Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A COTTAGE BY A LAKE
The Lakeland is a particularly enticing place to search out a waterside cottage retreat or
cosy rural farmstay for a true Finnish holiday. Around 100,000 rental cabins and cottages
are dotted around the myriad lakes.
A good first point of investigation is the nationwide operators -
Lomarengas
has heaps
of options and also links to farmstays and rural B&Bs. A local operator with a decent port-
www.savonlinna.trave
l
, and Mikkeli's,
www.visitmikkeli.fi
,
both link to farmstay and
cottage-rental providers.
Seal Lakes
015
Two primarily watery national parks in the Savonlinna area offer fabulous lakescapes dot-
ted with islands, best explored by hiring a canoe or rowboat. Several outfitters offer these
services, and free camping spots dot the lakes' shores. This is perhaps the best part of the
Lakeland to really get up close and personal with this region's natural beauty.
This is the habitat of the freshwater Saimaa ringed seal. Separated from its Baltic cous-
ins at the end of the last Ice Age, it was in imminent danger of extinction during the 20th
century due to hunting and human interference. Though there remain only a precarious
300-odd of the greyish beasts, population levels are on the increase. Late May is the most
likely time to see seals, as they are moulting and spend much time on rocks.
Nestori
in
Savonlinna has national park information.
Linnansaari National Park
inhabited islands; the main activity centres around the largest island, Linnansaari, which
has marked trails. As well as the seals, rare birds, including ospreys, can also be seen.
The best way to experience the park is renting a kayak and spending a few days explor-
ing. Rowboats, motorboats, kayaks, canoes and camping equipment can be hired from
