Lakeland tour N Finland

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Days
6

Location
Finland

  • Accommodation
    included
Included

  • Stay in Quality Hotels
  • Daily Breakfast and Dinner
  • All Hotel Taxes

Not Included

  • Air / Rail Tickets
  • Visa

Tour Information

Day 1 :  Arrive Helsinki – Porvoo

Arrival to the Helsinki-Vantaa airport and pick-up your rental car. If time allows, possibility to drive to Helsinki and get to know the city. We recommend a visit to the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The fortress was established in 1748, and is just 15 minutes by ferry from Helsinki’s Market Square. Drive to Porvoo, the second oldest town of Finland. The driving route follows The King’s Road, which is one of the most significant travel routes in the Nordic countries, and follows an old postal route. The road has been used by kings and their couriers, bishops and townsmen, artists and armies ever since the 1300s. Mansions, farms, taverns, alehouses and inns that housed and accommodated travellers arose all along the King's Road. Today the King's Road is a network of fascinating travel services but some stretches of the original road are still in use. The total length of the road is 253km. On the way to Porvoo, it is possible to visit Haikko Manor, the home of the famous painter Albert Edelfelt and the old church of Sipoo, built in the 15th century. Arrive at Porvoo and explore the Old Town by foot. Take a walk around the well-preserved wooden houses, visit the medieval church, and the Town Hall Square. Stay the night at a small, elegant boutique hotel in the heart of the picturesque Old Town of Porvoo. Overnight at the hotel in Helsinki.

Day 2 :  Porvoo – Savonlinna

Continue towards the Finnish Lakeland. Pass Kouvola and Lappeenranta, and arrive to Punkaharju. Drive the panoramic road along the Punkaharju Ridge. Possibility to visit the Retretti Art Centre, one of the most important art centres of Finland. In the Punkaharju area you will find important nature reserves, holiday resorts, and one of the most interesting museums of Finland: the Lusto Forest Museum which we strongly recommend. Continue your tour with a short drive to Savonlinna, a dynamic little town famous for an annual Opera Festival. We recommend a visit to the Olavinlinna Castle. Overnight at the hotel in Savonlinna. (B)

Day 3 : Savonlinna – Nurmes

Leave Savonlinna and drive via Heinävesi to the New Valamo Monastery, located in calm, beautiful environments. Continue to Joensuu, the capital of the North Karelia region. Continue for a tour around Lake Pielinen, one of the biggest lakes of Finland, before continuing to the Koli National Park. Time for a panoramic walking tour in the park. We recommend a visit to Ukko Nature Center as well as the ‘Pirun Kirkko’ (‘the Devil’s Church’), a 34 metres’ long cave within a short hike along a marked trail. Drive to Nurmes, a small town on the Northern shore of Lake Pielinen. Optional activities possible at Nurmes, such as lake fishing. Overnight at the hotel in Nurmes. (B)

Day 4 : Nurmes – Kuopio

Continue to Lieksa. We recommend a visit to the open-air museum in Lieksa called Pielisen Museo and to drive from Lieksa to Ruunaa Nature Reserve to enjoy the lake view with rapids (also a good location for fishing). Continue to Vuonislahti, offering the possibility to visit to the atelier of famous Finnish sculptor Eva Ryynänen, and the church carved of wood. Drive to Kuopio, the capital of the Savo region. We recommend a visit to the Puijo Tower for a panoramic view. Another possibility is to reserve a lake cruise on Lake Kallavesi. Overnight at the hotel in Kuopios. (B)

Day 5 : Kuopio – Tampere

Continue through the central Finland towards Tampere. On the route it is possible to stop at Jyväskylä, a town famous for its architecture by Alvar Aalto. Continue towards Tampere and arrive at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Tampere. (B)

Day 6 : Tampere – Helsinki / Vantaa Airport, Departure

We recommend to spend the morning in Tampere, and enjoy this lively summer town. Possibility to visit the Näsinneula Tower for a panoramic view or visit one of the most popular amusement parks of Finland, Särkänniemi. For art lovers, a must-see is the Sara Hildén Art Museum. Continue to Hämeenlinna for the possibility to visit the Hämeenlinna Castle or the birth place of the most famous composer of Finland, Jean Sibelius. In the late afternoon drive to Tuusula which is located at a convenient distance to the Helsinki-Vantaa. (B)