Day 1
Arrival
The tour guide will be there to welcome you on arrival at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.
Bed and breakfast in a Sokos Hotel
Day 2
Porvoo
Drive to Porvoo - Old Porvoo was built in the 18th century and is an idyllic and picturesque neighbourhood - then continue to the Strömafors Blacksmith Museum, where you will learn how a historic ironworks was run and how the blacksmiths used to work - continue to Kotka, also known as the ‘park’ capital of Finland, and take a guided tour of this beautiful city.
Bed and breakfast in a Sokos Hotel
Day 3
Lappeenranta
Drive to Lappeenranta on the shores of Lake Saimaa; the city is also known as the climate capital of Finland and has been honoured with the European Green Leaf Award 2021 - visit to Lappeenranta Fortress, a popular tourist destination with museums, the Orthodox church and craft shops - then head out onto Lake Saimaa for a 2-hour canal archipelago cruise passing the exciting Saimaa Canal lock.
Bed and breakfast in a Sokos Hotel
Day 4
Siikalahti hiking trail
Drive to Siikalahti hiking trail for bird watching (duration of the hike approx. 1 hour, difficulty level: easy) - Siikalahti is the most valuable bird wetland in the Finnish interior. There are hundreds of bird and plant species in the nature reserve, some of which are very rare. Butterflies and dragonflies are also worth exploring. There is also a birdwatching tower on the trail and a bird hide in the middle of the wetland - followed by a trip to a pierogi baking course, where you will learn how to make these popular Finnish delicacies yourself.
Bed and breakfast in a Sokos Hotel
Day 5
Linnansaari
Drive to Järvisydän, where the 2.5-hour boat trip starts with the opportunity to see the famous ringed seals lounging in the sun - the seal watching tour on the nostalgic wooden boat to Linnansaari National Park is an unforgettable experience for people of all ages. The skipper navigates travellers through Linnansaari National Park, right in the heart of the Saimaa ringed seals. During the trip, seals lying on the Linnansaari waterfront are observed. There is also the opportunity to enjoy an authentic Sawolax espresso - free time in the afternoon - possibility to go canoeing or kayaking, explore various hiking trails or book a treatment in the spa area of the local hotel - return journey to Mikkeli.
Bed and breakfast in a Sokos Hotel
© Mari Laukkanen, Linnansaari Nationalpark, Visit Finland
Day 6
Mikkeli - Hämeenlinna
Walk through Mikkeli and visit Kenkävero; a great tourist attraction that prides itself on housing the largest and most beautiful vicarage in Finland in an impressive setting. There is something for everyone all year round: finely restored buildings, exciting exhibitions and events, exquisite handicrafts as gifts, souvenirs or simply to enjoy. In summer, it is enhanced by a garden and craft workshops, and delicious food is served daily in the restaurant all year round - Continue to the Astuvansalmi rock paintings, the largest rock paintings in the Nordic countries in Ristiina, Mikkeli, a unique Saimaa Geopark site - Continue to Hämeenlinna.
Bed and breakfast in a Sokos Hotel
© Visit Mikkeli
Day 7
Häme Castle - Helsinki
Visit to Häme Castle and then drive to Helsinki - short city tour with a local guide - free time in the afternoon for a leisurely stroll through the city or the possibility to take a trip to Soumenlinna.
Bed and breakfast in a Sokos Hotel
© Juho Kuva, Visit Finland
Day 1
Arrival
The tour guide will be there to welcome you on arrival at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.Bed and breakfast in a Sokos Hotel
Book the Tour
Day 2
Porvoo
Drive to Porvoo - Old Porvoo was built in the 18th century and is an idyllic and picturesque neighbourhood - then continue to the Strömafors Blacksmith Museum, where you will learn how a historic ironworks was run and how the blacksmiths used to work - continue to Kotka, also known as the ‘park’ capital of Finland, and take a guided tour of this beautiful city.Bed and breakfast in a Sokos Hotel
Book the Tour
Day 3
Lappeenranta
Drive to Lappeenranta on the shores of Lake Saimaa; the city is also known as the climate capital of Finland and has been honoured with the European Green Leaf Award 2021 - visit to Lappeenranta Fortress, a popular tourist destination with museums, the Orthodox church and craft shops - then head out onto Lake Saimaa for a 2-hour canal archipelago cruise passing the exciting Saimaa Canal lock.Bed and breakfast in a Sokos Hotel
Book the Tour
Day 4
Siikalahti hiking trail
Drive to Siikalahti hiking trail for bird watching (duration of the hike approx. 1 hour, difficulty level: easy) - Siikalahti is the most valuable bird wetland in the Finnish interior. There are hundreds of bird and plant species in the nature reserve, some of which are very rare. Butterflies and dragonflies are also worth exploring. There is also a birdwatching tower on the trail and a bird hide in the middle of the wetland - followed by a trip to a pierogi baking course, where you will learn how to make these popular Finnish delicacies yourself.Bed and breakfast in a Sokos Hotel
Book the Tour
Day 5
Linnansaari
Drive to Järvisydän, where the 2.5-hour boat trip starts with the opportunity to see the famous ringed seals lounging in the sun - the seal watching tour on the nostalgic wooden boat to Linnansaari National Park is an unforgettable experience for people of all ages. The skipper navigates travellers through Linnansaari National Park, right in the heart of the Saimaa ringed seals. During the trip, seals lying on the Linnansaari waterfront are observed. There is also the opportunity to enjoy an authentic Sawolax espresso - free time in the afternoon - possibility to go canoeing or kayaking, explore various hiking trails or book a treatment in the spa area of the local hotel - return journey to Mikkeli.Bed and breakfast in a Sokos Hotel© Mari Laukkanen, Linnansaari Nationalpark, Visit Finland
Book the Tour
Day 6
Mikkeli - Hämeenlinna
Walk through Mikkeli and visit Kenkävero; a great tourist attraction that prides itself on housing the largest and most beautiful vicarage in Finland in an impressive setting. There is something for everyone all year round: finely restored buildings, exciting exhibitions and events, exquisite handicrafts as gifts, souvenirs or simply to enjoy. In summer, it is enhanced by a garden and craft workshops, and delicious food is served daily in the restaurant all year round - Continue to the Astuvansalmi rock paintings, the largest rock paintings in the Nordic countries in Ristiina, Mikkeli, a unique Saimaa Geopark site - Continue to Hämeenlinna. Bed and breakfast in a Sokos Hotel© Visit Mikkeli
Book the Tour
Day 7
Häme Castle - Helsinki
Visit to Häme Castle and then drive to Helsinki - short city tour with a local guide - free time in the afternoon for a leisurely stroll through the city or the possibility to take a trip to Soumenlinna. Bed and breakfast in a Sokos Hotel© Juho Kuva, Visit Finland
Book the Tour
Services included
- ✓ Hotel package incl. breakfast and dinner
- ✓ 7 nights in a hotel of the Sokos chain
- ✓ Bus service according to programme:
Round trip coach from day 1 to day 7
- ✓ German-speaking tour guide from day 1 - 8
- ✓ Entries:
Guided Tours in Kotka and Helsinki,
2 hour cruise to the Saimaa Canal,
Karelian Pasty Workshop,
Boat tour to spot seals,
Häme Castle