Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
Swooshing down the ski slopes or swooping above the tree line aboard
the summer chairlift at
Koli National Park
2
Shooting Ruunaa's rapids on a rubber
raft
3
Cruising from Lappeenranta to the Karelian town of Vyborg on a 'visa-free'
4
Ticking another 'superlative place' off your list beyond Hattuvaara at the
far-flung
easternmost point of the EU
5
Walking with a
reindeer
in its natural habitat in the pristine Lake Pielinen
region's Haapalahti
6
Dangling upside down over torrents of water on a flying fox across the
7
Falling in love with the woodland chapel at
Paateri
, carved by artist Eva
Ryynänen
8
Spending the night in an
animal hide
near Lieksa, awaiting wolverines,
lynx and bears
9
Hiking the poignant
Karhunpolku (Bear's Trail)
, scattered with WWII re-
mains
Lappeenranta
05 / Pop 72,700
On the banks of Lake Saimaa - Finland's largest lake - Lappeenranta has encountered
wild swings of fortune. Once famous for its scarlet-clad garrison, the 17th-century 'Cav-
alry City' was a humming trade port at the edge of the Swedish empire. In 1743 it came
under Russian control, where it remained for the next 68 years, becoming an exclusive spa
town. Much of the town was destroyed during the Winter and Continuation Wars, but its
massive fortress and spa endure.
Russia still owns half of the 43km Saimaa Canal, which links Lappeenranta to the Gulf
of Finland. It's currently 'leased' to Finland until 2063 - popular day trips run through its
eight locks and across the Russian border.
