The Pearls of Eastern Finland

DAY 1: UK - HELSINKI

Scheduled Finnair flight to Helsinki. Self transfer to Hotel Torni for 2 nights.

DAY 2: HELSINKI

At leisure: the Neo Classical Senate Square and its orthodox counterpart the Uspensky are not to be missed and a stroll down the grass boulevard Esplanaden to the statue of Havis Amanda is a thing to do when the sun is shining.

DAY 3: HELSINKI-LAPEENRANTA

Collect hire car and drive along the coast via Porvoo with its ochre coloured clapboard houses to Lappeenranta, with its eclectic mix of Swedish and Russian architecture. Overnight at Hotel Lapee for 2 nights.

DAY 4: CRUISE ON LAKE SAIMAA

Visit the Old Fortress and its museums before taking a cruise along the canal to Lake Saimaa, the largest of Finland’s lakes originally formed by glacier melt water running off at the end of the last Ice Age.

DAY 5: LAPEENRANTA-SAVONLINNA

Drive to Imatra and along the pine clad, 7km long Punkaharju Ridge separating two fresh water lakes to Savonlinna dominated by its iconic 3 tower castle. Overnight at Savonlinnan Seurahuone. [NB during the Opera Season July 3rd to Aug 1st overnight in Imatra]

DAY 6: SAVONLINNA-KOLI

Drive to the Karelian city of Joensuu; continue to Lieksa and from there by ferry [payable locally] to Koli. Overnight at Hotel Koli for 2 nights.

DAY 7: KOLI

At leisure: the broad waters littered with islands like so much pine detritus make this a haven for just watching the day go by, gentle hiking or canoeing. 

DAY 8: KOLI-KUOPIO

Turn south west and drive down to Kuopio: a city unique in blending countryside with urban living, having a lattice of pedestrianised streets dating back to the town’s original 18th century street plan and being almost entirely surrounded by Lake Kallavesi on which you take a short cruise [payable locally] before supper. Overnight at Hotel Puijonsarvi.

DAY 9: KUOPIO-VANTAA

Breakfast in your hotel before the drive down passing Mikkeli, a charming Lakeland city, the capital of the Province of Eastern Finland, to Vantaa. Overnight at Hotel Flamingo, Vantaa.

DAY 10: HELSINKI-UK

Return Finnair flight to UK.