North Karelia winter fun
Home of Kalevala
The easternmost part of Finland, North Karelia, is famous for its natural attractions, food traditions, and slower pace of life. North Karelia is the perfect vacation spot for nature-lovers who want to experience Finland’s rugged ridges, crystal-clear rivers and lakes, and islands of magnificent flora. It is also a place where artists have been coming to be inspired for centuries.
Located in Nurmes town, Lakeland Bomba is a cultural hub adopting influences from all directions. The North Karelian identity is highlighted in colorful arts and crafts, tradition-driven gastronomy, and wooden architecture. The key landmark of the region is Lake Pielinen, not to mention the three national parks within an hour’s reach. Surrounded by Lake Pielinen, a great variety of waterfront activities represent everyday life in Lakeland Bomba. Having a stargazing trek on the ice where you might witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights in winter months. No matter of the season, the quietude of Finnish lakeside has that magic that you will remember for life.
Price includes
Min 10 pax, single basis on request.
- 3-nights at mentioned hotels in standard rooms
- Meals: daily breakfast, 2 x soup lunch, 2 x half board dinner, 1 x Karelian style buffet dinner (table water, coffee/tea)
- Transfers from/to the Joensuu airport
- Guided snowshoe tour or ice fishing trip with winter clothing x 1
- Karelian Pie Workshop x 1
- Guided tour of the Bomba House x 1
- Taxes and mandatory service charges
Highlights
- Beautiful snowy landscape
- Winter activities
- Karelian culture and hospitality
- Home of Kalevala
- Eastern corner of Finland
Accommodation
Break Sokos Hotel Bomba
Located on the shore of breathtakingly beautiful Lake Pielinen in North Karelia, Bomba is a unique and original year-round travel destination. The Bomba spa hotel is an invigorating experience for all senses. From the moment you walk into the reception, magnificent views of the lake will open up right in front of your eyes. Put on a soft bathrobe in your room and take a leisurely stroll to the spa, and maybe even go for a massage. A delicious breakfast is served in a restaurant under the very same roof, and our spacious rooms can comfortably accommodate even larger groups. At Bomba we know that on holiday nothing should feel difficult. Video
Travel program
Day 1 | Arrival Finland (D)
Welcome to Finland! Meet your driver at the Joensuu airport, transfer to the North Karelian Bomba. After check-in, half board dinner at Bistro Ohto or restaurant Bomba.
Day 2 | Winter fun activities (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy one of the Bomba Safari’s activity:
Ice fishing on lake Pielinen 2 hours
Try ice fishing on lake Pielinen with a help of a guide. Lake Pielinen is the fourth biggest lake in Finland and you can experience the frozen lake whilst ice fishing. This activity includes ice fishing equipment, guidance, winter clothing and a small snack.
OR
Guided snowshoe tour 2 hours
Unleash your inner explorer and take part in our two-hour snowshoe safari into the stunning North Karelian nature! We will head towards the nearby forests and, depending on the ice conditions, also onto the frozen Lake Pielinen. You will be sure to break a sweat, hiking along the snowy trails. We will end the safari at a wilderness hut, where we will make some delicious campfire pancakes along with sooty pot coffee. This tour includes winter clothing (overalls, hat, mittens, winter shoes).
Soup lunch and half board dinner is included (with water, coffee/tea).
Soup lunch and half board dinner is included (with water, coffee/tea).
Day 3 | Karelian Day (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today the group learns more about Karelian way of life, culture and history!
Karelian Pie Workshop 1,5 hours
Learn how to make traditional Karelian pies at Bomba House in our Karelian pie workshop! Traditional Karelian pies are a known Karelian delicacy which have a rye crust and filled with either rice porridge, pearl barley porridge or mashed potatoes. This delicacy comes from North and Border Karelia and it quickly spread to other parts of Finland after the war. In 2003 Karelia pie was registered as an authentic product by the European Union. Soup lunch served with your self-made Karelian pies.
Guided Tour in the Karelian Village approx. 1 hour
Did you know that Bomba House is a copy of a house that Jegor Bombin built for his only son in Suojärvi area in Border Karelia in 1855? After WW2 the evacuees longed for a place of their own after relocation to Nurmes area. A copy of the house ended up in Bomba, Nurmes. Learn more about the history of the house, the surrounding Karelian village, memorials, and the Orthodox Chapel (tsasouna) with the help of our guide signs and videos found through qr-codes.
Karelian style buffet at Bomba House
Karelian food is an important part of Karelian culture. The food traditions were impacted by the fact that Karelia was located at the crossroads of two cultures and two religions. After the war the evacuees brought the Karelian food culture to different areas. Karelian food culture utilised local ingredients found from forests, fields, and lakes such as berries, mushrooms, and fish. The most known Karelian delicacies are Karelian stew and Karelian pies. At Bomba the Karelian style buffet includes a generous salad buffet, various main dishes and desserts showcasing Karelian food culture with a modern twist.
Day 4 | Farewell (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Joensuu or Helsinki airport.
Note: program indicative, activity days may vary.
B=Breakfast | L=Lunch | D=Dinner
Extra examples:
Spa Bomba with Karelian style saunas
Finland is known for its lakes and saunas. Try authentic Finnish saunas or relax in the comfort of a steam sauna at Bomba’s sauna department. Spa Bomba is an oasis where you can relax in a luxurious environment surrounded by beautiful lakeland nature.
Sliding snowshoe tour 1 hour
Have you already experienced skiing on sliding snowshoes? On this wilderness tour, you will be able to try out these handy and versatile skis on a guided tour of the snowy landscapes in the nearby forests. Depending on the ice conditions, we may also ski onto the frozen Lake Pielinen. Sliding snowshoes offer a casual way to explore winter life in the surrounding Finnish nature. Tour includes winter gear set, sliding snowshoe rental, poles and guide services.
Snowmobile safari 2 hours
Embark on a snowmobile adventure in the snowy Finnish nature of the Bomba area! This trip will take you along forest trails, enjoying white snowdrifts and the North Karelian scenery from the top of fells. On a clear day, you will be able to see really far! Weather conditions permitting, we will also drive onto the frozen Lake Pielinen. Tour includes snowmobile rental, winter gear set, helmet, fuel, guide services and a small snack.
Dinner in Valamo Monastery
Karelian culture is strongly linked to Orthodox religion. The movement started when Valamo Monastery was founded in Laatokka at the beginning of the 1100-century. After the wars the monastery had to be evacuated and a new home was founded in Heinävesi. The Orthodox religion and Karelian culture can also be seen in the buildings at Bomba. The tastes of Valamo can be experienced through Valamo menu where the delicious menu is combined with Valamo Monastery’s berry wines.
Dinner by the fire
Enjoy a delicious dinner by the fire. The three-course meal includes various salads, blazed salmon with sides as well as traditional Finnish pancakes with jam and cream. Max. 30 people at a time.
Photos
Ultimate Arctic Adventure photos
