DE Group media trip trip to Lakeland, 3.6.-7.6.2026

Flight to Finland, and independent train transfer from Helsinki Airport to Lappeenranta. 

Organized transfer by GoSaimaa from the Lappeenranta train station to the hotel according to the arrival.

Check-into Boutique Hotel Lähde for two nights by Saimaa Lake.

The hotel is located in a historic building, right by the beautiful Lappeenranta harbour (we call it our “guestroom”). BoutiqueHotel Lähde offers memorable lakeside accommodation in the heart of Lappeenranta Harbour, right by the beautiful Lake Saimaa. You can enjoy a delicious breakfast, relaxing spa treatments at Day Spa Lähde, and a peaceful stay surrounded by stunning lake views and the vibrant harbor area. 

19.30 Surprise menu at the local fine-dining restaurant Sumu. 

Restaurant Sumu offers a unique casual fine-dining experience in Lappeenranta, where modern Scandinavian flavors meet the best seasonal ingredients. Guests enjoy carefully crafted surprise menus, handmade from start to finish, paired with an exceptional selection of wines in a relaxed and cozy atmosphere. 

After dinner, a short walk back to the hotel and time to relax in the spa. 

Breakfast at the hotel.

10.00 a short walk from the hotel to the café at Satamatie 6, through the historic Lappeenranta Fortress (Lappeenranta Old Town). At the café, we will enjoy a guided roastery tasting.

Lehmus Roastery / Satamatie 6 is an award-winning roastery café in Lappeenranta, known for its freshly roasted specialty coffee and relaxed atmosphere by Lake Saimaa. Located in a historic building, the café offers delicious sweet and savory treats, high-quality teas, and the chance to enjoy coffee roasted on site in one of Finland’s most celebrated cafés.

12.00 Transfer from Lappeenranta to Imatra. 

From Imatra, a cruise to one of the thousand Lake Saimaa islands on the historic sauna ship m/s Emma. Lunch and sauna will be served on board. On the island, there will be a chance to try activities such as dry suit floating, SUP boarding, fishing, or simply chilling on the island. We will also do birch whisk making, prepare food over a campfire, and enjoy the sauna.

Saunaboat M/S Emma offers a truly authentic Finnish lake experience on the beautiful Lake Saimaa. This charming century-old vessel combines relaxing cruises with a traditional wood-heated sauna, swimming in pristine lake waters, and cozy moments on the sun deck, perfect to enjoy Finnish nature, sauna culture, and unforgettable summer evenings.

19.00 Transfer from Imatra back to Lappeenranta.

20.00 Dinner with local ingredients at the ship restaurant Prinsessa Armaada, located in Lappeenranta Harbour, and time to relax like a local.

Prinsessa Armaada is a unique ship-restaurant located in Lappeenranta. Harbour, offering beautiful views over Lake Saimaa. Set aboard a historic vessel, it combines a relaxed maritime atmosphere with delicious food, refreshing drinks, and a spacious terrace, perfect for enjoying summer evenings by the water.

Check-out

8.30 Transfer from the hotel to the historic and award-winning Pulsa Station (Pulsa Asema). 

Located in the idyllic countryside, this old railway station dates back to 1869. Nowadays it has been renovated and offers a charming café, accommodation, and a boutique. Pulsan Asema is a charming historic railway station from 1869 located in the peaceful countryside near Lappeenranta. Beautifully restored buildings now host a cozy café, boutique B&B, and small shops, offering homemade pastries, unique interiors, and a relaxing rural atmosphere surrounded by gardens and historic railway houses.

9.00 Breakfast at Pulsa Station, followed by a local baking workshop.

11.30–12.00 Transfer to Kouvola

13.00 Arrival at UNESCO World Heritage Site Verla: shopping, guided tour & lunch. 

Time for enjoying the grounds and shopping. A guided tour in Verla with a guide at 13.30. Late lunch in the historic Patruunan Pytinki. Lunch after the tour. The authentic and idyllic Verla is the only forest industry site on the World Heritage List. Verla tells the story of the lives of past generations in a small village community where the factory took care of the entire village. Restaurant Patruunan Pytinki serves you at UNESCO World Heritage Site Verla. Thanks to a significant restoration and construction project, the historic factory manager’s mansion gets a wonderful new life as a restaurant.

15.30 Transfer to Repovesi National Park.

Repovesi National Park is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the country. Hiking trails crisscross the fragmented nature of high cliffs, waterways, and moors and bogs, some of which have remained untouched. The landscapes of Repovesi National Park consist of vast uninhabited forests, rugged cliffs, and dozens of clear lakes and ponds. This rugged and barren area has long been one of the most popular hiking, adventure, and climbing destinations in Southern Finland.

16.00 Activity at Repovesi National Park

18.00 Transfer to Käyrälampi

Käyrälampi beach is one of the most popular beaches in Kouvola in terms of visitor numbers and there are many of other services in the Käyrälampi area. The beach is located in the immediate vicinity of Tykkimäki amusement park, so there are many services in the area.

19.00 Dinner at Lammenranta Kitchen & Bar

Lammenranta is open year around and it is open to the customers of Tykkimäki Resort and to everyone spending time in the area. The restaurant has almost 100 seats and the menu consists of local ingredients that changes along the season. 

Good night at Tykkimäki Resort and relaxing in the cottages.

8.00 Breakfast at Tykkimäki Resort

9.00 Transfer to Kotka

10.00 Arrival to Kotka

10.00-10.30 Transfer to Kaunissaari Island (take beach and swimming items with you)

Kaunissaari is the most popular island destination for tourists in Southeast Finland. The island is partly covered with a pine forest that is characteristic to the Baltic Sea. The northern and the eastern shores of the island surprise the visitor with magnificent long sandy beaches. Its small marina is located in the southern.part of the island, in an idyllic fishing village. 

10.30-11.00 Coffee and snack

11.00-14.00 Walk around the island, possibility for a deep in the sea, free time and chill like a Finn

14.00-15.30 Late lunch at the Island Restaurant Kaunissaaren Maja 

15.30-16.00 Transfer back to Kotka and Check in to Santalahti Resort 

Santalahti is a five-star coolcation resort surrounded by sea and nature. Located only 5 km from the Kotka city centre and only in a bit over an hour’s drive from Helsinki. Accommodation options for every taste, from camping to cosy cottages to luxury villas and glass igloos with private hot tub.

Free time: possibility to hike around Santalahti Nature trail, do minigolf, and biking

18.00 Departure from Santalahti, walk around Sapokka Water Garden (can also go by ebikes, 5 km away from city centre).

Kotka is a capital of parks in Finland. In the centre of Kotka there are 10 different parks. And Sapokka Water Garden being the most awarded green area in Finland. Many Kotka parks were rewarded international awards. 

19.30-21.00 Dinner at Wanha Fiskari Restaurant 

21.30-23.00 Sauna at Santalahti

Good night

Breakfast 

8.30-9.00 Transfer to Erämys Keisarinkosket 

9.15-10.30 White Water rafting at Kymi river 

The Kymijoki river flows through our area into the sea, via its five forks. Each has its own unique delta that offers a magnificent setting for nature experiences; whether you’re looking for peace and quiet, adventures in a natural setting, fishing or watersports, you’re guaranteed to find it in the nooks and crannies of Kymijoki. The colourful history of the Kymi river goes back hundreds of years. The river served as a route to the sea for Vikings and fishermen, and a national border in the late 18th century. History can still be seen in the ruins and buildings of the river estuary. Kymijoki is the largest river in Southern Finland.

10.30-11.45 Lunch

12.00 Transfer to the airport

This action is part of Eastern Finland Sustainable Tourism Growth Program and is funded by South Savo Regional Council from Appropriation for Sustainable Growth and Vitality in Regions (Finnish AKKE funding).