The Sisterhood - Winter Edition

Arrival in Helsinki and private transfer east with a stop in the mideaval beautiful city of Porvoo for lunch and a brief visit to a local liquorice maker. Later in the afternoon we check-in at Santalahti Resort: modern cabins by the sea where pine forest meets open shoreline and the snow softens the paths, giving a calm base for shared living and easy access to nature. There is time to settle before dusk, when the Glass Sauna is lit; it is wood-heated with steady heat and open views across the archipelago, and it’s easy to step outside for cold air between rounds. Dinner is served in a traditional Lappish kota by the fire, and the evening closes with quiet introductions and a clear outline of the days ahead.

The morning brings a winter hike in Valkmusa National Park at an unhurried pace, with lunch and coffee made by the fire, and in the afternoon we turn to city of Kotka’s waterfront for Marina Laituri Sauna, a straightforward public spot where locals drift in and out, and the ice hole sits close to the door so the switch between water and heat feels direct and simple. Hot drinks are available next door and the harbor setting gives a sense of everyday life, and back at the cabins we cook dinner together and let the evening stay low-key.

Gentle yoga opens the day and leads into a long brunch, after which we visit Tykkimäki Sauna with its classic Finnish layout, deep benches and a strong stove that holds a clear, even heat; outside, a kept ice hole leads straight into the lake so the cycle of hot, cold and rest feels natural. By late afternoon we drive to Helsinki and check in at Hotel Home Katajanokka, a former prison turned design hotel with calm rooms and a good restaurant near the waterfront. The evening is open for rest or a short walk.

An optional short run sets the tone before breakfast, followed by a food-led city walk with a look at architecture and a little shopping, and in the afternoon we go to Kotiharjun Sauna, the city’s oldest public wood-fired sauna, where dark walls, steady benches and regulars who know the place keep it true to purpose while the heat builds and holds. A three-course dinner rounds off the day and leaves time to wind down. The venue will be a handpicked high quality restaurant from the vibrant Helsinki food scene.

The morning is spent at Hyvän tuulen Sauna, a private floating sauna on the Baltic. Between sea plunges and the welcoming heat of crackling wood, the experience becomes an intimate farewell, like a warm hug for the group before parting ways. We share a light lunch on the go, carrying the good mood with us as we head for the airport.