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  • This you didn’t know about Finland: Malmgård Manor has Organic Farming and Royal Atmosphere

    This you didn’t know about Finland: Malmgård Manor has Organic Farming and Royal Atmosphere

    *pr-trip with VisitKotkaHamina and Malmgård Manor

    Hidden in the countryside of southeastern Finland, about an hour from Helsinki, is Malmgård Manor, which offers visitors a unique combination of aristocratic history, sustainable farming, local food culture, and peaceful rural scenery. The manor is a historic building surrounded by fields and forests, and it is one of the most fascinating countryside destinations in southern Finland.

    The estate has roots dating back centuries, and its striking neo-Gothic castle-like main building immediately catches the eye when arriving at the manor grounds. Unlike many historic estates that feel distant or inaccessible, Malmgård has a warm and lived-in atmosphere. History is not hidden behind glass — it is still part of everyday life there.

    The Count presenting the estate’s history

    One of the most memorable parts of visiting the manor is hearing the Count present the estate’s history and modern-day activities fluently in Finnish, Swedish, and English. The storytelling makes the manor’s long history come alive in a personal and engaging way. Visitors gain insight into noble family traditions, and also into how a historic estate can evolve sustainably in the modern world.

    Malmgård Manor and painted portraits of the forefathers
    Malmgård Manor and painted portraits of the forefathers
    Malmgård Manor and lamp from Venice
    Malmgård Manor and lamp from Venice

    Today, organic farming plays a major role at Malmgård. The estate is known for its ecological values and commitment to sustainable agriculture. Vast surrounding fields are cultivated organically, and the philosophy of respecting nature can be seen throughout the property. The manor has become a well-known example of combining historic heritage with environmentally conscious innovation.

    The estate also features its own brewery and a charming shop selling organic products produced on the farm. Visitors can purchase locally made flour, grains, beers, and other specialty items that reflect the agricultural traditions of the estate. For food and drink enthusiasts, this adds another layer to the experience and makes the visit feel authentic and rooted in the region.

    Generational bookshelves

    One of the highlights of the tour is visiting the Count’s extraordinary library. The collection contains books spanning generations and centuries, creating an atmosphere that feels almost cinematic. Standing among old volumes and historical interiors offers a rare glimpse into the intellectual and cultural heritage preserved within the manor walls. Another unforgettable moment is seeing the present-day Count standing beside a portrait of his forefather — a visual reminder of the continuity of history across generations.

    The surrounding countryside itself is also part of the experience. Depending on the season, visitors can enjoy green summer landscapes, golden autumn fields, snowy winter scenery, or the fresh awakening of spring. Travelers interested in authentic Finnish countryside culture can find Malmgård especially inspiring.

    Malmgård organic shop
    Malmgård organic shop
    Malmgård fields
    Malmgård fields

    How to Reach Malmgård Manor from Helsinki

    Malmgård Manor is located near the town of Loviisa in southern Finland. The easiest way to reach the manor from Helsinki is by car. The drive takes approximately one hour and follows scenic Finnish countryside roads.

    It is also possible to travel part of the journey by bus from Helsinki toward Loviisa. For international visitors staying in Helsinki, Malmgård makes an excellent day trip destination that offers a completely different atmosphere from the Finnish capital.

    For travelers interested in Finnish manor culture, organic farming, local food products, and peaceful rural landscapes, Malmgård Manor is a destination that combines all of these elements in a memorable and elegant way.

    Read more about traveling in Finland from INDIVUE – Trip to Finland.

    Malmgård Manor and Count Creutz
    Malmgård Manor and Count Creutz
  • How only 4 Nights in Fuerteventura can be a Relaxing Holiday in the Canary Islands | Video

    How only 4 Nights in Fuerteventura can be a Relaxing Holiday in the Canary Islands | Video

    Fuerteventura was a place where time seemed to slow down. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the island offered endless sandy beaches, soft light, palm trees, warm days, and the kind of tranquility many people long for after months of busy everyday life.

    At the same time, the island reminded me how valuable Spain’s natural and cultural heritage truly is. Fuerteventura’s volcanic landscapes, dramatic coastline, and wide-open spaces make it one of the most distinctive destinations in the Canary Islands.

    In my video, “Four Nights in Fuerteventura – Holiday in Spain 2026”, you can experience authentic moments from the island, including the hotel area, the airport, a wildlife park, and the island’s capital, Puerto del Rosario. The video captures the atmosphere of Fuerteventura’s southern coast and shows that even within a popular holiday destination, it is still possible to find peaceful places where travel is centered around nature, local culture, and slowing down.

    Short holiday trip to Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands

    A Restorative Escape by the Atlantic

    After seven years of city life, it felt as if fate had finally decided it was time for a proper beach holiday. And what a place to choose: an all-inclusive stay at Fuerteventura Princess Hotel on the Atlantic coast.

    As it turned out, it was exactly what I needed.

    I fell in love with the calmness and beauty of the hotel grounds. The comfortable room, the sea views, the sound of the waves, and the spectacular sunrises created an atmosphere that immediately helped me unwind. Enjoying my morning coffee on the balcony while listening to the ocean felt like a small luxury, as did dining under the stars in the evening.

    The adults-only areas of the hotel added an extra sense of peace and relaxation to a resort that is also popular with families. Birds sang among the palm trees, flowers added vibrant colors to the landscape, and the entire environment felt welcoming and well-maintained.

    One of my favorite dining experiences was the Food Market restaurant, where meals were prepared fresh in front of guests at live cooking stations. The dishes featured in the video are vegetarian and fish-based meals, reflecting both my own preferences and the island’s culinary traditions. Exploring local ingredients and food culture is one of the most rewarding ways to connect with a destination and support a more sustainable travel experience.

    It was also fascinating to hear so many different languages around me—Spanish, French, English, German, and Italian. The atmosphere was international yet relaxed and friendly.

    And of course, the resident cats living around the hotel added their own charm to the experience.

    Can You Swim in the Canary Islands in Early Spring?

    One of the biggest surprises of the trip was discovering that, on warmer afternoons in March, it was perfectly possible to swim even in an unheated outdoor pool. Swimming under the warm Spanish sunshine was incredibly enjoyable. The hotel also offered a separate heated pool for families and children.

    The video also includes a visit to Oasis Wildlife Fuerteventura, one of the island’s best-known attractions. Beyond being a popular visitor destination, the zoo park highlights environmental education, conservation efforts, and the protection of endangered species. One of the most memorable moments of the visit was seeing a lemur up close—a member of one of the world’s most threatened groups of mammals. Experiences like this serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting biodiversity and preserving wildlife for future generations.

    The video also features scenes from Puerto del Rosario, the capital of Fuerteventura. Here, visitors can experience everyday island life, the maritime atmosphere, and local Canarian culture beyond the resort areas. Exploring local towns offers a deeper understanding of the destination and the people who call it home.

    Why I Fell in Love with Fuerteventura

    Fuerteventura may not be the loudest or trendiest destination in the Canary Islands—and that is precisely why it was so easy to fall in love with it.

    The island offers space to breathe, long stretches of coastline, silence, sunlight, and a close connection to nature. It demonstrates that a memorable holiday does not always require packed itineraries or endless attractions. Sometimes the most rewarding travel experiences come from appreciating local culture, natural landscapes, and places that have managed to preserve their unique character.

    For me, Fuerteventura was exactly that kind of journey—and often, those are the journeys we need the most.

    Fuerteventura-beach-near-Esquinho-beach-in-the-morning
    Rays of the morning sun in Fuerteventura beach

    Read also Fuerteventura travel guide

    Flight landing in Fuerteventura

    INDIVUE Trip to Europe – Visual travel guide

    Fuerteventura in Finnish

  • Where to Enjoy Mango Sticky Rice and Thai desserts in Helsinki

    Where to Enjoy Mango Sticky Rice and Thai desserts in Helsinki

    *pr-event with Royal Thai Embassy Helsinki and Wolfcom

    Spring is mango season in Thailand, and here in Finland it is also a wonderful time to experience a taste of Thailand and celebrate the sense of joy and renewal that a new season brings. As mango is a central ingredient in Thai cuisine, it plays a key role in many traditional dishes and is used both ripe and unripe. A ripe mango can be recognized by its silky-soft texture, floral aroma, and sweet flavor, while an unripe mango is crisp and refreshingly tart.

    Mango Sticky Rice – Thailand’s Iconic Dessert

    One of the most famous Thai desserts is mango sticky rice. This classic dish combines ripe, sweet mangoes with steamed sticky rice infused with sweet coconut milk.

    Mango sticky rice is internationally celebrated and widely regarded as one of the best rice-based desserts in the world.

    Non-alcoholic mango-lemongrass-spritz drink served in NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa Hotel
    Non-alcoholic mango-lemongrass-spritz drink served in NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa Hotel

    Mango Delights Now Available in Helsinki Restaurants

    At a recent PR event in Helsinki, I had the opportunity to taste mango sticky rice—and it truly lived up to all the praise. I could easily visit a Thai restaurant just for this dessert alone. I also sampled a wonderful non-alcoholic version of the Mango Lemongrass Spritz drink served in NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa hotel. It is hard to imagine a drink that captures the essence of spring better – even traditional Finnish sima comes second. This mango drink is something I definitely want to enjoy again, preferably on a sunny terrace. The hotel has also breakfast featuring mango, in chia pudding.

    The following restaurants in Helsinki are currently celebrating spring and fresh mango by offering mango sticky rice and other mango-based delicacies. Below you will find the restaurants, addresses, and the mango dessert availability dates. One restaurant from Vaasa is also included.

    • NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa, Mannerheimintie 5
      Mango Lemongrass Spritz served on the terrace starting May 1, 2026
    • Boon Nam Restaurant & Bar, Lönnrotinkatu 4
      Khao Niao 2.0: coconut rice foam, Thai mango, caramelized coconut (from April 14 onwards)
    • Farang, Arkadiankatu 6
      Yum Ma Muang Thai mango salad with shrimp; Thai mango salad with peanut dressing (vegetarian); April 27 – May 8, 2026
    • Thai Orchid Villa Kamppi, Urho Kekkosen katu 1
      Mango sticky rice
    • Thai Thai Ravintola Malmi, Vilppulantie 2
      Mango sticky rice available Friday to Sunday, May 1 – June 30, 2026
    • Krung Thep Thai Bistro Oulunkylä, Käskynhaltijantie 38
      Mango sticky rice with homemade coconut ice cream, April 24 – May 24
    • Treffi Herttoniemi, Hiihtomäentie 14
    • Treffi Verkkosaari, Capellanranta 3
      Mango Royale (dessert) and Mango Colada (cocktail), May 4 – June 30, 2026
    • Korat Tam Tam Helsinki, Jäkälätie 10
      Thai mango sticky rice on Fridays and Saturdays; mango ice cream daily, May 1 – June 30, 2026
    • Boontharika Ravintola, Kauppapuistikko 16
      Mango sticky rice on Mondays and Fridays; mango jelly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; mango smoothie daily

    If there is no Thai restaurant in your hometown, you can also try making delicious mango sticky rice at home using the following recipe, which I received from the Royal Thai Embassy.

    Thai Nam Dok Mai mango in Helsinki
    Thai Nam Dok Mai mango in Helsinki

    Authentic Mango Sticky Rice Recipe

    Ingredients

    • Ripe Thai “Nam Dok Mai” mango
    • Thai sticky rice (glutinous rice, khao niao)
    • Coconut milk
    • Sugar
    • Salt
    • Pandan leaves or pandan powder (for aroma)
    • Roasted mung beans (for topping)

    Preparation

    1. Preparing the mung beans
      Rinse the mung beans thoroughly and soak them in water for about 8 hours or overnight. Rinse again and steam until cooked. Finally, fry the beans until golden brown and drain excess oil.
    2. Perfect sticky rice
      Rinse the rice lightly and soak for at least 4 hours or overnight. Steam until soft and fully cooked—this is the most important part of the dish.
    3. Coconut milk mixture
      Heat the coconut milk together with sugar and a pinch of salt. Add pandan leaves or powder for an authentic Thai aroma.
    4. Combining
      Heat the coconut milk until hot but do not boil. Pour it over the cooked rice (the rice should be soft yet slightly firm). Mix gently and let rest for about 20 minutes. Stir once more and allow the rice to fully absorb the coconut milk.
    5. Mango
      Cut the ripe mango into bite-sized pieces—sweet, juicy, and vibrant in color.
    6. Finishing
      Serve the coconut rice with mango. Drizzle additional coconut sauce on top and sprinkle with crispy mung beans for texture.
    Tasty Mango sticky rice
    Tasty Mango sticky rice

    Why Glutinous Rice Is Sticky

    Glutinous rice gets its sticky texture from its unique starch composition. This has nothing to do with cooking method or gluten, but rather the internal structure of the rice.

    Rice starch consists of two main components: amylose and amylopectin. Regular rice contains both, but amylose is responsible for the fluffy, separate texture after cooking. Sticky rice differs because it contains very little amylose and is composed almost entirely of amylopectin.

    When glutinous rice is soaked and steamed, the amylopectin absorbs water and swells. At the same time, it becomes gel-like, causing the grains to stick together. The result is a soft, dense, slightly glue-like texture that defines this rice.

    The term “glutinous rice” can be misleading, as it has nothing to do with gluten. It simply refers to the glue-like consistency. Sticky rice is therefore completely gluten-free and suitable for gluten-free diets.

    This unique texture makes sticky rice ideal for desserts. It absorbs flavors such as coconut milk efficiently while maintaining a soft and rich mouthfeel. That is why it is used in mango sticky rice, where the combination of rice and sweet coconut milk pairs perfectly with ripe mango.

    Read also my Helsinki visual travel guide

    Read about thai mango desserts also in Finnish.