• Accommodation,  Finland,  Tampere

    Autumn cottage weekend in Niemi-Kapee – Sauna, hot tub and lake views

    Niemi-Kapee Sammal Mökki


    *Collaboration: Niemi-Kapee Farm & Rental Cottages

    Can the cottage season continue into the fall? After our weekend, the answer is definitely yes. The autumn cottage weekend in Niemi-Kapee offered wonderful nature, sauna and lake views and proved to us that relaxing at a cottage doesn’t always have to happen only in the summer, but that cottages are year-round and each season offers something different and wonderful. Niemi-Kapee is located in Teisko region in Kapee, only about an hour’s drive from Tampere and this time, in addition to myself, my husband, my mother and our little dog Sumu were also on the trip.

    I know I love the sun and warmth, but there was something really wonderful about this autumn cottage weekend for me too. When there are shades of autumn around, a calm lake view and light rain dripping from the large windows into the landscape, it doesn’t really have to be sunny. This autumnal and rainy weather tempted us to put on our wool socks, cook a good meal together, heat up the sauna and curl up on the couch to enjoy some peaceful time together with a hot cup of tea.

    We stayed at Sammal cottage, and I must say that I quickly understood why this cottage became our favorite.

    Sammal Cottage at Niemi-Kapee


    Niemi-Kapee – a place where history meets modern cottages

    Niemi-Kapee has a long history, and it is not a cottage village that was founded only yesterday. The place began as a farm decades ago, and tourism has been with the farm since early times. Originally, the farm lived a very traditional rural life and operated a dairy farm, among other things. However, over the years, the operations have changed and the current Niemi-Kapee tourism complex has been built around the farm.

    In addition to the cottages, you can still feel rural life on the farm, as the farm still has sheep, for example. I think this is exactly what makes this place interesting: there has been no attempt to make the place a big and fancy tourist experience, but the peaceful cottages near the farm and this environment in itself are the experience.

    The history of Niemi-Kapee also includes adversity. In 2001, the Janika storm felled a huge amount of the farm’s forest. However, something new was also created from it, when the trees were used to build a smoke sauna. Today, the place is already being run by the next generation, and alongside the farm, traditional grandma-style cottages, beautiful modern cottages, glamping accommodation and various sauna services have been created, such as the popular smoke sauna mentioned above.

    Old and new in the right proportion, that’s exactly what I like.

    Niemi-Kapee farm estate


    Sammal – A modern cottage in the middle of nature

    Sammal was a really successful choice of cottage for us. The cottage is modern, stylish and comfortable, but at the same time you don’t feel like you’re in a soulless chain hotel, in the middle of nature. Nature is strongly present in the atmosphere and color scheme of the entire cottage. The large windows that take up the entire wall were especially memorable. They really let the landscape take its place, and even on a rainy day it was lovely to just sit inside and look out. This cottage offers just the right amount of comfort and style without compromising on the traditional cottage vibe and closeness to nature, so if this resonates with you too, I highly recommend it.

    Sammal is a single-level, approximately 80 square meter cottage on the shore of Lake Näsijärvi, behind the Niemi-Kapee farm estate. There are two separate bedrooms, a well-equipped modern kitchen, a cozy living area, a fireplace and your own sauna. Sammal’s wood-burning sauna was one of the highlights of the entire cottage. The sauna is dark and cozy, like the rest of the cottage, but my personal favorite was definitely the large window that looked out onto the terrace and the lake. This way, you could have a sauna in the middle of nature and be completely at peace.

    It’s pretty hard to think of a better way to spend an autumn evening than warming up in the wood-burning sauna and looking out at the lake scenery at the same time. After the sauna, we of course moved on to the warm hot tub, which made the autumn evening feel even more special. Even the light rain didn’t stop us from soaking in the hot tub! My husband also went for a dip in the lake from the cottage’s own private pier, but I left this part to him this time (I hate cold water).

    Sammal is modern, spacious and stylish
    The dining area is combined together with the living room and kitchen as one big open space
    The modern kitchen has everything you may need for cooking even for a bigger group
    Dark wooden sauna with big window view
    Breakfast in bed with beautiful nature view


    JUST RELAX AND DO NOTHING AT THE COTTAGE

    Our weekend was above all about being. We cooked delicious food at the cottage, drank hot coffee and tea, relaxed in the sauna, enjoyed the hot tub, watched movies and spent time together. All of this is a great treat for me, because I am quite a busy person and I constantly have a hundred things under development and going on. Relaxing like this and even without the hustle and bustle of the city felt so wonderful and welcome. Even the rain didn’t bother me, on the contrary, it also worked as a chill vibe creator.

    The highlight of Sammal was definitely its large windows, which brought nature and the landscape inside. I was able to be warm and dry, but at the same time watch how the rain came down and the autumn nature around me changed a little bit during the day. Cottage living doesn’t always require campfire trips, long forest walks or a packed schedule. I don’t really understand the idea of ​​forcing a schedule like that, but maybe I’m not a traditional cottager, but rather a city girl who enjoys the rare peace of nature. Still, I don’t think you need to come up with a schedule at a cottage. It’s best to just be there and not have anything planned.

    Morning coffee
    Slow mornings at Niemi-Kapee
    A good way to relax
    From the sauna is a great view to the terrace, hot tub and the lake
    The hot tub kept us nice and warm in the rain
    A dip in the lake from the private pier feels refreshing


    Pet-friendly and an easy cottage for furry friends

    It was also easy to come here with a dog. Niemi-Kapee’s pet-friendliness was a big plus for us and actually the most important thing, because Sumu likes to go with us on trips and we don’t want to go to a cottage without Sumu.

    Sammal was also a great fit for this. The cottage is on one level and there are only a couple of steps on the terrace, so moving around with the dog is easy. Sumu was able to be with us in all the rooms and was able to participate in all the cottage life. This may sound like a small thing, but when traveling with a small dog, things like this have a surprising impact on how easy and relaxed the holiday really is. Sumu also clearly liked the cottage’s own peaceful yard and the surrounding nature. So a big recommendation for those traveling with a dog.

    Sumu found the best spot immediately


    National parks and nature reserves nearby

    If you need more to do during your stay at the cottage, there are also nice nature destinations in the area. For example, the Seitseminen and Helvetinjärvi National parks and the Siikaneva Nature reserve are within easy reach. It is easy to go to these places to spend the day exploring away from the cottage and return in the evening to the warmth of the sauna and hot tub.

    All the cottages provide a free rowing boat for the guests


    A cottage for every style and need in niemi-kapee

    One thing I liked about Niemi-Kapee is that not all the cottages are made in the same style. If you like a modern style and want to be as close to the lake as possible, Sammal is a great option. Kokkoranta also offers modern lakeside accommodation and views through large windows. If you are looking for a more traditional cottage feel, options include the log cabin Harmaa, or the granny cottages Mansikka and Mustikka, each with its own unique and lovely vibe.

    If regular cottage accommodation doesn’t seem like your thing, Niemi-Kapee also offers Taivasalla Glamping, which is a slightly different way to spend the night in the middle of nature without compromising on any of the comforts.

    There are also various sauna experiences on offer, such as a traditional smoke sauna.

    All the cottages are in a private setting in the middle of the nature, even if they are close to the farm


    Nature here is not just a landscape

    At Niemi-Kapee, the environment and nature are naturally a big part of the whole experience. I think it’s great that the place is being developed in a modern way, but at the same time the environment is being taken into account in its operations. Niemi-Kapee aims to reduce the environmental impact of tourism, use natural resources judiciously and take biodiversity into account in its operations. The place is also part of the Sustainable Travel Finland program, and guests are encouraged to do their part, for example, by sorting and saving water and energy. When you spend time in such beautiful surroundings, these things feel like a natural part of the cottage experience and we try to live according to these in our everyday lives, so this just felt very appropriate and natural to us anyway.

    Why choose Niemi-Kapee?

    • Less than an hour’s drive from Tampere
    • Cozy and modern cottage options
    • Countryside and lush nature all around
    • Lake view and private pier at each cottage
    • Wood sauna and hot tub or jacuzzi available
    • Tourist destinations nearby
    • Cottages with all the amenities and necessities
    • Pet-friendly
    • Easy and hassle-free communication with the owner during your stay
    • Year-round cottage living without compromising on anything


    Thank you for a nice and relaxing cottage weekend in the these cozy autumn vibes and in the heart of nature in Niemi-Kapee, we will definitely come again! 🙂

    <3: Tiina Johanna

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    *Photos: Tiina Johanna, blogger

  • Canary Islands,  Corralejo,  Fuerteventura,  Spain

    Corralejo – Fuerteventura’s longest sand dunes


    *Article contains affiliate links

    Corralejo is a very popular small town and fishing village located at the northern tip of Fuerteventura. In Corralejo, you can find large hotel areas as well as a local atmosphere in the streets of the old town and in cute little cafes. Four kilometers from the center of Corralejo are Fuerteventura’s longest sand dunes and beautiful beaches with turquoise sea water shining as far as the eye can see.

    Corralejo has been growing its reputation among tourists for several years and has long been especially popular with British and Central European tourists. This can also be seen and heard in the street scene. In the center of Corralejo, you can find many different boutiques and clothing stores, from small local shops to well-known chains. Cafes, bars and restaurants can be found for every style and price level. The further you go from the tourist areas, the cheaper and more local you get. Accommodation is offered by large hotel resorts as well as smaller boutique hotels and private holiday apartments. So if you want something from your trip where you can get everything easily, quickly and effortlessly, from shopping to wonderful sandy beaches, lively restaurant and night life and good daytime activities, then Corralejo is definitely your choice!

    Corralejo
    The small local beach of Corralejo village
    The main street of Corralejo


    ISLAND HOPPING IN THE CANARY ISLANDS BY FERRY

    From Las Palmas, Gran Canaria we traveled by ferry to Fuerteventura. We had easily purchased the ferry trips in advance through Omio and everything went really smoothly. The journey took only two hours and the ferry was very comfortable. Ferry connections are available from Las Palmas to both the capital Puerto del Rosario and the southern tip of Fuerteventura, Morro Jable. We chose the shorter route, i.e. Morro Jable. However, this was a mistake, as Fuerteventura is a surprisingly long island. The bus trip on local buses took 3-4 hours from end to end, including a change in the capital city of Puerto del Rosario. So we didn’t win anything with this choice, so I recommend choosing the most direct ferry connection instead of going on a bus trip adventure. A road trip on a local bus here is long and hot, and the scenery along the bus route is not worth all this effort on this dry sandy island.

    ARE YOU INTERESTED IN ISLAND HOPPING ON THE CANARY ISLANDS? BOOK YOUR FERRY TICKETS THROUGH OMIO WITH THE BEST PRICES!



    A very relaxing ferry ride


    ACCOMMODATION WITH SEA VIEWS

    In Corralejo, a lovely holiday apartment was waiting for us right by the sea, with great sea views. Here we spent three nights relaxing and enjoying the apartment’s wonderful swimming pool. On the first day, we had spent almost the whole day traveling, so we were already quite tired when we got there. We went to the store to get some food for the apartment and my husband wanted to stay and rest, while I, being a big water beast, headed to the pool for a while to refresh myself.

    Our apartment was in a central location, from which it was easy to walk everywhere. The main pedestrian street became very familiar every day, but we also got to know a lot of different places a little further away from the core. We had given ourselves permission to indulge in good restaurants while here, so we tested a lot of different places to eat and we totally ate a lot of fish dishes while we were in this nice fishing village.

    CHECK OUT THE BEST HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION IN CORRALEJO AND FUERTEVENTURA HERE!



    Our pool area
    So calm and quiet <3
    Views from our rooftop terrace


    FUERTEVENTURA’S LONGEST SAND DUNES

    Fuerteventura’s longest sand dunes are located only about four kilometers from Corralejo. The dunes are part of the Corralejo Natural Park (Parque Natural de Corralejo) and are no less than 2,600 hectares in size. You can get to the sand dunes by bus from Corralejo’s pedestrian street, for example, or you can also take a taxi, which is not very expensive in the Canary Islands. The most sporty ones can also rent a bike or some other fun ride.

    The sand dunes of Corralejo strongly reminded us of the island of Sal in Cape Verde. In fact, the whole of Fuerteventura is a very similar island to our home island Sal, but only a much more touristic and “European” version, and of course not as exotic. We still really liked the sand dunes and it was wonderful to spend time in the sun and the sea in our own peace, because there is plenty of space on the dunes!

    Cozy views
    Corralejo sand dunes


    DAY TRIP TO LOBOS ISLAND

    A day trip to Lobos Island, or Isla de Lobos, was definitely worth experiencing. Lobos island (Isla de Lobos means island of wolves in English) is really small, only 4.6 km in area. It is located two kilometers north of Fuerteventura. Wolves has never lived on the island, but the name comes from the seals that were once on the island, which according to the story were called sea wolves. There are no more seals on the island either.

    Lobos is a completely uninhabited island. The island is of volcanic origin and its highest point is the caldera of a collapsed volcano, which rises to 127 meters. The charm of Lobos is definitely its charming little beach coves, which can be found along the island’s walking route.

    You can get to the island quickly and conveniently by ferry or in the form of various excursions from the port of Corralejo to spend the day. We bought the ferry trips in advance online and spent one whole day getting to know the surroundings of this dry but charming little island. We walked around the island along its well-marked routes and finally relaxed on a beautiful beach by the clear sea water. In the next article I will tell you more about our day at Lobos, so stay tuned.

    CHECK OUT THE BEST ACTIVITIES AND TRIPS IN CORRALEJO:

    Isla de Lobos
    The only seals on the island

    HAVE YOU BEEN TO CORRALEJO AND/OR FUERTEVENTURA? OR ARE YOU PLANNING ON YOUR TRIP SOON? SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS, EXPERIENCES AND QUESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW! 🙂

    <3: Tiina Johanna

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    *Photos: Tiina Johanna, blogger
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