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Days |
4 |
Journey |
Helsinki - Kotka - Lappeenranta - Savonlinna - Helsinki |
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An eastbound cruise on a small boat from Helsinki enables you to experience two different insular worlds connected by the Saimaa Canal. Saimaa is Finland's largest lake. The cruise passes several beautiful islands of the eastern Gulf of Finland. Words cannot describe this special summer feeling on the islands. The sea, the haze, the wind and the sounds must be experienced all together. Langinkoski and the Imperial Fishing Lodge are without doubt the most widely known destinations of the summer cruises. Czar Alexander III, being fond of fishing and simple life, found here the beauty of the surrounding nature and the river rich in salmon. In many books about Russian Czars there is a photo showing Empress Dagmar, her son and the captain of the imperial yacht Tsaverna peeling potatoes on the kitchen stairs of the Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge. Kotka offers many more sights, among them Maritime Centre Vellamo and Sapokka Water Park
Brief Itinerary:
Day 1 |
Departure from Helsinki, Finland South Harbour 10:30
Kotka 17:00-20:30
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Cruise Package Includes
- Accommodation in cabin Sofia.
- Full board (3 x breakfast, 4 x lunch and 3 x dinner)
- Onboard entertainment
- Excursions as below
- Port dues, Taxes and duties
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Day 2 |
Mälkiä lock 08:00, Lappeenranta 09:00-10:45
Arrival in Savonlinna 18:15
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Day 3 |
Departure from Savonlinna 11:00
Puumala 14:45-15:30
Lappeenranta 19:30-20:15
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Day 4 |
Kotka 09:00-09:30
Arrival in Helsinki 16:00
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Itinerary:
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| Day 1: Departure from Helsinki 10:30, Kotka excursion |
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Arrive at the Cruise harbour in Helsinki at least 60 minutes before the cruise departure time
Reach Kotka and starty sightseeing in the Era of the Czars and Catherine the Great, approx. 3 hours. On this tour, the guide will tell you about various events in Kotka during the Russian reign. You will visit the Imperial Fishing Lodge situated at Langinkoski approx. 5 kilometers from the centre of Kotka, built for Alexander III and his family in 1889. Parks at their best can be admired in the centre of Kotka and the Sapokka Water Park, which has won more prizes than any other park area in Finland. The Kotkansaari fortress community during the era of Catherine the Great and the Greek-Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas will be presented at Sapokanlahti. The tour is completed by a visit to the Maritime Centre Vellamo, which is an architectural masterpiece in the old port of Kotka.
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| Day 2: Arrival in Lappenenranta 09:00 |
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Saimaa Canal Museum and Sightseeing in Lappeenranta (Thursday), approx. 2,5 hours
The Saimaa Canal Museum is located in Lappeenranta, near the Mälkiä lock. The building dates from 1845; the small display in the porch of the museum reveals the different wall layers of the building. Outside, the visitor can admire the beautifully restored courtyard. The permanent exhibition focuses on the many interesting facets of the history of the Saimaa Canal. An entire section is devoted to the construction of the canal, from the 17th century Pontus Canal to the present-day Saimaa Canal. On display is a pantograph, dating from 1844, which was used in the construction. You can also watch a video which illustrates the building process of the present Saimaa Canal over the period of 1963-68.
After visiting the Museum, make a short, guided sightseeing tour in Lappeenranta. Embarking the ship and continue cruise to Savonlinna. |
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Day 3: Olavlinna tour, departure from Savonlinna 11:00 |
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Olavinlinna Tour (Friday), approx. 1,5 hours
The tour goes from the harbour along the oldest street in Savonlinna, Linnankatu Street, to Olavinlinna castle. The medieval fortress standing in the middle of the swiftly-flowing straits of Kyrönsalmi is one of the best-known historical attractions in Finland. The castle was founded in 1475 by a Danish-born knight, Erik Axelsson Tott, to defend the kingdom of Sweden against attacks from Russia. During its eventful history, Olavinlinna has witnessed a good many battles, and intriguing tales about the castle have lived on until the present day. The first opera performances were staged in the castle as early as 1912, and today the castle provides the venue for the Opera Festival as well as other popular events. After the guided tour in the castle return to the harbour.
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Day 4: Arrival in Helsinki 16:00 |
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After breakfast arrive in Helsinki and continue your onward journey.
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