Round tour – Lakeland – Culinary and Culture

The Punkaharju ridge area is one of the oldest nature reserves in the world and one of the most beautiful parts of Finland. The unique combination of impressive eskers and stunning lake views has for centuries inspired artists and attracted travellers.

Bucket list today

Parikkala Sculpture park is an outdoor museum, an art collective representing around 560 different sculptures known also as a paradise garden.
>> Skulpturenpark Parkkila

Lusto – The Finnish Forest Museum is a museum with exhibitions on the significance of forests in the Finnish society and their role in the life of Finnish people in the past and present.
>> Das finnische Forstmuseum Lusto - Fühle den Wald

Saimaa Art Cave Retretti is a unique art centre hosting national and international art exhibitions with most of its exhibition space in caves and underground galleries.

Accommodation options:
>> Hotel Punkaharju
>> Kruunupuisto Punkaharju
>> Holiday Resort Harjun Portti

Restaurant option:

Try famous bison burgers and local delicacies for lunch in Parikkala.
>> Iloisen Pässin Maalaispuoti

Restaurant of Hotel Punkaharju offers high-quality food with many of the ingredients coming from local farms, nearby forests and Lake Saimaa. Mushroom dishes are prominent in the restaurant’s à la carte menu.
>> Hotel Punkaharju Restaurant 

In Valamo monastery, the close proximity to nature, offers hurried people in the busy world of today, a rare opportunity to get away from the bustle and noise of everyday life. East and west shake hands firmly here helping to understand Karelian culture and traditions.

Bucket list today

Kerimäki Church is the biggest wooden church in the world. The church, whose spacious interior accommodates over 5,000 people, is located in the village of Kerimäki 23 km from the Savonlinna city centre.
>> Kerimäki Church

Valamo monastery, Heinävesi; guided tours, orthodox culture, hiking, restaurant, accommodation, berry wine tastings for groups.
>> Valamo Monastery

Taitokortteli handicrafts quartier, Joensuu: workshops, cafe, arts, exhibitions, hand made local souvenirs.
>> Taitokortteli

Accommodation options:
>> Boutique Aparthotel Lietsu
>> Original Sokos Hotel Kimmel

Restaurant options:
>> The sturdy log walls of Restaurant Filipof have witnessed many lively Karelian conversations. Their food is both delicious and down-to-earth, with roots in classic cooking. Enjoy colourful seasonal vegetables, fresh locally sourced fish, organically grown lamb and other delights.

>> Restaurant Kielo is the right choice for passionate culinarists. 360 Eat Guide featured Kielo as one of the Nordic restaurants working with sustainability. They serve only two menus at the time but mouthwatering portions are made from seasonal ingredients with care and love.

Koli hill & national park are the most photographed scenes in North Karelia. From the top opens so-called Finnish national scenery over the lake Pielinen. It has inspired artists and painters for decades. The viewing point is easy to reach from the parking place on the top.

Bucket list today

Karelian pasty workshop in Nurmes in Guest house Männikkölän Pirtti is a great way to meet local people and get familiar with the Karelian lifestyle. The owner, Mrs Ritva Ryttyläinen, is known for her pasties around the world.

Picturesque Nurmes wooden old town “Vanha Kauppala” is a lovely place for a guided walk or just to go for a walk by yourself. Pop in to a small cafe and sit down to enjoy your day.

Koli National park and Koli hills can be explored on your own or with a local guide. On guided tours around three tops of Koli, you hear the stories and find the best locations for photographing. On the top there is a restaurant, cafe, spa, hotel and nature center Ukko.

Restaurant options:
Gastropub Kolin Ryynänen serves tasty food in Koli Village. They brew their own beer so give it a try too.

Restaurant Kolin Satamatupa in Koli harbour serves fresh fish dishes from lake Pielinen. Also nice terrasse for the warm summer days and local beer is available.

For a start, visit the 370-year-old Kajaani city along river Kajaaninjoki and lake Oulujärvi. It is known for its diverse cultural, music and literature offerings. Kuopio and its surroundings are full of restaurants and cafes, which cater to any and all desires of the hungry and thirsty.

Bucket list today

Kajaani Castle Ruins is the northernmost stone castle in the world located in the island of city centre and the park along the river.
>> Kajaani Castle Ruins

Explore the only tar channel in operation in Finland. During the summer, tar rowing events are held on the canal, using narrow and long wooden boats in the original style.
>> Tar Canal

Decorate your own memento with local artist Jenni Linnove in Kuopio; In the workshop, each participant will decorate a mug from the studio’s collection by hand.
>> Jenni Linnove Ceramic Studio

Visiting the Orthodox Church museum Riisa, one of the most notable Orthodox Church museums in Europe.

Accommodation options:

>> Original Sokos Hotel Puijonsarvi
>> Scandic Hotel Kuopio
>> Lapland Hotels Kuopio
>> Boutique Hotel Sawohouse

Restaurant options:
Jätkänkämppä (Lumberjack’s Lodge), Kuopio. Experience a traditional lumberjack atmosphere of the 1950s in an authentic setting. Bath in the smoke sauna, enjoy traditional dinner buffet menus and live Finnish folklore music.

>> Dinner and sauna at Jätkänkämppä

Varkaus region offers many sights and holiday destinations. Try out local caviar, visit the Mechanical Music Museum and take a walk in Old Varkaus. In Mikkeli region, you will find the perfect mix of nature experiences, local food, beautiful gardens and manors.

Bucket list today

Mechanical Music Museum is one of the best of its kind in Europe and is mentioned in tourist guidebooks abroad as one of the top ten destinations in Finland.

>> The Mechanical Music Museum

Art Centre Väinölä is an idyllic wooden house gallery in the shadow of birch trees in the centre of Varkaus.
>> Art Centre Taidekeskus Väinölä

Kenkävero in Mikkeli prides itself on having the biggest and most beautiful vicarage in all Finland.
>> Kenkävero Vicarage 

Accommodation options:
>> Hotel Oscar 
>> Tertti Manor

Restaurant option:
TeaHouse of Wehmais is a tea room-bistro in the old stables of Wehmaa Manor. Tea and food meet in a whole new way in their seasonal menus made of local ingredients.
>> TeaHouse of Wehmais

Tertti Manor’s award-winning restaurant will serve you the finest Finnish flavours from lakes, land, forest and their own herb garden.
>> Tertti Manor Restaurant 

Food based on high-quality, fresh and local products and the dedication to ethical and responsible farming are the cornerstones of Sahanlahti Resorts dining.
>> Sahanlahti Resort  

Home journey

Fly to Helsinki (HEL) from Lappeenranta (LPP) or drive to Helsinki (HEL) 2,5 hours.