aLL yeaR-Round

Transcription

aLL yeaR-Round

Lappeenranta and imatra region 2014
and peaceful cottage accommodation
all year-round
Lemi Luumäki Parikkala Rautjärvi Ruokolahti Savitaipale Taipalsaari
Welcome to Finland, the land of a
thousand
lakes!
T
he holiday area of Lappeenranta and Imatra is located
on the banks of Europe’s fourth largest lake, Saimaa. It
has attracted tourists for centuries, among them Russian
tsars – and no wonder, since there is lots to do and see
here all year round.
In winter, you can explore the beautiful nature on snowmobile
safaris, snowshoe hikes and ski trips. The region offers hundreds
of kilometres of ski trails. In summer, options range from boating to spending time at a cabin and going on a fishing trip. And
don’t forget the four magnificent spas, whose luxury treatments
will pamper and relax you!
In addition to cultural and historical sights, there is a vast array
of art exhibitions, events and concerts to choose from. Shopping
in Lappeenranta and Imatra is fun and surprisingly affordable –
the speciality shops and outlets stock everything from top design
to local crafts.
A holiday in the Saimaa area is closer than you think. LappeenrantaInternational Airport has smooth flight connections from
all over Europe, and a flight from Central Europe lasts only a few
hours. By car, the Saimaa region is within a couple of hours’ drive
from the capital, Helsinki. At Lappeenranta’s Vainikkala railway
station, you can catch a high-speed Allegro train and travel all the
way to St. Petersburg. However, the easiest way to visit Russia is to
go on a visa-free cruise departing from Lappeenranta.
Take your pick and enjoy!
Read
more about Ryanair’s flight connections on page 5.
2
Experience
the best of Finland
3
Finland’s
largest
Sandcastle
7.6.– 30.8.
C o n te n ts
to the region
02Welcome
of a thousand lakes!
Lappeenranta and Imatra are waiting for you
05Saimaa is easy to reach
Answer the call of the
06
South Karelian wild
– Whether by train, car or plane
Finland has a lot to offer
08Have fun in a spa
retains
10Imatrankoski
a powerful attraction
The region's four spas add pleasure to your holiday
A fairy tale castle on the banks of the rapids
Finland and Russia
12See
on a visa-free cruise
Scenic lake cruises from four
harbours or a day on a cruise will
top off your holiday
14
ABC of nature exploration
Explore the region by foot, on a bicycle or in a canoe
16Tips for the best accommodation
is known for
18Saimaa
its sunny summers
Come with your family, friends or significant other
Lots of activities for kids too
21Rounds on four courses
22 Zip-wire runs in the shade of a forest
26 A region packed with events!
28Fascinating local museums
30Enjoy the snow
34 Local food in Saimaa
Magnificent greens invite you to take a golf holiday
Activity parks and shopping
Pick your favourite from the calendar
From art to gemstones and museum cars
Choose from a range of winter activities
Local specialities will melt in your mouth
36
Service index
published by goSaimaa Ltd
Printed by PunaMusta Ltd, Joensuu
Photographs: goSaimaa Oy, Wirma Lappeenranta, Kehy,
Mikko Nikkinen, Thinkstockphotos, Flowpark, Fazer, AMO, Fazer, Iittala,
Saimaan Juomatehdas and the City of Lappeenranta
Size of print run 12 000 copies
Layout: Paula Laitinen, Pohjolan Mylly, www.mylly.fi
additional information
goSaimaa is not responsible for
any changes to the prices or timetables.
Producer: Eeva Puhakainen. Contributors to this issue:
Minna Immonen, Riikka Junno, Jussi Ovaskainen and Ulla Ylönen
See further information at www.gosaimaa.com and www.youtube.com/gosaimaa
+1
3
ways to come
to
the
Lake Saimaa area
T
ravelling to Lappeenranta and Imatra is fast and easy,
no matter how you choose to get here. Your journey to
this region of thousands of islands and astonishing lake
scenery will be pleasant and swift, whether by car, train
or plane.Thanks to the great connections, a holiday in the Saimaa
region is closer than you think.
Lappeenranta and Imatra region
1.by plane
Ryanair offers excellent connections to Lappeenranta from
different locations in Europe. You’ll be standing by Lake
Saimaa within a few hours, no matter where you come from.
Lappeenranta International Airport is located
only two kilometres from the city centre.
2.by car
Main roads 6 and 13 will take you towards Lappeenranta and
Imatra. From the Helsinki metropolitan area, the drive to the
Saimaa region takes only about 2.5 hours, so the distance is
also convenient for a weekend trip.
3. by train
A Cruise from Helsinki
From Helsinki
For a longer break from your everyday routine
and a look into Finnish sea views, climb on board
m/s Brahe. You can spend the night on the ship
and enjoy the sea and great food. M/S Brahe sails
from Helsinki to Lappeenranta and all the way to
Savonlinna, a city known for its opera festival, as
well as to a historic fortified town Hamina, .
If you take an express train from Helsinki, you will be in
Lappeenranta or Imatra in a couple of hours. The wellmaintained railway network also enables travelling to other
parts of Finland.
goSaimaa tips
Did you know that you can also whizz to St. Petersburg
in 1.5 hours? The fast Allegro train departs daily from
Lappeenranta's Vainikkala railway station.
Distances (km)
Helsinki
Vyborg
St. Petersburg
Lappeenranta
221
62
213
Imatra
256
65
210
5
Did you know?
At midsummer, the sun rises
at 3.30 am and sets at
10.48 pm in South Karelia.
Facts about
Lake Saimaa
Surface elevation:
Surface area: Maximum length:
Maximum width: Average depth: Maximum depth: Shore length: Number of islands: 6
76 m
4,460 km2
194 km
138 km
17 m
82 m
14,850 km
13,710
Answer the call of the
South Karelian
wild
Spend memorable holidays by Finland’s largest lake, Saimaa, whatever the season.
Tourists have been drawn to the region for centuries – and its attraction remains
undiminished to this day.
L
appeenranta and Imatra are located in the region of South
Karelia in south-eastern Finland. Culturally and historically, the region is part of the old province of Vyborg and
the southern part of the historical Finnish Karelia that
remained on this side of the border after World War II.
Russians have always brought added colour to South Karelia. In
the 19th century, the little town of Imatra was the favourite destination
of the St. Petersburg nobility – including the Tsar’s family. They came
to admire the Imatrankoski rapids, which were among the largest in
Europe, to fish and to enjoy the wild. Visitors also travelled to Imatra
by boat via the Saimaa Canal and Lappeenranta.
The same attractions – the roaring Imatrankoski rapids and the
clear waters of Lake Saimaa – continue to draw tourists today. Modern-day travellers also appreciate the wide range of accommodation:
the region has everything from lakeside cabins to lavish rooms in spa
hotels. Read more about the options on page 08.
Today the waters of Lake Saimaa, dotted by hundreds of islands,
provide excellent opportunities for boating. The lovely lake scenery
can be marvelled at from sailing and motor boats alike. Clear channel markers and detailed maps are a great help for all first-timers in
the Saimaa area. There are plenty of well-equipped harbours, some
of which also offer heated saunas for visitors. Read more about the
Finnish sauna culture on page 17.
In the waters of Lake Saimaa, by far the greatest attraction is
nature: the archipelago and lake scenery and the clear water. If you
are lucky, you may even see a Saimaa ringed seal basking on a rock
on a summer’s day. The lake environment can also be explored on
cruises. For further information, turn to page 12.
The region’s cultural life is rich and varied, mixing both old
and new. There are events galore, particularly during the summer
months. At Christmas time, Santa comes for a visit, and you can ride
in a sled drawn by reindeer or huskies. Christmas markets showcase
the best of the traditional Finnish handicrafts.
When to travel?
In summertime everyone in the Saimaa region
takes to the waters to admire the stunning
lake scenery and journey all the way to Vyborg
and St. Petersburg in Russia. The greens of
Saimaa’s several golf courses invite you to play
in this most beautiful part of Finland. A summer night in Finland is enchanting, since the
sun never seems to set. In the Lappeenranta
and Imatra region, the dusk only lasts for a
couple of hours in midsummer.
In wintertime the magnificent environment can be enjoyed on snowmobile safaris,
snowshoe hikes and ski trips. Lappeenranta
and Imatra offer hundreds of kilometres of ski
trails. In winter, the dusk falls early in the day,
and the bright starry sky and blazing northern
lights are experiences that will stay with you
forever.
Any time of the year
The diverse range of activities available in the
Lappeenranta and Imatra region all year round
includes four sumptuous spas with pampering
treatments. Turn to the next page to read more
about them.
7
Spa experiences
in the Saimaa region
The four spas in the Lappeenranta and Imatra region offer a traditional
spa experience, spiced up with new, magical features.
A
t Saimaa's oldest spa, the restorative
power of water has been enjoyed for
almost 200 years, since the 1820s.
The skillfully renovated Lappeenrannan Kylpylä Spa enables visitors to seamlessly combine various pampering treatments
with bathing in a sauna and floating in Jacuzzis
and relaxation pools. New comfortable rooms
have recently been added to the spa.
Lappeenrannan Kylpylä Spa is located right
next to the harbour, in the vicinity of the town
centre and its shops.
The renowned Lappeenranta Spa
Magical Cirque de Saimaa
A
t Holiday Club Saimaa, you can indulge
in one luxurious experience after
another. The spa has a circus and
funfair theme, which comes to life
with the hundreds of coloured lights of the central piazza, dozens of fountains and the pool area
reminiscent of a river bed. There are four different
types of saunas to choose from: a salt, cottage and
steam sauna as well as a smoke sauna on the roof.
Water slides and other activities for families
with children have been placed so as to ensure
quiet space for those who require relaxation and
massage. Kids have their own igloo sauna, where
they can even watch children's programmes!
These pleasures are complemented by pampering treatments at Harmony Spa.
8
The spas are located 40 km away from each other at most
– you can visit them all during your holiday!
L
ocated on the banks of the Imat
rankoski rapids, the romantic castle
setting of Imatran Valtionhotelli hides
a modern spa with pampering pools
and Jacuzzis. In addition to bathing, you can
relax on a warm stone bed. Small children can
frolic in their own pool.
The sauna section includes a steam and
a lavender sauna, plus an Oriental sauna for
women. For men, there is the Castle sauna
with a comfortable lounge area. The communal
infrared sauna will provide extra warmth.
The castle hotel also offers beauty and
massage services in the wellness section, Julia
Wellbeing, the facilities of the Spa Gym and
opportunities for making purchases at the Spa
Shop.
Rantasipi Imatran Valtionhotelli & Day Spa
Enter a magic forest at Imatra Spa
A
t Imatran Kylpylä Spa, you can
imagine walking into a Finnish forestand enjoying a summer's day with
birdsong and refreshing showers –
even in the middle of winter! The pool area is
filled with voices, colours and mist.
The magic forest offers relaxing massaging
showers and the thundering waters of rocky rapids. In the Yorokobi Jacuzzi, the water is a pleasant +38 degrees Celsius. A variety of pampering
treatments are provided by Beauty Spa Wellamo
and Day Spa Venla.
For those looking for an active holiday, Imatran Kylpylä Spa is a perfect choice: a long lane for
fitness swimming, a gym, a bowling alley and badminton and floorball courts challenge you to get
involved in a game. Near the spa there is also an
indoor ice rink and a multi-purpose sports hall.
9
The freely flowing Imatrankoski rapids were harnessed
in 1929 to generate hydropower. Today, groups of
hundreds gather to admire the roaring waters during
rapids shows 23.6.–24.8. daily at 6 pm.
retains
Imatrankoski
a powerful attraction
I
matrankoski is permanently illuminated, so it
can be marvelled at all year round. Masses of
water run free in rapids shows held between
23.6. and 24.8. at 6 pm.
Water is released for 20 minutes through the dam
gates to the River Vuoksi crossing the centre of Imatra,
to the accompaniment of music by Sibelius, Darude
or Nightwish. Shows with spectacular lights are also
organised on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
Explore
the Kruununpuisto "Crown" Park
Kruununpuisto, a park in the middle of Imatra,
consists of four sections and boasts a number of
sights. These include a giant’s kettle, lookout pavilions,
Finland’s largest hydroelectric power plant, the
Valtionhotelli castle hotel and a summer theatre.
Rise above the rapids
with the Imatra Express
The bridge over the rapids was completed in 1892.
When Empress Catherine II of Russia and her
entourage came to admire the magnificent waters in
1772, they could only be crossed in a basket hanging
from a wire. Nowadays, adventurous visitors can
experience similar feelings during rapids shows by
sliding over the foams on the Imatra Express zip-wire
run, strapped to a harness.
Art nouveau-style castle hotel
At the turn of the 19th century, the Imatrankoski
rapids was the most popular attraction in Finland.
The wooden inns of Imatra were not good enough for
St. Petersburg nobility, so a proper hotel was required.
Imatran Valtionhotelli, designed by Usko Nyström,
was built 110 years ago, in 1903. Its location beside
the rapids is exceptional, its decoration remarkable
and its ambience unique. Every room of this art nouveau-style castle hotel is different, and the two-floor
suite in the tower is a honeymooners’ favourite. The
new wing of Rantasipi Imatran Valtionhotelli houses
a pampering spa.
11
See
Finland and Russia
on a visa-free cruise
Scenic cruises departing from Lappeenranta and Imatra take
travellers amidst the beauty of Lake Saimaa. On a visa-free cruise,
you can conveniently cross the Finnish-Russian border and
travel to Vyborg, where you can switch to a bus to see the cultural
attractions of St. Petersburg.
T
he 200-capacity m/s Carelia travels from
Lappeenranta to Vyborg along the historic
Saimaa Canal. In Vyborg you can explore
the town and its surroundings for one or
more days. Crossing the border is easy, since twoway cruises are visa-free for citizens of all countries.
In Vyborg, 60 km from Lappeenranta, visitors can
sense the history in the streets of the Old Town and
fall in love with the vibrant Market Hall and Square.
12
You can choose the best choice for you from a
one-day to a three-day cruise to Vyborg or a threeday visa-free tour to the magnificent St. Petersburg.
On a trip lasting several days, a bus will take you from
Vyborg to St. Petersburg and its cultural treasures.
There you can participate in guided tours of the most
popular sights of this historical city, enjoying both
its architectural gems and precious works of art. You
will also have time for shopping and dining.
Lake cruises from four harbours
Cruises on Lake Saimaa and river Vuoksi lasting anywhere from a few hours to several days, depart from four
harbours. Below are some examples.
Lappeenranta Harbour
Rauha Harbour
In Lappeenranta Harbour, you can board Finland’s largest boat operating in inland waters,
the 350-capacity m/s Camilla. The waters of Lake
Saimaa are connected to the Gulf of Finland by the 43
km-long Saimaa Canal, via Lappeenranta and Vyborg.
Additional suspense to scheduled canal cruises is
brought by passing through a lock that adjusts for the
difference in the levels of Lake Saimaa and the Gulf
of Finland by 13 metres.
For a longer break from your everyday routine,
choose m/s Brahe, spend the night on board and enjoy
the sea and great food. M/S Brahe sails from Lappeenranta to the capital city of Helsinki, to Savonlinna,
known for its castle and opera festival, and to Hamina,
a historic garrison town.
Charter cruises from Lappeenranta are made by m/s
Suvi-Ellen, for example. It will take you to the archipelago, where you can land on an island, enjoy the sauna
and spend an unforgettable day with your family or
friends.
M/S Kavaljeeri, which has a sauna on board, departs
from the harbour of Rauha next to Holiday Club Saimaa
in Lappeenranta. It offers both scheduled and charter
cruises.
Vuoksi Fishing Park
in Imatra
Vuoksetar, which departs from the Vuoksi Fishing Park
in Imatra, is ideal for small groups and is also suitable
for those with physical disabilities.
Harbour at
Imatran Kylpylä Spa
Scenic cruises on m/s Christina depart from the harbour next to Imatra Spa. Spend a memorable summer
evening on board, dining and taking in the scenery.
13
ABC
of nature exploration
A
B
C
The hiking areas in the Lake Saimaa region invite you for a tour of the beautiful
environment. You can set off by foot, on a bicycle or in a canoe, for example.
Biking
A 30 km-long biking trail starting from Lappeenranta harbour
will take you to views of the Saimaa archipelago. The trail ends
in Taipalsaari.
The first stop is Lappeenranta Fortress, which is entered
via the Vyborg Gate. Read more about the Fortress on page 28.
From there, the journey continues towards the Sandcastle and
the Taipalsaari Trail, which offers varying terrain on mostly
surfaced cycle paths. Along the trail there are places for swimming and resting, so be sure to take your swimming gear along.
In Imatra, you should definitely bike along the paths next
to the River Vuoksi flowing through the town. The Vuoksi Trail
from Imatran Kylpylä Spa to the centre of Imatra is some 20 km
long. During the trip, you can visit the Imatra Art Museum and
the Vuoksi Fishing Park, and take a break by the thundering
Imatrankoski rapids.
goSaimaa tips
Where can I get a bike?
You can rent a normal or an electric bike at different locations
in the area. Saimaa Adventures, Salpasafarit and Vuoksi
Fishing Park rent out bikes for a day or a longer period of time.
Many of the hotels offer bikes to their guests so that they can
explore the region more easily.
14
hiking
In the hiking areas of Finnish Lakeland, you can walk for a couple of hours nearby or pack up a tent and go on a weekend trip.
Head for the Saimaa Canal Culture Trail in Lappeenranta.
The Saimaa Canal connects the waters of Saimaa in Lappeenranta
via Vyborg in Russia to the Gulf of Finland. Along the canal are
eight locks, which compensate for the 75-metre difference in
levels. The 1.5-km trail running by the canal has information
boards – English translations are available from the Canal
Museum. The trail starts at the museum.
In Imatra, pleasant hiking trails can be found in the centre.
The Kruununpuisto Park (Crown Park) next to the Rantasipi
Imatran Valtionhotelli castle hotel is the starting point for both
the Muinaisuoma Nature and Culture Trail (approximately
1 km) and the Mellonlahti Nature Trail (approximately 3 km),
where you can explore the beauty of the Imatrankoski rapids
and the River Vuoksi. If you wish to go on a longer hike in the
forests you can head to Ruokolahti, Rautjärvi and Parikkala,
which represent the smaller municipalities in the Imatra
region. There you can find hiking trails from 10–60 km long.
If you are looking for an easier route try the Hiitolanjoki-river
trail in Rautjärvi, with a distance of only 1–3 km.
The region's other municipalities also offer fascinating
hiking trails of various lengths.
Everyman's rights in Finland
Walking in the wild and picking berries and mushrooms is allowed in Finland if no damage is caused
to the environment. However, the freedom to roam
is restricted near residential buildings, for example.
Everyman's rights entitle you to
• walk, ski, bike or ride a horse in the woods,
natural meadows, on lakes and rivers
• temporarily stay and spend the night in areas
where roaming is allowed
• pick wild berries, mushrooms and plants that
are not protected
• angle and ice fish
• boat and swim in lakes and rivers and walk on ice
Permits needed for a fishing trip
Angling and ice fishing are generally allowed in
Finland without a fishing permit, but depending
on your age and the fishing grounds, you will need
a permit for other forms of fishing. For more
information, contact the local tourist information
office or an outdoor activity company.
canoeing
Lake Saimaa is an excellent place for canoeing. More experienced
canoeists will enjoy the narrow sections of canoeing trails in
addition to the lake sections. For beginners, there are sheltered
shores for slower paddling. Canoes are rented out at the Myllysaari
Family Park, as well as by Salpasafarit and Saimaa Adventures. The
Lappeenranta and Imatra region offers canoeing routes marked on
maps. Further information on nature exploration opportunities in
the region can be found at www.gosaimaa.com. For tips on suitable
destinations, contact the local tourist information offices.
15
holiday
Tailored
accommodation
While in Finland, you can stay in a cabin by a lake or in a fairy tale castle
on the banks of rapids. The Lappeenranta and Imatra region offers plenty
of options. Choose your accommodation to match your requirements.
If you are…
…on a holiday for two
…a nature enthusiast
When you want to experience the purity of Finnish nature and
the peace and quiet of the wilderness, book a cabin amidst the
beautiful nature of Lake Saimaa. Available throughout the year,
the cabins and villas are located far enough away from the buzz
of the centre, offering genuine relaxation.
There are also more modest cottages, whose charm is based
on their wonderful location in unspoilt nature. Cross-country
skiing or hiking trails are within easy reach – they may even
start at your front door – and you can begin a morning by rowing a boat on the lake. Admire the bright starry sky, blazing
northern lights or the midnight sun on a summer’s night.
Those travelling with their significant other can enjoy
the hotels’ pampering packages, which include luxuries
such as top-class rooms, romantic dinners in the hotel
restaurant and pampering treatments in the wellness
section.
goSaimaa recommends:
In the historic setting of Spa Hotel Rantasipi Imatran
Valtionhotelli on the banks of the River Vuoksi in
Imatra, you can experience the romantic atmosphere
of a castle. Holiday Club Saimaa’s Castle hotel wing
in Rauha, Lappeenranta is for adults only and adds
luxury to your holiday.
16
Interested in a night in a tent,
mansion or, say, a granary? Read more at
www.gosaimaa.com
Finns love
their saunas
…on a family holiday
Staying in a spa is an ideal option for families with
children, since they offer lots to do both inside and
out. Accommodation has been designed to meet the
needs of young ones, and the spas cater for them
with a range of slides. The pleasures of a spa can be
enjoyed at four different locations in the Saimaa area.
goSaimaa tips:
Read about spas on
page 8
P
er capita, Finland has more saunas than any
other country in the world.
According to the Finnish Sauna Association, there are as many as 1.6 million saunas in
Finland, a country with a population of 5.4 million.
Traditional wood-fired stoves are found in summer
cottages, in particular. In Saimaa area, all holiday
cabins, hotels and spas have saunas.
Saunas are often located next to water, and in
summertime, bathing can easily take hours, as people sit in the heat talking about everything under the
sun, taking a dip every once in a while. In winter, the
most daring even try ice swimming.
Finns use a ‘vihta’ in the sauna, a switch of young
birch branches used to improve circulation by gently beating the skin. If you want to give it a try, ask
at your place of accommodation, and they will be
happy to help you.
…travelling with a group of friends
A group of friends will appreciate cabin accommodation near the vibrant city centre. Imatra Spa
and Holiday Club Saimaa offer a wide selection of
high-quality holiday cabins with services nearby –
and more are continuously being built.
The well-appointed cabins and holiday villas are
perfect for accommodating even larger groups under
one roof. All cabins and holiday homes are equipped
with a kitchen, so preparing a home-cooked meal
is easy. Why not pick some
ceps and make a soup or
bake a bilberry pie!
And if you are feeling
lazy, there are restaurants
only a short walk away.
Food
from the wild
In Finland, you are allowed to
pick berries and mushrooms
in the wild, thanks
to the tradition of
‘everyman’s right’.
17
Enjoying LAKE SAIMAA
in summer
The Saimaa area is known for its sunny summer.
A lakeside sauna and views are an integral part of the Finnish summer idyll.
H
op on a standard or an electric bike and
take to the roads of summery Lake Saimaa. There are also lots of options for
experiencing the waters. On a cruise,
you can feel the special atmosphere of Lake Saimaa. Motor and sailing boats, canoes and kayaks
enable more individual navigation in the beautiful
lake scenery.
The easiest way for a visitor to get a taste of the
numerous exciting activities in the Saimaa region
is to participate in organised weekly activities.
There is everything from floating in a drysuit in
Lake Saimaa and the River Vuoksi in Imatra, to
ATV safaris and more.
Guides can help you to get the most out the
towns and sights. Book a guided tour in English in
Lappeenranta or Imatra (no minimum group size).
You can choose from walking tours and bus tours,
which in Imatra often include a rapid show during the summer season. Contact the local tourist
information office to hear more – or catch a train!
In Lappeenranta, guided tours are also offered on
the street train, where commentary is provided
through headphones in six languages, including
English.
Saimaa region for kids
The Lappeenranta and Imatra region offers loads
of fun things to do for families with children.
The Myllysaari Family Park in Lappeenranta
features activities such as a playground, football
fields, a parkour course, a fitness and climbing
area, the Flowpark, a sledge slide, swimming
facilities, diving towers and a beach café.
Hop on the street train in Myllysaari and travel
to the Fortress (old town), city centre, Traffic Park,
goSaimaa tips:
ATV safaris to Russian Karelia
ATV safaris to Russia, organised by Saimaa Adventures, start in
Finland. After the border formalities, the journey continues along
old Finnish roads in the Karelian landscape. Nights are spent in a
comfortable B&B, which also has a sauna. There you can wash away
all the sweat and dirt and talk about the highlights of the trip. Please
note that a visa is required for this safari.
19
Sandcastle and harbour. The environmentally-friendly street train, powered
by natural gas, passes through the green,
lush town and the old Fortress, giving you
the chance to enjoy views of Lake Saimaa.
The street train departs from the Sandcastle every hour, on Mondays 12 pm–
5 pm and on other days 10 am–5 pm.
This summer, the one-of-a-kind
Sandcastle will be built at Lappeenranta
Harbour for the 11th time. The Sandcastle,
which swallows more than three million
kilos of sand every year, inspires awe in
people of all ages. The building of this
massive castle lasts from mid-May to
early June, and its opening is celebrated
in the first week of June. Entrance to
the Sandcastle area is free of charge.
The Sandcastle also has a tourist information point. At the harbour, fantastic
sculptures and a gigantic sandpit offer a
great adventure for the smallest family
members.
Little fishermen can head for the
Vuoksi Fishing Park, located on the island
of Varpasaari near the Imatrankoski
rapids in Imatra. Fishing equipment is
rented out, and there is also a restaurant
to cater for hungry visitors. Cruises on
the River Vuoksi also start here.
Animal enthusiasts will enjoy a visit
to Activity Centre Päivölä in Taipalsaari,
whatever the season. It is home to Icelandic horses that you can ride safely,
accompanied by an instructor.
20
Finland’s largest
Sandcastle is everybody's
favourite
Summer
activities:
•Fishing
•Cruises
•Sailing
•Parasailing
•Golf
• Indoor skating at Holiday Club
Saimaa Arena or UK Areena
•Canoeing
•Disc golf
• Standard and electric bikes
• ATV safaris
• Horseback riding
• Water-skiing and water scooters
• Banana boat rides
•Diving
• Floating in a drysuit in the
River Vuoksi or on Lake Saimaa
Rounds
four courses
Take a golf holiday in the Saimaa area,
the greens await you!
A par-9 course
Viipurin Golf has two courses in Lappeenranta: Etelä-Saimaa Golf and Kahilanniemi. The par-9 Kahilanniemi course
is an interesting experience with its differences in altitude and lakeside views.
There is room for drives, but the small
greens, which are often elevated, have to
be approached with care.
Etelä-Saimaa Golf
Holiday Club Golf Saimaa
Imatra Golf
Lappeenranta
Rauha, Lappeenranta
Imatra
The spectacular scenery and the
well-maintained narrow and challenging fairways invite you for a round
on the 18-hole course of Etelä-Saimaa
Golf. Located on an island in the middle of the blue waters of Lake Saimaa,
this course is only eight kilometres
from the centre of Lappeenranta.
Fairways running next to beaches and
shoreline rocks and the differences
in altitude will stay in the minds of all
players.
Holiday Club Golf Saimaa new course and driving
range, completed for summer 2013, provide
challenges and experiences of success for players
of all skill levels. The undulating heather-clad
heath, combined with the dramatic landscape
filled with kettle holes during the Ice Age, creates
an impressive setting for the game. After a day of
golfing, you can relax in Holiday Club Saimaa’s
luxurious Cirque de Saimaa spa world and the
numerous saunas.
The 18-hole Imatra Golf course
is located close to the Finnish-Russian border, on the
shores of the beautiful lake
Immalanjärvi. This park-type
course is a challenge for top
players, and it enables club
players to safely make bogeys.
The course has been beautifully
designed, taking the environment and the adjacent lake into
consideration.
Pay & Play. No membership required.
All of the three full-length courses can be conveniently accessed with a Golf Pass. To learn more, contact the courses!
for the
Fun
whole
family
Holidaymakers are guaranteed to have fun in the three activity parks
in the Saimaa region. And if not everyone feels like thrill-seeking,
there are great places for shopping near the parks.
Jump for fun, play and run!
L
appeenranta’s latest activity
park opened in Rauha in summer 2013. The indoor Angry
Birds Activity Park, which is
open seven days a week, challenges
groups of all ages to test their skills. On
the first floor is an area for the smallest
children as well as the Angry Birds cinema, pedal cars and a zip-wire run. The
activities on the space-themed second
floor will sweep you off your feet – literally: jump from a tower onto a BagJump
mattress, wander around a laser labyrinth, shoot with a softball cannon and
do much more!
When others are messing about in the
park, shoppers can explore the shopping
centre. The activity park is conveniently
located in the Capri Shopping Centre,
next to Holiday Club Saimaa spa resort.
Capri features an outlet for top-brand
22
clothes, a sinfully delicious chocolatier,
shops for women’s and children’s wear,
fitness and outdoor clothing, and a wholesale store open to the general public selling food and everyday consumer goods at
discounted prices. Angry Birds Activity
Park also houses the Angry Birds Shop,
where you will find bird-themed shirts,
hoodies and toys to take home as gifts.
Open Mon–Sat from 11 am to 8 pm
Sun 11 am to 6 pm.
Please remember:
Kids under 10 may enter the park only
when accompanied by an adult, and
those aged 10–13 may enter without an
adult only with their parents’ written
permission. Please bring your own
indoor shoes!
Angry Birds
Activity
Park
While some of you are playing,
others have the luxury of
shopping in peace.
The adventure park is
open in all seasons.
Flowpark
Go with the flow
Lappeenranta’s third adventure park, Flowpark, can be found on the island
of Myllysaari by Lake Saimaa. It is an outdoor theme park built in spectacular
scenery, just a short stroll away from the centre and its shops. In summer, you
can also hop on a city train to travel to the park from the centre or vice versa.
The Myllysaari family park also features a playground, parkour course, sledge
slide, swimming facilities, diving towers and a beach café.
A fun day at Flowpark starts by putting on a climbing harness and helmet
and listening to instructions, since the trails are built in trees and you will be
attached to a safety wire at all times. The trails are graded in four difficulty
categories. There is liana jumping, rope nets and wild zip-line runs. In addition to being a fantastic experience, Flowpark’s activities will improve your
coordination and balance.
The Flowpark outdoor adventure park is open at the weekends in April and
May and almost daily from June to October. From October to April, Flowpark
is open for group bookings only.
Open for private groups all year-round
Starting from May, open Wed-Sun June –July, open Wed-Sun
August, open Wed-Sun
Sept-Oct, open weekends
·
Flowpark is fun for
adventurers of all ages.
·
Atreenalin Adventure Park
Zip-wire run in the shade of a forest
In the Rauha area, a stone’s throw away from Holiday Club Saimaa, is
another type of adventure park. Atreenalin Adventure Park Saimaa’s 71
route sections have been designed and built in a forest, taking natural
values into consideration.
The park’s Discovery and Family routes are also suitable for children
(over 130 cm). The Adventure route, which culminates in a 230 metrelong zip wire, is the most challenging. The Sports route, running at the
height of over 10 metres, puts even the fittest adventurer’s skills to the
test. While others are climbing and sliding, little ones can enjoy the
Playland activities.
Advance booking is recommended for larger groups coming to the
Atreenalin outdoor park, to ensure smooth service and availability of
tickets.
Open all year-round, except extremely cold or windy days when the
park will be closed temporarily
Great gifts to take home
Charming markets are organised in the
• Crafts
Saimaa area all year round. Particularly in winter
Best places for
shopping
T
he best streets for shopping in Lappeenranta are
Valtakatu and Kauppakatu. Along them are smaller
speciality shops and several shopping centres.
Imatra is also a great shopping destination.
Larger speciality shops and department stores, such as Prisma,
can be found in the retail areas outside the city centres. The
Koskenparras pedestrian area in the city centre of Imatra offers a
large variety of shops and speciality stores. A new major shopping
centre will be constructed in Imatra in the coming years.
In between shopping, you can relax in enticing restaurants
and cafés, enjoying a drink or a cup of tea, before continuing
your tour of the boutiques.
and during the Christmas season, you can choose
from a range of products skilfully crafted by local
artisans. The lovely shops in the old town of Lappeenranta, the Fortress, offer wonderful crafts
and delicious food.
delicacies Local canned fish, smoked
• Local
meat and honey are often available in markets.
Various treats are also on sale in many speciality
shops and supermarkets.
Finnish, award-winning confectionery
• The
factory of Fazer operates in Lappeenranta. Its
annual production volume of Marianne sweets
alone amounts to 1.4 million kilos. They combine
the Russian confection tradition and a French
flavour. You can find Marianne sweets in all grocery stores around Finland.
goods The area boasts a number
• Second-hand
of antique and second-hand shops, where you
can make some real finds.
25
14
20
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Events in the Lapp
January
2.–5.1.14 Wolkoff Christmas, Wolkoff House Museum, Lappeenranta
–8.1.14 Winter Action Park: winter activities for the whole family,
Rauha, Lappeenranta
25.–26.1. Asunto & Rakentaja (House and Homebuilder) ’14 Fair,
Holiday Club Saimaa Arena, Rauha, Lappeenranta
–23.2. Exhibition The Cage – Tapio Sinisalo, South Karelia Art
Museum, Lappeenranta
–23.2. Exhibition January Skin – Old and New into the Collections,
South Karelia Art Museum, Lappeenranta
–16.3. Olli Rumpu – Photographs from the South Karelia of the
1960s and 1970s, South Karelia Museum, Lappeenranta
February
19.–23.2. Bandy World Championships for Women, Kisapuisto Sports
Centre, Lappeenranta
21.–22.2. Nordic tour-skating event on Lake Kuolimo, Savitaipale
March
8.3.–1.6. Exhibition Or Towards Human Being – Eeva-Kaisa Jakkila,
Jouko Lempinen, Juha Okko and Jussi Valtakari, South Karelia
Art Museum, Lappeenranta
8.3.–1.6. Exhibition Mind Activator – Works by Ilkka Pärni, South
Karelia Art Museum, Lappeenranta
April
1.4.–30.9. Exhibition This Is Lake Saimaa Calling, South Karelia
Museum, Lappeenranta
3.–4.4. Traditional Spring Market, Kauppatori Market Square,
Lappeenranta
12.–13.4., 15.–17.4., 19.–20.4. Easter at Wolkoff, Wolkoff House Museum,
Lappeenranta
17.–27.4. 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship.
The main event of the year: ten countries battle for the world
championship. More than 30 matches will be played during
the tournament in Lappeenranta and Imatra.
19.–21.4. International All-Breed Dog Show, AviaSport Arena, Imatra
26.4. Lappeenranta GP, a competition for electric and humanpowered vehicles, Satamatori Harbour Market Square,
Lappeenranta
May
10.5. Fashion by Day, Lappeenranta
17.–18. 5. Vuoksi Fish Market: Fish and all kinds of fish products,
Vuoksi Fishing Park, Imatra
19.–24.5. XI Black and White International Theatre Festival, Imatra
24.5. Opening of the Imatra Summer: bustling market day and
activities for the whole family, Rapids Show at 6 pm, Imatra.
For more information
on museums and exhibitions in the South Karelia region,
please refer to the Service Index.
26
Please check for updated information and new events at
June
4.–6.6. 7.6.–30.8. Sandcastle, Finland’s largest Sandcastle is everybody's
favourite, Lappeenranta
7.6.–17.8. Street Train tours in Lappeenranta: guidance in many
languages, Lappeenranta
11.–12.6. Orienteering World Cup: Round three of the World Cup.
Individual sprint and relay race, Imatra
13.–15.6. The Karelian Festivities, Lappeenranta
14.–15.6. Karelian Summer Market, Satamatori Harbour Market
Square, Lappeenranta
14.6.
Suuri Taidekoski Event: gathers artists of various art forms
to the banks of the Imatrankoski Rapids to memorialise the
national scenery during a two-hour rapids show, Imatra
13.6. MILjazz – Jazz tour of the Finnish Defence Forces,
Rakuunamäki, Lappeenranta
17.6.–14.9. Exhibition Fruits of Paradise – Polish Contemporary Folk
Art, South Karelia Art Museum, Lappeenranta
17.6.–14.9. Looking for Paradise – DIY meets Contemporary Art, South
Karelia Art Museum, Lappeenranta
17.6.–14.9. Exhibition The Tree of Life – DIY in South-East Finland,
South Karelia Art Museum, Lappeenranta
20.6. www.gosaimaa.com.
Green Growth Economy – 4th EU-Russia Innovation Forum,
Lappeenranta
Midsummer Bonfire at Myllysaari: the traditional
Midsummer night bonfire, Lappeenranta
23.6.–24.8. Imatrankoski Rapids run wild daily at 6 pm. Musical effects:
Mon, Thu and Sun Sibelius, Wed and Sat Nightwish, Tue and
Fri Darude, Imatra
27.–29.6. Ylämaa International Gemstone Fair: thousands and
thousands of shiny bright gemstones from around the world
are on show at the fair, Ylämaa, Lappeenranta
27.6.–3.7. Imatra Big Band Festival: the streets and clubs of the summer
town are taken over by music and entertainment during this
international chill-out music festival, Imatra
28.–29.6. Unlimited Racing: The gathering of different motor sports,
supercars, Formula 1, motorcycles and aircraft meet and race,
Lappeenranta International Airport
16.8. Farmers’ Market, Lemi
17.–22.8. The good old days! XIV Old Music Festival, Imatra
22.–23.8. Lappeenranta Ballet Gala, Lappeenranta City Theatre
23.8. Imatra Day & Night of the Arts, and “Naisten Vuoksi”
(Women’s Vuoksi) running event: Public festival of the
people of Imatra welcomes visitors too, Imatra
28.–31.8. Deli Market – flavours from near and far: Local and Southern
European farmers sell their produce at Imatrankoski market
square, Imatra
September
11.–14.9 Art@bars – cultural events in bars and around the town,
Lappeenranta
13.9. Makkarafest Sausage Festival: come and try local sausages
and vote for your favourite, Imatra
13.–14.9. Muikku ja Pottu Fish Market, Satamatori Harbour Market
Square, Lappeenranta
20.–21.9. Vuoksi Fish Market, Vuoksi Fishing Park, Imatra
26.9.14 Fashion by Night, Lappeenranta
29.9.14–4.1.15 Exhibition Different Styles – Dialogues in Time and
Space, South Karelia Art Museum, Lappeenranta
October
11.–12.10. Ruokolahti Fair, Ruokolahti School
14.10.14–1.3.15 Exhibition Everyday Alphabet, South Karelia Museum,
Lappeenranta
14.10.14–1.3.15 Exhibition Kasari, South Karelia Museum, Lappeenranta
17.–19.10. Small Circus Festival: Charm, fire and magic, Imatra
23.- 24.10. Traditional Autumn Market, Kauppatori Market Square,
Lappeenranta
28.–29.6. Savitaipale Soi 2014 – Live music all over the village,
Savitaipale
November
28.–29.6. Suur-Saimaan Ympäriajo Veteran Car Rally – for vehicles
older than 25 years, Lappeenranta
10.–23.11. METKAT Children’s and Youth Culture Week, South Karelia region
21.–22.11. Magic by Christmas, start of Christmas in the city centre
shops, Lappeenranta
July
1.–31.7. 10.–16.11. Imatra Art Week, Imatra
Traditional horses and riders ride in the harbour and
Fortress area, Lappeenranta
12.–20.7. SAPASSI Week, events all over the village, Savitaipale
14.–20.7. Rautjärvi Cultural Events Week: a variety of events at
interesting spots around the municipality, Rautjärvi
18.–19.7. Rakuuna Rock Festival, Lappeenranta Fortress
19.- 20.7. Antiques and Collectors’ Summer Fair: National sales fair,
lectures, activities and valuations, Rautjärvi
24.–27.7. Lemi Music Festival, Lemi
August
29.11.
Christmas opening, pedestrian street Koskenparras in the
town centre, Imatra
December
7.–20.12. Winter Wonderland, Hiljan piha (Hilja's yard): a chance to
enjoy the Christmas spirit and buy local crafts and delicacies,
Imatra
9.–23.12., 26.–30.12. Wolkoff Christmas, Wolkoff House Museum,
Lappeenranta
11.12. Christmas Market, Joutseno market square, Lappeenranta
13.–14.12. Traditional Christmas Market at the Fortress, Lappeenranta
2.–3.8. Memories of Imatranajo: Road-racing show ride event in the
old Imatra street circuit, Imatra
10.8. XVIII Day on the Museum Road: A chance to visit the
attractions along the museum road and buy goods directly
from the entrepreneurs. The road is part of the old, early 19th
century postal route from Vyborg to Savonlinna, RuokolahtiRautjärvi
23.12. Santa Claus with his wife at the Railway Station,
Lappeenranta
25.12. Christmas Day Rapids Show at 9 pm, Imatra
31.12. New Year’s Rapids Show and fireworks at midnight, Imatra
31.12. New Year Celebrations, Lappeenranta
27
Sinikka Kurkinen, Erään opettajan muistoksi, 2004
Eeva-Kaisa Jakkila, Talven valoa
Seppo Pelkonen / The South Karelia Museum
Lappeenranta and Imatra
have a total of 20 museums,
from automobile and aviation
to art and local history museums.
Read more at www.gosaimaa.com
FasCinating
local museums
In the museums of the Lappeenranta and Imatra region, you can learn about
the past from various perspectives. Lappeenranta Fortress, i.e. the old town,
offers numerous fun things to do and see.
B
uilt as a garrison town in the late 18th century, Lappeenranta Fortress is nowadays a lively cultural district where the history of Finland and South Karelia
is presented in three museums. The lovely red-brick
houses, roughcast and painted yellow, now serve as homes and
workshops of artisans and artists. In the summertime, many
doors are invitingly left open, and you can see ‘maestros’ at work.
The most intriguing museums in the Fortress are the South
Karelia Museum and the Cavalry Museum. The South Karelia
Museum’s permanent exhibition, “On the Border – Three
Karelian Towns”, introduces the development of Lappeenranta
and the surrounding areas from the Middle Ages to this day. The
Cavalry Museum takes visitors to the heart of Finland’s military
history and is open only during the summer season.
l
in
Eng
ish
around Lappeenranta Fortress
Walking tour
Saturdays 1–2 pm
19 Jul, 26 Jul, 9 Aug, 16 Aug
Adults €6, kids €3, free for kids under 3 years
Starts in front of the Scandic Patria Hotel.
Explore the art
Learn about Spectrolite – a Finnish gemstone
If art is close to your heart, you should go to the northern end
of the Fortress and visit the neoclassical barracks. The South
Karelia Art Museum is located opposite Finland’s oldest Orthodox
Church, and its collections contain Finnish art from the mid1800s to the present day.
The collection of the Imatra Art Museum focuses on 20th century
Finnish art. Examples of the artists are Akseli Gallén-Kallela, Hugo
Simberg and Wäinö Aaltonen. International artists represented in
the collection include Auguste Renoir, Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso
and Utagawa Kuniyoshi. The Imatra Art Museum is located within the
Virta House of Culture. The history of the borders in Finland and the
Finnish Border Guard can be explored during the summer season at
the Border Museum in the garrison area of Immola. The exhibition
covers a lot of photographic materials and miniature models.
The collections of Ylämaa Gem Museum in Lappeenranta include
more than 5,000 specimens of gems, minerals and fossils from
all over the world.
In the museum, you can admire a collection of the copies
of famous diamonds, various ore rocks and Finnish rocks. The
museum’s specialities include real specimens of dinosaur and
mammoth fossils, corals and meteorites.
Finnish Spectrolite is also on display. Named after the
spectrum of colours in the stone, it has risen to the top 30 of the
most sold gems in the world, despite its young age. Spectrolite
is also found in the museum’s new stone floor, which provides a
great illustration of the use of natural stone.
What is so fascinating about gemstones, we ask Esko Hämäläinen, from Ylämaa Gem Society?
“You can see nature’s eternal beauty and the diversity of
coloursin them. Even though jewellery design is affected by
trends and the cultures of different ages, gems used in jewels
always retain their fascinating form, dating back hundreds of
millions of years.”
The Gem Museum is open to visitors daily from June to
August. In winter, it is only open on request.
Museum Friday
From September to May, the first Friday of each month
is ‘Museum Friday’, meaning that visitors can enter the
South Karelia Museum and the Art museum free of charge.
29
Fun
in
the
snow
Fresh white snow and crispy winter weather.
No excuses to stay indoors.
There are countless ways to enjoy
the winter in the Saimaa area.
T
hose with a need for speed can go on a safari
on snowmobiles or quad bikes geared up
for snow. The excellent network of ski trails
welcomes cross-country skiers of all levels
to enjoy the open scenery on Lake Saimaa
or to test their limits on trails going up and down in the
woods.
30
Downhill skiers head for the ski centres while those
looking for something more exotic can try a reindeer sleigh
ride or go Nordic tour skating on tracks cleared on the lake.
– And don’t forget walking, one of the best ways to enjoy the
outdoors in the winter.
Whichever way you choose to have fun in the winter, the
best part is taking a break with your friends to enjoy a hot drink.
First class skiing
There are hundreds of kilometres of ski trails in the Saimaa
region for all cross-country skiers. Serious skiers can try an elite
competition ski trail approved by the International Ski Federation.
Cross-country enthusiasts will love the first snow trail
prepared in the autumn in the grounds of the leisure centre
in Imatra. The 1.5 km trail starts from Imatran Kylpylä Spa
and is open for skiers until it snows and the natural trails are
ready. The nearby Saimaa Adventures’ ski hire has two hundred
pairs of skis, ready to be used and prepared for the conditions
of the day.
In the spring of 2012, Imatra hosted the Finnish Championships in cross-country skiing. One of the participants is better
known for competing in the biathlon: Kaisa Mäkäräinen. The
world champion made an exception and competed in the classic
event.
Mäkäräinen had positive comments to make after the race.
“The trails were first class and very well kept,” the world champion said after the race in an interview by the local newspaper
Imatralainen.
Skiing facilities in Imatra are continuously being developed.
In the next few years, the region’s competition-class trails will
be accompanied by a ski stadium of the same calibre, along with
other improved infrastructure. Imatra is aiming to host elite
competitions in cross-country skiing and biathlon in the winter of 2015.
Print Saimaa region ski trail maps at www.gosaimaa.com.
All downhill
The steep slopes of the shores around Lake Saimaa are home to
ski centres serving enthusiasts of alpine skiing, snowboarding
and Telemark skiing.
More winter fun for the whole family is on offer at ski centres
in the Saimaa area with downhill skiing and cross-country trails.
Winter activities:
• Cross-country skiing
• Downhill skiing, snowboarding
• Reindeer sleigh rides
• Husky safaris
• Snowmobiles
• Snowshoe trips
• Parasailing
• Quad bike safaris
• Ice fishing
• Nordic tour skating and traditional skating
• Hovercraft rides
• Horse riding, also Icelandic horses
• Dry-suit floating in the River Vuoksi
or Lake Saimaa
• Kick sledding
The ski centres in the region are traditional centres with the
focus on having fun on skis or a snowboard. The gentler slopes
are perfect for improving your skills and gaining confidence.
You will learn much quicker with the help of a professional ski
instructor.
Advanced skiers will find challenges on the steeper slopes and
Snowparks in particular. Ruoholahti FreeSki and Myllymäki Ski
Centre have lifts which enable you to pack plenty of runs into your
day. Skiers interested in learning tricks will certainly appreciate
the chance to have another go.
31
Enticing ice
Gladiators on ice
Figure skating is booming. Following the success of the TV show
Dancing on Ice, people are keen to learn to pirouette like Brianne
Delcourt and Daniel Whiston.
There are two public indoor ice rinks in the Saimaa region.
At Holiday Club Saimaa, you can hire skates and experience ice
skating in the fabulous chandelier-lit arena, surrounded by
columns and velvet curtains. UK Areena at the Kisapuisto Sports
Centre in Lappeenranta and the Imatra indoor ice rink offer
public skating. You should check the times for public skating in
advance. You need to bring your own skates and helmet.
Nordic tour skating is a great way to enjoy the open space on
Lake Saimaa. If you feel unsure, you can ask the safari organisers
for lessons in tour skating. IceWay is the skating track that has
been cleared on the ice from Ukonniemi in Imatra to Rauha in
Lappeenranta. You can take a welcome break at Imatran Kylpylä
Spa or Holiday Club Saimaa; which are located on opposite sides
of the lake.
In the winter, the whole family can experience fun at great
speed on a snowmobile safari and get a good workout snow
shoeing.
The local team SaiPa plays in the Finnish ice hockey league and
has traditionally been a bit of an underdog to the bigger teams.
As the team has gained success, home games have become
lively and atmospheric events. SaiPa fans call themselves the Yellow and Blacks of Saimaa and they are in charge of the atmosphere at the ice rink. The fans make sure the visiting team has
a hard time.
Imatran Ketterä plays in the third tier Suomi-sarja and they
play their home games at the Imatra indoor ice rink. Ice hockey
games are excellent entertainment.
goSaimaa tips
There are many outdoor ice rinks for skating and ice hockey in
the Saimaa region that are maintained by the city and are free
to use.
32
Ice fishing is meditative
Someone once said that ice fishing is a form of fishing where two
hungry individuals give each other trouble.
Today, not many people go ice fishing hungry or without a
packed lunch. If you catch any fish, it’s a bonus!
Good places for catching fish in the Saimaa region are the
Vuoksi Fishing Park area and local waterways with stocked fish.
You are more likely to catch something with the help of a local
fishing guide.
goSaimaa tips
The pools at the spas are open all year-round. You can try the
hot tubs and water slides any day of the year.
Weekly programmes
Your guide to adventures
There are several companies providing experiences and
adventures in the area.
S
aimaa Adventures' offices are located at Imatran Kylpylä
Spa and at the Capri Shopping Centre near Holiday Club
Saimaa in the Rauha area of Lappeenranta. The company
offers guaranteed excursions listed in the weekly programme
for groups and individuals alike. You will even be able to go on
a snowmobile safari on your own, there are no minimum group
numbers in the Saimaa area.
In the winter, the weekly programme features exotic activities
such as floating in dry suits as well as Nordic tour skating and ice
fishing. Discover the weekly programme at www.gosaimaa.com.
You should book the activities at the latest by 6 pm on the previous day.
”We will always take you. If we have more customers, we can
add afternoon safaris. If customers have specific wishes about
the time of the activity, they should contact us in advance,” says
Ville Harinen from Saimaa Adventures.
Salpasafarit has their office in the newSafari building in
Rauha, near Holiday Club Saimaa. Salpasafarit organises winter activities mainly for groups, but anyone can go ice skating
in the outdoor ice rink in front of the restaurant, and skates are
available for hire. Also the Water-SkiZoo water activities, such as
floating, can be booked at the same Safari building.
33
Vendace
Vendace dishes are a quintessential part of the summer in
Saimaa, just the same as sauna and ‘vihta’ (a switch of birch
branches used during bathing). This small fish can be found on
the menus of almost all restaurants, in markets and at food stalls
during events. Fried vendace in particular is worth trying!
Local
food
Bagel
Enjoy a cup of coffee at a market café and
dip in a bagel! Sitting by a deep-blue lake,
coffee and a home-made pastry taste
delicious.
in Lake Saimaa area
Let yourself be charmed by local specialities
served at the region's restaurants and cafés.
‘Vety’, ‘Atomi’, ‘Karjalanpaisti’ and the famous
‘Särä’ are some of the traditional fare on offer
in Lake Saimaa area.
Karjalanpaisti
This South-Karelian meat stew is commonly served at
restaurants for lunch. You can also easily make it yourself.
Simply place pork and beef or lamb along with onion, salt and
pepper in a casserole dish. Add just enough water
to cover the meat. Let it simmer in an
oven (175°C) overnight or at
least for three hours. Serve
with mashed potato.
Local beverages
‘Saimaan Juomatehdas’
brewery makes beers
and organic ciders from
Finnish ingredients.
Of the beers, ‘Luostari’
(Monastery) is brewed
in cooperation with the
Valamo Monastery.
‘Särä’ is served using the
‘eat as much as you can’
principle.
Vety and Atomi
Vety’ (Hydrogen) and ‘Atomi’ (Atom) are
rich pies filled with ham or egg, which are
eaten in Lappeenranta market square with
mustard, ketchup, cucumber pickle, onion
and mayonnaise. These pies were created in
the 1960s on the basis of customers' wishes,
and they are still made at the Kesämäki bakery
using a secret recipe.
Särä
Succulent lamb roasted
traditionally for nine hours in a woodburning oven. The lamb is served with potatoes
from Lemi. Simple and mouth-watering!
Traditional
dish to eat here or take home
Boletuses
and berries
South Karelia is an
excellent region for
mushroom hunting. The
king of mushrooms,
the cep, can be found
in forests from July to
October even by less
experienced pickers.
There are also bilberries
and lingonberries galore,
as many as you can pick.
R
estaurant Säräpirtti Kippurasarvi in Lemi,
some 20 kilometres from Lappeenranta,
has been serving a single dish, ‘särä’, for
as long as 35 years. More than 30,000 kilos of
this popular dish is made every year. Restaurant
Säräpirtti Kippurasarvi is the only restaurant in
Finland specialising in a single dish.
Säräpirtti has standard serving times for which
advance booking is required, since the dish takes
up to nine hours to prepare. For groups of more
than ten, a specific time can also be booked. Contact information is available on page 37.
You can enjoy ‘särä’ at the brand new Särä Shop
or a café in Lappeenranta Market Hall, or take away
some of this local delicacy and heat it up later. The
shop and café are open from Monday to Saturday.
You can also place an order online and collect
the dish from a local grocery store.
35
SERVICE INDEX
(xx km = distance from Lappeenranta /Imatra)
LAPPEENRANTA REGION:
Lappeenranta, Lemi, Savitaipale, Luumäki, Joutseno, Taipalsaari, Ylämaa
IMATRA REGION:
Parikkala
Imatra, Ruokolahti, Rautjärvi, Parikkala
Saimaa Gardens
www.saimaagardens.com
Vipelentie 11, Rauha,
Lappeenranta (34 km)
Tel. +358 40 361 3471
Rautjärvi
Huhtiniemi Camping
Ruokolahti
Savitaipale
IMATRA
Taipalsaari
Lemi
Joutseno
Nuijamaa
Vainikkala
Scandic
Patria
(Иматра)
www.scandichotels.fi
Kauppakatu
21, Lappeenranta
пересечение
границы
Иматра
Tel. +358 5 677 511
LAPPEENRANTA
Luumäki
www.huhtiniemi.com
Kuusimäenkatu 18, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 5 451 5555, open during
summer.
(Лаппеенранта)
Summer hotel Karelia-Park
www.karelia-park.fi
Korpraalinkuja 1, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 5Нуйямаа
453 0405
пересечение границы
Open during summer.
пересечение границыFinnhostel
Вайниккала (Allegro)
Ylämaa
www.huhtiniemi.com
ВЫБОРГ
Vaalimaa
Tel. +358 5 451 5555
Olkkolan Hovi Mansion Hotel
пересечение границы Ваалимаа
www.olkkolanhovi.com
Olkkolantie 2, Savitaipale (36 km)
Tel. +358 5 612 7700
www.imatrankylpyla.fi
Purjekuja 2, Imatra
Tel. +358 20 7100 500
= Border crossing point
Spa Hotel Rantasipi Imatran
Valtionhotelli
www.rantasipi.fi
Torkkelinkatu 2, Imatra
Tel. +358 5 625 2000
ACCOMMODATION
Want to organise
a meeting or a conference
in our area?
Let us know what kind of event
you would like to organize and
we will help you.
Meetings, group packages:
Saimaa Travel
+358 5 541 0100
[email protected]
Meetings, conferences:
Saimaa Booking
+358 400 197 551
[email protected]
36
HOTELS
Holiday Club Saimaa
Hotelli RENTO
www.hotellirento.fi
Kohonkankaantie 98, Imatra
NEW!
Tel. +358 40 826 0679
Neitsytniemen Kartano Mansion
www.holidayclub.fi
Rauhanrinne 1, Rauha,
Tel. +358 30 686 1000
www.neitsytniemenkartano.com
Vuoksenniskantie 10, Imatra
Tel. +358 40 159 1911
Cumulus Lappeenranta
www.rantalinna.eu
Rantalinnantie 127,
Ruokolahti (15 km)
Tel. +358 40 674 4980
www.cumulus.fi
Valtakatu 31, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 5 677 811
Original Sokos Hotel Lappee
www.sokoshotels.fi
Brahenkatu 1, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 10 762 1000
Lappeenrannan Kylpylä Spa
www.kylpyla.info (new rooms!)
Ainonkatu 17, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 20 761 3761
Castle hotel Rantalinna
COTTAGES AND CAMPING
Holiday Club Saimaa
Holiday apartments
www.holidayclub.fi
Rauhanrinne 1, Rauha,
Tel. +358 30 686 1000
Cottage rental Mikonsaaren
loma-asunnot
www.mikonsaari.fi
Mikonsaarentie 385,
Tel. +358 40 556 0028
Cottage rental Karhupirtit
www.karhupirtit.com
Ahonniementie 23, Taipalsaari (20 km)
Tel. +358 20 756 9680
Cottage rental Mökkivuokraus
Maamiehen majat
www.maamiehenmajat.com
Kilkinsaarentie 81, Taipalsaari (22 km)
Tel. +358 40 586 2053
Cottage rental Askon ja Maijan
maatilamajoitus
www.rantatupa.net
Suolahdentie 461, Levänen,
Taipalsaari (28 km)
Tel. +358 40 507 5842,
+358 40 576 2632
Taavetti Holiday Centre
& Camping
www.suomicamping.fi
Rantsilanmäki 49, Uro (32 km)
Tel. +358 20 719 9771
Cottage rental Saalastin
lomamökit
www.saalasti.net
Survajantie 51, Savitaipale (57 km)
Tel. +358 40 703 6397,
+358 40 716 7227
Cottage rental Lakka Villas
nahkurintila.com
Sarkalahdentie 67, Kannuskoski (60 km)
Tel. +358 50 542 1914
Cottage rental Kiviniemen
mökkilomat
www.kiviniemi.info
Kuivinniementie 184, Heituinlahti,
Savitaipale (60 km)
Tel. +358 500 976 135
Cottage rental Loma-Väkkärä
www.lomavakkara.com
Ylä-Väkkäräntie 77,
Suomenniemi (66 km)
Tel. +358 50 5140 161
SERVICE INDEX
(xx km = distance from Lappeenranta /Imatra)
Holiday apartments
Purjekuja 2, Imatra
Tel. +358 20 7100 500
Vuoksi Fishing Park Camping
www.vuoksenkalastuspuisto.com
Kotipolku 4, Imatra
Tel. +358 5 432 3123
Sommer home Hakala
www.kesakotihakala.net
Hakalantie 10, Imatra
Tel. +358 40 752 4973
Cottage rental
Patalaiskan Lomamökit
www.patalaiska.fi
Kultarannantie/Kempinniementie,
Pohjalankila (35 km)
Tel. +358 50 441 1094
Cottage rental
Mietinsaaren lomahuvilat
www.mietinsaarenlomahuvilat.fi
Kilpeinrannantie 62,
Äitsaari (40 km)
Tel. +358 400 752 081
Cottage rental
Pistoniemen lomamökit
www.pistoniemi.com
Pistoniementie 189,
Parikkala (57 km)
Tel. +358 500 751 767
OTHER ACCOMMODATION
Finnhostel
www.huhtiniemi.com
Tel. +358 5 451 5555
Päivölän ratsutila (B&B)
www.paivolanratsutila.fi
Sammaljärventie 1,
Taipalsaari (23 km)
Tel. +358 20 756 9680
Asko and Maija´s farm
accommodation
Papinniemi Camping
www.papinniemicamping.fi
Papinniementie 178,
Parikkala (112 km)
Tel. +358 40 7369 852
YIT Leisure Homes
www.yitgroup.com, www.yit.fi
Holiday homes for sale in Imatra.
Tel. +358 40 570 8465
Kuusamo Hirsitalot Oy
www.kuusamohirsitalot.fi
Representative in Lappeenranta and
Imatra region:
Ahti Suokas
Tel. +358 400 649 875
Torilla & BAR
Restaurant Sahrami
www.scandichotels.fi
Kauppakatu 21
Tel. +358 5 677 511
www.sahrami.fi
Torikatu 5–7, Savitaipale
Tel. +358 5 419 0070
Rosso
ABC Savitaipale
www.eekooravintolat.fi
Kauppakatu 29–31
Tel. +358 10 762 1420
(open 6–24)
www.eekoo.fi
Peltoinlahdentie 31. Savitaipale
Tel. +358 10 7620 320
Säräkauppa
-shop and café
Farm accommodation
Tuhannen Tarinan Talo
www.tuhannentarinantalo.com
Nikkarintie 124,
Kannuskoski (60 km)
Tel. +358 50 530 3471
Jaakkima Christian Institute
www.jaakkima.fi
Opistontie 21, Ruokolahti
Tel. +358 5 669 0300
NEW!
RESTAURANTS AND CAFES
Holiday Club Saimaa
www.holidayclub.fi
Rauhanrinne 1, Rauha, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 30 686 1002
Le Biff (á la carte),
Easy Kitchen,
O´Learys (sports bar)
Restaurant Kanuuna
Linnalantie 42, Taavetti, Luumäki
Tel. +358 10 762 1330
Nordic Kitchen Kastanja
www.sarapirtti.fi
Lappeenranta market hall,
Kauppatori main market square.
Tel. +358 5 451 3035
(Imatran Kylpylä Spa)
Purjekuja 2
Tel. +358 20 7100 500
Restaurant Parempi
Pistaasi
www.ravintolaparempi.fi
Hyrymäenkatu 2, Shopping Center
Family Center
Tel. +358 44 744 5513
Purjekuja 2
Tel. +358 20 7100 500
Finnhostel
LinnaSali
www.huhtiniemi.com
Kuusimäenkatu 18
Tel. +358 5 451 5555
(Spa Hotel Rantasipi Imatran
Valtionhotelli)
www.rantasipi.fi
Torkkelinkatu 2
Tel. +358 5 625 2000
Ship restaurant
Prinsessa Armaada
Farm accommodation Muikkulahti
and Loikonsaari cottages
www.kiiverinlomamokit.fi
Kiiverintie 10, Saari kk (89 km)
Tel. +358 50 300 4036
www.piilipuu.com
Peltoinlahdentie 23, Savitaipale
Tel. +358 45 312 2797
www.ravintolawanhamakasiini.fi
Satamatie 4
Tel. +358 10 666 8611
www.pajurantaholidayhomes.com
Haapalahdentie 328, Parikkala (62 km)
Tel. +358 44 548 0131
Cottage rental Kiiverin lomamokit
Restaurant Piilipuu
www.huviretki.fi
Valtakatu 31
Tel. +358 5 677 811
Wanha Makasiini
www.rantatupa.net
Suolahdentie 461, Levänen,
Taipalsaari (28 km)
Tel. +358 40 507 5842
Cottage rental
Pajuranta Holiday Homes
www.muikkulahti.com
Muikkulahdentie 16,
Melkoniemi (77 km)
Tel. +358 40 500 7557
Huviretki
www.prinsessaarmaada.fi
Lappeenranta passenger harbor,
open during summer.
Tel. +358 44 754 5504
Rosso
Ship restaurant s/s Suvi-Saimaa
Vuoksenvahti
www.karelialines.fi
Lappeenranta passenger harbour,
open during summer.
Tel. +358 400 251 425
Koskenparras 5
Tel. +358 10 762 1471
Coffee House
(Vuoksi Fishing Park)
Kotipolku 4
Tel. +358 5 432 3123
Kauppakatu 29–31
Shopping centre Armada
Tel. +358 10 762 1350
Koskenparras 1
Tel. +358 10 762 1412
Wanha Virveli
ABC Viipurinportti (open 24/7)
Mulligan
Restaurant
www.eekoo.fi
Hirsimäenkatu 1
Tel. +358 10 762 0303
www.imatrangolf.fi
Golftie 18
Tel. +358 50 377 2590
Säräpirtti Kippurasarvi
Neitsytniemen Kartano mansion
Brahenkatu 1
Tel. +358 10 762 1030
www.sarapirtti.fi
Rantatie 1. Lemi
Tel. +358 5 414 6470
(advance table bookings)
www.neitsytniemenkartano.com
Vuoksenniskantie 10
Tel. +358 40 159 1911
Tassos
Olkkolan Hovi mansion hotel
www.tassos.fi
Valtakatu 33
Tel. +358 10 762 1452
Olkkolantie 2, Savitaipale
Tel. +358 5 612 7700
(open 6–24)
www.eekoo.fi
Rinnekatu 1, Parikkala
Tel. +358 10 762 0360
Restaurant
Rauhanranta
www.salpasafarit.fi
Alminraitti 13, Rauha,
Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 400 172 350
Casanova
NEW!
NEW!
ABC-Särkisalmi
37
SERVICE INDEX
Holiday Club Saimaa
PUBS AND BARS
House of Bars
Valtakatu 36, tel. +358 10 762 1360
Bar-Café Piccolo
Brahenkatu 1, tel. +358 10 762 1030
Birra
Kauppakatu 27, tel. +358 10 762 1320
Kippari-Krouvi
Oksasenkatu 8, tel. +358 10 762 1390
Kolme Lyhtyä
Kauppakatu 27, tel. +358 10 762 1301
Kasinoterassi – terrace
Ainonkatu 10, tel. +358 10 762 1440
Open during summer.
The BIG J’s Bar
www.tbjb.fi
Kauppakatu 28 LH 6
Tel. +358 50 505 2544
NEW!
ACTIVITIES, FISHING,
PROGRAMME SERVICES,
EQUIPMENT RENTAL
Saimaa Adventures
Tuplakasi Oy
Myllysaari Family Park
www.saimaa-adventures.fi
and Holiday Club Saimaa
/ Shopping Center Capri
Tel. +358 5 230 2555
Centralised booking of programme
services. Guaranteed take-offs,
equipment hire, etc.
www.tuplakasi-action.fi
Imatra
Tel. +358 45 6353 810
Activities including Paintball, abseiling/
climbing, crate climbing, sumo
wrestling costumes, knife/tomahawk
throwing, blowgun/air riffle shooting,
workplace health promotion days.
Myllysaari, Lappeenranta
Beach facilities, outdoor pool, ice
swimming, beach volleyball court,
children’s playground, street basketball
court, sledge slide, parkour facilities,
keep fit and climbing equipment etc.
Water-SkiZoo
Myllymäki ski centre
www.waterskizoo.com
Imatra
Tel. +358 40 586 5313
Watersports: Banana boats, parasailing,
water-skiing, cold water floating in
river Vuoksi etc.
www.myllymaki.com
Myllymäentie 83, Joutseno
Tel. +358 45 208 0335
Rental equipment for downhill
and cross-country skiing.
www.holidayclub.fi
Tel. +358 30 686 1000
Bowling, skating, pampering
treatments, spa etc.
Purjekuja 2, Imatra
Tel. +358 20 7100 500
Bowling, badminton, indoor cycling,
pampering treatments, spa, etc.
Vuoksi Fishing Park
Kotipolku 4, Imatra
Tel. +358 5 432 3123
Open 1 May–30 Sept: daily 9 am–10 pm
Fishing permits and equipment, fish
handling and smoking, salmon/
sturgeon basins, boats, caferestaurant, tent and campervan
spaces cabin accommodation, toilets/
showers.
Hossukan Helmi
DANCE RESTAURANTS
AND NIGHT CLUBS
Tanssiravintola Monrepos
Oksasenkatu 2, tel. +358 10 762 1400
www.saimaa-adventures.fi
Hosseinlahdentie 139, Imatra
Tel. +358 5 230 2555
Conference facilities, sauna and
experience centre etc.
Aviasport Areena
Valtakatu 36, tel. +358 10 762 1360
www.aviasportareena.fi
Ottelukatu 9, Imatra
Tel. +358 50 406 8020
Indoor sports hall: football, baseball,
Frisbee golf, track and field etc.
Tähtitaivas
Ruokolahti FreeSki ski centre
Purjekuja 2
Tel. +358 20 7100 500
www.freeski.fi
Salosaari, Tel. +358 40 088 9852
Rental equipment for downhill
and cross-country skiing.
House of Bars
38
(Color codes: Blue = Lappeenranta region, Orange = Imatra region)
Holiday Club Saimaa
Salpasafarit
(Rauhanranta)
NEW!
www.salpasafarit.fi
Alminraitti 13, Rauha, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 400 585 358
Restaurant and activity centre by Lake
Saimaa. Cruises, snowmobile safaris,
corporate events and leisure services
all year round.
Angry Birds Activity Park
www.holidayclub.fi/angrybirds
Vipelentie 11, Rauha, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 30 686 1000
NEW!
Indoor amusement park
for the whole family.
Atreenalin Adventure
Park Saimaa
NEW!
www.atreenalin.fi
Tiuruniementie 84, Rauha,
Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 40 035 4795
The biggest outdoor adventure park in
Finland.
Myllysaari lakeside sauna
www.lappeenranta.fi
Myllysaari, Lappeenranta.
Public sauna bookings from
4 pm–8 pm: Men Tue and Thu, women
Wed and Fri.
Kidus Fishing Tours
www.kidusfishing.fi
Savitaipale
Tel. +358 40 137 7555
Fishing trips and outdoor activities at
Lake Kuolimo.
UK Areena
www.ukareena.fi
Kisakatu 9, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 40 158 9555
Year-round public skating etc.
Karhupirtit
www.karhupirtit.com
Ahonniementie 23, Taipalsaari
Tel. +358 20 756 9680
Fishing trips, skidoo safaris, saunas,
cottages etc.
Activity centre Päivölä
www.paivolanratsutila.fi
Sammaljärventie 1, Taipalsaari
Tel. +358 20 756 9680
Icelandic horses, wall climbing,
snowshoe safaris etc.
Olkkolan Hovi mansion
Olkkolantie 2, Savitaipale
Tel. +358 5 612 7700
Fishing and church boat trips,
lakeside sauna, etc.
Flowpark Adventure Park
Tuhannen Tarinan Talo
(A House of a Thousand Stories)
www.flowpark.fi
Myllysaari, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 400 861 561
En ecological outdoor adventure park
for the whole family.
www.tuhannentarinantalo.com
Nikkarintie 124, Kannuskoski
Tel. +358 50 530 3471
Smoke sauna, WHD-days, camp
schools etc.
SERVICE INDEX
WELLNESS
China Liangtse Wellness
CRUISES
NEW!
www.liangtse.fi
Kauppakatu 40 D, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 50 443 111
Holiday Club Saimaa Spa
www.holidayclub.fi
Tel. +358 30 686 1000
Lappeenrannan Kylpylä Spa
www.kylpyla.info
Tel. +358 20 761 3761
Purjekuja 2, Imatra
Tel. +358 20 7100 500
Spa Hotel Rantasipi Imatran
Valtionhotelli
www.rantasipi.fi
Torkkelinkatu 2, Imatra
Tel. +358 5 625 2000
m/s Camilla
www.karelialines.fi
Karelia Lines
Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 5 453 0380
Canal and archipelago cruises on Lake
Saimaa from 20 May–6 September.
Mon–Sat canal cruise from
12 pm–2 pm canal–archipelago cruise
from 6 pm–9 pm, in July also a canal
cruise Sat from 3 pm–5 pm and Sun
from 2 pm–4 pm. Charter cruises
from 12 May–19 Nov.
m/s Carelia
www.saimaatravel.fi
Saimaa Travel
Tel. +358 5 5410 100
Cruises and city holidays to Vyborg
and St. Petersburg on 16 May–9 Sep.
m/s Brahe
www.saimaatravel.fi
Saimaa Travel
Tel. +358 5 5410 100
Cruises in June–August from Lappeenranta to Hamina and Helsinki,
and to Puumala and Savonlinna.
m/s Kavaljeeri
GOLF
Holiday Club Golf Saimaa
www.holidayclub.fi
Kohonkankaantie 11,
Rauha, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 30 686 1062
The new, 18-hole golf course is close
to the hotel and offers a fantastic
golfing experience.
Etelä-Saimaa Golf
www.viipuringolf.fi
Vehkataipaleentie 589, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 5 544 3000
An 18-hole golf course on the banks of
Lake Saimaa in Tuosa island, with the blue
Saimaa visible from almost every hole.
Kahilanniemi golf course
www.viipuringolf.fi
Kahilanniementie 1, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 5 436 6004
9-hole park course, water range.
Imatran Golf
www.imatrangolf.fi
Golftie 11, Imatra
Tel. +358 20 743 9350
An 18-hole course on the banks of
Lake Immolanjärvi. A driving range,
practice putting green, in the club
building a pro shop, café and saunas.
www.salpasafarit.fi
Tel. +358 400 596 435
Cruises in July-August on Wed and
Sat at 5 pm from the harbour in Rauha
Lappeenranta. Also charter cruises.
Sailing Centre
Wilmanranta
GUEST HARBOUR SERVICES
LAPPEENRANTA
AND IMATRA REGION
LAPPEENRANTA
HARBOUR OFFICE
Satamatie 17, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 5 616 6070
Open Mon–Fri, 9 am–3 pm.
m/s Suvi-Ellen
Fortress Guest Jetty
www.msbellsristeilyt.fi
Tel. +358 400 154 490
Charter and programme cruises,
sauna in Riutansaari island.
Service Point Sataman Loiste,
Tel. +358 44 7979 110
Boat Service Station: 20 mooring
berths and a side-by-side jetty for large
yachts. Sale of fuel and gas, bicycle hire,
boat hire, boating equipment, snacks
and groceries, toilet and shower, sauna
by arrangement, laundry facilities,
water and electricity connections,
bilge water and septic tank emptying,
waste collection point, terrace café, and
activities by arrangement.
Vuoksen Lautturi
Cruises on
the river Vuoksi
Kotipolku 4, Imatra
Tel. +358 400 655 848
Guided scenic cruises on the River
Vuoksi daily 24 Jun–22 Aug. Departure from the Fishing Park at 3 pm.
m/s Christina
Cruises on
Lake Saimaa
www.chrisline.fi
Satamalaiturintie, Imatra
Tel. +358 400 891 311
Charter and scenic cruises on Lake
Saimaa. Scenic cruises, duration 1.5 h:
3 Jun–4 Jul, Tue and Fri at 4 pm and 7
pm 8 Jul–29 Aug, Tue, Thu and Fri at 4
pm and 7 pm. Tickets in advance from
Imatra Spa or on board 30 min. before
departure.
Casino Guest Jetty
Lappeenranta Spa
Tel. +358 20 761 3761
Services at the guest jetty include 50
mooring berths, toilet and shower,
water and electricity connections and
the use of a sauna at Lappeenranta Spa
in the mornings.
Tel. +358 40 1363601
Information point and internet
connection for boaters, as well
as conference facilities, sauna by
arrangement and Restaurant Notkea
Norppa.
New Port
Saimaa Gardens Oy
Tiuruniementie 131, Rauha,
Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 400 388 953
About 50 mooring berths. Services:
Toilet/shower, sauna, water and
electricity connections.
JOUTSENO
Likosenlahti
Tel. +358 40 5625 220
Joutseno Yacht Club 18 mooring berths.
Guest harbour services and café, sauna,
laundry facilities and septic vacuum.
SAVITAIPALE
Partaranta
Partakoski
Tel. +358 5 413 8323
Sale of fuel, septic tank emptying,
sauna and internet connection. Also
restaurant and shop, live dance music
on Saturdays. Guest harbour also at
Partakoski, Savitaipale.
TAIPALSAARI
Maalaiset Jetty
Hotel Saimaanranta
Lappeenranta
About ten mooring berths, primarily
for short stops.
Tel. +358 5 620 0200
Sale of fuel, septic tank emptying and
fresh water point.
39
SERVICE INDEX
IMATRA
At Ukonniemi on the lakeshore
in front of Imatran Kylpylä Spa
The harbour contains 10 large mooring
berths (jetty A) and 10 small mooring
buoys (jetty B). Jetty A is equipped
with electricity, water and lighting. The
harbour fee is €18/boat/day, including:
mooring berth, water, waste collection,
toilet, shower (in the spa), laundry
facilities, covered barbeque area and
playground for children. Shore power
€5/day. Reservations: Imatran Kylpylä
Spa, tel. +358 20 7100 500.
Ruokolahti
Ruokolahti Guest Harbour
Fishing permit for the river Vuoksi
Myllykeskus
South Karelia Art Museum
€12/day, €24/week, €70/calendar year
Sale of permits:
Vuoksi Fishing Park, Varpasaari, Imatra
Imatra Region Tourist Services,
Lappeentie 12, Imatra
Sports shop Kisa, Lappeentie 41, Imatra
Ticket sales at the Imatra swimming
pool, Kotipolku 2
Imatra town libraries
UK Koskimies,
Ratakatu 37–39, Lappeenranta
www.eekoo.fi
Kaakkoiskaari 22, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 10 762 0430
S-market, cafeteria, Hesburger,
hairdresser, petshop, pharmacy.
Kristiinankatu 8–10, The Fortress
Exhibitions:
• – 23 Feb 2014 The Cage – Tapio
Sinisalo
• – 23 Feb 2014 January Skin – Old
and New into the Collection
• 8 Mar–1 Jun Or Towards Human
Being – Eeva-Kaisa Jakkila, Jouko
Lempinen, Juha Okko and Jussi
Valtakari
• 8 Mar –1 Jun Mind Activator – Works
by Ilkka Pärni
• 17 Jun –14 Sep Fruits of Paradise
– Polish Contemporary Folk Art
• 17 Jun –14 Sep Looking for Paradise
– DIY meets Contemporary Art
• 17 Jun –14 Sep The Tree of Life – DIY
in South-East Finland
• 29 Sep 2014–4 Jan 2015 Different
Styles – Dialogues in Time and
Space
Opening hours: 2 Jan–8 Jun and 26
Aug–31 Dec, Tue–Sun 11 am–5 pm and
9 Jun–24 Aug, Mon–Fri 10 am–6 pm,
Sat–Sun 11 am–5 pm.
Admission:
South Karelia Museum
Adults €7, pensioners, students,
groups of more than 10 €6
South Karelia Art Museum
Children under 16 admission free
Free admission on Museum Fridays (2014)
Spring: 3 Jan, 7 Feb, 7 Mar, 4 Apr
and 2 May
Autumn: 5 Sep, 3 Oct, 7 Nov, 5 Dec
FISHING PERMITS AND
WHERE TO BUY THEM
Online
at www.ahven.net
National fisheries
management fee
€24/calendar year
Provincial lure fishing fee
€7/week, €31/calendar year
Sale of permits: R-kiosks, service
charge €3
Instead of a provincial permit, you
can buy a regional permit for a week
or a day.
UK Koskimies
Fishing permits for Greater and Lesser
Saimaa (Pien- and Suur-Saimaa
Ratakatu 37–39, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 5 612 9013
40
Emotion – beauty store
Fishing permits for
Simpelejärvi, Pyhäjärvi,
Puruvesi, Pihjalavesi
Urheilu-Jussi, Parikkalantie 24,
Parikkala.
Emotion – beauty store
PARIKKALA
In the centre of Parikkala:
Guest harbour and
boat launching ramp.
In Särkisalmi: Boat launching ramp.
In Niukkala: A guest harbour built in
2011 with a septic tank, beach, boat
launching ramp, waste collection,
playground, and beach volleyball court.
In Papinniemi: A new guest harbour
with septic tank, covered BBQ area
near the café/service building.
In Tarnala: Boat launching ramp.
www.eekoo.fi
Valtakatu 33, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 10 762 0990
www.eekoo.fi
Kauppakatu 29–31, Lappeenranta,
shopping centre Armada
Tel. +358 10 762 0980
Also hairdressing services.
In a central location, in Rasila.
Parikkala Guest harbours
Muoti Sokos
www.eekoo.fi
Einonkatu 10, Imatra
Tel. +358 10 7620 970
SHOPPING
Shopping Center Capri
www.holidayclub.fi
Vipelentie 3–5, 55320 Rauha,
Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 30 686 1000
Angry Birds Activity Park (floors 1 and
2), Bad Bird Bar (restaurant and bar),
Finnish Properties - Biport LKV (Real
estate business), Boutique Kaarina K.
Outlet (Fashion outlet store), Capri Corner
(Café), Crocs Store Saimaa (Store selling
Crocs products), Frendi Shop (Clothing
for kids and teenagers), Gioello (Jewels
and dietary supplement), Heinon Tukku
Saimaa (Wholesale supermarket, also
for customers without a business ID),
Kankurin Tupa (Finnish souvenirs and
gifts), Lucky Kids (Clothing for kids),
Nortum Oy (Real estate business), Paris
HK Oy – Premium Belgian Chocolate,
Rauhan apteekki (Pharmacy), Riipisen
riista- ja matkamuistomyymälä (Wild
game products and souvenirs), Saimaa
Gardens, Sales Office of holiday
apartments and cottages
Prisma Lappeenranta
www.eekoo.fi
Puhakankatu 9–11, Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 10 762 0100
Cafe-restaurant, Hesburger, pharmacy,
Alko (alcoholic beverages), Elisa Shop,
opticians Silmäasema, jewellers
Kultakello and cobblers.
Prisma Imatra
www.eekoo.fi
Karhumäenkatu 6, Imatra
Tel. +358 10 762 0200
Cafe-restaurant, Hesburger,
Alko (alcoholic beverages), Elisa Shop
and jewellers Kultakello.
(Color codes: Blue = Lappeenranta regonn, Orange = Imatra region)
ATTRACTIONS
The Lappeenranta Fortress
South Karelia Museum
Kristiinankatu 15, The Fortress
South Karelia Museum at the northern
point of the Fortress is housed in the
warehouses built as artillery depots in
the early 19th century.
Permanent exhibition:
Three Karelian towns
The exhibition showcases key events
in the history of Lappeenranta, Vyborg
and Käkisalmi.
Temporary exhibitions:
• – 16 Mar 2014 Olli Rumpu,
Photographs from the South Karelia
of the 1960s and 1970s.
• 1 Apr–30 Sep Kai Kuntola, This Is
Lake Saimaa Calling
• 14 Oct 2014–1 Mar 2015 Everyday
Alphabet – An exhibition for
children takes visitors through
everyday life led by the alphabet.
• 14 Oct 2014–1 Mar 2015 Kasari:
Exhibition by photographic artist
Sari Poijärvi presents the 1980s
through various themes including
music and film.
Opening hours: 2 Jan–8 Jun and 26
Aug–31 Dec, Tue–Sun 11 am–5 pm
and 9 Jun–24 Aug, Mon–Fri
10 am–6 pm, Sat–Sun 11 am–5 pm.
Cavalry Museum
History of the Finnish cavalry.
Opening hours: 9 Jun–24 Aug Mon–Fri
Other times by prior arrangement
Admission:
Adults €3.50, pensioners, students,
groups of more than 10 €2.50
A joint ticket is available for
all the museums in the Fortress.
During wintertime:
Joint ticket for South Karelia
Museum and South Karelia Art
Museum
During summertime:
Joint ticket for all the museums in
the Fortress
groups of more than 10 €7.50
SERVICE INDEX
Green Warehouse
Saimaa Canal Museum
Admission free
LAPPEENRANTA
Sulkuvartijankatu 16
An exhibition depicting the
construction of the canal. In an
outbuilding, an exhibition on the
canals built by Suvorov in the 18th
century, and about the harbours of the
Baltic Sea. A restored garden and canal
path in the Mälkiä area. A café.
Open 16 Jun–17 Aug 2014, 11 am–6 pm,
Closed 20–22 Jun.
Tickets: adults €3, children under 16
admission free, groups €2/person.
Wolkoff House Museum & Shop
Saimaa Canal
Orthodox Church
Finland’s oldest Russian Orthodox
Church is dedicated to Virgin Mary,
and it was completed in 1785.
Open 17 Jun–31 Aug Tue–Sun 11 am–
3 pm. In winter for groups by prior
arrangement.
Kauppakatu 26
Wolkoff house was the home of a
Russian merchant family from 1872
to 1983. It was opened as a museum
in 1993, and it is one of the oldest
wooden buildings in Lappeenranta.
Russian and Orthodox traditions give
the home and its furnishings a unique
character.
Opening hours: 1 Mar–8 Jun and
26 Aug–7 Dec Sat–Sun 11 am–5 pm.
Closed in January and February.
9 Jun–24 Aug Mon–Fri 10 am–4 pm,
Sat–Sun 11 am–5 pm. Other times by
prior arrangement.
Admission
Adults €6.50
Pensioners, students, groups of more
than 10 €5.50
The museum can only be visited on
guided tours which start at 15 past the
hour from the Wolkoff shop. Audio
guides are available in Russian and
English. In the summer, guided tours
in Russian or English start at 15 before
the hour.
Lotta Svärd Museum
Kirkkokatu 7
Tel. +358 40 0485 065,
+358 40 5390 761
Objects related to the Lotta
organisation, such as clothes,
tools, photographs and books.
Open by prior arrangement.
Karelian Aviation Museum
Lappeenranta Airport
The permanent exhibition features the
following fighter planes of the Finnish
Air Force: MIG-21 BIS, SAAB 35S
DRAKEN, NIEUPORT 17, FOLLAND
GNAT and FOUGA CM 170 Magister,
the training plane SAAB91D SAFIR,
the helicopter Mi-8T, the sailplane
Harakka (Magpie), and engines and
salvaged wrecks.
Guided tours, a museum shop.
1 Jun–31 Aug Mon–Fri 12 pm–6 pm
Weekends during the summer, May and
September by prior arrangement.
Tickets: adults €4, groups from €10.
www.karjalanilmailumuseo.fi
Ships have sailed from Lake Saimaa to
the Gulf of Finland since 1856. After
its completion, the Saimaa Canal was
viewed as the symbol of the Grand Duchy
of Finland’s rising economic prowess
and technical knowledge. The old
“Emperors’ Canal” had no fewer than 28
locks and was 58 km long. The present
canal was inaugurated in 1968. The canal
is 43 km long and has eight locks, three
on the Finnish side and five in Russia.
A canal path with tourist information
boards lines the park-like canal
embankments. The Canal Museum’s
pleasant café is also well worth a visit.
Large-scale renovations are underway
in the area, to improve the tourism
services. We welcome you to visit the
Saimaa Canal and study its glorious 150year history in the Saimaa Canal Museum
exhibition, and to take a two-hour cruise
on the canal or a cruise to Vyborg.
Gallery Laura
Kauppakatu 25
South Karelia Crafts Association,
Tasihin House
The Empire-style building dates
from 1824–1828 and houses Gallery
Laura, named after Laura KorpikaivoTamminen, as well as the South Karelia
Crafts Association and a small shop. Every
year, South Karelia Museum stages one
exhibition in Gallery Laura. Admission
free. Open Mon 12 pm–5 pm, Tue–Fri
10 am–5 pm and Sat 10 am–2 pm.
Lauritsala Church
Kauppalankatu 1
A modern church called “Light of
Heaven”, completed in 1969.
Open during the summer.
Photographic Centre in
Southeastern Finland
Snellmaninkatu 13 A
New temporary exhibitions every
month. Open during exhibitions
Tue–Fri 11 am–6 pm, Sat 11 am–3 pm.
Traditional horses and riders
Dressed in traditional red trousers and
skeleton jackets dating back to 1922,
cavalry men ride in the Fortress and
around the urban bay area in July.
Tue–Sun 1–4 pm, not in rainy weather.
The Lappeenranta Fortress
Lappee Maria Church
Children’s Traffic City
Kirkkokatu 11
A wooden church with two crosses in
the middle of the town dates from 1794.
A road church.
Open 2 Jun–15 Aug 10 am–6 pm.
Service on Sundays at 10 am.
Lappeenranta
Along Valtakatu, behind the Water
Tower. An instructor is on site to
provide instructions and teach traffic
regulations and to supervise the
allocation of pedal cars and driving
turns. Open 2 Jun–30 Aug Mon–Fri
9 am–6 pm. In July also on Saturdays.
Lappeenranta Church
Mannerheiminkatu 1
A red-brick church, originally
intended to be a Russian Orthodox
military church. Consecrated to its
current use in 1924. Open during the
summer Mon–Fri 11 am–5 pm.
Pihatto Gallery
Valtakatu 80
Visiting address: Kaukaankatu 2
New temporary exhibitions every
month. Admission free. Open Tue–Fri
www.e-ktaide.net/pihatto/
Sammonlahti Church
Hietakallionkatu 7
A modern church called “Refreshing
Waters”, consecrated in 1992. A road
church. Open in the winter Tue
12 pm–6 pm, Wed 12 pm–8 pm, Thu
12 pm–7 pm, Sun 9 am–2 pm. Closed
Mon, Fri and Sat. Open 9 Jun–17 Aug:
Mon 12 pm–6 pm, Tue 10 am–12 pm,
Wed–Fri 12 pm–6 pm,
Sat 12 pm–5 pm, Sun 9 am–3 pm.
Nuijamaa Church
Tassiantie 9, Nuijamaa
A wooden church built in 1948 to
replace the earlier church burnt down
during the war.
Nuijamaa Parish Museum
Tassiantie 4, Nuijamaa
Open during the summer.
Admission free.
JOUTSENO (Lappeenranta)
South Karelian Motor Museum
Harmaakalliontie 5, next to Karjalan
Portti (Gateway to Karelia)
Some 40 vehicles dating from
the 1920s onwards.
Open 4 May–30 August 2014
Mon–Fri 10 am–6 pm, Sat 10 am–3 pm,
Sun 10 am–6 pm.
Tickets: adults €6, children and
pensioners €3, family ticket €12
and groups of more than 10 €3/person.
Joutsenon pitäjäntupa
Local History Museum
Soljantie 2
Domestic Animal Park,
Salmon Angling Korpikeidas
Vesikkolantie 415
Konnunsuo
Bird Observation Tower
One of the busiest resting places of
migratory birds in South Karelia is located
in Konnunsuo, some 20 km from the
centre of Lappeenranta. Here, you can see
rare birds appreciated by birdwatchers,
particularly in autumn and spring.
Joutseno Church
Penttiläntie 1
A stone church dating from 1921.
41
SERVICE INDEX
YLÄMAA (Lappeenranta)
Pätäri House Museum
Mätöntie, Ylijärvi
Admission free.
www.etela-karjalanmuseot.fi
Ylämaa
Gemstone Village
The Gemstone Village houses a
gemstone museum, cutting workshops
and shops, coffee shop and a
playground. International Gemstone
Fair from 27 to 29 June.
Gemstone Museum
Gemstone Village
More than 4,000 gemstones, mineral
and fossil samples from around the
world. Copies of the world’s most
famous diamonds, such as the huge
African Star, the Koh-I-Noor etc.
A speciality: an exhibition of
fluorescent stones.
www.ylamaanjalokivimuseo.fi
Salpalinja
Ihaksela
Restored wartime bunkers and
trenches.
Väkevänjärvi
Bird Observation Tower
Located in a strait between
Väkevänjärvi and Salajärvi lakes, close
to the road. Among the rare birds seen
from the tower are the greater spotted
eagle, Western red-footed falcon and
booted warbler.
Ylämaa Church
Koskentie 1
The red-brick church was consecrated
in 1931.
LEMI
LUUMÄKI
SAVITAIPALE
Fortress and
Church Builders’ Museum
Linnalantie 35, Taavetti
A school museum, archaeological
finds and remnants of the fortress.
Open in June and July Mon–Fri
9 am–3 pm. Other times by prior
arrangement. Admissions: adults €4,
children €1, groups of more than 10
€2/person, family ticket €6.
Museum
Farm Tuulimylly
Someronmäki 6, Kaitjärvi
A farmhouse café and outdoor
terrace, museum granaries, the only
flag exhibition in Finland, mini golf,
farmer’s market. Open in summer.
Taavetti Fortress
A fortress from the 18th century, part of
the chain of fortresses in South-east
Finland.
Salpalinja
Vainikkalantie 6
A courtyard with a dwelling, granaries,
windmill and smoke sauna (can be
heated up by prior arrangement).
Särä (local roast lamb dish) available to
order from March to Christmas.
Taikalyhty
Uimintie 7
Finland’s oldest country shop still
in operation, dating from 1870,
nowadays a second-hand bookshop.
Admission free. Taikalyhty’s summer
exhibition.
Opening hours:
15 Jun–26 Aug Tue–Sun 12 pm–4 pm.
Lemi Church
Parish village
A wooden church built in 1786 by
Juhana Salonen. Open in summer,
other times by prior arrangement.
42
Imatrankoski
1940–44 fortifications in the eastern
parts of the municipality.
Salpa-asema
Salpalinja, Askola
Salpa-asema displays bunkers,
trenches and stone blocks. Groups by
appointment, guided tours.
Kotkaniemi
Lappeenrannantie 455
President P.E. Svinhufvud’s
home museum.
www.nba.fi/fi/kotkaniemi
Kannuskoski
– Village
A vibrant, idyllic village with
cottage and B&B accommodation
available.
Luumäki Church
Designed by C.L. Engel in
1845.
(Color codes: Blue = Lappeenranta region, Orange = Imatra region)
Nikkarintie 2
Old Savitaipale Bell Tower. Permanent
exhibition dedicated to the memory
of men who built wooden churches.
Open 8 Jun–10 Aug, Sun 11 am–2 pm.
Voluntary admission charge.
Hakamäki Local
History Museum
Cowshed Gallery
Museum of horse-drawn vehicles and
sales exhibition by local craftspeople.
Open 2 Jun–15 Aug Tue–Sun
10 am–5 pm (Closed at Midsummer)
Municipal House
Kellomäentie 1
Completed in 1990, designed by
Riitta and Kari Ojala.
Open Mon–Fri 8 am–3.45 pm.
Taipalsaari Church
Paimensaarentie 10
Old farm buildings and rustic peasant
tools. 14 m tall watch tower.
Open 24 Jun–3 Aug Tue–Sun
12 pm–5 pm. Other times by prior
arrangement.
Tickets: adults €2, children €1.
Parish village
A wooden church dating from 1754.
The bell tower was built in 1750.
Open 1 Jun–24 Aug 12 pm–6 pm.
D.E.D. Europaeus Museum
Imatrankoski Rapids
Olkkolantie 2
Permanent exhibition portraying
Europaeus’ persona, life’s work
and 19th century cultural phenomena.
Open to groups by prior arrangement
in the summer. Admission €1/person.
Kärnäkoski Fortress
Part of the chain of fortresses in
South-east Finland, the fortress
was commissioned in the 1790s by
Alexander Suvorov. There is a ferry
point, hilltop fortress, Kärnäkoski,
an old mill and a saw mill close to the
fortress.
Savitaipale Church
Peltoinlahdentie 26
The granite church was completed
in 1924. Open in the summer, other
times by prior arrangement.
TAIPALSAARI
Röytty House Museum
Parish village
Inn museum and Röytty local history
museum. Open 2 Jun– 15 Aug Tue–Sun
10 am–5 pm. Closed at Midsummer.
IMATRA
The rapids were formed about 5,000
years ago, when the water masses of
Saimaa broke through the Salpausselkä
ridge, next to Vuoksenniska. A dam
was built to control the rapids in 1929.
Nowadays you can admire the freely
thundering rapids in summer during
rapids displays. Rapids displays from
23 June–28 August 6 pm, daily.
Kruununpuisto
(The Crown Park)
In 1842, at the behest of Tsar Nicholas I,
Finland’s first national park, the Imatra
Crown Park, was founded in the area
surrounding the Imatrankoski rapids.
The park contained imperial landscape
pavilions,m rock carvings, giant’s kettles
(natural phenomenon) etc. Guided
walking tours 4 July–3 August daily at
5 pm, departing in front of Bar & Cafe
Kuohu. Participation: adults €5, children
4–16 years €2.50. There is a separate
map and brochure of the park, available
from tourist information offices.
Rantasipi Imatran Valtionhotelli
(Castle Hotel)
Jugend style castle by the Imatrankoski
rapids built in 1903.
SERVICE INDEX
Kulttuuritalo Virta
Virastokatu 1
Imatra Cultural Centre by river Vuoksi,
designed by architect Arto Sipinen in
1986. Art museum and town museum,
city library, facilities for meeting and
musical events, café.
The Orthodox Church
of Saint Nicholas
Imatra Veterans Home
and Lotta Museum
Torkkelinkatu 4
A culturally and historically
significant, interactive museum
depicting the life of a war veteran,
lawyer and sports manager. Open daily
12 pm–6 pm. Entry charge:
adults €5, children €2.
Vuoksenniskantie 3
The church was designed by architect
Toivo Paatela and built in 1956.
Historical sacral objects dating from
the 18th century onwards. A park for
the benediction of water in front of the
church on the banks of the River Vuoksi.
Open 24 Jun–31 Aug Tue–Sun 11 am–
3 pm. Guide on site. Admission free.
Industrial Worker´s
Housing Museum
Church of The Three Crosses
Virastokatu 1
Alternating exhibitions, the museum’s
own collections are extensive. Open
Mon–Fri 9 am–7 pm, Sat (and festive
days) 10 am–3 pm. Free entry. In
summer 1.6.–31.8. Mon–Thu 9 am–7 pm,
Fri 9 am–4 pm, festive days 10–15.
Free entry.
Ruokolahdentie 27
Designed by Alvar Aalto, 101 windows
Open Tue–Sun Jun–Aug 10 am–6 pm,
other times Sat–Sun 9 am–3 pm.
Free entry.
Tainionkoski church
Kirkkokatu 2
Open during summer Tue–Sun
10 am–3 pm, in winter one hour before
a service.
Imatrankoski church
Kanavakatu 2
Open one hour before a service.
Karelian Farmhouse Hiljan Piha
Pässiniemi
19th century Karelian courtyard.
Open during summer.
Open 24.6.–22.8. 11 am–5 pm, closed
Mon and Fri. Other times open by
arrangement. Entry charge €2.
Imatra Town Museum
Virastokatu 1
Alternating exhibitions, open during
the opening hours of the Art museum.
Ritikanranta
The museum depicts the living
conditions of industrial workers from
the beginning of the 20th century
through to the 1960s. Open 24 Jun–24
Aug Tue–Sun 11 am–5 pm.
Imatra Art Museum
Border Museum Immola
Niskapietiläntie 32
The history of the borders in Finland
and the Finnish Border Guard. Open
17.6.–23.8. Tue–Fri 2 pm–5 pm,
Sat 12 pm–6 pm.
RUOKOLAHTI
Cultural Sights
Ruokolahti Church Hill
On the historical church hill, a visitor
can see the splendid wooden crossshaped church, as well as the bell
tower (built in 1752), the local history
museum and the Ruokolahti house. The
sights on the church hill are open to the
public during summer.
Local history museum
Hiitolanjoki
next to the church, open during
summer Tue–Fri 12 pm–5 pm,
Sun 11 am–5 pm, closed Mon and Sat.
Entry charge €2.
Historical industrial landscape
trail (1.2 km) and hydroelectrical
power plants in Ritakoski, Lahnanen
(campfire shed) and Kangaskoski
(lean-to). In Rautjärvi you can also
visit the Miettilä Historical Reserve
Garrison area (the Kollaa Museum and
a local history exhibition), Pitäjäntupa
(an old log house), the Burial Chamber
of the Imprisoned Rifleman, the
Rautjärvi Church (1881), and the
Simpele Church (1933).
Ruokolahti house and cafe
next to the church, open during
summer Mon–Fri 11 am–6 pm,
Sun 11 am–4 pm, closed Sat.
Ruokolahti church
(Ukonsalmentie 5), open during
summer Mon–Thu 9 am–6 pm,
Fri 9 am–1 pm, Sun 9 am–5 pm.
Käsityötupa
handicraft workshop
along the Puumalantie road, open
during summer daily 11 am–6 pm.
Taitotalo (Art House)
Art exhibitions and art rentals, open
during exhibition opening times and in
July daily 11 am–6 pm.
Summer markets
(some with entertainment) In Rasila, the centre of Ruokolahti.
9 May–26 Sep, on Fridays 3–5 pm.
Rantalinna
Rantalinnantie 127
Jugend-style castle hotel by Lake
Saimaa completed in 1913. Open by
appointment.
Historical Sights
Rock paintings, Lapp ruins, stone-age
habitations, archaeological sights,
Suvorov’s military canals, the Syyspohja
Salpa station of Finland’s WWII Salpa
line. Maps and instructions available
from the tourist information office.
Hiking Routes
Maps and instructions for the
Hukkavuori hiking route, Oritlammi
fitness route, Puntala Kissankierros,
Ollin polku, Salosaari nature trail,
hiking route from Imatra to Rautjärvi,
Lääväkorpi route and Torsanjoki nature
trail can be obtained from the tourist
information office.
RAUTJÄRVI
Haukkavuori
A beautiful location for sightseeing
at the old border. A border
indicator, erected in 1722, marks the
Uusikaupunki peace accord of 1721.
A popular sight for families.
Niskapietilä-Miettilä
Museum Road
PARIKKALA
Parikkala Sculpture Park
Parikkala Koitsanlahti
A unique sight created by the late
Veijo Rönkkönen over a 50-year
period: hundreds of statues and an
abundant garden.
Siikalahti
One of Finland’s best-known
wetlands, and the most abundant
bird population in inland areas of
the country. In Siikalahti and its
surroundings more than 250 bird
species have been spotted. The
area is also famous for butterflies,
dragonflies and rare plants.
Rautjärvi Nature Sights
Rautjärvi is one of South Karelia’s best
bird lakes. The Pohjanranta bird
observation tower is located in the
northern end of Lake Pien-Rautjärvi,
in the village of Tarnala, and the
Tarassiinlahti bird observation tower
is located in Mikkolanniemi. Both
are suitable for birdwatchers with
restricted mobility. Tarassiinlahti also
has a bonfire site.
Parikkala Handicraft Centre
In the Parikkala parish village
handicraft centre, a visitor can shop
and undertake all types of knitwear
and handicraft projects with an
instructor. The area also houses East
Finland’s dairy museum and Parikkala
local history museum, the cottage of
Hauta-Olli.
Churches in Parikkala
There are three important churches
in Parikkala: the Parikkala church,
a wooden double cruciform church,
by state architect Carlo Bass, built
during 1813–1817, the Church of
Saari, designed by Ilmari Launis and
completed in 1934, and the wooden
Uukuniemi church, which was
inaugurated in 1797. There is also an
Orthodox chapel by Highway 6.
No 3981 between Niskapietilä and
Miettilä Annual “Day on the Museum
Road” event on 10.8.2014. Tourist
information boards at both ends of
the road.
43
Church of The Three Crosses
DISTANCES
Helsinki Vyborg St. Petersburg Düsseldorf Milan
Barcelona NORWAY
220 km
60 km
220 km
2 h 45 min
3 h 10 min
4 h 25 min
RUSSIA
SWEDEN
South
Karelia
Rovaniemi
Parikkala
Rautjärvi
FINLAND
Ruokolahti
Savitaipale
Oulu
Taipalsaari
Lemi
Imatra border crossing
LAPPEENRANTA
Nuijamaa
Luumäki
Vainikkala
Kajaani
IMATRA
Joutseno
Ylämaa
Nuijamaa border crossing
Vainikkala border crossing
Saimaa canal
VYBORG
Vaalimaa
Vaalimaa border crossing
Kuopio
Vaasa
SUOMI
Joensuu
Jyväskylä
Pori
IMATRA
Tampere
LAPPEENRANTA
Lahti
Vyborg
Turku
Vantaa
Моscow
St. Petersburg
Mila
n
a
lon
eld
rce
ss
Dü
Ba
HELSINKI
or
f
Espoo
TOURIST INFORMATION:
Follow and join us:
Imatra region
Lappeenranta region
Telephone codes
Lappeentie 12
55100 Imatra
Tel. +358 5 235 2330
[email protected]
Valtakatu 37
53100 Lappeenranta
Tel. +358 5 667 788
[email protected]
Country code to Finland: +358
Area code to Lappeenranta
and Imatra region: 5.
For example: +358 5 123 4567
www.youtube.com/gosaimaa
www.pinterest.com/gosaimaa
www.flickr.com/photos/gosaimaa

aLL yeaR-Round

Transcription

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