Karelia - Finland - page 401

The 1929 construction of Imatra's hydroelectric complex (Finland's largest) dammed the
river, but the watery wonder lives on with the spectacular 20-minute Rapids Show , when
the dam is opened to a rousing son et lumière .
If your inner daredevil wants to get involved, Imatra Express ( GOOGLE MAP ;
044-016-1096; www.imatraexpress.fi ;basic/inverted €35/50, cheaper options when no rapids;
5-7pm Mon-Fri & Sun, noon-7pm Sat Jun ‑ late Aug, or by arrangement) runs a flying fox over the
gushing waters with a death-defying upside-down option.
Imatran Taidemuseo GALLERY
( GOOGLE MAP ;Virastokatu 1; 10am-7pm Mon-Thu, 10am-4pm Fri Jun-Aug, 10am-7pm Mon-Fri,
11am-3pm Sat Sep-May)
Attached to the public library, this bright white space has temporary exhibitions and a
strong collection of Finnish modernism, including works by Wäinö Aaltonen and a
Gallen-Kallela watercolour of the rapids during their heyday in 1893.
Vuoksen Kalastuspuisto FISHING
( GOOGLE MAP ; 05-432-3123; www.vuoksenkalastuspuisto.com ; Kotipolku 4;fishing €5, plus per
kg €14-22 for fish caught; 9.30am-6pm May, 9am-10pm Jun-Sep)
You can fish for salmon and trout in these stocked ponds in Mansikkala, use the on-site
smoker and purchase licences (per day/week €12/24) for the surrounding waters. There's a
seafood restaurant; it also rents bikes, rowboats and kayaks (per day €20), and offers com-
fy camping (tent sites €15 plus per person €4) and good-sized fishing cabins (€45).
Saimaa Adventures OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
( GOOGLE MAP ; 05-230-2555; www.saimma-adventures.fi ;Purjekuja 2)
Adrenaline-charged summer activities include quad-bike safaris (two people per hour
€180) and jet-ski rental (per hour €99); winter options include ski or snowshoe rental (per
two hours/day €10/25), ice-fishing (equipment rental per two hours/day €10/20), and for
the truly fearless, 90-minute tours floating in a drysuit along an icy stream (€48).
Festivals & Events