Mikaela Savolainen

My new blog carries my name, ’cause it’s me myself and I now.

Past year was a time of great loss. I had to say goodbyes to my husband, business partner and travel companion of almost two decades, he passed away in March 2022. Travel was a great part of our life together, but it was an essential part of my life also before meeting my hubby. So, now I’m sort of resetting myself. The past months I’ve made solo trips both in Finland and abroad, finding new paths in life. Also, I like to enjoy micro adventures in my hometown Turku. Here is a wrap up of past year’s trips I made.

Easter cruise, Viking Line Glory April 2022

The first experience away from the holy circle of home & work after COVID-19 and all the rest was an Easter cruise from Turku. Viking Line Glory had operated only a short period of time and at that point experiencing a new concept, enjoying good food, some entertainment and fantastic views to the Baltic Sea felt like a nice idea. I also booked some time at the spa as they have the most amazing panorama windows.

Fortunately I had a table reservation (good food) and the spa reservation (relaxing). The ship was sold out and obviously, more than usual families with children were onboard. I should’ve known, Easter is the perfect possibility for families to travel. Long lines everywhere, annoyed kids and even more annoyed parents.

Roadtrip in Finland June 2022

I got my driver’s license in November 2021 and as most of my driving only happens in city, I wanted to do a longer roadtrip to get some experience in different roads and at the same time, visit some domestic cities.

I first drove to say hi to my mother in law in Tampere, the continued to Jyväskylä for a night. Stayed at the fantastic boutique hotel Yöpuu and dined at their popular restaurant Pöllövaari. Weather was extraordinarily bad, it rained horizontally and I only made a short evening walk to check out Alvar Aalto designed buildings & had a drink at a local bar. My hotel room was Alvar Aalto themed.

In Kuopio I went to the Puijo tower to see the are from above first. Checked-in to my hotel and walked around to see some local sights. My husband was born & raised in this city and I had heard a lot of interesting stories. In Kuopio I went for a lake cruise and had the most tasty, smoked vendace dinner at the legendary vendace restaurant, Muikkuravintola Sampo. The next day I paid a visit to a graduation party and continued my trip to Mikkeli.

It was the graduation night, Mikkeli was filled with celebrating high school students. I had a dinner and visited some local bars, had fun conversations with locals. In the morning I headed to the new, interactive museum called Muisti Center of War and Peace that exhibits war experiences from different aspects to promote peace. Excellent exhibitions and the times we live make all this work even more important.

My next stop was Hämeenlinna where I learned new things of Jean Sibelius and paid a visit to Häme Castle that I may have visited as a child, but didn’t remember anything of the place. Hämeenlinna is the oldest inland town of Finland and has some pretty old architecture left as well.

My roadtrip ended in Naantali, just next to my hometown Turku. I knew I’d have Visit Finland’s Midnight Sun seminar at the Naantali Spa early next morning, so I had made a booking for the spa hotel. I had time to enjoy the spa, have a tasty buffet dinner and take an evening stroll around the old town of Naantali. And then, after the hotel brekkie to the most interesting seminar with a great number of travel industry movers and shakers. A great end to my Finland road trip!

Bengstkär July 2022

One day I saw an advertisement on a bus/boat trip to Bengstkär. I’d never been to the famous lighthouse there and booked a trip. A fun filled, sunny day. Learned a lot about the somewhat exotic lifestyle on the island and climbed all the way to the top. We were very lucky, weather can be rough here.

Barcelona July 2022

A little over a week of flaneuring, enjoying the warm hospitality, food & drinks. I stayed at hotel Olivia Plaza by the Plaça de Cataluyna, location is excellent.

I walked and used the metro, for walk lovers this is a perfect city. I’ve been to Barcelona several times before and picked places where I’ve not been before. Curious museums and just simply interesting parts of the City. This trip truly made me happy.

Interrail August 2022

As Interrail celebrated its 50th birthday I had the chance to purchase an Eurail pass for -50% earlier in the summer. Now, I took a ferry to Stockholm, spent a day there and had a train to Copenhagen for one night. Had a hotel just next to the Tivoli Gardens and the railway station. For three nights in Berlin I stayed at the classic luxury hotel, Kempinski. The most luxurious breakfast I’ve ever had in my life. And I succeeded in enjoying the city from different perspectives.

Returned via Hamburg, there I stayed a couple of nights and on my way back home one more night in Copenhagen again. In Stockholm I booked a day room at the Hilton (had to get some sleep) and as, after checking out, I still had some time before hopping on my ship I visited the Fotografiska. It is located near the ferry terminal.

South America December 2022

This was something my husband and I had partly booked for March 2020 and well, obviously things got postponed. That happened a couple of times and at the end, he was too ill to travel anymore. I promised I’d take the cruise from Buenos Aires to Santiago de Chile and that is exactly what I did. Also, spent time in Buenos Aires and a couple of nights in Santiago de Chile.

I also had the possibility of visiting Matka Nordic travel Fair in January and it was a thrill meeting all the travel professionals and bloggers I haven’t seen for ages due to the pandemic. With my staff we cruised the Baltic Sea the same week. As a travel & hospitality professional I have many hats to wear, and I definitely want to have one as a travel blogger. World is my oyster.