KALLIOKUMPU ECO LODGE
Archipelago Retreat
OUR STORY - Why we chose to live in the Finnish archipelago
From staging worlds to living in the midst of nature on an island in the Finnish archipelago
It all began with a love of saunas... and theatre.
Rebecca worked as a dramaturge, Sami as a video artist and scenographer. They got to know each other between rehearsals, productions and the search for moments that touch people. We created spaces, images and experiences for others. But at some point it became clear that our own lives were no longer in tune with our values.
How do we want to live?
Our answer began outside. In nature. And in the sauna.
With FINNFLOAT®, the first Finnish sauna raft in Germany, we brought a piece of Finland to Berlin – a place of warmth, silence and community on the water. People came, breathed deeply and found peace. And as FINNFLOT® grew, we changed too. Sami immersed himself in nature coaching, Rebecca in relaxation work and Finnish sauna culture. The desire for a freer, more natural life became more concrete. Then came the break – and the courage.
We gave up our flat, learned shortly afterwards that we were expecting a second daughter, and lived with our children in a camper van for a year, travelling between places, questions and possibilities. Instead of fear, we felt clarity:
now or never.
We weren't looking for a retreat – we were looking for a place to live. And we found it in the Finnish archipelago.
We left the familiar behind and moved to an island. Not as a way out, but as a way in.
On the island of Vartsala, in Kustavi, our longing became a place: Kalliokumpu Eco Lodge.
A place where we live, work and welcome guests with our children. Characterised by Finnish sauna culture, nature experiences, archipelago cuisine and genuine encounters. A place far away from mass tourism, where community is created, rituals matter and time can be felt again. Kalliokumpu is not a finished concept.
It is the result of a decision: to live outside, freer, in tune with nature.
And an invitation to everyone who feels that things can be different.
"We are looking for places that inspire our imagination. Places that speak to us and give us strength. Places that relax and unwind. Places where we feel life and which at the same time take our breath away. PLACES OF HAPPINESS!"
Rebecca & Sami
THE HOSTS
Hospitality in tune with nature
"We love Finnish nature, Nordic vastness and tranquillity, the archipelago, saunas and being outdoors. We value encounters, delicious food, and we are passionate about cooking natural dishes from Finland, Lapland and Scandinavia. We long for hospitality in tune with nature and are passionate about discoveries, experiences, travel, good living, artistic creativity and you!"
Rebecca & Sami
Sami Bill
Sami is German-Finnish and has been a nature explorer since childhood. He is a certified nature coach, trained in nature mentoring and studied scenic arts, biology and ethnology. He worked successfully for more than ten years as a video artist & stage designer, internationally at theaters and opera houses (samibill.de). In addition to his work as a nature coach, he is a passionate nature photographer (samibill-photographer.com)and deals with the nature of Lapland, the indigenous Sámi and the consequences of climate change. Sami has spent some time dog sledding in Lapland, bakes the best Finnish cinnamon rolls and cooks the tastiest poronkäristys (reindeer slices).
Rebecca Lang
Rebecca studied dramaturge and, after many creative years at the theater, completed training as a sauna master, relaxation therapist and sauna yoga teacher in Helsinki. She is the founder of Finnfloat Saunafloss (www.finnfloat.de) and like Sami deeply rooted in Finland and life in nature (she has already caught a zander by hand and likes to go on moose & reindeer safaris in the evenings).
Rebecca loves relaxing with vihta (birch tea), olut (beer) and good conversation in the sauna.
