The Lakeland - Finland - page 349

Sulkava
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Sedate, scenic Sulkava, 39km southwest of Savonlinna, is the finishing point for the Squir-
rel Route . There's tourist information in Alina ( 044-417-5215; www.sulkava.fi ;Alanteentie
28; 9am-4pm Mon-Fri, 9am-2pm Sat Aug-Jun, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat, 11am-3pm Sun
Jul) , a friendly cafe that can provide details of the numerous rental cottages in the area.
Sulkavan Suursoudut ( www.suursoudut.fi ) is a massive rowing festival that attracts big
crowds and some 7000 competitors over its four days in mid-July. Competitors row
wooden boats around Partalansaari over a 70km two-day course or a 60km one-day
course, then get thoroughly hammered. The highlights are races between large longboats -
kirkkovenettä - traditionally used to get to church across the lakes. There are competitions
for all abilities, and you might be able to find an oar for yourself in one of the teams.
Right in the town centre, Ollinpolun Matkakoti ( 050-593-9688;
www.ollinpolunmatkakoti.fi ;Ollinpolku 2;s/d €55/100; ) has simple, comfortable, typically
Finnish rooms. A good breakfast is served at the owner's nearby cafe.
There are daily buses from Savonlinna and weekday ones from Mikkeli. Two buses run
weekdays from Sulkava to Juva.