Chill like a Finn media visit, 25.-29.6.2026

Finnair Flights
10.15-15.25 Finnair flight AY1662, Madrid–Helsinki
10.05-15.10 Finnair flight AY1654, Barcelona–Helsinki

16.15-17.15 Connecting Finnair flight AY369, Helsinki–Kuopio

Welcome to Kuopio I @hellokuopio, @destinationsavo

17.45 Transfer from Kuopio airport and check in at Spa Hotel Rauhalahti
Spa Hotel Rauhalahti in Kuopio offers the perfect combination of relaxation, experiences and genuine hospitality. Situated by Lake Kallavesi, our resort brings together the spa, versatile accommodation, restaurants and year-round entertainment under one roof. #hellokuopio

19.00 Dinner and smoke sauna at Jätkänkämppä
Jätkäkämppä is an atmospheric lumberjack lodge from the 50´s. Its Finland's biggest smoke sauna, where you can also swim in a lake Kallavesi, which is part of Finland's biggest lake Saimaa. Also traditinional dinner is served. After this you will sleep like a babe.

Overnight in Kuopio city center at Spa Hotel Rauhalahti

8.30 Meeting at the lobby and transfer to Kuopio market hall for breakfast

9.30-10.30 Guided tour of Kuopio city center

11.00-12.30 Lunch Cruise to the island with S/S Heinävesi steamer

12.45 Transfer to Puijo area for a short hike

13.00 Hiking and sightseeing at Puijo area
Puijo is a popular outdoor and recreational area near the city center. 200 hectares of forest is protected, and the majority of it is part of the EU's Natura network. The Puijo area has also three nature trails, 2 km long providing an opportunity to explore the surrounding area.

15.30-17.30 Visit to Saana's Sauna & Spa (time for sauna and swimming in the lake and/or the infinity pool) and drinks at the terrace of Saana 
In our spa, you can enjoy a traditional, award-winning wood-heated smoke sauna by the crystal-clear shores of Lake Kallavesi. The spa also features a warm sitting pool and an infinity pool, as well as an indoor electric sauna and a hot tub. We have added a cold-water plunge pool, where you can refresh yourself in water temperatures ranging from +4 to +8 degrees Celsius.

17.30 Transfer to the hotel and time to relax

18.30 Transfer to Puijo area

19.00 Dinner at Puijo Tower
The restaurant at the Puijo area strongly rely on ingredients from local producers and offer 100% domestic food for lunch, in the café, and at dinner. It was constructed 1963 being the first rotating restaurant in the Scandinavia.

Transfer back to Spa Hotel Rauhalahti

8.00 Breakfast at hotel and check out

9.00 Departure to Rantasalmi, which is part of Lake Saimaa region | @lovelakesaimaa
After a relaxed breakfast, the journey continues towards the heart of Lake Saimaa, the 4th biggest freshwater lake in Europe. In Lake Saimaa region you’ll experience how slow living can be and how grounding this special lake can be. #visitlakesaimaa #saimaamoments

10.30 Arrival to Putkisalo manor - Tour at the sheep farm and lunch  | @putkisalo 
Putkisalo Manor offers a peaceful glimpse into traditional countryside life in the heart of the Lake Saimaa region. Surrounded by grazing sheep and historic fields, the manor’s history dates back to the 1500s and still reflects the area’s long agricultural heritage. Guests can enjoy local flavours, authentic manor atmosphere and the quiet rhythm of rural Finland, with the possibility to experience a traditional sheep herding demonstration and taste Finnish traditional food for lunch. 

12.30 Departure for National landscape of Punkaharju
Punkaharju is one of Finland’s most iconic national landscapes, famous for its narrow forested ridges winding between the clear waters of Lake Saimaa. Protected since 1843, the area is considered one of the oldest nature reserves in the world and has inspired Finnish artists, composers and writers for generations. Today, Punkaharju is known for its peaceful scenery, outdoor activities and unique combination of lake nature, culture and Finnish holiday traditions.

13.30 Arrival to Punkaharju and Forest Museum Lusto & forest yoga | @lusto
By early afternoon, the route reaches one of our oldest touristic destinations in Finland, in Punkaharju. Punkaharju is known for its forests and ridge landscapes that have inspired many artists through out the history. Finns have long forest relationship and it is really important to us. A visit in Finnish Forest Museum Lusto offers a introduction to the Finnishs forest relationship. After a museum tour we head to the forest and feel it ourselves through forest yoga that we call Mehtäjooga in Finnish.

16.00 Check-in Holiday Resort Harjun Portti
After yoga we head for our accommodation in Harjun Portti’s cottages. Harjun Portti is a family-run holiday centre in Punkaharju, built around a traditional Finnish roadside station that still keeps its authentic local charm today. Alongside its café-restaurant, cottages and guest harbour, Harjun Portti also serves as an outdoor activity hub, offering bike and kayak rentals for exploring the iconic Punkaharju ridge landscapes and nearby Lake Saimaa nature.

17.00 Paddling/kanoe trip | @luonnonkutsu | @harjunportti | @kruunupuisto
Luonnon Kutsu takes guests on a guided paddling excursion through the sheltered waters and charming corners of Punkaharju. The route begins at Harjun Portti and leads across the water to Inkeritalo in Kruunupuisto, where the group pauses for waffles and coffee or tea before continuing the paddling trip back to Harjun Portti.

Luonnon Kutsu specializes in guided nature experiences on Lake Saimaa, especially kayaking, canoeing and SUP trips in the Savonlinna and Punkaharju area. Their routes are designed to be safe and enjoyable also for beginners, allowing guests to simply relax into the scenery and experience Saimaa from the water.

20.00 Dinner in Restaurant Metsä
After the paddling excursion, it is time to slow down and switch into dinner mode. Guests arrive at the historic Hotel Punkaharju area, one of Finland’s oldest and most significant places in travel history. Restaurant Metsä serves forest-inspired dishes with local ingredients and wild flavours, crowned by the iconic Punkaharju ridge landscapes that have inspired Finnish artists for generations. If group is interested in a more atmospheric arrival, dinner can also be reached by traditional rowing boat across the lake.

22.00 Back to the cottages in the evening light
After lovely dinner we head back to the cottages on beautiful evening light. The lake lies calm and silent. It is the perfect ending to a day that captures the essence of Finnish evening: authenticity, nature and unforgettable moments.

8.00 Breakfast at Harjun Portti’s restaurant
In the morning it is time to say goodbye to cottage life, beautiful ridge landscapes and head towards delicious breakfast and to the next destination, Puumala in Mikkeli region.

8.30 Check out and departure for Mikkeli region which is part of Saimaa region

11.00 Arrival at Okkola Holiday Cottages | @okkolanlomamokit
Paula´s blueberry rye pie workshop. In Okkola’s Savolainen mustikkakukko workshop (bilberry rye-pie) workshop you´ll discover the old art of making tasty” rättänäs”. The hostess, Paula, will guide you through the knicks and knacks of baking these traditional delicacies in her own country home.

13.15 Departure for Tertti Manor

14.45 Arrival at Tertti Manor | @tertinkartano
Summer Buffet Lunch with over 50 flavours in an atmospheric Manor House Restaurant. The culinary delights of Tertti Manor are regionally and nationally renowned. Their food philosophy is based on clean, local ingredients, mostly grown on their own land. You will get a peek of their delicious farming cellar full of produce from the summer and autumn gone and hear fascinating stories of life at the manor house from years gone by.  Tour of the grounds, a beautiful garden and the shops of Tertti.        

16.45 Departure for Astuvansalmi Rock Paintings excursion

17.30 A scenic RIB Saimaa boat cruise from Ristiina to Astuvansalmi | @ribsaimaa
Rib Saimaa offers memorable cruises on Lake Saimaa from Puumala and Ristiina/Mikkeli, with private charters also available. The safe, sturdy RIB boat lets you experience the beauty of Saimaa up close.

Discover iconic sites like the Astuvansalmi rock paintings, Rokansaari island, and the historic Kukonharju and Käyhkää canals. Perfect for adventure seekers, history lovers, work teams, celebrations, or special events, the boat has seats up to 11 passengers. Weatherproof jackets and flotation suits are provided to keep you comfortable in any conditions. Visiting the rock paintings with a local guide.

19.15 Return by Rib Saimaa to Ristiina and transfer to Saimaanranta Resort

19.45 Check in at Saimaanranta Resort Hillside Villas | @saimaanrantaresort 
Saimaanranta Resort is the perfect destination for relaxed holiday – there is  something for everyone from private luxury villas with a special touch of the local nature included with a lovely view of Lake Saimaa, to cosy hotel rooms – only 20 min drive from Mikkeli city center.  

20.15 D.O. Saimaa Dinner at the villa

Free time, possibility for sauna and a swim in Lake Saimaa

8.15  Breakfast at the villa and check out

9.15  Transfer to Mikkeli Railway Station 

10.03 Train from Mikkeli Railway Station to Helsinki Airport via Tikkurila
10.03-12.27  Mikkeli - Tikkurila, train IC64 (reserved seats, coach 4 downstairs)
12.46-12.53 Tikkurila - Helsinki Airport, commuter train I (no reserved seats)

12.53  Arrival at Helsinki Airport

Finnair Flights
16.40-20.05 Finnair flight AY1661, Helsinki–Madrid
17.05-20.05 Finnair flight AY1653, Helsinki–Barcelona

What to bring with you:

• layered clothing
• a light rain jacket or shell jacket
• a warm sweater or fleece for the evenings
• comfortable walking or outdoor shoes
• long trousers and a light long-sleeved top for nature trips
• swimwear
• sunglasses and sunscreen
• insect repellent
• a small daypack
• personal medication and, if needed, something to soothe insect bites

The weather in Finland in late June can be very warm or rather cool, and that is a normal part of the Finnish summer. It is best to pack for changing conditions.

Mosquito activity depends a lot on recent rainfall, location and time of day. If the weather has been rainy and you are spending time in the forest or other sheltered areas with little wind, there may be mosquitoes. They are usually more noticeable in the evenings, so it is a good idea to wear a light jacket and long trousers then. Packing insect repellent is recommended.

We are not planning to spend time in long grass, so ticks should not be a major concern. Still, it is good to know that ticks also occur in Finland, so a quick daily tick check is a sensible precaution.

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).