Savonlinna-Sahanlahti-Porvoo
Lakes, lakes, lakes – wonderful lakes!
You might’ve heard that Finland is the land of a thousand lakes. In fact, there are 187 888 lakes (larger than 5 acres) in Finland. Finland is divided into four landscape districts of which Lakeland or Finnish lake district is the largest. You can enjoy some amazing local delicacies, bake Carelian pies, visit some historical monuments and see the world’s largest wooden church. Don’t forget to try a real Finnish sauna with swimming in the lake!
Price includes
Please request for your group size.
- 4-nights accommodation in 4-star hotel/resort
- Coach in full use throughout the tour
- English speaking tour leader throughout the tour
- Meals as mentioned in program
- Lakeland Steamship Cruise
- Visit Olavinlinna Castle
- Visit Kerimäki Wooden Church
- Visit Rakokivi erratics
- Visit Parikkala sculpture park
- See some the Salpa line bunkers en route
- Karelian pie baking
- Guided walking tour of Porvoo
- Taxes and mandatory service charges
Supplements
- Single basis supplement
- Optional sauna at Sahanlahti resort
- In July, possible to get tickets for Opera shows at the Savonlinna Opera Festival
Highlights
- Hop on a steamboat and enjoy the fresh air
- Visit the world’s largest wooden church
- Learn about medieval life at the Olavinlinna Castle
- Bake Karelian pies with a lovely local hostess
- Wonderful Lakeland sceneries
- Discover interesting sculptures by Veijo Rönkkönen
- Visit the Wooden Old Town of Porvoo
- Chance to experience the Finnish sauna
Accommodation
Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone or similar
Hotel of many stories, located in the very centre of Savonlinna next to the Market Square and the Passenger Harbour. The medieval castle of Olavinlinna is just a few hundred metres away.
Sahanlahti Resort or similar
The scenic holiday resort Sahanlahti is located by Lake Saimaa, only 45-minute drive from Mikkeli. In Sahanlahti, you will spend a relaxed holiday, enjoy first-class dining experiences or organise a memorable party in historically valuable and unique sawmill surroundings. The hillside view of the resort is a breathtaking experience, and the welcoming staff will ensure that you have everything you need for a perfect holiday.
Haikko Manor SPA hotel or similar
The hotel provides brilliant service, genuine manor house ambience, fantastic archipelago and pampering spa treatments for adult taste. The hotel is located in the middle of a beautiful park by the sea, only half an hour’s drive from Finland’s capital Helsinki. The picturesque old town of Porvoo is located within five kilometres from Haikko. Possibility to upgrade to Manor room.
Travel program
Day 1 | Arrival in Helsinki – Savonlinna
Flight on own arrangements to Helsinki Finland (morning arrival preferable). Meet your driver and guide at the airport and proceed driving towards Lakeland. On our way to Savonlinna, we’ll have a possible lunch stop on the road in Mikkeli, a former border town of Russia.
Day 2 | Savonlinna – Sahanlahti (B/D)
Breakfast at hotel
Today you will see some real gems of Lakeland. Visit in Olavinlinna castle and join the free tour of the castle. Kindly note, there are some narrow steps if you decide to join the tour. Afterwards to an unforgettable Saimaa cruise by steamboat. Possibility to have lunch on board at own expense. The tour continues towards Sahanlahti, on the way the stop at Kerimäki wooden church. Have a coffee break at own expense and visit the Parikkala Sculpture park, close to the Russian border. Veijo Rönkkönen has made all the sculptures (over 500 sculptures) showcased in the park. The day will end with a lovely dinner at Sahanlahti resort, where you will be staying for two nights.
Day 3 | Niinisaari – Rakokivi – Puumala – Sahanlahti (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel. Lakeland is not only known for beautiful scenic roads, but it also has a good reputation when it comes to local delicacies. You will get to join a Karelian pie workshop and make your own delicious Karelian pies with a lovely local hostess, Paula. Lunch will be served after the workshop. The day continues with some more scenic roads to Rakokivi geological formations from the ice age. In the evening you’ll have free time on own with the possibility to hire rowing boats or try the Finnish sauna.
Day 4 | Sahanlahti – Porvoo (B)
Breakfast at hotel. It’s time to say bye-bye to Lakeland. The fun is, however not over yet, we will spend an exciting afternoon in Porvoo. En route to Porvoo, we will have a quick stop at Salpa Line bunkers. The Salpa Line is a bunker line on the eastern border of Finland, and it was in use during the Continuation war in 1941-1944. Arriving at the idyllic town of Porvoo and guided walking tour where you can discover Porvoo well-preserved wooden houses and picturesque cobble-stoned streets. The city’s town plan is from the Middle Ages, with small houses, picturesque yards and narrow streets for a historically unique milieu. The red warehouses on the riverbanks, the stories about seafaring and trading, as well as visit the beautiful medieval cathedral. After the guided tour you’ll have some free time to browse delightful shops and craftsmen’s workshops. Overnight at Haikko Manor’s SPA hotel (possibility to upgrade to Manor rooms), where you can enjoy a nice walk in the Manor’s garden.
Day 5 | Departure (B)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel before transferring to Helsinki-Vantaa airport and flights on own arrangements back home. We hope you had an incredible holiday and we look forward to seeing you again soon!
Note: program indicative, activity days may vary.
B=Breakfast | L=Lunch | D=Dinner
Photos
Lakeland Tour
