A breath of fresh air in the pristine setting of Finland’s idyllic lakes, this short break takes you to the spellbinding shores and island-spangled waters of Lake Saimaa, the historic wooden houses of riverside Porvoo, and Europe’s northernmost medieval fortress
Helsinki – 1 night
Savonlinna – 2 nights
Puumala – 2 nights
Porvoo – 1 night
Making the most of long hours of daylight, taking a steamboat cruise on one of the loveliest lakes in the world, travelling through timeless topography to age-old settlements, and learning to bake traditional Karelian pies, this is a fabulous tour of Finland’s landscapes, history, and culture. Largely based amid the forests, lakes, and islets of the Great Saimaa system, the tour calls in at easy-tempo Mikkeli enroute to impossibly beautiful Savonlinna, spread across three islands linked by bridges, in the clear blue waters of Lake Sainaa. We visit Olavinlinna Castle, the sturdy stone fortress rising from the rocks of an islet to guard the Kyrösalmi strait. It’s said that if the walls could talk, they would tell a thousand stories; some are recalled in the castle’s museum. From here the route runs to little Kerimäki village, home to the largest wooden church in the world; to the Veijö Rönkkönen Sculpture Park, with hundreds of strange folkloric statues; and on a stunning journey across the lake-sprinkled landscape, leading to Rakokivi’s extraordinary, ice age formations. The stark bunkers of the Salpa Line mark Finland’s modern history; while 15thcentury, photogenic Porvoo is its second-oldest city, renowned for the red riverside houses.
Culture & Countryside Tour
Jules Verne Sightseeing
Central Hotels
Local Expert Guide
Like the Hairy Bikers before you, discover the old art of making tasty Karelian pies at Paula’s country farmhouse. Traditional pies usually had a rye crust and usual fi llings were barley and talkkuna. Today they have s a thin rye crust with a fi lling of rice. Butter, mixed with chopped-up boiled egg, is spread over the pies before eating.
This departure coincides with the annual international festival. Add an optional evening opera performance in the covered courtyard of Olavinlinna Castle (£160 – Category B). Performance schedule will be released at a later date.
Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow to Helsinki. Transfer to 4-star Hotel Klaus K for overnight.
Day 2 On a walking tour of the city centre and South Harbour area, view Senate Square, the Esplanade, City Hall, the Presidential Palace, and the railway station, where urban legend has it that the clock on its tower is set a minute fast, so that travellers are on time for trains; and visit the Oodi, the city’s ‘new era’ library, designed as a vibrant meeting place with dedicated spaces for events, concerts, quiet learning and lively activities. Travel by train (4hrs approx.) to Savonlinna for two nights at the 4-star Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone. (B, L)
Day 3 Tour the triple-towered Olavinlinna Castle, 550years old and still a forbidding edifice; it is now an iconic landmark, hosting festivals and housing an exhibition of its history. Enjoy a steamboat cruise around the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Saimaa, a natural wildlife sanctuary, hemmed with rocky cliffs and sleepy shores, and liberally sprinkled with forested islands. In the afternoon take a catamaran on the home waters of osprey and the endangered Saimaa ringed seal. Enter deep into the national park to get to know about their life. (B)
Day 4 Visit the tiny village of Kerimäki to see its enormous church, nicknamed ‘the yellow giant’, and holding a 3,000+ congregation, seated on a full mile of timber pews. Travel to Parikalla’s Sculpture Park, where 450 weird and wonderful statues, created by Veijö Rönkkönen, inhabit the park-like garden of the (late) sculptor’s home. Continue to the Puumala area for two nights at the charming Sahanlahti Resort, set by the shore of Lake Saimaa. (B, D)
Day 5 A superbly scenic journey, traversing multiple bridges and including a ferry crossing, brings you to Niinisaari. Enjoy a lesson in baking savoury Karelian Pasties at a local farmhouse, followed by a home-cooked buffet lunch. Visit Rakokivi, an intriguing, ice age, geological landscape, and continue to the lakeside town of Puumala for an eye-opening visit to one of the steel and concrete bunkers of the Salpa Line, a WWll defence line of 700 such constructions on the old Finland / Soviet Union border. Optional evening sauna at Sahanlahti (bookable locally). (B, L)
Day 6 Travel to Porvoo via the border town of Imatra, hemming the waters of Lake Saimaa and the Vuoksi River; and lakeside Lappeenranta, famous for its summer sandcastle creations. In Porvoo, enjoy a walking tour of the idyllic Old Town, picturesque and packed with history, from its quaint, cobblestone streets, to its medieval granite cathedral, and the well-preserved wooden houses, lining the eponymous river with their vivid red façades. Overnight at the 4-star Runo Hotel. (B)
Day 7 Transfer to Helsinki airport for the return flight to London Heathrow. (B)
Notes
This is a full itinerary with most visits on foot and sites with steps/inclines and uneven surfaces.
This tour involves carrying luggage on and off a train.
A modern 4-star design hotel, on Bulevardi right in the centre of Helsinki. Breakfast room, restaurant, bar, gym and WiFi (free). 171 rooms with hairdryer, safe, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
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A modern hotel on Savonlinna’s main square and right by Lake Saimaa. Restaurants, bar, sauna and WiFi (free). 84 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, mini-bar and satellite TV.
A simple, charming hotel built on a former sawmill by Lake Saimaa. Restaurants, saunas and WiFi (free). 9 rooms with hairdryer, mini-bar and TV. 5 private villas with kitchen-living room, bedroom, bathroom and some with private sauna.
A comfortable 4-star hotel in an art nouveau building dating from 1912, next to Porvoo Old Town gate. Restaurant, bar, sauna and WiFi (free). 54 rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
Mondays
per person in a twin/double room
Finnair from Heathrow
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
Single supplement £525
Flight Options
Finnair Business Class - On request
Optional Excursions
Visit to the Savonlinna Opera Festival £160 (Jul only)
Extension Options
Extra nights – Helsinki
Klaus K (per night) £105
Single supplement £85
Tour Only
Save £200
Arrival transfer Helsinki £70
Departure transfer Porvoo to Helsinki Airport £110
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 6 nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 1 dinner, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
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