The Finnish Lakeland area is an elaborate system of islands and isthmuses – narrow strips of land connecting the islands, with waterways, forests and lakes as far as the eye can see. As the water freezes over during the winter months (Mid January to Mid March), a fairy tale ice-rink appears, with a web of intertwining frozen paths providing the chance to skate on Europe’s largest Lake District.
During this short break you’ll join a guided tour, introducing you to the area and explain the different routes possible across the beautiful lakes. Then you’ll have the chance to explore the frozen lake system each day, spending time enjoying the magical winter wonderland setting. At the end of active days, your cosy accommodation complete with spa facilities awaits.
Departure Days: This trip operates with flexible arrival days from Mid-January to the end of March, depending on conditions. Please contact our Sales team for more information.
Take the train from Helsinki to Savonlinna and enjoy the winter landscape as you travel to Finnish Lakeland. On arrival you will be transferred to Hotel Jarvisydan on the shores of Lake Saimaa and next to the Linnansaari National Park. Settle into your accommodation, where stone and timber walls evoke the feeling of staying in a wilderness cabin, with all the comforts of a modern hotel.
There are three options for your evening meals, giving you the flexibility to choose a different experience - table reservations can be made on your arrival. Choose from the Bistro a la carte menu or the Fire menu at Restaurant Piikatytto at the hotel, or Restaurant Solitary, located at nearby Hotel Kuru.
After breakfast you’ll meet your guide who will show you how to use the equipment before heading to the frozen lake for your first outing on the ice. Then, spend time with the guide exploring the surrounding area on a 2-hour tour, learning about the region and the possible routes you can take during your stay. After a while you’ll make a stop where a fire is made and you can enjoy hot drinks and snacks before returning to the hotel.
Time back at the hotel can be spent relaxing. If you wish to soothe aching muscles after the morning’s activities, enjoy a session in the Lake Spa, which has been built in the middle of natural rock formations, with large windows overlooking Lake Saimaa. There are five different saunas to try, and in the winter you can take a dip in the frozen waters of the lake through a hole in the ice. There are also treatments and massages available for an additional charge.
If ice conditions are such that skating is not possible, you can swap your skates for snowshoes or fat bikes and explore the many trails that surround the hotel, marvelling at the snow laden trees and beautiful arctic scenery.
If you wish to try something a little different, there are other activities which can be booked at the hotel, perhaps join a snowshoe or snowmobile excursion from the hotel, subject to availability.
After breakfast, bid farewell to the wilderness and transfer back to the station for your train connection to Helsinki.
We highly recommend spending some time in Finland’s capital to enhance your travel experience. Please speak to one of our sales team for the different options available.
