Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TRAVELLING TO RUSSIA
A boat cruise along the Saimaa Canal to Vyborg, 60km southeast, in Russia, is something
of a spiritual journey to reunite Karelia.
Saimaan Matkaverkko
runs quick-and-easy 'visa-free' day cruises for all nationalities
from Lappeenranta to Vyborg aboard the M/SCarelia(from €65, departs 7.45am four to
six times weekly from late May to mid-September) that allow you around 3½ hours to
sightsee and shop. It's also possible to stay overnight in Vyborg, with prices varying by
season and usually costing more on weekends. You must provide the company with a
copy of your passport at least three days before departure (and passports must be valid
for at least a further six months from the end date of your trip). Book well in advance, as
these cruises are heavily subscribed. The company can also organise a package (from
€278, single supplement €175, meals and excursions extra, departing July to August) to
St Petersburg that includes the cruise to Vyborg and a bus on to St Petersburg, with two
nights' accommodation in Russia.
If you want to travel independently (and you have a visa), several train and bus services
pass through Lappeenranta on the way to St Petersburg and Moscow. For non-EU citizens
who haven't organised a Russian tourist visa before leaving their country of residence, in-
dependent travel is difficult to impossible. If you can endure a long wait and complex bur-
05-872-0722;Kievarinkatu 1A; 9am-noon Mon, Wed & Fri) in Lappeenranta. For further de-
tails on applying for a Russian visa, see (
Click here
).
Festivals & Events
Lemin Musiikkijuhlat
MUSIC
(
www.leminmusiikkijuhlat.fi
;tickets free-€20)
This four-day chamber-music festival takes place in late July or early August, mainly in
churches throughout Lappeenranta, Imatra and Lemi.
Sleeping
Chain hotels such as Sokos are plentiful.
