Summer in Savonia
Finland 6 Days 5 Nights
EUR1250
Total package price for 1 traveler
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Overview
Highlights
- Explore Finnish Lakeland, the labyrinthine expanse of thousands of shimmering lakes interlaced with islands and pristine verdant forests in Kuopio.
- Indulge in an eclectic culinary adventure blending locally sourced wild food, creative chefs, and the city's cultural history in Kuopio, awarded the European Region of Gastronomy title for 2020-2021.
- Visit Suonenjöki, Finland's biggest strawberry-producing region with a visit to the local berry farm with a delectable picking and tasting of strawberries and berry liquor produced in the farm in a countryside-style farm picnic of farm goodies.
- Enjoy a leisurely cruise through the Lake Kallavesi, enjoying the waterfront view of the city of Kuopio navigating through a myriad of islands.
- Visit the Puijo peak, dating back to the ice age and the iconic Puijo Tower, famous for the ski jumping world cup championships and experience a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding Puijo hill and forest reserve.
- Experience the Farm-to-Table gastronomy concept in the unique Puijon tower revolving tower restaurant, which combines the delectable local Savonian flavors and 360-degree views of the breathtaking scenery of the surrounding forests, Kallavesi lake, and the city of Kuopio.
- Experience a "Nature on your Plate" session, foraging for herbs with a wilderness expert and learning to make a wild herb-inspired meal in a beautiful lakefront manor house.
- Visit local craft brewery and tasting session of their specialty craft beers and long drinks in the tap room.
- Experience the secret of Finnish wellness, "Sauna" and the revered smoke sauna.
- Pamper yourself with a luxurious outdoor spa complete with a heated infinity pool overlooking the lake Kallavesi.
Who is this for?
This is an escorted trail ideal for small groups of 6-12 travelers looking for the ultimate Lakeland experience and the possibility to live like a summer Finn.
Tags
#Finnishgastronomy, #SATOAFestival, #LiveLikeALocal #SustainableGastronomy, #FarmtoTable, #Summercottage #RegionalCuisine, #Openfiremenu #ExperimentalGastronomy, #Ecoluxury, #Finnishnature, #Sauna, #Outdoorspa #LakelandSavo, #Berryfarm #Berryliquortastings #Revolvingrestaurant # PuijoPeak #Countrysidegetaway, Offbeatholiday #Citybreakwithatwist #Berrysparklingwine #Lakelandsummer #ERG2021 #EuropeanRegionofGastronomyKuopio #Natureonyourskin #Cookingwithlocal #strawberrypicking #Farmpicnic #Smokesauna
At a glance
Price Includes
Five breakfasts.
Three lunches in top restaurants in Kuopio.
A unique multicourse Farm-to-Table lunch at Puijo revolving tower restaurant.
A wild herb-inspired meal prepared by a wilderness expert at a lakefront manor house.
Visit the local berry farm and berry picking and tasting session at the farm.
A countryside outdoor picnic with specialty berry liquor and sparkling wine produced in the farm winery and other farm goodies in a strawberry farm.
Visit to the local brewery and tasting session of the specialty beers and long drinks in the tap room.
Visit to Puijo Peak and entrance to the Puijo revolving tower which offer a 360-degree magnificent view of the Puijo hill, the lake and Kuopio city.
A luxury outdoor spa and sauna by the lake Kallavesi.
Lakeland cruise in lake Kallavesi enjoying the myriad of lakes and islands enjoying the waterfront view of the city of Kuopio.
Guided tour of the main attractions of the city of Kuopio.
All domestic transport (public transportation) included in the itinerary.
Pick-up by taxi from the railway station/airport to the hotel and back.
A guide/escort for all the activities included in the itinerary.
Price Excludes
International flight tickets.
Schengen visa expenses.
Travel insurance.
Anything explicitly not mentioned in the "Inclusions".
Add-Ons
Add a visit to the local craft brewery and enjoy tasting of the in-house specialties @30€ per person.
Itinerary
Accomodation: 4-star urban hotel
Kuopio - European Region of Gastronomy Capital
- Arrival in Kuopio.
- Pick-up and transfer to the city accommodation.
- Kuopio in North Savonia was established as a city in 1652. Situated on a peninsula surrounded by lakes in three directions, Kuopio has been awarded the prestigious European Region of Gastronomy (ERG) Award 2020-21, a recognition that brings together local food producers, creative chefs, and sustainable food practices together in a vibrant range of culinary-art festivities through the summer.
- You will experience the delectable Savonian flavors in a tasty lunch at one of the chic restaurants, part of the ERG ensemble.
- In the afternoon, you will set out for a guided walk around the city and visit the famous Kuopio Market Hall and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the summer city.
Breakfast, Lunch
Accomodation: 4-star urban hotel
City Tour, Puijo Hill, and Revolving Restaurant
- After breakfast, you will set out for an escorted city tour visiting the main city attractions such as Riisa Orthodox Church Museum, the Kuopio Quarter Museum dedicated to the first Finnish female writer, Minna Canth, the City Park and Valkeisenlampi, a beautiful lake and beach shore in the middle of Kuopio.
- In the afternoon, you will visit Puijo Peak nature park and the iconic Puijo tower, the pride of Kuopio. The Puijo Peak is a one-of-a-kind virgin forest park in the middle of Kuopio and one of the oldest private protected nature preserves in Finland. The Ski jumping tower in Puijo has hosted about 43 World Championships & a regular training ground for Olympic athletes. The 75 m-tall Puijon tower, located at 224 m above lake Kallavesi and 306 m above sea level, offers a magnificent 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding Lakeland vistas.
- Indulge in a one-of-a-kind dining experience combining the architectural wonder of the revolving tower, which takes about 30 minutes to rotate 360 degrees and a unique farm-to-table sustainable fine-dining concept in the backdrop of the amazing panoramic view of pristine Lakeland nature.
- Return to the accommodation.
Breakfast, Fine-dining Lunch
Accomodation: 4-star urban hotel
Cruises, Luxury Spas & Saunas
- After breakfast, set out to experience the Lakeland Savo in all its glory through a leisurely cruise on Queen R in the lake Kallavesi, navigating through the myriad of hundreds of lakes and islands and enjoying the waterfront view of the city.
- Enjoy a luxury spa session complete with jacuzzi, infinity pool, and smoke sauna, rated as one of the best in the world in an outdoor Spa center with one of the biggest terraces in Finland, overlooking lake Kallavesi.
- After the pampering sauna ritual, enjoy a superb lunch in the in-house restaurant.
- In the afternoon, we visit the local brewery which has won many accolades for their creative beers and long drinks, such as the "Let’s Settle This Like Adults" beer brewed specially for the Putin-Trump Helsinki summit. Enjoy a tasting session of the house specialties in their taproom.
- Return to the accommodation.
Breakfast, Lunch, Brewery tasting
Accomodation: 4-star urban hotel
All Things Berrilicious
- After breakfast, we will leave to the small town of Suonenjoki, nicknamed as the "Strawberry Town", famous for being the largest producer of strawberries in Finland and host to the annual Strawberry carnival. After the bus ride and a short walk away from the city of Kuopio, you will reach the "Strawberry Region of Finland".
- You will visit one of the oldest family-run strawberry farms in the region. After meet and greet with the hosts and exchanging pleasantries, you will get a chance to pick fresh strawberries from the farm followed by a picnic on the farm with tasty goodies and berry liquor produced in the farm itself. You will also get a chance to visit the small farm shop which sells berry-related products made on the farm itself.
- Return back to Kuopio to the accommodation.
Breakfast, Picnic lunch
Accomodation: 4-star urban hotel
Kuopio Harbour, "Nature on Your Plate" & Heritage Manor House
- Visit Kuopio harbor to enjoy the true spirit of the waterfront city and catch the lively mood of the "Summer Finns".
- Enjoy a tasty lunch of fried vendace "Muikku", the specialty of Saimaa region and a true superfood. This tiny freshwater fish doesn't taste quite "fishy" and is a true delicacy for all fish lovers. It is such a part of the Finnish culture that when someone takes a photo, it’s the go-to-word to get everyone to smile, just like saying, “cheese!”
- In the afternoon, you will visit a charming heritage manor house in Koivumäki. Dating back to 1792, the beautiful manor house which speaks the glorious culinary history of Northern Savo is set in the backdrop of the beautiful nature, and is a favorite venue for lavish evening parties. You will forage for edible wild herbs in the manor garden, under the guidance of a wilderness and nature guide, who will not only introduce you to the wonderful world of wild food but also how the wild herbs can be efficiently used in wellness treatments. The foraging session will be followed by a wonderful meal at the manor, using the wild herbs foraged by you.
- Return to the accommodation.
Breakfast, Lunch, Wilderness meal
Accomodation:
Adios to Northern Savonia
- Check-out and transfer to the bus station/railway station/airport.
- Departure.
Breakfast
Know Before You Book
- This premium trail could be customized to implement in mid-range as well.
- All the service providers included in the itinerary are partners of the European Region of Gastronomy Kuopio, presenting you a unique and sustainable travel experience, combining nature, gastronomy, wellness and luxury.
- The particular itinerary could be planned around any of the Kuopio summer-autumn festivals.
- This is an activity-filled itinerary which could be customized to be made at a more leisurely pace as well.
- The itinerary will be using a public transportation as much as possible and lots of walking in the city, the perfect way to enjoy the leisurely waterfront city of Kuopio.
Accomodation & Activities
*The accommodation included in the itinerary is 4-star rated.
**The accommodation options are flexible and will be confirmed only after confirming the group size and date of booking.
