Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Twenty-three kilometres northwest of Lohja, and 5km north of the village of Sammatti,
just off Rd 104, is Paikkari Cottage, the birthplace of Elias Lönnrot, compiler of the
Kal-
evala
. It's an endearing cottage set amid summer-flowering meadows that would have mo-
tivated Lönnrot's Arcadian vision but today inspire picnics. Inside there's a small museum
that includes Lönnrot's
kantele
(Karelian stringed instrument).
Drinking
Kaljaasi
BAR
( 040-522-6612;
www.kaljaasi.com
;
3-9pm Thu & Sun, noon-midnight Fri & Sat late May-mid-
Jun, noon-11pm Sun-Thu, to midnight Fri & Sat mid-Jun-mid-Aug)
You can dock your boat right next to this serene summer bar floating on a platform in the
middle of the lake. If you don't have your own boat, staff can collect you from Virkkala,
7km south of Lohja (€10 return).
East of Helsinki
Finland's fascinating past comes to life in the towns east of Helsinki, with intact iron-
works, defensive fortifications and museums exploring the country's seafaring history.
Porvoo
019 / Pop 49,500
Finland's second-oldest town is an ever-popular day trip or weekender from Helsinki. Por-
voo (Swedish: Borgå) officially became a town in 1380, but even before that it was an im-
portant trading post. The town's fabulous historic centre includes the famous brick-red
former warehouses along the river that once stored goods bound for destinations across
Europe. During the day, Old Town craft shops are bustling with visitors, but staying on a
weeknight will mean you could have the place more or less to yourself. The old painted
buildings are spectacular in the setting sun.
