The Charms of Finnish Lakeland

DAY 1: UK - FINLAND

Scheduled Finnair flight to Helsinki. Collect hire car on arrival and drive via Porvoo and Lappeenranta to Puumala close to Mikkeli. Overnight (2) at Hotel Sahanlahti.

DAY 2: PUUMALA

Day at leisure. You can visit Anttolan Hovi Manor [try the lunch at Ruhtinatar] and Ollinmäki Wine Farm where you can see how Finnish berry wine is made and also enjoy a complimentary tasting.

DAY 3: PUUMALA-SAVONLINNA

Short drive to Savonlinna where you have a guided tour of Olavinlinna Castle. Close by are the heritage wooden houses along Linnankatu street which are worth a look at before moving on to your overnight (2) accommodation at Lomamokkila Farm [approx 10 km from the city centre]

DAY 4: SAVONLINNA

Cruise on Lake Saimaa for a two hour cruise [hourly departures] on a traditional lake steamer originally built in 1906. Spend the rest of the day in Savonlinna or drive out to Punkaharju, a narrow ridge lying between two lakes with pine trees along its length and in June the purple milk vetch.

DAY 5: SAVONLINNA-HIRVENSALMI 

Drive to Hirvensalmi stopping at Rapio Mill, Butiken på Landet, Kenkävero Old Vicarage milieu en route and Tertti Manor where lunch is provided for you. Overnight (2) at Hotel Satulinna.

DAY 6: HIRVENSALMI

Spend the day relaxing in the hotel or drive over to Mikkeli and visit its sights:Päämajamuseo (World War II Army HQ Museum), market square, have a cruise by M/S Jaarli or enjoy coffee and waffles in Naisvuori observation tower.

DAY 7: HIRVENSALMI-HELSINKI

Breakfast, drive down south to Helsinki, drop off rental car and check in to the Hotel Marski for one night.

DAY 8: HELSINKI-UK

Morning at leisure and self transfer to airport for return Finnair flight to the UK