes, 1.8 million acres of national forest land and two state parks. Whether your ideal getaway is sleeping under the breathtaking stars or hot air ballooning over the red rocks at dawn, Sedona can fulfill your dream adventure.
8. The Big Island, Hawaii: Take a helicopter ride over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, scuba dive with manta rays off the Kona Coast and walk through the 442-foot Akaka Falls. Whatever adventure you are dreaming of, the Big Island is waiting.
9. Anchorage, Alaska: The largest city in the state of Alaska, this adventurous town is overflowing with things to do with your sweetie. From dog sledding and bicycle tours to glacier cruises, let’s just say a mini-moon here will not be forgotten anytime soon.
Wine Lovers
10. Napa Valley, California: A list of the top domestic wineries to visit wouldn’t be complete without Napa Valley. With dozens of award-winning wineries and vineyards to visit (go check out Sterling Vineyards for the view of a lifetime), it’s a trip that’ll make any wine lover swoon.
11. Yadkin Valley, North Carolina: A hidden gem in beautiful North Carolina, this winery-packed region originated as a tobacco-growing locale. With a rich history and a stunning landscape, you and your partner will have the time of your lives sipping delicious reds while taking in all of the unbelievable sites.
12. Traverse City, Michigan: With over 40 wineries and vineyards in the region, Traverse City is an excellent spot for a romantic mini-moon, especially if going all the way out to sunny California isn’t in your budget.
Big City Dreamers
13. New York City, New York: You better get in a New York state of mind — and fast! From the dazzling spectacle of Times Square to the insane views from recently opened One World Observatory, the city that never sleeps is packed with things to see and do.
14. New Orleans, Louisiana: Nicknamed “The Big Easy,” the hopping nightlife, unbeatable jazz-and-blues scene, rich culture and good eats in this popular Louisiana city make it a great place to celebrate marrying your sweetie. With dozens of festivals a year, it’s always festival season in NOLA.
15. San Francisco, California: A mini-moon to the Bay Area involves much more than gazing upon the Golden Gate Bridge. From sea lion spotting at Pier 39 to catching a cable car up to Nob Hill, this sunny destination is equal parts big city and California dreamin’.
Source: Brit.co/ Ashley Macey
Featured image: Ohmygossip.com
