No Men Allowed On This Female-Only European Island

Last year, in the midst of the #MeToo movement and Donald Trump’s first year in office, women’s retreats had a moment. This summer, those seeking the company of their fellow women, exclusively, will be able to visit the SuperShe Island—a wild Finnish paradise no men are permitted to visit.

For those not in the know, SuperShe is a women’s society that facilitates networking, collaboration and community building in exotic locations. Previously, members have congregated retreat-style in places like Oahu, Hawaii, for outdoorsy activities, fitness, yoga, and plenty of idea-swapping, but this year SuperShe founder Kristina Roth decided to go one step further, and give her lady empowerment getaways a permanent home.

The SuperShe Island is a quick and convenient one hour and twenty minutes from Helsinki airport. Spanning a neat 8.4 acres of evergreen trees and rugged landscape, it can accommodate 10 guests at a time in four custom-built cabins.

As you would expect from a female-focused space, each cabin is thoughtfully decorated and ultra cozy. Finland isn’t known for its balmy weather, so expect hygge-style furnishings with plaid throws, log fires and scented candles.

Health has been a central focus of past SuperShe retreats, and Roth intends to continue providing activities that focus on women’s wellbeing. Stays on the island will include things like yoga, fitness classes, meditation, farm-to-table dining, cooking lessons, nature activities, and more.

Of course the fact that the island is a female-only space also promotes wellbeing. When women are solely in the company of other women, in an environment that caters to—and considers—their specific preferences and ways of existing in the world, there’s a softening that happens.

“There was something in the air in early 2017. Certainly the women’s movement, which kicked off with the women’s march in January 2017, struck a chord in me and in millions of women around the world,” says Roth. “I didn’t ever view it as a political statement but as unity and a pure expression of the esprit de corps. It inspired me to channel my devotion to wellness and inner transformation into something other women can enjoy and benefit from. I believed I’d been given the opportunity to share my passion with other woman in this new chapter of my life and I just could not ignore it.”

On SuperShe island there’s no need for an armory of makeup, or even clothes. As the website tag line says: “Have you ever wanted to run away to a deserted island, breathe fresh air, swim naked in the sea, and sleep under the stars?” Roth’s intention is to create a place where women can reconnect with themselves and each other without the distractions of everyday life. “I hope they connect to each other and the landscape. I hope they grow relax, learn, teach, love, enjoy, evolve and have fun,” she explains.

If you’re wondering, “where do I sign up?”, fill out this membership form and set a reminder for June, when bookings for the first visitors to SuperShe island will open.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.