Slow Travel Retreat in Finland
The Sun & Light | 31 July-2 August
A slow-travel weekend in the Finnish forest. Midnight sun, wild berries, kantele music, and lakeside sauna.
​
Small group. Designed sequence. Space to actually rest.
​
Not a typical wellness retreat. Not a yoga-intensive package.
Designed for relaxation and reconnection, this retreat offers a unique chance to unwind and embrace the rhythm of nature. Secure your spot today and rediscover tranquility.
What You Can Expect
Three days and two nights at Haltia Lake Lodge. A small group, a clear sequence, and Finnish nature that doesn't need to entertain you out of the quiet. You'll forage, make music, photograph the light, and sauna by the lake. The goal is not achievement. It's a steadier nervous system.
Ready to Join? See Availability + Pricing
Day 1 — Arrival & Entry
Morning
Arrive the night before if you can. The retreat begins gently: a self-guided reflection walk with one prompt — permission to slow down. Then a traditional kantele workshop and a grounding yoga practice guided by live kantele music.
​
Afternoon and Evening
Pick berries in the forest with an expert guide. Rest, swim, or do nothing until we gather in a traditional kota (Lappish teepee) for a long, unhurried bonfire dinner. Optional sauna and massage add-ons available.
Day 2 — Ritual, Rhythm & Renewal
Morning
Self-guided forest bathing (metsäkylpy) in the stillness of the woods. Then we recommend an independent visit to the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia to understand the landscape you're in.
​
Afternoon
After a hearty group meal, venture out into the woods for a fun tactile and visual experience. Take part in a guided nature walk and cyanotype photography workshop — using summer flora to make blueprints you take home.
Evening
The evening leads into one of Finland’s most treasured rituals: a guided sauna experience with hands-on herbal sauna whisks, foot baths, and cosmetics. Optional cold plunge in the lake. Premium dinner at Haltia Lake Lodge. Optional massage add-ons.
Day 3 — Closure & Return
Morning
Take a self-guided walk focused on closure and memory. Keep your phone on airplane mode. Soak in the sun through the canopy one last time. Join the group reflection circle to process the weekend together before departure.
​​
Afternoon
Before departing, we gather one last time for a traditional pancake feast in the woods. Simple, warm, grounding. The retreat closes at 12:30. You leave with calm continuity, not a crash.
Who is The Sun & Light Summer Retreat for?
Running on empty
You've been high-functioning for too long and need space to rest — without planning it, justifying it, or turning it into a productivity hack.
Made things, lost the thread
Artists, builders, and makers who want to reconnect with inspiration through nature, quiet, and working with their hands.
In between chapters
In a season of transition and need time and sensory space to hear yourself think.
What is Included in the Retreat
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner – including special bonfire dinner in a traditional kota)
Kantele workshop with Arja Kastinen (Doctor of Music and instructor at Sibelius Academy)
Restorative yoga with live kantele music
Guided berry picking and nature walk with Anny Nyman (featured in Condé Nast Traveller)
Cyanotype photography workshop
Herbal sauna experience with hand-made sauna whisks and cosmetics
Group reflection circle and printed reflection guide
Optional add-ons
Massage treatments
Extra sauna sessions
Pre-retreat night (recommended for a more relaxing arrival)
​
Not included
Transportation to and from retreat
Travel and accident insurance (highly recommended)
Additional activities and purchases onsite
Alcoholic beverages
​​
Availability and Pricing
€899 for retreat programming paid to Five Senses Retreats
€328 (single) or €358 (double) for accommodation paid to Haltia Lake Lodge via preferred rate link
Total from €1,227 (single) + travel
Retreat programming includes all meals, workshops, and activities. Flights and transfers are not included. Please see FAQ or Book Summer pages for details.
31 July – 2 August 2026
The Sun & Light
Immerse yourself in the light of the midnight sun. Awaken your senses through the taste of wild berries, the scent of warm forest air, and the touch of herbal sauna steam (löyly).
From the resonance of the kantele to the season's light captured through cyanotype art, this Nordic wellbeing and slow travel retreat will help you soften, recover, and become radiant.
Your Hosts for this Retreat
A curated group of specialists—music, sauna, herbs, movement, photography—holding one shared arc.
Arja Kastinen
Doctor of Music. Instructor at Sibelius Academy and expert Karelian kantele traditions.
Anna Nyman
Herbalist & Biologist. Nordic wild food and sauna rituals expert. Featured in Condé Nast.
Heedo Lee
Documentary Photographer. Cyanotype and analogue photography artist.
Claire Ansellem
Yoga Teacher & Massage Therapist. Movement and restorative practice expert.
Jonathan Lee
Curator and Host of Five Senses Retreats.
You can read more about the hosts on our homepage.
