destinations – Styling by Una

Summer memories from Åland

Rainy Sunday took me back to the last summer and our beautiful mini holiday in Åland, in the beautiful archipelago of Finland. Åland is located in the Baltic Sea, five hours ferry ride away from harbour of Turku. We traveled with Viking Line http://www.vikingline.com. Viking Line offers a good timetable for traveling with the family and car is easy to take with. Åland’s capital city is the picture perfect Mariehamn. Little streets with boutiques and restaurants are just in walking distance from where ever you stay in the city and the sea is just there.

In Åland the easiest way to go around is by car or by bike. For us the car was the only option this time ’cause we had only two nights stay. First evening we visited lovely brewery, Stallhagen, for dinner, http://www.stallhagen.com. They offer tasty food by daily changing menu. Easy going vibes and very chilled back atmosphere. Food was delicious and drinks were recommended to suit to your taste and the menu. They do have a good selection of non alcoholic drinks too. Definately a place to visit and dine while in Åland.

Ålands landscape is very picture perfect and you will bump into stunning views everywhere, that’s why it’s a great idea to travel without too tight time schedule. On the way to Kasteholm Castle there is a unique cafe by the road to have a stop over. Uffe på Bergen is open in summer time from 10 am till 8 pm and has a special observation tower to enjoy the beautiful view. Definately a worth while to have a stop over.

Kasteholm Castle is a nice destination to excperience a little bit of history. The castle has a lot to offer, nice walks around the estate and also an outside heritage museum where you get to learn how people lived back then. Place for lunch is Smakbyn, which is located next to the castle, http://www.smakbyn.ax. Smakbyn is definately one place you must visit when you love the good food. Fresh, tasty local ingridients are served in a unique and modern surroundings and dogs are welcome on the terrace as well. Easy to unwind and just enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

For me the best activity to do in Åland is just to enjoy the beautiful and unique surroundings. Sit on the rocks of the Baltic sea and just dream away, live in a moment. Stunning sceneries are every where and you can easily just be part of the nature. If you are looking a destinations to relax and unwind, this is it.

Åland stole our hearts and we will definately return. Summer in Finland is short and there are so many beautiful places to see, finnish archipelago is something you just must excperience and Åland is definately worth a visit!

A place where the cows enjoy the days too..

Åland, a special and unique hide away ..

In these rainy autumn days what could be better than travel back to summer memories while listening raindrops behind the window. Enjoy the Sunday eve!

London with Dior and Tina

Longtime dream of my good friend and I was to have a weekend in London just two of us without families. Finally we made it happen at start of August and yes, we had fantastic time!

The streets of Kensington, London.

The best way to enjoy the big cities is definately just to walk around and feel the vibe that city has to offer. For cruising around without any timetable was just perfect and so enjoyable. Really enjoyed long talks and walks, popping into shops as we felt like it and just getting inspirated by the atmosphere of the city.

The little alleys of Kensington , London.

For me the best things to enjoy in London are the musicals and the fashion scene that the city has to offer. We got to enjoy them both. There were no question which musical was the one we wanted to see – Tina, was the choice. Just before our weekend I got to read Tina’s new book, The Love Story. She truly is amazing and really a huge inspiration to me. The musical was just fireworks, stunning performance, which definately must be seen if you love her music. The show is full of heart, soul and pure rock’n roll. She simply is the best. https://tinathemusical.com/uk/ The Aldwych Theatre itself was a gorgeous venue to see, a piece of history and staff was just lovely.

Waterfront in Hyde Park, London.

Dior was our main coal for Saturday. The stunning exhibiton of the world of Dior is seen in V&A Museum, https://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson , Designer Of DreamsLate View.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London. As it says on the wall for inspiration..

V&A museum is wonderful place to visit at any time. All the exhibitions should be booked in advance or you have to be there early to line up for the ticket’s which are still available for the day that you visit. There is also a wide selection of food and drink to choose from at museums three restaurants. We chose the Coutyard Cafe with beautiful garden for lunch. Atmosphere is quite unique with beautiful surroundings of the gorgeous old buildings.

Flower looks by Dior. Dior exhibition V&A Museum, London.

Black and white where the key themes changing thru exhibition.
Dior exhibition V&A Museum, London.

When you think about the great work of Christian Dior and the legacy he has left behind the one thing is sure – he did everything with a great passion. The head designers after him have kept the thru Dior spirit in the collections, even they have left their hand prints there too. That’s the way it should be. Fashion fades but style remains. With Dior the style is definitely there.

Elegance of Dior in black and white. Dior exhibition V&A Museum, London.

The haute culture, just stunning pieces, work of art really.
Dior exhibition V&A Museum, London.

Some bling to cheer up your day. Dior exhibition V&A Museum, London.

Our favorite area of London is Kensignton. Very easy access from the airport and wonderful area to stay. This time we stayed with Radisson Blue Edwardian, Vanderbilt, https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-edwardian-london-vanderbilt. Hyde Park is just in walking distance and shops and restaurants just next door. My favorite grocery store, Whole Food market, is quite close too. Organic food store offers lovely treats to take home and enjoy while you there.

The alleys in Kensignton , London.

Radisson Blue Edwardian Vanderbilt, Kensington.

The breakfast of the hotel was a great way to start the day.

Tasty & fresh breakfast to kick of the day, at Radisson Blu Edwardian Vanderbilt.

When you feed your soul with the great culture experiences, you get energized for long time. Always when I think of the musical of Tina or the exhibition of Dior I get smile on my face. The great passion is common with these too and I truly wish I can deliver the same in my life. When you do what you love and love what you do you can’t really go wrong. Or what do you think?

‘Whatever you do – for work or play – do it with passion’ by Christian Dior.
Dior exhibition V&A Museum, London.

Wonderful Grete

When you live up in north and the sun can be seen rearely up here, you might find youself longing for light & warm sunny breeze. I do love Finland and it’s all four seasons but I’m light up by the sun. So to be sure to enjoy at least one week of warm sunny weather, we decided to head off to Grete for one week.

I’m always struggling when it comes to booking the flights, I wish there will be soon a solution to fly more enviromentally friendly. But you can do a lot for that matter by your own choices of destinations and all the other choices you make daily in your life. To fly to Grete takes a bit under four hours and there is no time difference to Finland. Direct flights are available. That makes it very convinient destination and easy to reach.

Village Heights Golf Resort, Hersonissos Grete

We stayed in the peaceful resort up in mountains in the Village Heights Golf Resort in the village of Hersonissos, http://www.villageheights.gr. Just perfect location to spend relaxing and serene holiday, to unwind really. Panoramic views and harmoniously builded resort that totally blends in with it’s surroudings plus eco-friedly choices they do, really made it easy to chill.

The hotel offers activities of many kinds. Staff is really friendly and helpful. Food is tasty and made from local products. Herbs came from hotel’s garden. We mostly enjoyed the pool area which worked perfectly in hot summer days. Spa of the hotel I can highly recommend, the cretan massage was just fab!

The hotel win our hearts over with the cat cafe. Special, haven’t seen it before . Hopefully this sort of development keeps coming.

‘From farm to the table’, Med Cafe & Restaurant Hersonissos

The hotel offers transfer to the village of Hersonissos. We found it to be lovely little village with many cafes, restaurants & boutiques. We ended up having a lunch in the perfect spot by the Mediterranean, Med Cafe & Restaurant, http://www.medcafe.gr. Gorgeous location and tasty local food dishes all made from organic and local ingredients.

The views are just lovely and the best spot to be seated is definately by the Mediterranean. The restaurant offers also tables up by the promenad and indoors. If you visit, pop in the toilet too – fun and playful decor.

I love the sea and even though it was so easy to stay and reload the batteries up at the hotel, we did got to spend one afternoon by at the beach too. We ended up at the Sarantari beach only few minutes by taxi from the village of Hersonissos.

Swim in the sea and just letting yours eyes wonder over horizon totally takes the last hints of stress away. Sarantari beach offers really clear water, sunbeds for rent and restaurant at your service. Easy going and relaxing vibes made it very enjoyable.

Grete was really pleasent surprise and the hotel ‘an intimate sanctuary, unaffected by the outside world ‘ like they promise. Beautiful sunsets and warm summer breeze will stay with us for long till autumn days.

Sunset at Village Heights Golf Resort, Hersonissos Grete

My story

I started my blog now, more than over ten years later than I was asked to do it. Very good friend of mine was convinced that I should write already back then. Not until now I actually feel that I have time and inspiration to do this. Time feels right and I’m a strong believer of going with the flow of my instinct.

It has to feel right in my heart. I’m passionated person who loves real deals, authentic places and people, beautiful details and good food. I’m a Finn, born and living in middle of Finland. My personality is quite lively and open, not a typical Finn really. I have a strong passion for photographing, interiors, fashion and travel. Last ten years I have been working in the fashion industry. At the same time I’m hugely concerned about the climent change and try to make the right choices. My choices will be seen in my blog and I believe every choice matters. I feel that sustainability, ecofriedly and ethically smart options will make a huge difference and everyone can do it.

I’m living by the lake with my family, 11 years old daughter, husband and our bostonterrier Nelsson. Nelsson will be seen here for sure, he is our sunshine and just fantastic company, the best friend forever. He is a true gentleman and a real charmer, 11 years old also. Nature plays a big part of our lives and is always part of our travels. We love sports. Skiing in winters and summers are perfect for playing in lake.

I just turned forty but honestly still feel young as ever, always love to learn new things. Partly that’s what brought me around my blog too. I believe you should always challenge yourself to try new things, see things from different perspective and be open for new opportunities. Life is a wonderful journey, so let’s enjoy!

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