[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” parallax=”content-moving-fade” parallax_image=”17965″][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1596089572144{margin-right: 200px !important;margin-left: 200px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Get active Experience the thrill of a husky safari at Rock and Lake<\/strong><\/a>, a perfect way to explore the Finnish winter wonderland. This exciting adventure is not only a delight for the whole family but also a treat for the huskies, who thrive on pulling the sled through the snowy landscape. After the exhilarating ride, take a moment to show your appreciation by showering the huskies with hugs and cuddles\u2014they adore the attention, especially from children. This unforgettable outing combines the joy of outdoor adventure with heartwarming moments of bonding with these friendly and affectionate dogs.<\/p>\n Or do you crave the thrill of speed? Try out the “eLyly” electric snow scooters with LakelandGTE<\/strong><\/a> at Sahanlahti Resort, where you can glide along groomed tracks in a snow-surfing adventure like no other. Riding an electric snow scooter is simple: if you can ride a bike, you\u2019ll master it in minutes. After your exhilarating ride, unwind at the Sahanlahti restaurant and enjoy our other amenities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1596089572144{margin-right: 200px !important;margin-left: 200px !important;}”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text css=””]Rock and Lake<\/strong><\/a> is located in Kangasniemi, in the heart of the Lake Saimaa region. They provide high-quality villas and a wide range of activities to make your stay unforgettable. In addition to husky safaris, you can enjoy guided snowshoeing tours, snowdog fishing safaris, and the invigorating experience of ice swimming.<\/p>\n LakelandGTE<\/a><\/strong>, located in Puumala, offers a variety of winter adventures, including snow scooter rides, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and the unique thrill of ice floating.<\/p>\n In Uhkua<\/strong><\/a> you are able to join guided fishing experience and after experience enjoy the burbot soup in an atmospheric old log house at Lake Saimaa. Learn the secrets of winter fishing and how to use a traditional wire fish trap to catch your very own turbot or two with their knowledgeable resident fisherman and chef Ilkka. During the c. 1hr snowshoe walk on ice you will be able to admire the stunning winter scenery of Lake Saimaa and learn about the fishing trade in the region. You will get to witness how fresh and local the fish we eat and serve is and how easy it can be to catch it.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”52px”][vc_single_image image=”30949″ img_size=”full” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1596089772051{margin-right: 200px !important;margin-left: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”17979″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1596089572144{margin-right: 200px !important;margin-left: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Smoke or ice sauna in Sahanlahti resort & local gourmet dinner\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n The Finnish sauna is propably up to 10\u00a0000 years old. The prehistoric sauna has com a long way to the modern electric saunas with their high-tec sauna stoves, but the traditional wood-heated sauna or smoke sauna are still the most popular options at cottages.<\/p>\n The health benefits of going to sauna have been known for centuries. In sauna, the skin temperature and pulse rise, metabolism speeds up and aching muscles relax. Sauna soothes and makes you feel calm and also improves your sleep. Sauna is pure health! <\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1596089572144{margin-right: 200px !important;margin-left: 200px !important;}”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Sahanlahti<\/strong><\/a> is a small, family run resort with hotel and cottage accommodation and two restaurants serving the best of local food made from seasonal ingredients. Both restaurants offer the most amazing lakeside views and the small guest harbour hosts visitors from near and far in the summertime. Built around an old sawmill, Sahanlahti is steeped in history and has a story or two to tell you as you wander around the resort.<\/p>\n Food based on high-quality, fresh and local products and the dedication to ethical and responsible farming are the cornerstones of Sahanlahti dining. All of this and the skill of people growing and preparing your food can be clearly tasted on your plate when dining at the atmospheric Koskivahti restaurant at Sahanlahti.<\/p>\n Your sauna would not be complete without the traditional sauna snack of sausages cooked on the sauna stove. These can be enjoyed on the sauna terrace with refreshments whilst cooling off from the sauna.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”52px”][vc_single_image image=”17988″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1596089572144{margin-right: 200px !important;margin-left: 200px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”18680″ img_size=”large”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]Cross country skiing & winter hiking in Punkaharju<\/strong><\/p>\n Close by the rental cottages you can reach well-maintained nordic skiing tracks, which are over 30 km long. Skiing tracks go along the fabulous Punkaharju ridge-area. Classic style skiing sets can be rented from rental point in Holiday Resort Harjun Portti<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Snowshoe walks give you an opportunity to experience winter nature in a way that is almost impossible to find otherwise. In Kruunupuisto<\/a><\/strong> you can find eight magnificent and clearly marked snowshoe trails around the ridges of the Punkaharju Nature Reserve and other exciting terrain.<\/p>\n The trails include alternatives for all ages and fitness levels, and no previous experience in snowshoe walking is required on the easier trails. Although Punkaharju Snowshoe Park does provide experienced hikers and nature walkers with plenty of challenges. You can go for a snowshoe walk on your own, with friends or you can ask to go one of Kruunupuisto guided walks. See the routes and more info from here.<\/a><\/p>\n While visiting Punkaharju, don’t forger to visit Finnish forest museum Lusto.<\/strong><\/a> Try out the most beautiful natural ice skating trail in Finland, from Oravi<\/strong><\/a> through Linnansaari National Park to Rantasalmi, or vice versa. The total length of the prepared route is 20-40 km depending on the weather conditions. The route is open for walkers, mountain bikes, kick sparks, skiers and skaters when the weather is permitting. There are fire places along the route and a cafeteria on Linnansaari (open during winter peak season).<\/p>\n The idyllic village Oravi<\/strong><\/a> is located in between the National Parks Linnansaari and Kolovesi. Oravi is offering variety of guided nature activities, the largest canoeing center in Saimaa, 17 lakeside villas, hotel and restaurant services in the village. Village of Oravi have been awarded with “Best village of Finland” – prize. For more luxury at your stay offers Kanava Resort with 9 new ecologically build villas. Each villa has kitchen, living room, terrace with grill, 2 bedrooms with total 4 guests, 2 showers and toilets and sauna with a view. Si it is everything that you want for perfect getaway. 3 of those villas are pet friendly, so you can take your best friend to explore the winter wonderland in Oravi.<\/p>\n Punkaharju<\/strong><\/a> is known as Finland’s oldest tourist destination and primarily a summer attraction, but in winter it transforms into a magnificent activity center. Every year, a roughly 15-kilometer-long ice skating route is constructed, connecting Harjun Portti<\/strong><\/a>, Punkaharju Resort<\/strong><\/a>, and Kruunupuisto<\/a><\/strong>, making them easily accessible. Punkaharju is often the first place where you can go ice skating. Alongside the ice skating track, a winter hiking trail is also created, as the ice can be challenging at times. However, you can safely move on the marked route. Whether you skate, ski, ride an electric bike, use a kicksled, or walk, a day spent enjoying the fresh air on the ice is an unforgettable experience, best topped off with a warm drink, salmon soup and waffles. Rental equipment is available at Harjun Portti and Kruunupuisto. After a day outdoors, it’s nice to move to the warmth of your own cabin, turn on the sauna, and maybe even take a dip in the ice hole. For those seeking a bit of everyday luxury, you can hop into the gentle steam of Kruunupuisto<\/a><\/strong>‘s newly renovated spa and enjoy the relaxation of warm water and other spa treatments.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”30595″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1596089572144{margin-right: 200px !important;margin-left: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]The industrial heritage of Varkaus and warm local culture events<\/strong><\/p>\n Lake Saimaa waterways that extend to the city centre, a lush natural environment and many destinations offer holidaymakers a many opportunities in the\u00a0Varkaus region<\/a>.<\/strong> Specialties include the city\u2019s own caviar and sturgeon delicacies as well as the home of amazing instruments, the Museum of Mechanical Music and the rich culture of wooden houses.<\/p>\n Varkaus is a great destination to visit year-round. The factory, which operates all year, remains a prominent feature in the cityscape and has become a striking landmark for Varkaus in a rugged way. Especially in winter, the factory’s steam creates a beautiful snowy veil on the arounding trees, adding a unique mystique to the town. The old wooden houses tell their own story throughout the seasons, and cultural attractions offer a variety of specialties for those thirsty for knowledge.<\/p>\n The Museum Center Konsti<\/strong><\/a> narrates the city’s history in general and with changing exhibitions. The wood industry, around which the city has developed, the famous architects and designers, and the story of the factory’s founding family are interesting to hear and experience in their own way. Visit old Varkaus<\/a> and explore the sites independently, or if you want to experience a true Finnish adventure, join the weekly sauna session at Kinkamon Aalto<\/strong><\/a>, complete with an ice hole, and simultaneously enjoy the splendor of the environment designed by Alvar Aalto. Notably, this is the only place where an Aalto-designed site is currently open to the public in Varkaus so definetely worth for visit. The Theatre of\u00a0 Varkaus<\/strong><\/a> is good way to spend an evening with culture. While most of the plays are in Finnish, there are also musical productions and club evenings from September to May mainly in the first Wednesday of the month.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”17971″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1596089572144{margin-right: 200px !important;margin-left: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Overnight in Scenery suite<\/strong><\/p>\n J\u00e4rvisyd\u00e4n<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>is a vibrant resort with plenty of activities or peace and quiet, whatever you wish to do. Nestled in a bay of Lake Saimaa, the resort offers luxury accommodation, an amazing spa and lots of nature activities. The resort has been run by Heiskanen family since 1658 and is steeped in tradition. Newest addition to the J\u00e4rvisyd\u00e4n family is the Kuru Resort<\/strong><\/a>, a private resort just for adults and just for ultimate relaxation and only 800m away from J\u00e4rvisyd\u00e4n.<\/p>\n
\nwith a winter holiday” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]The waterscape of Saimaa\u2019s Lakeland is gone in the winter. Now it\u2019s been replaced by snow-laden trees and icicled buildings, the enormous lakes frozen into a sprawling snow-covered expanse. If you\u2019re looking for an active winter holiday in Finland, Lake Saimaa is where you\u2019ll find it.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1596089772051{margin-right: 200px !important;margin-left: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”30945″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1596089572144{margin-right: 200px !important;margin-left: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Husky safaris and other interesting snow activities<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nLusto is the national museum responsible for forest culture and it illustrates the interaction between man and the forest from the past to the future.\u00a0Lusto\u2019s exhibitions, events, work demonstrations and theme days provide a diverse and illustrative insight into the significance of forests in the life of Finns. Lusto is sure to appeal to visitors of all ages.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”18686″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1596089572144{margin-right: 200px !important;margin-left: 200px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Finland’s longest ice skating trails on Lake Saimaa<\/strong><\/p>\n