Content Like mountain hiking but on the coolest Åland with her islands is every kayaker’s Stay by the sea. Cottage, B&B, hotel or islands of Scandinavia. Page 27 dream come true. Page 23 campsite. Page 41 » 5 MASTER CHEF MICKE » 7 ÅLAND IN BRIEF » 21 GOLF » 29 SHIPWRECK DIVING » 33 EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS » 44 CONTACTS » 57 MAP OVER ÅLAND With sea in all directions, the perfect ice is Music, drama, festivities, adventure and never far away. Page 31 other Åland experiences. Page 33 To see and do on a bicycle. Page 11 ... by archipelago ferry. Page 15 A treasure for sport fishermen. Page 25 The four star Hotel Arkipelag lies in the centre 100% ÅLAND of Mariehamn with the sea as its closest neighbour! – don’t ask for less! Conference & kick-off package WE TAILOR-MAKE AND BOOK all-included Return ferry trip of choice with confe- TRAVEL PACKAGES to Åland FOR SMALL rence, lunch and dinner onboard, con- ference in Mariehamn and/or activities AND LARGE GROUPS! Whether you want a (e.g. sailing, canoeing, fi shing, golf, golf trip for a 4 ball group, or a conference horse-riding, spa-relax, visit to a vineyard, for 400 participants, we will make sure or casino school) & accommodation, incl. that you and your fellow-travellers get a full board at Hotel Arkipelag or Pommern. customized and carefully planned travel Package price from 140 euro per person arrangement – an all-included package worth the money. Henrik Nordström, MD WE OFFER YOU ALL ALTERNATIVES con- cerning feRRY TRIPS, ACCOMMODATION ★ ★ ★ ★ AND ACTIVITIES! Our selection includes all ferry & fl ight routes to and from Åland, and all hotels, boarding-houses, holiday villages, restau- Association package rants, sports facilities, and activities on the Åland Islands. Therefore you Return ferry trip of choice, incl. Scandina- X 86 spacious rooms X Restaurant with large X Casino can be sure that we can offer you all available arrangements. vian buffet, guided sightseeing incl. a visit with balcony outdoor terrace X Casino Bar Tel. +358 (0)18 24020 WE KNOW OUR åLAND AND OPEN ALL THE DOORS for you! After 30 to museum-ship Pommern, Kastelholm X Conference X Night club X Sauna, pool and gym Fax +358 (0) 18 24384 Castle and Bomarsund fortress ruins, years in business, we provide a unique network of contacts, including dinner & accommodation at hotel in Ålandic enterprises, sports associations, culture life and authorities – Mariehamn or in cottages in the coun- Strandgatan 31, 22100 Mariehamn X www.hotellarkipelag.com X [email protected] these experiences and contacts are of a great benefi t to our guests. tryside. WE PROMISE you a quick offer wheN YOU CONTACT US! Please call Package price from 100 euro per person us or send your wishes to us by e-mail, and we promise to deliver an interesting offer. Here are some examples on our package trips which can give you some ideas about how you would like your Åland trip Stay in the heart of Mariehamn. to be. Fishing package Comfortable accommodation Return ferry trip or fl ight of choice, fi shing excursion in the archipelago around for the whole family! Mariehamn with the professional fi shing Golf -& golf training package guide Kalle Pettersson, sauna, archipe- Return ferry trip of your choice + pre- lago dinner & accommodation at Hotel FAMILY HOTEL WITH MANY POSSIBILITIES booked start time & green fee at Castle Arkipelag. What is your kind of accommodation? Double room with a and/or King’s Course at Kastelholm Package price from 250 euro per person double bed, or with two separate beds? Single room, or a (alt. at the 18-hole course in Eckerö) + double room with one extra bed? Family room for four per- accommodation incl. breakfast at sons with a kitchenette on the ground fl oor? We offer room Hotel Arkipelag or Pommern. alternatives for all types of families and wishes. Package price from 90 euro per person CLOSE TO EVERYTHING Golf training package ‘Green card on Sports & school group package The hotel is situated adjacent to the pedestrian street with Åland’ every week Monday-Friday during shops, and within a stone’s throw from sights, beaches and the golf season 2007. Return ferry trip of choice, bed & break- nightlife. Package price from 380 euro per person fast in Mariehamn or in the countryside + sports arrangements (e.g. football, ice LATEST TRAVEL SERVICES, Company golf, all-inclusive/tailor-made hockey, swimming or indoor bandy) or ALL-INCLUDED PACKAGES & OFFERS 24-hour package incl. ‘all’ activities, e.g. canoeing, sailing, horse Visit our website www.hotellpommern.aland.fi for the latest Package price from 200 euro per riding, go-cart racing or visit to Mariebad travel services and offers, and fi nd the perfect all-included person spa. package for your needs! Package price from 40 euro per person Norragatan 8–10 AX–22100 Mariehamn, Åland Welcome! Tel. +358 18 15 555 ÅLANDS TURIST & KONFERENS AB, c/o Hotell Arkipelag, Strandgatan 31, AX-22100 Mariehamn, Åland Fax +358 18 15 980 Tel. +358 18 15 349 Mobil +358 457 5267087 Fax +358 18 21 077 [email protected].fi www.hotellpommern.aland.fi www.turistkonferens.com E-mail: [email protected].fi Boundless Colourful Spectacular Safe Close Peaceful Fresh // 5 The lure of the Åland Islands drew Michael back home Michael Björklund has done just about all From the beginning Michael’s focus was – I try to make it simple – it should be you can do as a chef, despite his relatively to take over the restaurant “Seglis”, the uncomplicated but good. The base ingre- young age. He began his career in Sweden ÅSS Pavilion owned by the Åland Sailing dients are local produce but sometimes where he quickly became popular. His Association. But before this dream project “foreign” raw materials such as North Sea years as an appreciated chef gave him was possible, he had to wait one year. In cod and plaice sneak in. The foundation is insight into much having to do with food the meantime he worked with his father in simplicity. We do not stack up our meals, and host duties. After he was voted Chef the family business of catering and cook- says Michael laughing before he takes off of the Year in both Sweden and Finland, ing classes for individuals and companies. into the kitchen. his career took off. And matters only improved after his success in the Swedish Then he got his chance. Today he is the He is in a hurry and the interview ends TV series “Skärgårdstugg” and the equally boss at Seglis in the vicinity of the muse- for now. Soon the first lunch guests arrive, popular Finnish TV show “Strömsö”. um ship Pommern. The location is perfect. maybe to enjoy Michael’s culinary care in The restaurant is situated centrally in the combination with the view of sailing boats But somewhere in between all the hard guest harbour, in a remarkable cultural and glittering water. work, the thought was born – how about building from 1897, drawn by architect going home? And home, that is Åland. Lars Sonck. The house speaks of national Surely most guests that have tasted the romance and the Vikings. The view is over fried herring and mashed potatoes, feel In 2002 a new life started at home. The guest boats and the port of Mariehamn. that Michael’s understanding of Åland idea was that life should be less hectic combined with the view of the harbour, and that the pace would be slower so that Dreams are free but if they are to are hard to beat. Michael could enjoy the Åland archipelago become reality, you have to work. For nature. But this only turned out to be Michael, the day often begins at five in the partly true. morning and ends late at night. – You can not blame your pace on your – But it is worth it, he says and nods surroundings. The truth is that I like hav- towards the window. ing much to do, he says and laughs. If I didn’t like the tempo I wouldn’t take on On the menu you mainly find herring, so much. perch, pikeperch and other local produce. visitaland.com Boundless Colourful Spectacular Safe Close Peaceful Fresh // 7 There are an average of four Ålanders for each island in Åland. Can you picture it? What do you know of Åland? Perhaps you have heard about the thousands of islands that dot the Baltic Sea. Already a holiday favourite among Scandinavians, that is waiting to be discovered by many more. Will you be one of them this year? In practise the Ålanders live rela- like stepping into another world. And in a Åland is an enchanting island tively close to one another – 10,800 in way it is another world. Åland is a group of world, one of the few places where you Mariehamn, some 13,600 in the country- islands that culturally belongs to Finland, can still find an undisturbed sea bay, your side on the main island and 2,300 in the with Swedish language and the Euro cur- own paradise without crowding. This is a archipelago. rency. There are influences from Sweden, tremendous benefit in today’s centralized There are 6,500 named islands and sker- Russia, and Finland, and thanks to the society. Åland is one of few places where ries in the Åland archipelago. And that shipping traditions, from the rest of the in the summer you can still count on spot- naturally characterises Åland and the na- world as well. The television channels in ting white sails of traditional sailing ships tives.