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.
Fly from London Heathrow to Helsinki. Transfer to 4-star Hotel Klaus K for overnight.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Transfer to Helsinki airport for the return flight to London Heathrow.
(B)
This is a full itinerary with most visits on foot and sites with steps/inclines and uneven surfaces.
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.
Add extra nights to your tour at the starting or ending hotel.
You can find out more about the county on the travel guide.
Baltic Capitals
25 Apr 25,9 May 25 and 22 more
Four countries, four capitals, and seven centuries of architectural styles, in their street-scenes and monuments, form the focus of this intriguing Baltics tour, as we travel to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, and take the ferry across the Gulf for a final day in Finland
From £1925 pp
incl Flight
Ice & Lights
27 Feb 25,13 Mar 25 and 5 more
With dramatic landscapes at your feet and the brilliant Aurora Borealis in the skies above, this is a tour to remote locations and remarkable sights, from Iceland’s glacial lagoon to its largest icecap, steaming geysers, gleaming icebergs, and frozen waterfalls
From £3025 pp
incl Flight
'Ice' Land of the Northern Lights
18 Nov 25,20 Jan 26 and 2 more
Icelandic winters are a wonderland of hot springs and frozen waterfalls, glaciers and growling volcanoes, and the ethereal Aurora Borealis dancing in dark skies. This five-night tour takes you through the unique topography of ‘the land of ice & fire'
From £2095 pp
incl FlightThe below departures are available - please click into the booking process for a quote and to book.
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.
Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
The following extensions are available to book with this tour. Please click through to the booking process to check your preferred departure date and to make a reservation.
Extra nights are priced per person, per night.
Please contact us to check availability and book alongside your tour.
Extra nights are on request, please call to discuss your requirements
Klaus K (per night) £95
Single supplement £85