How Eric Harkonen Created a Little Piece of Finland in Canada

Sauna is just the beginning of the Finnish cultural experience that awaits visitors to Vettä Nordic Spa. 

Not only can you relax and recharge with Finnish-style thermal therapy, but you can enjoy farm-to-table Finnish fare, take part in a “vihta”-making workshop and even sauna with a Finnish guide. 

How did this authentic Finnish sauna oasis — located just one hour outside Toronto — come to be? 

In this episode, we’re joined by Vettä owner and founder Eric Harkonen, along with brand ambassador Caroline Leppanen, to discuss all this and more, including:

• The immense value of sauna as a Finnish cultural export
• The Finnish concept of “sisu” and the role it’s played in Eric’s life
• Why sauna isn’t just a place for solace — it’s a great place to socialize and reconnect with others, too

…and so much more!

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Mentioned in this episode:

Vettä Nordic Spa
Sisu expert Dr. Elisabet Lahti
The Finnish Way: Finding Courage, Wellness, and Happiness Through the Power of Sisu, by Katja Pantzar

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Have a question, comment or an idea for a future episode? Email us at alan@kivia.ca.