ES Group media trip to Lakeland, 25.6.-29.6.2026

10.15-15.25 Finnair flight to Helsinki from Madrid 

16.15-17.15 Connecting Finnair flight from Helsinki to Kuopio 

17.45 Transfer from Kuopio airport and check-in Original Sokos Hotel Puijonsarvi. 

Hotel Puijonsarvi is located near the market pace and harbour of Kuopio, and makes the Savonian joy and liveness a natural part of your stay at the hotel.

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

. 

8.30 Meeting at the lobby, and short walk to Kuopio market hall for breakfast. 

9.30-11.30 Guided tour of Kuopio city center and time for shopping 

12-13.30 Lunch Cruise to the island

13.30 Transfer to Puijo area for a short hike

14.00 Hiking and sight seeing 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.

16-17.30 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.

18.00 Time to relax at the hotel

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 the hotel & good night

Breakfast

9.00 Departure to Savonlinna, which is part of Lake Saimaa region

@lovelakseaimaa on Instagram and @visitlakesaimaa on TikTok

#visitlakesaimaa #saimaamoments 

After a relaxed breakfast, the journey continues towards the heart of Lake Saimaa, the 4^th 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.

10.30 Arrival to Freefinns ranch, farm visit and open fire lunch in the nature | @freefinns

Stop at Freefinns Ranch that offers a gentle introduction to local life in the countryside. Here, visitors are welcomed to a traditional Finnish farm environment, where nature, animals and unhurried rhythms define the experience. Meet islandic horses, Finnish Lappish dogs, chickens and bunnies. A rustic open-fire lunch is served outdoors, surrounded by forest and fresh country air, a moment to disconnect and recharge before continuing the journey. 

12.15 Departure for Oravi Village 

13:45 Arrival to Oravi Village | @oravivillage 

By early afternoon, the route reaches Oravi, a charming lakeside village of 100 people living in there, known as the paddling centre of Finland and one of the gateways to the unique Linnansaari and Kolovesi water National Parks. From here, the vast waters of Lake Saimaa open up for exploration. 

14.00 Paddling/kanoe trip | @oravivillage

A guided paddling experience takes visitors directly into this unique lake landscape. Gliding quietly across the water by canoe or kayak offers an intimate connection with nature. Small islands, hidden bays and the peaceful silence of the lake create a truly immersive experience. https://www.oravivillage.com/en/activities/canoeing/

16.00 Check-in Kanava Resort Cottages | @kanavaresort

After the paddling excursion, check-in at Kanava Resort’s modern cottages provides a comfortable base alongside the canal with breathtaking views. Made of Finnish wood you enjoy eco-friendly stay in full equipped cottage for four with own rooms and bathrooms. (1 cottage shaded for 2 people). https://kanavaresort.fi/en/

16:30 Finnish evening

The evening embraces the essence of Finnish cottage life: traditional sauna, a refreshing swim in the lake, relaxed outdoor games and a shared dinner prepared on an open grill with pancakes made on open fire. This is Finnish summer at its purest, simple, social and deeply connected. 

20:00 Sunset Seal Safari (3h) | @oravivillage

As the day transitions into the golden light of the Nordic summer night, the experience culminates in a sunset seal safari on Lake Saimaa. This guided boat excursion offers a rare opportunity to spot the endangered Saimaa ringed seal in its natural habitat. With the sun slowly dipping towards the horizon — yet never fully setting — the atmosphere becomes almost surreal. On evening trips there is a possibility to see other wildlife animals too, like Osprey and Beaver. https://www.oravivillage.com/en/activities/safaris-and-seal-watching/ 

n. 23:00 Arrival back to cottages, good night

Returning to the cottages close to midnight, 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 in cottage

In the morning breakfast is ready at your cottages and you can enjoy it on your own time. Thank you for visiting our beautiful Savonlinna region.

8.30 Check-out

08.45 Departure for Mikkeli region (2h 15 min drive)

8.45  Transfer from Oravi Village to Puumala

11.00 Arrival at Okkola Holiday Cottages /Instagram: @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  /Instagram: @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 Astuvansalmi Rock Paintings 

17.30 A scenic RIB Saimaa boat cruise from Ristiina to Astuvansalmi /Instagram: @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 /Instagram: @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 in the villa

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

Good night!

8.15  Breakfast in the villa

9.15  Transfer to Mikkeli Railway Station 

10.03  Train from Mikkeli Railway Station to Helsinki Airport via Tikkurila

12.53  Arrival to Helsinki Airport

16.40  Flight departure with Finnair Helsinki-Madrid 16.40–20.04

 

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).