Where can you go nowadays to escape from the concrete walls and traffic jams of the big city, without winding up in overcrowded tourist resorts? Is there anywhere where you can spend a holiday that really does get you “away from it all”? If this is your problem, then Karelia is the answer!

A HEARTFELT WELCOME TO ILOMANTSI!

Listen to the enchanting sounds of the kantele at the Rune Singer’s House on Parppeinvaara hill, let the silence surround you in our beautiful churches or discover the historic art of iron-making at the Möhkö Ironworks.

Taste our local specialities: Karelian vatruska and sultsina pastries, berry wines and liquors from the Hermanni Winery or berry delights from Mantsin Makie. Taste all of them during your visit or bring some home with you to remember your wonderful visit to Karelia: fells of Eastern Finland, the exotic border with Russia, and the thousands of lakes and their unique shorelines on these splendid excursions.

Choose from a wide selection of nature activities throughout Finland and enjoy the beautiful nature in the countryside, as well as in attractive Finnish cities and towns.

PROGRAMME

DAY 1:
Joensuu – Ilomantsi, Möhkö. Arrival in Joensuu, where your tour leader will greet you at the airport. Transportation to Möhkö (100 km, c. 1 hour 15 min). Accommodation at Rajakartano in Möhkö in a family room. Dinner together. Presentation of the place and opportunities for a self-guided holiday.

DAY 2:
Breakfast. In the morning learn the basics of cross-country skiing with a guide, followed by free time for outdoor recreation and lunch. Excursion to a husky farm, where you can learn more about the dogs and enjoy a husky safari. Coffee and snacks at the farm. Transportation back to hotel, followed by sauna and dinner.

DAY 3
Breakfast. Guided excursion to Ilomantsi parish village. Sightseeing tour and chance to shop in local boutiques and Hermanni Winery. Late lunch in Parppeinvaara and visit to the Rune Singer’s House and its Kalevala exhibition. Presentation of kantele music. Transportation back to hotel. Guided walking tour of Möhkö village, followed by dinner and sauna.

DAY 4
Breakfast. All-day excursion to Jänissaari, where you can enjoy a snowmobile sleigh ride, wilderness lunch, snowshoe walking and other outdoor activities. Transportation back to hotel. Dinner, sauna and evening entertainment as a group.

DAY 5
Breakfast. Return transportation with guide to Joensuu airport. Short tour of
Joensuu and possibility for shopping if time permits.