South East Finland - from Seashore to the Lakes

 Please note that changes to the program are possible.

Preliminary Program 

Wednesday, June 28

Flights to Helsinki during the afternoon
15:30-16:00 Meet your Visit Finland host Ms Heli Saari at Helsinki Airport arrival hall
Transfer by bus to Southeast Finland 
Arrival at Strömfors Ironworks. 
Strömfors Ironworks is one of the best preserved ironworks communities in Finland. The charming milieu offers its visitors an unforgettable glimpse into the rich history of the area.
17:30 Guided tour at the Strömfors Ironworks village. 
Dinner at restaurant Mylly
Transfer to City of Kotka
Check-in at Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone. 
The genuinely Finnish, traditional Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone is always a great choice. At Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone, you can sense the vicinity of the sea all year round. The hotel is located right in the city centre, on Kotkansaari island, surrounded by the sea and services. 

Thursday, June 29

Breakfast in the hotel
09:00 Lobby call, short walk to Sapokka Harbour
Departure by boat to Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge museum
12:00 Return trip back to mainland
12:30 Lunch at Fort Elisabeth, Ravintola Vaakku 
Transfer from Sapokka Harbour to Maritime Centre Vellamo
14:00 Visit to Maritime Centre Vellamo
Maritime Centre Vellamo is home to the Maritime Museum of Finland, the Kymenlaakso Museum, the Coast Guard Museum and the Kotka Cultural Centre.
Coffee and snacks are served in the Restaurant Laakonki
Free time
Time to take some rest before the evening part of the program
Lobby call
18:00 White river rafting experience and dinner at campfire by Erämys Keisarinkosket
Come experience southern Finland's most beautiful rapids at Kymijoki river! Trip includes all necessary equipment, campfire coffee and insurance.
21:30 Overnight at Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone 

Friday, June 30

Breakfast in the hotel
Check-out
Transfer to Santalahti Resort Kotka, site inspection
Santalahti is a five-star resort surrounded by sea and nature. Accommodation options for every taste, from campsites to cosy cottages to luxury villas.
Transfer to the City of Hamina
Guided tour in Historical Hamina
Lunch at restaurant Rampsi Kitchen & Lounge
14:00 Departure to City of Lappeenranta
15:30 Arrival in Lappeenranta
Lappeenranta has a cheerful atmosphere and plenty of interesting attractions, throughout the year. The intriguing Fortress with its museums, shops and cafés, the Harbour with its concerts and the Sandcastle. Cruise ships sail from the Harbour to Lake Saimaa.
15:35 Check-in to Original Sokos Hotel Lappee
Welcoming drinks and site inspection
Original Sokos Hotel Lappee is an inspiring meeting place for local residents and visitors in the middle of lively shopping centre IsoKristiina. Sustainability directs our every day activities. We have Green Key and Sustainable Travel Finland labels.
16:30 Departure to Lappeenranta harbour by bus 
16:45 The floating sauna cruise to Lake Saimaa with Saimaan Palju Events.  
Your local nature guide Mr. Teemu Virtanen a DMC operator offering all-year round activities will take you to unforgettable sauna cruise, where you can enjoy sauna & swimming, SUP-boards and snacks
19:45 Back to mainland 
20:00 Dinner in Lappeenranta harbour at Restaurant Wanha Makasiini. 
22:30 Transfer back to the hotel by bus 

Saturday, July 1

Breakfast in the hotel 
Check out
09:00 Lobby call & departure from the hotel
09:15 City walking tour to Lappeenranta historical fortress 
During the walking tour we will get to know Lappeenranta fortress, Lappeenranta harbor and get a take-away coffee from an award-winning cafe Satamie 6. Site inspection to Hotel Lähde in the harbor, Finland's best coffee, Lehmus Roastery.
11:15 Departure to Imatra
12:00 Site inspection at Imatra Spa Resort
Imatra Spa Resort is the Eastern Finland's most diverse holiday centre on the shores of Lake Saimaa.
13:00 Lunch in Imatra harbor, Restaurant Nuotta
Restaurant Nuotta Imatra serves á la carte in Imatra's passenger port from the end of April to the beginning of September.
14:00 Departure to Imatrankoski
14:15 Sightseeing walking tour at Imatrankoski Rapids, the birthplace of Finnish tourism.
Get to know Scandic Imatran Valtionhotelli, a castle, The Crowne Park (Kruununpuisto) and Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark site with its potholes.
16:00 Coffee break at Vuoksi Fishing Park
16:30 Transfer to Holiday Club Saimaa
A spa hotel in a beautiful natural landscape of South-Eastern Finland.
17:00 Check-in & site inspection at Holiday Club Saimaa Spa
20:00 Dinner at restaurant Le Biff
 

Sunday, July 2

Light breakfast & check-out
08:45 Departure from the hotel
09:30 Site inspection at Hotel Salpalinjan Hovi
The hotel, a former a village school built from log, is fully renovated and offers six modern apartment suites which have been furnished according to different school subjects. Each room has its own kitchen corner, bathroom and TV.
10:15 Short drive to Pulsan Asema
Brunch in Pulsan Asema, feel the authentic atmosphere of the café with home-baked pastries
Pulsan Asema is an idyllic small village by the railway station from 1867. It is located 'in the middle of nowhere' but only 20 km away from Lappeenranta. Feel the authentic atmosphere of the café with home-baked pastries. The boutique offers quality brands from Finland and abroad.
12:00 Transfer to Helsinki Airport
14:30 Arrival at Helsinki Airport 
Flights back to home destinations

Thank you for visiting Finland!