Finlandia

With the continuing interest shown by our clients in discovering the less well known coasts and waterways of Europe we are pleased to propose, for a third season, a short series of summer cruises on the MS Kristina Brahe cruising the Åland Archipelago and Lake Saimma. The Kristina Brahe is not a large modern vessel and is suitable for those interested in exploring Finland’s waters, landscapes and coastline, rather than the facilities of a large, modern cruise ship. Further insight into the Finnish culture comes from the local people at the varied ports of call and when they join the vessel for day trips on some days.

Whilst definitely positioned in the minds of most as part of Scandinavia, Finland was for some time part of the Russian Empire with its coastline used by the Tsars for their summer vacation cruises. When Sibelius composed Finlandia it had to be titled ‘Impromptu’ for Russian audiences and only later becoming the Finnish ‘national hymn’. In the Archipelago Sea the island of Jussarö is strategically important and we also visit the well preserved old town (1546) of Tammisaari and Kökar on the island of Åland, the site of a Franciscan monastery and sanctuary for Hansa seafarers. The island of Jurmo is part of the Archipelago National Park and famous for moraine fields with glacial remains stretching into the sea. Utö is Finland’s southernmost point and the grey-stone village of Nauvo is renowned for its handicrafts.

Eastwards lies the Tsars Route to the beautiful islands of the Gulf of Finland, the Saimaa Canal and lakelands. Visit Langinkoski and the Imperial Fishing Lodge at Kotka and sail past Virolahti, a former imperial summer retreat. Cruise into Russian waters to Viborg and the Saimaa Canal whose eight locks lift the vessel 72 meters up to the level of the lake. Lappeenranta is the capital of South Karelia and Savonlinna lies amidst picturesque lake and island scenery with nearby Puumala recently voted the most beautiful municipality in the Lake District region.