SAIMAA LAKELAND ODYSSEY 2006

4 days / 3 nights, Helsinki – Porvoo - Ruotsinpyhtää – Langinkoski – Imatra – Punkaharju -
Saimaa Lakeland - Savonlinna, Valamo – Koli – Joensuu – Helsinki

Departures: June 02, 09, 16, 22, 29 / July 05, 11, 17, 23, 29 /
August 02, 06, 10, 14, 18, 2006

This short tour takes you to the heart of the Finnish lake district, where you see some beautiful lake scenery, which the country is famous for. Visit historical landmarks and learn about the eastern orthodox traditions on a monastery visit. Follow the scenic Kings Road eastward to Porvoo, Finland's second oldest town, dating back to 1346. The King's Road is a historical route comprising some of the oldest roads in northern Europe. Since the 13th Century Kings, merchants and pilgrims have traveled the King's Road. Travel through the Saimaa Lake district, with more than 180.000 lakes the largest inland waterway system in Europe, and to South Karelia, a borderland between East and West. Continue to Imatra in South Karelia with its famous rapids and the Church of the Three Crosses. Leaving Imatra, we visit the Retretti Art Center in Punkuharju, the largest art center in the Northern Countries. On a small island, in the heart of Savonlinna, stands the stands the best preserved medieval fortress in Scandinavia, the Olavinlinna Castle. The castle founded in 1475, is now the setting for one of the oldest music festivals in Europe, the Savonlinna Opera Festival held every year in July.

Day 1 HELSINKI
Individual arrival in Helsinki. You will have the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city called the "Daughter of the Baltic". Overnight at the Scandic Hotel Simonkentta.

Day 2 HELSINKI – PORVOO – RUOTSINPYHTÄÄ - LANGINKOSKI -

IMATRA  (L, D, coach, 270 km / 168 miles)
At 08:45 you will be picked up at the hotel for departure by motor coach for your journey through the Finnish Lakeland starts as you depart by coach for Porvoo, the second oldest town in Finland. Situated on the banks of a river, the old part of the town is famous for its charming red warehouses, cobblestone lanes and handicraft shops. It was in the medieval cathedral of Porvoo that Czar
Alexander I declared Finland an autonomous Grand Duchy of Russia in 1809, the first step on the

way to independence. Lunch will be enjoyed in the old Ruotsinpyhtää ironworks village, dotted with red 18th-century workers' dwellings. On the way to Imatra you will stop to admire the Langinkoski rapids. Czar Alexander III had an imperial fishing lodge built on the shore of the roaring rapids, and the court in St. Petersburg was provided with salmon caught by the Czar's fishermen. Dinner and overnight at Rantasipi Hotel Valtionhotelli in Imatra.

We approach the Retretti Art Exhibition via the Punkaharju esker ridge, an isthmus between two large lakes. The sub- and superterranean exhibition halls of Retretti house an exhibition of classical as well as contemporary visual arts.
After lunch in Punkaharju you head to Savonlinna. On a small island in the centre of the town stands the best-preserved medieval fortress in the Nordic countries, Olavinlinna Castle. Founded in 1475, the castle and its three magnificent towers have seen the Swedes rowing through the straits, the Russians skiing across the ice and the Finns building a bridge over the troubled water. Every summer it turns into the scene of one of the oldest music festivals in Europe, the Savonlinna Opera Festival.
The eastern orthodox monastery of Valamo still bears the name of the island in Lake Ladoga from where it was transferred to Heinävesi in 1940. In the Valamo Monastery, tea is brewed in the traditional style in a massive silver samovar, sweetened with raspberry jam, and served in tea glasses. The tea is accompanied by old-Russian delicacies.
Continue to Koli Hills, one of Finland's best-known places of natural beauty. Form the highest hilltop there is a spectacular view over forests and lakes. Dinner and overnight at Sokos Hotel Koli in Lieksa.
 

Day 3 LAND OF THOUSAND LAKES

(B, L, D, coach, 270 km / 168 miles)

We approach the Retretti Art Exhibition via the Punkaharju esker ridge, an isthmus between two large lakes. The sub- and superterranean exhibition halls of Retretti house an exhibition of classical as well as contemporary visual arts.
After lunch in Punkaharju you head to Savonlinna. On a small island in the centre of the town stands the best-preserved medieval fortress in the Nordic countries, Olavinlinna Castle. Founded in 1475, the castle and its three magnificent towers have seen the Swedes rowing through the straits, the Russians skiing across the ice and the Finns building a bridge over the troubled water. Every summer it turns into the scene of one of the oldest music festivals in Europe, the Savonlinna Opera Festival.
The eastern orthodox monastery of Valamo still bears the name of the island in Lake Ladoga from where it was transferred to Heinävesi in 1940. In the Valamo Monastery, tea is brewed in the traditional style in a massive silver samovar, sweetened with raspberry jam, and served in tea glasses. The tea is accompanied by old-Russian delicacies.
Continue to Koli Hills, one of Finland's best-known places of natural beauty. From the highest hilltop there is a spectacular view over forests and lakes.  Koli has been voted to be the most beautiful spot in Finland, featuring panoramic vistas over forests and lakes. Dinner and overnight at Sokos Hotel Koli in Lieksa.

Day 4 JOENSUU – HELSINKI (B)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. This morning transfer to the Joensuu airport for your flight to Helsinki. Your journey along the King's Road East has come to an end.

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Departure Dates

June 02, 09, 16, 22, 29

July 05, 11, 17, 23, 29
August 02, 06, 10, 14, 18

Prices in US Dollars

Lakeland Odyssey, 4 days