FALL FORAGING IN LITHUANIA Foraging is big news in
Europe, from truffle hunting in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna to enjoying seasonal spoils at Copenhagen’s world-famous Noma restaurant. In Baltic countries such as Lithuania, it’s all about finding mushrooms, and partaking in this long-popular rural activity is becoming a popular excursion for visitors. Lithuania is home to some
400 species of edible mushroom, and every fall the forests of its southerly Dzukija region come alive with furtive foragers enjoying the dramatic foliage. Events such as September’s Varena Mushroom Festival further flesh out the fungi focus. There are also rural attractions
such as wellness stays in the spa town of Druskininkai and lake- hopping trips in Lazdijai District.
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ISLAND HOPPING IN FINLAND The ‘Midnight
Sun’ summer months are ideal for touring the pristine Aland archipelago in south-west Finland. Its main gateway, Mariehamn, is accessible by Viking Line or Tallink ferry from Turku or Helsinki. Established routes such as the
Archipelago Trail make for great self-guided road trips, supported by homely accommodation options, including Kvarnbo and Mama’s Pocket, and activities like wild swimming, cycling and kayaking. Advise clients to leave time to enjoy seasonal fare at institutions such as Sattmark Kaffe, Västerro, Smakbyn and Stallhagen microbrewery, and coincide their visits with midsummer celebrations like those at Eckero. Smaller islands include Koba
Kittila, with its historic pilot station, reachable by boat. Clients can even book an entire island to themselves (silverskar.ax/en).
Left: Aland archipelago in summer; foraging for mushrooms