Hamina, Finlandia

Unfortunately we don't meet jussi and his wife except a few minutes at the airport when coming back. They seem to be very cool people. We have a very goo stay in Hamina(and also in the summer cottage they have at the baltic sea side) and a lot of thing to see and visit in the area (lake, museum and nice nature) we took advantage of the situation to go to St. Petersburg (only to hours from Kouvola by train)

Nice house by the bay/lake. Beautiful views! Big comfortable home. Jussi and Minna very helpful people.

Our recent house and car exchange with Jussi and Minna was a wonderful holiday experience. The Hartikainens were a pleasure to deal with, prompt communicators, offered accurate descriptions of what was on exchange with useful guides and instructions and we returned home to our own house the way we left it. We were offered the use of their two accommodations, the family home in Hamina and a seaside cottage within an hours commute, both of which were a delight. The comfortable family home has an amazing view over the Baltic sea where ducks and swan wildlife can be seen. A nature walkway meanders by the house around the boundaries of the water. It is close to a heritage town within relatively flat walking distance to the house, where we found a really good restaurant attached to the towns hotel spa. We vacationed during the tattoo festival and got to experience the unusual spectacle and enjoyed top class military music held in the towns outdoor Bastion arena and other marine areas in the hinterland. The stayover in their second accommodation (remote cottage) is a truly memorable experience. It felt like stepping back in time but with modern conveniences. It offers the chance to be at one with nature and the facilities border a sandy Baltic narrow strand. Here you can avail of their boats & water equipment, outdoor hot tub filled with seawater and heated with a log burning stove, private sauna, dedicated BBQ area with modern dining amenities, and private jetty with steps. There is no running water or indoor toilet but the property has electricity and has access to a well outside and a private outdoor biodegradable WC that is adequate. Two of the bedrooms are newly renovated with pine cladding and the beds were comfortable in all properties. We were lucky that for the majority of our stay in July (2024) the weather was good. We visited Helsinki, an easy commute on good quality straight roads and we highly recommend this capital for a city break during your stay. The family car was roomy and solid. Finland was a great country to visit, the smell of pine is in the air from the time you arrive at the airport until you leave. It has a good ambiance with nature and the people are open and charming. We would highly recommend an exchange.

Jussi and Minna are excellent home exchange partners. Their house is very nice and practical. We enjoyed the view over the sea bay every morning and every evening. The live experience was even better than the description and pictures we had read and seen on their Intervac page. We could also use their summer cottage at another sea bay: it is a small paradise on earth in a very quiet and peaceful environment. Rowing there on the calm sea with the boat and the kayak was a great experience. Jussi and Minna provided us with lots of information and tips for things to do in their town and in their region. All communication with them was easy and nice. We could also meet them at the airport after the exchange which was lovely! We really advise them for home exchange!