Outdoors Activities in Northern Lakeland Fam Trip

1000 Lakes Workshop is an international sales event that takes place in heart of the Lakeland Finland, Savonlinna. Savonlinna, as a historical town, built up on the islands, surrounded by the unique lake scenery, provides the inspirational atmosphere for the networking and creating successful business. The event brings together international buyers and Finnish suppliers from the Lakeland region. The event week starts with pre tours for buyers and continues with 1000 Lakes Workshop on May 21st. 

From Hilltop to Lakeside Shore: A Journey Through Finland's Natural Beauty
Experience the ultimate Finnish adventure, from the towering hilltops to serene lakeside views. Begin your journey at the Arctic Giant Birdhouse Hotel Jättiläisenmaa, perched atop Kivesvaara in Paltamo, where panoramic views of Finland’s Arctic Lakeland set the stage. Immerse yourself in Finnish culture with the Forest Sauna Experience before exploring Vuokatti’s diverse landscape through an electric bike tour, followed by a scenic hiking tour through the hills.

As your journey continues, enjoy the charm of Karelian architecture at Bomba, a serene and cultural retreat, before discovering the rich history of Wooden Nurmes. Indulge in local cuisine and experience forest yoga amidst breathtaking natural surroundings. Conclude your adventure with a guided tour of Koli’s iconic peaks, embracing the Finnish wilderness in its most stunning form.

Joensuu pulsates with modern city life, but nature can be found just around the corner. We are the center of our province in terms of events, restaurant life and shopping, as well as a transport hub. However, our surrounding nature offers nature trails, beaches, campfire sites and fishing opportunities right next to the city center.

 

Afternoon arrivals in Helsinki

17.25 Flight AY415 from Helsinki to Kajaani

18.25 Arriving in Kajaani

Drive from Kajaani Airport to Arctic Giant Birdhouse Hotel Jättiläisenmaa (1h).
Uncover the charm of Arctic Giant, a family-owned retreat in the heart of Finland’s Arctic Lakeland. Located atop Kivesvaara in Paltamo, Arctic Giant offers luxurious year-round accommodation with panoramic views of the vast wilderness stretching beyond the large landscape windows.
Committed to sustainability, Arctic Giant proudly participates in Visit Finland's Sustainable Tourism program.

Check-in and dinner at restaurant Makuhelmi

Forest Sauna Experience
The Forest Sauna Experience offers an authentic way to immerse yourself in Finnish culture and soul, combining relaxation with a deep connection to nature.

More details to follow.

Breakfast

Site inspection

Drive from Arctic Giant to Vuokatti (1h).

Guided Electric Bike Tour
Come discover Vuokatti from the seat of an electric fatbike. Enjoy smooth, flat lakeside trails or challenge yourself with more adventurous routes that wind through the hills of Vuokatti. The biking tour provides a small taste of what you can experience on Vuokatti's diverse trails.

Lunch at Haapala
The restaurant offers a high-quality lunch, perfectly paired with beverages from Haapala's own brewery.

Guided Hiking in the Vuokatti Hills
Embark on a captivating hiking tour through scenic hills, where a local guide will share intriguing stories about the region. Along the way, immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Finnish nature—stunning lake vistas, rolling hill landscapes, and the refreshing embrace of the forest.

Drive from Vuokatti to Nurmes

Arriving in Bomba, Nurmes

Check-in Break Sokos Hotel Bomba

Dinner at Bistro Ohto
Enter a mythical landscape and enjoy the generous, genuine hospitality of Nurmes!
Bistro Ohto on Lake Pielinen serves delicious food and tasty drinks that you will want to enjoy without haste, regardless of the size of your party. Ohto is Karelian for the King of the Forest – indulge in a warm bear hug from our staff! Welcome, or tulgua terveh!

More details to follow.


 

Breakfast and check-out

Coopop safari to the Puu-Nurmes, 1–2 h
On a ridge shaded by steep streets and beautiful birches, right in the heart of Nurmes you can find the protected and historically valuable Puu-Nurmes (Wooden Nurmes) and Vanha Kauppala (Old Market town). The majority of the area’s building property dates from the 1880s to the 1930s. Therefore Puu-Nurmes is known as one of the best-preserved wooden house areas in Finland. The residents of the area are especially lucky, as the ridge offers magnificent views of Lake Nurmesjärvi and Lake Pielinen. Travel tip: you can visit one of the wooden houses in the area, Voima Villa!

Lunch at Guesthouse Pihlajapuu + Karelian pie workshop 2 h
The traditional log house used to be a village school but has now been lovingly renovated for it’s new purpose, welcoming international visitors. We have ten bedrooms, seven rooms upstairs and three rooms downstairs, and can accommodate up to fifteen persons. There are lounges and balconies as well as a Finnish sauna heated with a log fire. Our kitchen provides fresh local food.

Relaxation in Kolin Mattila, for instance forest yoga or hammock relaxation moment 1,5–2 h
Kolin Mattila offera nature-oriented accommodation and event services while respecting cultural heritage. We want to play our part in creating a soothing, natural and life-affirming experience for every visitor in Koli's Mattila. You can come to us just as you are and take a breather from the daily grind!

Guided walking tour on the Koli peaks and visit at Luontokeskus Ukko 2–2,5 h
Ko­li Na­tu­re Cen­ter Uk­ko int­ro­du­ces you to Fin­land's most fa­mous na­tio­nal lands­ca­pe, as well as the wil­der­ness and tra­di­tio­nal en­vi­ron­ments of Eas­tern Fin­land. With a fo­cus on the na­tio­nal lands­ca­pe, the ba­sic ex­hi­bi­tion al­lows you to exp­lo­re the geo­lo­gy, na­tu­re, and cul­tu­re of Ko­li Na­tio­nal Park in depth. In the free hi­king ex­hi­bi­tion, you can sa­fe­ly learn the es­sen­tials of hi­king and hi­king eti­quet­te.

Check-in Break Sokos Hotel Koli

Dinner in Restaurant Kolin Ryynänen

More details to follow.
 

Breakfast and check-out

8.15 Site inspection, Break Sokos Hotel Koli Kylä

9.00 Transfer to Joensuu

10.00 Arriving in Joensuu

Guided tour in Joensuu city centre

11.30 Lunch at restaurant Filipof
The Filipof kitchen prepares food that is both delicious and down-to-earth, with roots in classic cooking. Lunches to suit your mood, honest pub food and a la carte meals prepared with genuine ingredients make your experience truly memorable! Menu includes colourful seasonal vegetables, fresh fish and other delights. Our exquisite desserts are a perfect ending to your meal.

12.30 Transfer to  Savonlinna

14:00 Arrival in Savonlinna, check-in to Spahotel Casino / Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone
 

THE JOINT WORKSHOP PROGRAM STARTS

1000 Lakes Workshop is an international sales event that takes place in heart of the Lakeland Finland, Savonlinna. The workshop is organized by the Lakeland regional DMOs. The buyers have a chance to meet and network with the local entrepreneurs during the free-flow meetings.


15:00: Saimaa Seal Cruise – Boarding the ship at Savonlinna harbor, we will explore the stunning landscapes of Lake Saimaa, the habitat of the Saimaa ringed seal, and the opportunities provided by the local lake nature, guided by an expert. The ship will dock at Illikka, at the Metsänpirkko pier.

17.30 Arrival at Illikka, hosted by Metsänpirkko – Together with Metsänpirkko, we will craft a traditional birch bark ring.

19.00 Transfer by bus for Putkisalo Manor, where we will enjoy the manor’s historical and scenic surroundings, meet the sheep, and experience authentic local cuisine prepared by DO Saimaa chef Ilkka Arvola.
                  
19:30 Get-together evening – The evening offers an opportunity to network, enjoy local flavors and experiences, and get into the right mindset for the next day’s Workshop.

Return to Savonlinna by bus at 22:00 → Arrival in Savonlinna at 23:00.

Breakfast

9:00–16:00 Byers meet suppliers 1000 Lakes Workshop Day at Wanha Kasino on the Island of Happiness. There will be nine themed corners, each representing Lakeland’s tourism regions.

In this workshop, local tourism operators will present their services and products to tour operators. The program includes meetings, presentations, and networking opportunities. The workshop serves as a platform for new partnerships and a chance to discover unique tourism experiences from the lake district.

12:00 Lunch at Spahotel Casino

13:00 Workshop continue

14:30 Coffee break 

16:00 Workshop ends

FREE TIME 

18:00 Guided Themed Tour in 550 years old medieval Olavinlinna Castle – This exclusive, customized tour will take us to the eastern bastion, a rarely visited area. We will explore the castle’s darker history and visit some of the more unique spaces in the main castle—expect some surprises along the way!  (Walking time from Spahotel Casino ca. 15 min and from Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone ca. 10 min.)

19:30 Medieval Dinner in Olavinlinna – A medieval-style feast with entertainment and live music.

Breakfast and check-out

Transfer to Helsinki Vantaa airport

Afternoon flights to home

Thank you for visiting Finland!

 

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