This summer, we were delighted to welcome a group of guests from Shanghai to Pinecrest Villa for the first time. It was also the first time we created and hosted a special four-day visiting program.
This group was particularly special to us. More than half of the members were Lumin’s university classmates, making the visit not only a holiday in Finland, but also a wonderful reunion of old friends after many years.
We wanted to create something different from a traditional sightseeing tour, and hoped our guests could slow down, enjoy nature, taste Finnish food, and experience a little of what everyday Finnish life feels like.
The program began with a visit to Porvoo Old Town, where our guests explored the charming historic streets. We then headed to Emäsalo Island, enjoying the peaceful archipelago landscape, visiting a local village shop, and exploring Varlaxudden. Standing at Varlaxudden, our guests were simply amazed by the endless sea and the rocky shoreline.
Our guests also participated in Porvoo Jokirantajuhla, enjoying the lively riverside celebration and experiencing a local Finnish event together.
One of the most memorable experiences of our program was our five-hour sailing trip from Loviisa aboard the historic sailing ship Österstjernan on Baltic Sea Day, a day dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness of the Baltic Sea and the importance of protecting its unique environment.
As we sailed through the beautiful coastal waters, the captain shared stories about the history of the ship and the Finnish coast, while also telling us about the Baltic Sea, its delicate environment, and the importance of protecting this unique marine ecosystem. For our guests, it was a wonderful way to see the Baltic Sea from a different perspective.
A full menu featuring local Finnish food was served during the sailing. For our Shanghai guests, many of whom were experiencing the Finnish archipelago for the first time, this was an unforgettable combination of history, nature, food, sailing, and Finnish hospitality.
At our home farm, the guests had the chance to pick fresh berries and vegetables themselves, then cooked together. Everyone joined the traditional Finnish dishes such as Finnish salmon soup and Finnish blueberry pie.
The kitchen quickly became a place for sharing stories, laughter, memories, and friendship. And perhaps because many members of the group had known Lumin since university, there was already a warm sense of familiarity and friendship from the beginning.
Of course, we couldn't miss one of the most Finnish experiences of all — sauna.
After the sauna, we relaxed together and enjoyed Finnish sausage. It was a simple moment, but perhaps that was exactly what made it so special: good food, nature, sauna, conversation, and old friends enjoying time together.
What made us happiest was seeing how much our guests enjoyed these experiences. They walked through historic towns, sailed among the islands, enjoyed local celebrations, picked berries and vegetables, cooked Finnish food, relaxed in the sauna, and shared many happy moments together.
For many of them, this was a very different kind of holiday from a conventional sightseeing trip. It was a chance to experience the Finnish lifestyle while also creating new memories with old university friends.
For us at Pinecrest Villa, hosting this first four-day program was equally meaningful. We were happy to open our home and our Finnish surroundings to Lumin's old classmates and to share something we love about Finland: its nature, food, peaceful lifestyle, and the joy of spending time together.
We are truly grateful to our guests for making these four days so warm and memorable. We hope they returned to Shanghai with beautiful photographs, happy stories, and perhaps, most importantly, a little piece of Finnish summer in their hearts.
If you are planning a trip to Finland with friends, family, colleagues, or a group, and would like to discover the nature, culture, food, and everyday life around Porvoo, please feel free to get in touch with us. We would be happy to create a unique Finnish experience especially for your group.
We look forward to welcoming more international guests to Pinecrest Villa and sharing the beauty of Finnish summer, nature, and hospitality with you.
Pinecrest Villa recently had the pleasure of hosting a wonderful ladies' retreat for two inspiring days filled with relaxation, connection, and fresh ideas.
After arriving, the group enjoyed a peaceful evening by the sea. Some took a refreshing swim, while others relaxed in the sauna before sharing their delicious meal together. The calm surroundings and unhurried pace created the perfect atmosphere to unwind and reconnect.
The second morning welcomed everyone with beautiful sunshine, a gentle breeze, and crystal-clear skies. It was the perfect setting for a rejuvenating yoga session on the pier, where the sound of the waves and fresh sea air added a special touch to the experience.
Following lunch, the group gathered once more to discuss future plans and activities. Surrounded by nature, the peaceful environment and clean, fresh air inspired creativity and meaningful conversations. It was amazing to see how a tranquil setting can stimulate new ideas and strengthen connections.
Thank you to this wonderful group for choosing Pinecrest Villa for your retreat. It was a joy to host you.
Pinecrest Villa is excited to officially introduce our corporate events packages together with our trusted local partners from august, and look forward to welcoming more companies, teams, associations, and groups to Pinecrest Villa. Together with our partners, we can tailor memorable experiences that combine productive meetings with wellness, outdoor activities, delicious local cuisine, and the unique tranquility of the Finnish archipelago.
We look forward to helping your next gathering become both productive and unforgettable.
On June 1-2 2026, Pinecrest Villa partnered with Natural Nordic (Naturalnordic.fi) to host an extraordinary culinary workshop. Set against the breathtaking seaside scenery of Porvoo, the event brought together passionate food professionals and celebrated chefs for two inspiring days of cooking, learning, and enjoying the finest flavors of Finland.
The workshop featured renowned Finnish master chef Mika Jokela, Chef Pierre from Switzerland, and Chef Saki from Restaurant Murasaki in Helsinki. Together, they created a unique experience that highlighted the richness of Nordic ingredients and culinary traditions.
Photograph by Studio Aare
Photograph by Studio Aare
Photograph by Studio Aare
Photograph by Studio Aare
Photograph by Studio Aare
Photograph by Studio Aare
Chef Mika Jokela designed three outstanding menus that showcased the versatility and beauty of Finnish natural products. Natural Nordic supplied the dried wild mushrooms, dried berries, and aromatic herb powders harvested from Finland's pristine forests.
Throughout the workshop, participants enjoyed not only the delicious meals but also the opportunity to exchange ideas and techniques with experienced chefs from different culinary backgrounds. The combination of international expertise and local ingredients created a truly unique atmosphere.
One of the highlights of the event was the cooking environment itself. The chefs delighted in preparing meals in Pinecrest Villa's modern kitchen, which offers stunning views of the sea. Equally enjoyable were the outdoor cooking sessions in the villa's grill pergola, where open-fire cooking added a special dimension to the culinary experience.
We are grateful to Chef Mika Jokela, Chef Pierre, Chef Saki, and all participants for making this event such a remarkable success. Beyond creating exceptional meals, the workshop also served as a practical exploration of how Finland's natural products can be incorporated into modern fine dining cuisine. The chefs experimented with Natural Nordic's wild mushrooms, wild berry powders, and wild herb powders, discovering innovative ways to enhance flavors, textures, and presentation. The results demonstrated that these carefully sourced natural ingredients can successfully bridge traditional Nordic food heritage and contemporary fine dining.
We would like to thank the photographer Alpo from Studio Aarre (Studioaarre.com), who expertly documented the entire workshop.
We look forward to welcoming more culinary enthusiasts, chefs, and food lovers to Pinecrest Villa for future workshops and unforgettable gastronomic adventure.
We welcomed our very first local school group in May. On a beautiful sunny spring day, more than 20 enthusiastic students arrived to enjoy a memorable outdoor learning experience surrounded by nature.
The students participated in a guided fishing activity led by experienced professionals, giving them the opportunity to learn new skills while enjoying the peaceful waters around Pinecrest. Throughout the day, they also explored and captured the stunning natural scenery that makes our area so unique.
To further enhance our guests' experience, Pinecrest Villa invested in a new party tent this year. Together with our wooden grill pergola, this area creates a comfortable and relaxing environment for groups of up to 40 people. Whether enjoying outdoor meals, educational activities, or simply spending time together, guests now have even more convenient and sheltered spaces to gather and connect.
We are delighted to have hosted this wonderful school visit and look forward to welcoming more groups, families, and nature lovers to Pinecrest Villa in the future.
After a peaceful and well-deserved winter break, we’re excited to be back in full swing and ready to welcome guests old and new to Pinecrest Villa.
As we kick off 2026, we’ve already launched two meaningful projects to improve your stay and our island home:
Building a Deer‑Resistant Flower & Vegetable Farm
Living on a beautiful island also means sharing space with plenty of animals. For the past four years, we’ve tried growing flowers and vegetables, only to find we needed double or even triple the effort to protect them, especially deer.
This year, we’re taking a more sustainable approach: building a proper, deer‑proof farm. Soon we’ll have a thriving space for flowers, herbs, and veggies — without the constant battle with wildlife!
Pond Cleaning & Ecosystem upgrade
We’re also cleaning our outdoor pond thoroughly and improving its overall ecosystem.
Our goal is simple: to create an even cleaner, more relaxing, and enjoyable outdoor space for you to unwind.
We can’t wait to share these improvements with you and keep making Pinecrest Villa feel like a peaceful, well‑loved home away from home.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Pinecrest Villa this year.
Here’s to a wonderful 2026 — filled with sunshine, nature, and great memories.
