Arrival to Helsinki airport, and tranfer to Visit Saimaa (minibus)

The driver will be meeting you at the arrivals

20.00 Arrival in Sahanlahti Resort, Puumala and Check-in at Elsanranta Villas

Each Elsanranta villa opens an unobstructed view to Lake Saimaa allowing you to enjoy the nature while relaxing in the villa, pool or sauna. In the lounge area, there is a luxurious double bed and a seating group. The large deck has a seating group and a deluxe Drop-pool from which you can enjoy the starlit sky and, if you're lucky, the northern lights. * Part of Sustainable Travel Finland Family.

Dinner at Koskivahti Restaurant at Sahanlahti Resort

Food based on high-quality, fresh and local products and the dedication to ethical and responsible farming are the cornerstones of Sahanlahti dining. All of this and the skill of people growing and preparing your food can be clearly tasted on your plate when dining at the atmospheric restaurants of the resort. The restaurant is a five-star D.O. Saimaa "We Support" restaurant and Koskivahti has been voted as the holder of most beautiful terrace view in Finland.* Part of Sustainable Travel Finland Family, Saimaa Gastronomy Family and We support D.O. Saimaa restaurant 

Overnight in Elsanranta Villas

Breakfast at Koskivahti Restaurant

09.30 Transfer to Okkola Cottages for Karelian Pie workshop and back to Sahanlahti (c.20 min drive)

Okkola Holiday Cottages is a family-run business located on the island of Niinisaari in the idyllic Puumala archipelago. Paula, along with her family and dogs, welcome you to their home to experience local Saimaa life. Paula is fluent in German.

The humble, yet majestic, Karelian pie is a living legend from Eastern Finland. A curiosity for many foreigners, this rye-crusted pie filled with creamy rice porridge is cooked in a traditional wood burning oven and served with lashings of egg-butter. Hearty and delicious, this pastry has been made in the region for centuries and is an important part of Saimaa’s cultural and gastronomic heritage.

12.30 Transfer to Uhkua (c. 30 min drive)

13.00 Wild herb foraging and lunch with D.O. Saimaa Chef Ilkka Arvola

Asta and Ilkka welcome you to their charming lakeside farm to experience rural life at Lake Saimaa region! Enjoy the mystic Lake Saimaa during our guided wild food experience whilst tasting the best food the region has to offer.

The lunch is prepared on open fire by residential Chef Ilkka Arvola, using the best seasonal ingredients from the surrounding nature. Most of the ingredients are home grown on the farm and mushrooms, berries and herbs foraged in the local forests. The fish is caught nearby in a seal-friendly way and the rest of the ingredients come from local producers. Sustainability is at the heart of everything at Uhkua.

Chef Ilkka Arvola is a pioneer of local food and a patron of Finland’s first designation of origin label, D.O. Saimaa.

15.00 Transfer to Taipaleenniemi B&B (c. 2 hr drive)

The Björn Family run both Taipaleenniemi and Lomamokkila B&B’s. A chance to experience Finnish farm life at its best, with a family feeling. All food is locally sourced, and meat is from their own cattle.* Part of Sustainable Travel Finland Family

Summer cottage life: Lawn games and drinks – Traditional Finnish game of Mölkky (weather permitting)

Dinner, Lakeside sauna & Overnight at Taipaleenniemi

Breakfast

9.00 Transfer to Punkaharju and meeting Saimi Hoyer (c. 30 min drive)

Take all your luggage with you

9.30 Mushroom and wild herb foraging with Saimi Hoyer

Saimi Hoyer, the official mushroom Queen of Finland, and the ambassador of Saimaa the European Region of Gastronomy 2024, will take you foraging for wild mushrooms and herbs in the local forest. You will learn all about mushrooms and the Finnish way of life and everyman’s right to roam.

12.00 Transfer to Savonlinna (c. 25min drive)

13.00 Visit to Olavinlinna castle - guided tour, an intro to Savonlinna Opera Festival and lunch

The Savonlinna Opera Festival is Finland’s premiere cultural event. World renowned for its high-quality opera performances and concerts, every summer it brings music lovers from across the globe to the charming lakeside city of Savonlinna. The month-long festival is held in Olavinlinna, a towering medieval castle by Finland’s largest lake. This creates a uniquely dramatic ambiance for its 70 000 visitors. Once inside, festival-goers are dazzled by classics and rarely seen works as well as world premieres and visiting productions from esteemed opera houses like La Scala and the Bolshoi Theatre.

15.30 Train to Lappeenranta

17.41 Arrival at Lappeenranta train station and transfer to the Original Sokos Hotel Lappee

Check-in and accommodation for two nights at the Original Sokos Hotel Lappee in Lappeenranta city center.

Largely renovated in the spring of 2023, Original Sokos Hotel Lappee is centrally located in the  IsoKristiina shopping center in Lappeenranta. The hotel is ideally located for going shopping, the  cinema or the theatre. The atmospheric sauna, swimming pool and gym offer a moment of relaxation even for travelers with a busy schedule.

19.30 Dinner at the restaurant Wolkoff

Restaurant Wolkoff offers you high quality food and drink in a unique and highly atmospheric  premises. In the summer our secluded atrium offers a peaceful haven away from the hustle and bustle of the town.

Breakfast at the hotel

9.45 Transfer from the hotel to Makea Coffee Roastery

Guided tour and coffee testing.

11.00 Transfer to Pulsan Asema Café

Feel the authentic atmosphere of the café with home-baked pastries.

13.30 Transfer to Imatra (c. 1h drive)

14.30 Relaxing sauna-cruise adventure on Lake Saimaa

Starting from Imatra Harbour aboard  the charming Sauna boat m/s Emma. This century-old cruiser, formerly a sturdy tugboat, promises a journey filled with history, authentic Finnish sauna experience and tranquility on Lake Saimaa

Note: Remember to take swimwear with you

18.30 Dinner at the local Sula restaurant on the shores of Vuoksi River in Imatra

After dinner transfer to Lappeenranta and free time in the city

Breakfast at the hotel

9.30 Short, guided walk through the historic Lappeenranta Fortress 

Exploring the captivating Old Town of Lappeenranta Afterward, indulge in a visit to the charming Satamatie 6 café, nestled in the picturesque Lappeenranta harbor area, next to Finland's largest Sandcastle. Voted the best café in Finland in both 2018 and 2020, it promises a delightful culinary experience.

11 Transfer to the Lappeenranta train station and lunch takeaway.

11.31 Train from Lappeenranta to Helsinki airport