10 Days / 9 Nights - from £1,030 ppThe
Land of a Thousand Lakes Tour route passes through scenic countryside dotted with shimmering blue lakes, small towns with their quaint wooden quarters, and fascinating villages where you can stop off to discover genuine country life. You have the chance to sample a variety of accommodations at charming locations, each one having its own personal touch. The
self-drive tour offers you the freedom to discover the south western countryside and the
Lakeland in an independent way. We have suggested some points of interest to give you ideas of what to see and experience along the journey, but there are many more attractions worth a visit. The choice is yours. The lakes and forests offer great opportunities for lovely boat cruises and leisurely walks.
Package price includes:
- Direct return flights from London to Helsinki on British Airways or Finnair
- Airport transfers in Helsinki
- 8 days Hertz B class car hire with unlimited mileage
- 2 nights in 4* hotels in Helsinki
- 7 nights in country guesthouse / hotels
- A detailed road map of Finland
- Breakfasts in the hotels
- Taxes
Package price is £ 1,030 per person based on availability and two people sharing a double/twin room. Single supplement: £ 515.
Land of a Thousand Lakes Itinerary Day 1 - Arrive Helsinki Transfer to the centrally located 4* Hotel Linna. Finland’s capital offers a wide variety of things to experience ranging from an array of architectural gems, art, design and cultural offerings to great shopping facilities. Proximity to the sea and forest gives Helsinki its distinctive ambience.
Day 2 – Helsinki – Turku (~ 109 miles) Hire a car and head for Turku. To get the most out of the rural heritage landscapes in the stretch between the modern metropolis Helsinki and the
historic town of Turku, leave the main roads and head for the quiet byways. This is where the
King’s Road tourist route winds through fascinating small towns, charming villages and scenic countryside.
The historic road, which once
linked the Kingdom of Sweden with the Russian Empire, offers a wealth of cultural heritage sites worth a visit, including, the
Mustio Manor, the Fiskars Ironworks and the ruins of the
Raasepori Castle. As the oldest city and the former capital of Finland, Turku is home to the most remarkable medieval landmarks of the country including the Castle and the Cathedral. Aboa Vetus Museum shows the history of Turku and remains of early settlements. The wooden workshop houses of the Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum tell tales about the trades and city life of days gone by. Accommodation at Park Hotel, Turku.
Day 3 - Turku – Urjala (~ 65 miles) Head for Tampere, driving through green farming lands, and stop in the Nuutajärvi Glass village.
Finland’s oldest glassworks is today a producer of world-renowned Finnish art glass. The Glass Museum shows the history of glass and glassmaking in Finland and besides seeing glassblowers at work, visitors will also have the opportunity to try glassblowing. Accommodation in the historic ambience of the Nuutajärvi Glass Villa.
Day 4 - Urjala – Tampere (~ 33 miles) A leisurely drive to Tampere. With an industrial heritage, Tampere has an array of museums that show the culture of the working class such as Amuri Museum of Workers’ Housing. Vapriikki museum centre is located in an old industrial complex by the
Tammerkoski Rapids and Sara Hildén Art Museum houses a fine collection of modern art. Accommodation at 4* Scandic Hotel Rosendahl situated only five minutes drive from the city centre.
Day 5 - Tampere – Jyväskylä (~109 miles) On the Tampere-Jyväskylä route it is worth making the detour to Mänttä.
Gösta Serlachius Museum of Fine Arts at Mänttä is home to an outstanding private art collection. The old wooden church at Petäjävesi with a history dating back over 250 years is a fine example of
vernacular architectural tradition. Jyväskylä Region is renowned for buildings designed by the internationally acclaimed
Alvar Aalto. Accommodation at Hotel Yöpuu located in the heart of Jyväskylä.
Day 6 - Jyväskylä – Mikkeli (~ 71 miles) In Mikkeli the Kenkävero handicrafts center, earlier the largest wooden vicarage in Finland, is well worth a visit. Accommodation at Tertti Manor, a family-run farm and manor hotel with a beautiful main building that has been preserved the way it was in 1894. The fascinating gardens around the house invite for a leisurely stroll.
Day 7 - Mikkeli – Punkaharju (~ 87 miles) Head for Punkaharju, noted for its magnificent ridge area. The
medieval Castle in Savonlinna and the world’s largest wooden church in Kerimäki are places of interest near to Punkaharju. Accommodation at Punkaharju State Hotel.
Day 8 - Punkaharju– Lappeenranta (~ 78 miles) In the historical fortress area of Lappeenranta there are workshops of local artists and craftsmen.
Wolkoff House museum from the 19th century portrays the life of a Russian trading family. The Orthodox Church bears witness to the eastern influences on the Karelian culture. Accommodation at 4 * Scandic Hotel Patria.
Day 9 - Lappeenranta – Helsinki (~ 137) From Lappeenranta it is possible to continue back to Helsinki via Kotka, a town with maritime heritage, and visit the imperial fishing lodge built on the banks of the
Langinkoski Rapids. Another option is to drive via Kouvola and then turn off to Jaala to visit the unique
Verla Mill Museum and Village. Other points of interest along the journey include the old ironworks village in Ruotsinpyhtää dotted with red 18th-century workers’ houses, and the idyllic old quarter of Porvoo with its narrow cobblestone lanes and handicrafts boutiques. When arriving Helsinki, transfer to your hotel and return the car. Overnight in Helsinki at 4 * Sokos Hotel Torni.
Day 10 – Helsinki Departure. Check out from the hotel, transfer to the airport.