Your Exclusive Summer Holiday
A labyrinth of glistening blue lakes, dotted with rugged rocky islands and steep ridges shaped by glacial ice sheets. The lush woodlands oozing with ingredients for scrumptious gastronomy experiences, dishing out freshest flavours of Finland.
EXPERIENCE LUXURY
Over five nights and six days, the itinerary includes a variety of specifically designed activities that celebrate beautiful Finnish Lakeland. As one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe, the urge for tranquillity and closeness of the nature are dear necessities for the Finns. Letting yourself to travel deep in the heart of the Lakeland, is like a journey to Finnish identity.
Welgrow Travels welcomes you to experience the silent but compelling Saimaa, the largest Lake District in Europe, and the home of Finnish cuisine.
We pride ourselves in providing unrivalled, luxurious experiences unavailable anywhere else. We plan and organise your unique trip from start to finish, and are available throughout your stay as your hosts. The highest quality is our primary focus, so all hotels, guest houses/ cabins, restaurants, private chefs, transportation, activities and guides are selected and pre-checked in order to ensure you enjoy a first class experience.
| Day 01 | Day 02 | Day 03 | Day 04 | Day 05 | Day 06 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast at the harbour | Slow morning breakfast on board | Slow morning breakfast at the houseboat | Slow morning breakfast at the houseboat Morning sauna and swim |
Breakfast | |
| Arrival to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport / Savonlinna Airport |
Cruise on Lake Saimaa begins | Cruise to another location Seal safari on a smaller vessel |
Cruise to another location Fishing tour on a smaller vessel |
Cruise to another location Lunch on board. |
Check-out and private transfer to the Airport |
| Private transfer to Lakeland area and check-in to your Houseboat with welcome drinks |
Afternoon at leisure at The Lodge Sauna and jacuzzi is available |
Afternoon at leisure at The Lodge Sauna and jacuzzi is available |
Sami experience and reindeer visit | Your driver will bring you to Arctic Bath Check into your double room floating on the river |
Afternoon to enjoy the saunas and perhaps anicy dip in the river Selection of spa treatments available |
| Private dinner and overnight at your lodge | Private dinner and overnight at your lodge | Private dinner and overnight at your lodge | Private dinner and overnight at The Tepee camp | Dinner at Arctic Bath restaurant Overnight at Arctic Bath |
Dinner at Arctic Bath restaurant Overnight at Arctic Bath |
Your Experience
DAY 01 - THE ARRIVAL
Your plane descends towards Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, and you get your first glimpse of the green landscapes and glistening blue waters.
As you step off the plane, you catch your first breath of the clean air as you are welcomed by your driver-guide, who will look after you during your stay.
As your driver-guide is taking you from the airport towards Saimaa lake district, you are soon to notice the incredibly lush greenery, dotted with the bluest of lakes. The green forests and the blue lakes became synonymous with the Finnish national landscape during the golden era of Finnish art. Painters such as Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Eero Järnefelt travelled, with great effort, throughout the country and etched those landscapes into the national consciousness.
Your Experience
DAY 01 - INTRODUCTION OF THE HOUSEBOAT AND DINNER ATTHE HARBOUR
During your stay with Welgrow Travels, you will be taking an in-depth journey to the local food culture.
On offer will be a diverse range of local and organic food; here all raw materials are acquired from local producers. The meat comes from a private small butchery, fish from local fishermen, vegetables and root vegetables from nearby farms. The berries and mushrooms we use are also picked from the clean nature of the Saimaa area.
YOUR EXPERIENCE
DAY 02 - CRUISE ON LAKE SAIMAA BEGINS
Start for your lake adventure with the houseboat. Captain will take you to one of the islands in Linnansaari National park where you will spend the first night. You have the opportunity to go and explore the island and experience the clean, untouched nature by yourself.
Later on the day, you will hop on the Jet Skis and get an adrenalin rush by cruising your hearts out around the islands. Houseboat’s sauna will welcome you after your cruise and the bravest will also take a dip in the lake’s cool waters.
In the evening you can just sit back and enjoy the scenery while savouring yourself with your chef’s prepared 3 -course dinner on board.
YOUR EXPERIENCE
DAY 03 - NEW SCENERY AND A SEAL SAFARI
After a slow and enjoyable morning, the captain will sail you to a new location and you will be picked-up from the Houseboat to a Seal Safari.
Saimaa is the home of Saimaa ringed seal, one of the most endangered seals in the world and only found in Saimaa. During the excursion keep your eyes on the picturesque shoreline and hopefully you will get a glimpse of these rare and beloved creatures. Safari is taken on a nostalgic wooden boat.
Later the day, sauna will be heated again and you can relax on board enjoying Finnish summer warmth.
YOUR EXPERIENCE
DAY 04 - FISHING TOUR
During the morning while you are enjoying breakfast on board, your cruise will continue yet to another new location.
You will be taken to a private fishing tour with a professional fishing guide. You will learn about Finnish fish species and how to catch them; what bait to use and when to fish. During the safari a gourmet lunch in the wilderness from the days catch will be prepared by a chef.
Once returned to the Houseboat, you can either relax in the sauna and the boat’s deck or head out to another spin with the Jet Skis.
In the evening your private chef will indulge you with astonishing flavours prepared from local produce.
YOUR EXPERIENCE
DAY 05 - FAREWELL TO THE HOUSEBOAT AND IT’S SPA TIME
After a morning swim and sauna, and a long healthy breakfast, it is time to head the Houseboat towards a harbour and say goodbye to your floating summerhouse. It is time to take the relaxation to maximum and let yourself being pampered in the DaySpa treatments.
You will spend your last night in the Spa Hotel’s VIP suite.
YOUR EXPERIENCE
DAY 06 - DEPARTURE
The sun rises on your final day in Lake Saimaa – but the fresh air and the bountiful memories from your trip put a smile on your face. From the pier of the Spa hotel, if not blinded by the glistening of Saimaa, you can easily spot the fish swimming in the crystal clear water, playfully chasing each other. Do not be surprised if you sight an old, bearded man embracing himself with the joy of water. He’s Ahti, Finnish God of the Water and of Fishing. This is his empire, and you have been invited. Why don’t you jump in, for the last refreshing dip before it’s time to take the journey back home?
Picture Gallery
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