A unique Karelian culinary and culture in Eastern Finland
Karelians are a Baltic-Finnic ethnic group who are native to the Northern European historical region of Karelia, which is today split between Finland and Russia. In Finland, Karelians traditionally live in the regions of Savonia and Northern and Southern Karelia. The ideology of Karelianism inspired Finnish artists and researchers. The majority of Finnish Karelians are Lutherans but the Orthodoxylives strongly in the area. During this tour you will learn a lot about history, religion and the way of living in Finnish Karelia.
Group size: min. 16 - 30 persons (ask for an offer for smaller groups)
Available: From April to October
Price: From 2500€/person in double rooms, full board, guiding at the sights, transfer by bus.
- Ask for the price of tour guide services during the whole trip.
DAY-BY-DAY EXPERIENCES
Day 1.
Arrival at Kuopio airport or railway station
Transfer to Nurmes. (About 1,5 hours.) Accommodation at Bomba Karelian style Hotel and Spa. Break Sokos Hotel Bomba
Dinner.
Day 2.
Breakfast. Guided tour in the Karelian village and visit to the orthodox chapel of Bomba.
Karelian pasty workshop incl. lunch at Guesthouse.
Karelian Spa and sauna.
Accommodation at Bomba
Day 3.
Breakfast. Transfer to the town of Kuhmo, about 1 hour. The city of Kuhmo has been designated as a city of literature of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Visit to Juminkeko centre to hear more about Kalevala, the Finnish National epos. Juminkeko centre is dedicated to the preservation of Kalevala traditions and culture. Lunch at Kalevala Hotel. After lunch visit the Nature centre Petola and he Kuhmo Winter War museum.
- Presents the events of the Winter War in Kuhmo via artefacts, photographs, scale-models and sound effects, The museum provides a view into the everyday life of evacuees, and Finnish and Soviet soldiers. A different theme such as evacuation, the village, care and service on the front line, care on wounded, battles and life after the signing of peace is presented in each room.
Accommodation and dinner at Kalevala Hotel
Day 4.
Breakfast. Transfer to Ilomantsi. About 3 hours. A short coffee break at the town of Lieksa. Visit to the Bardic village of Parppeinvaara. Guided tour in the museum. At Parppeinvaara you'll find a collection of historic buildings based on the theme of local tradition. These include the Bard´s House with traditional music and exhibitions; the Border General´s Cabin, a war-time operational headquarters; Restaurant Parppeinpirtti with a Karelian menu; and a small Orthodox chapel. The exhibition of the Mesikkä Animal Museum revolves around the relationship between people and nature.
Lunch at Parppeinpirtti Restaurant. Transfer from Ilomantsi to Koli national park, about 1,5 hours.
Accommodation and dinner at Break Sokos Hotel Koli Guided walking tour (about 1 hour) on the top of the Koli hill
Day 5
Breakfast. Transfer from Koli to the town of Joensuu. Guided tour in the centre of Joensuu including Botania.
• Botania is a botanical garden and northmost tropical butterfly house based in Joensuu. Botania one large greenhouse that consists of different plants all over the world. In the near future there will be butterflies flying around in our greenhouse. -We have other animals too like Juuso our parrot.Premises consist of over 1000 m2 inner garden with over 700 unique plants, outer garden of 8.15 acres with over 800 unique plants. Lunch at Local Bistro
Visiting Taitokortteli, Guided tour.
• Taitokortteli is a handcraft and culture quarter in the center of Joensuu. Along the years the quarter has become the center of travellers, city dwellers, handcraft professionals and amateurs. The diverse services include a café, multiple boutiques and shops and a craft centre as well as high-quality exhibitions and other events that are arranged at the premises. The enjoyable environment and the atmosphere of the old wood house quarter invite you to spend time in this unique milieu in the centre of the city all year round.
The Karelian Pasty Workshop at Marttakahvila
• The delicious Karelian pasties are famous throughout Finland. These unique pies are an important part of the region’s food culture. This workshop you get the chance to prepare them together local Martta.
Dinner at Joensuu Teatteriravintola
• Restaurant Teatteriravintola is an unique place where flexible premises, excellent food and highclass service unite. Teatteriravintola uses ingredients from the region of North Karelia. Teatteriravintola is situated in the center of Joensuu, at the city hall. The building is drawn by Eliel Saarinen and it was completed in 1914.
Accommodation at Lietsu Hotel.
Day 6
Breakfast.
Transfer to city of Kuopio.
Guided bus tour can include central Kuopio and the beautiful Saaristokaupunki (“town of islands”) district plus a visit up the Puijo Tower. A downtown tour can cover many of the main points of interest, including Kuopio Market Square, Market Hall and some significant buildings located by the market square, as well as the historic city centre, whose former site is currently occupied by Kuopio’s most prominent park, Snellmaninpuisto. The park is surrounded by a number of buildings that hold a special place in Kuopio’s history, such as the Kuopio Cathedral, inaugurated in 1816. A two-hour walking tour can also feature the passenger harbour by Lake Kallavesi. After Guided tour free time for getting to know city and shopping.
Lunch at Puijon Torni restaurant or Puijon Maja.
Puijo Tower is a distinctive landmark that you can see from afar when arriving to Kuopio. It is located in the middle of the city, only a few kilometres from the famous market place. Standing on the top of the hill, the Tower offers a wide and beautiful view over the lake scenery and the city.
Visit the Finnish Orthodox Church Museum Riisa.
Accommodation and dinner at Lapland Hotels
Day 7
Breakfast. Departure. Time to say hei,hei.
Transfer to Airport.
