Coast and Archipelago

In Turku and the islands and waters surrounding it, you’ll join an all-curated 4-day group experience with eight (8) selected participants, fully organised from arrival to departure.

Throughout your stay, you will move between the city and nearby islands, taking part in curated nature activities, island visits, sightseeing, sauna moments, and encounters shaped by the Baltic sea. The experience culminates in Finland’s Official Tasting dinner, where Michelin-starred chef Erik Mansikka creates a menu inspired by seasonal ingredients, fresh catches, and the flavours of coastal Finland. 

The tasting is a shared, multisensory journey with flavours, sights, sounds, and atmosphere coming together around one table. Authentic dishes and regional stories, shared by the people who know them best – and unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere. This is an invitation from the world’s happiest country to discover how happiness lives by the sea: in simplicity, and in unforgettable shared moments.

There's a saying in Finnish: why visit Paris when you have Turku? 

Finland's oldest city sits by the Baltic Sea, full of old city charm and a thriving urban scene rich in art and culture. It's also right at the edge of the world's largest archipelago: over 40,000 islands stretching out into open water, most of them uninhabited, but with no shortage of places to drop anchor and explore.

When you visit in autumn, the coastline is at its most elemental. The flavours of the archipelago define what ends up on the table from perch and pike to Baltic herring. After dinner, step outside. On a clear autumn night, the skies above Turku and the archipelago are dark enough to show you stars you've forgotten existed. This is where Finland's Official Tasting in the Coast and Archipelago takes place.

With extensive experience in culinary competitions, Erik Mansikka was awarded the Finnish Chef of the Year title in 2013. He is a respected and forward-thinking developer of Finnish gastronomy, with a career rooted in local ingredients, long-term craftsmanship, and a Nordic fine dining philosophy that is strongly connected to its region. His approach reflects a consistent focus on seasonality, precision, and a deep respect for the ingredients he works with. 

Erik is the founder of the acclaimed Restaurant Kaskis in Turku, named one of the best restaurants in Finland. Kaskis was awarded a Michelin star in 2022. It was an exceptional recognition, as it was the first star in Finland to be awarded outside the capital, Helsinki. In 2025, Kaskis was also recognized for its sustainability efforts when it received a Michelin Green Star.

The application journey to Finland's Official Tasting in the Coast and Archipelago is simple. First complete the social media video challenge on Instagram or TikTok. After you've completed the social media challenge, fill in the Coast and Archipelago application form so we know how to contact you if you're chosen! 

The best applications are authentic, personal, and memorable. Be creative, show us the real you, and answer the question: Why do you want to Have some Finnish? Applications will be assessed based on your personal expression, so originality and authenticity matter most.

Would you like to apply to our other Official Tasting instead? Go to the Lapland page.

Need some inspiration for your social media challenge video? Watch the video below to get an idea of what we're looking for. You can also find more inspiration directly on Visit Finland's own social media channels on Instagram @ourfinland and on TikTok @visitfinland.com. #HaveSomeFinnish

May 18, 2026
The application period starts.

May–June 2026
Follow Visit Finland’s Instagram @ourfinland and TikTok @visitfinland.com accounts for more inspiration and additional information about the social media challenge. Complete the challenge and fill in the Coast and Archipelago application form before June 9th. To apply to Lapland instead, go to the Lapland page.

June 9, 2026
The application period ends on June 9, 2026 at 11:59 AM Finnish time (EEST). Applications after this deadline will not be considered.

June 29, 2026
The selected participants are publicly announced on Visit Finland's Instagram and TikTok channels.

August–September 2026
The participants will travel to Finland. Their trip to the Coast and Archipelago will take place between August 31st and September 4th (additional travel dates in the beginning and/or end are possible due to transportation schedules).