Liminka, a charming countryside destination near Oulu

By Malin Norman

A close-knit community of businesses in the Oulu region has joined forces to establish a full-service destination. In Liminka, in the countryside near Oulu, you can immerse yourself in soulful yoga, enjoy a glass of wine in the upstairs wine barn, savour a lovely meal, stay the night at the Villa B&B, browse the stylish boutique – or even go for a ride on one of the horses.

IsaJOOGA was founded in 2017 to support women’s well-being through yoga, movement, and mindful living. The company’s founder is Isa Kemola, whose personal journey through stress, burnout and life transitions led her to develop a practice that is both grounding and empowering.

The company offers classes, online programmes, retreats and coaching that encourage women to reconnect with their bodies, reclaim their energy, and live with more presence and joy. “IsaJOOGA is built on the belief that yoga is not only physical exercise – it’s a path to self-awareness, strength, and inner calm,” explains the founder.

Based in an old barn, the IsaJOOGA experience is characterised by warm guidance, clear structure, and an emphasis on real-life well-being. “We focus on practical transformation, not performance,” stresses Isa. “The classes are designed to fit into busy lives, helping women find balance in everyday routines.”

Photo: Pitojen Helmi

Warm atmosphere at the Wine Barn

Isa is also behind the Wine Barn, founded in 2020 together with partner Charlie Comyn-Platt. Upstairs from the yoga studio, the Wine Barn blends rustic charm with modern comfort. The building’s design reflects a love for natural materials and simple, timeless aesthetics – a place where guests feel at home, as if they have entered a private, cosy gathering space.

The concept is bringing people together through high-quality wine, a relaxed atmosphere, and memorable experiences. “Our vision is a warm, welcoming place where friends and strangers can celebrate life’s moments in an elegant yet unpretentious setting,” says Isa with a smile. “We want to provide a place where time slows down, conversations deepen, and celebrations feel effortless.”

The Wine Barn offers a carefully curated selection of wines, along with local drinks and seasonal tastes. The menu is designed to be simple, elegant and honest – crafted to match the relaxed, communal spirit of the venue.

Kotoisa Mylläämö boutique. Photo: Kotoisa Mylläämö

Stylish boutique and passion for horses

Another local business is OLENo Oy, formed in June 2025 by two friends with a shared passion for beautiful things, nature and animals. Kaisu Luukkonen and Marjut Pihlaja faced the same reality; they no longer wanted to continue with their professions, instead it was time to start something new and make dreams come true. Currently, the company consists of two business areas: Kotoisa Mylläämö and SilkkiTurpa.

Kotoisa Mylläämö specialises in women’s fashion, jewellery, accessories, interior décor, and more. The boutique opened its doors in September, in an old traditional Finnish log house from the 19th century, and the web shop opened in November. “Our aim is to offer a different variety of styles and brands to those generally offered in stores around the Oulu region,” says Kaisu. “The brands all represent femininity, aesthetic beauty and flattering designs to bring out the best in women.”

The other part of OLENo Oy is SilkkiTurpa, which provides animal assisted services to small groups, such as riding lessons, courses on how to handle animals, and camps. “We offer different packages involving the surrounding nature and the animal co-workers on our little farm – horses, ponies, hens and a rooster, two old funny ducks, sheep, cats and dogs,” smiles Marjut.

The small farm is planning its first summer camps and retreats. “Most importantly is that our animals have a life that’s typical of the breed; they live in herds, feed as naturally as possible, and spend as much time outside as possible,” say Kaisu and Marjut. “It’s important to remember that the herd is their family, not us. We’re just their staff!”

Photo: Silkkiturpa

Luxurious yet grounded B&B Villa and catering

And last but not least, Pitojen Helmi offers Bed & Breakfast Villa Helmi as well as catering services. The company was founded in 1991 by Anne Kiljo-Pietilä and Raimo Pietilä, in order to arrange and host events such as Christenings and weddings. Today, the business is run by Anne and her two daughters, Elina and Senni.

The 200-year-old estate is characterised by traditional wooden walls, creating a sense of a small community hidden from the outside world. Guests can also try the farm’s escape rooms, with games based on true stories from the estate. “The idea is to offer something beautiful and meaningful, a place where everyone feels warmly welcomed and equally treated,” reflects Anne. “Creating everything from scratch makes a big difference, and we like to add new twists to tradition.”

Here, local food is served: grain from the farm’s fields, berries picked from the yard and nearby forest, meat from the local area, and so on. Chef Senni adds: “The recipes come from our grandmothers, and some are even older. In this way, we honour traditions, history, and, of course, our roots.”