Cruise across the Finnish countryside on this lavish 9-day Finland self-drive tour from the old towns near Lappeenranta to the sensational scenes circling Anttolanhovi and Lake Saimaa. The magnificent Finnish forests, breathtaking blue lakes, and captivating cultural cities and towns showcase their vibrance and history during excursions to towering peaks, riverside cafés, religious monuments, and inspiring nature reserves around Lappeenranta, Imatra, Joensuu, and Anttolanhovi.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Lappeenranta - Explore Finnish Old Towns
Your cultural and nature tour of Finland will begin outside of Porvoo, where you will hire a rental car at the airport and take your time driving from town to town en route to your destination, Lappeenranta. Porvoo is a historic Finnish town where poets and artists would come to find inspiration, and you will experience the 1900s charm as you visit red wooden warehouses and cafés along Porvoo River’s waters edge. Then, continue to Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge before you arrive at the award-winning parks and gardens of Kotka. Your tour will end at a lavish lodge in Lappeenranta.
What's Included:
Day 2
Lappeenranta - The Fortress, Lake Saimaa, and Beyond
Day 3
Imatra - An Art Nouveau Castle and Crown Park
Day 4
Joensuu - Adventures in the Fabulous Finnish Wilderness
Day 5
Joensuu - Climbing in Koli National Park
Day 6
Anttolanhovi - Culinary Customs and Antique Architecture
Day 7
Anttolanhovi - Travel Anttolanhovi at Leisure
Day 8
Anttolanhovi - World War II History in Finland
Day 9
Anttolanhovi - Illustrious Snowy Scenes at Lahti
Trip Highlights
- Wander the Old Towns of Finland, including Porvoo and Kotka, to admire the distinct Karelian architecture and indulge in the regional cuisine
- Tour the historic museums and landmarks of Lappeenranta Fortress before you cruise across the stunning Saimaa Canal to Lake Saimaa
- Spend an evening in the comfort of a luxurious Art Nouveau castle, and then gallivant through the green forests of Crown Park Nature Reserve
- Explore the great Finnish countryside from the sparkling waters of Punkaharju lakes to the Finnish Forest Museum Lusto and the floral sanctuary, Punkaharju arboretum
- Climb the dusty mountain trails and winding pathways beneath the flourishing Koli National Park canopy and spot indigenous wildlife along the way
- Discover ancient traditions of Joensuu exploring the Market Place, the Artisan’s Quarter, the architecture of Taitokortteli, and the New Valamo Monastery in Heinävesi
- Amble the ancient pathways of Neitvuori in Anttolanhovi to capture the views of Lake Saimaa, fish in the tranquil waters, or devour delectable local delicacies on the banks
- Unpack the World War II history in Finland as you visit the Olavinlinna Castle, Mikkeli Headquarters Museum, and more in the charming towns of Mikkeli and Savonlinna
Starting Price
$6,200 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of this Travel Agency
4.77 stars based on 128 reviews.
Zicasso's travel company did an outstanding job planning our trip to Copenhagen and Helsinki. Every detail, from the airport pick-up to the hotel accommodations and knowledgeable tour guides, was executed flawlessly. The entire experience was seamless and stress-free. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and local expertise made our trip truly exceptional. We highly recommend them for anyone looking for a well-organized and memorable travel experience.
Reviewed By Jeff S.
The trip planned by Zicasso's travel company was generally good. The walking tour in Copenhagen was about 50% a repeat of the food tour. The hotels were good. The rental car was good and pick-up was close to our hotel. It appeared we could have dropped off the car in Gothenburg, close to our hotel, rather than driving back to the airport. There was a hotel payment issue in Gränna, but it was resolved before we checked out.
Reviewed By Brandon K.
Our trip was great. We sincerely appreciated the knowledgeable and personable travel guides in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Bergen. I do not remember the name of our food tour guide in Oslo, but she was also an interesting and competent guide. The drivers were all on time and much appreciated.
Reviewed By Lisa S.
Every detail was carefully planned and executed by Zicasso's travel agency, with a great choice of hotels. When a small glitch in the proceedings occurred, our travel agents took care of everything quickly and efficiently.
Reviewed By Roger E.
Zicasso and our agent listened to our requests and arranged exactly the type of trip and excursions that met and exceeded our expectations.
Reviewed By Heather J.
Working with the travel agent at Zicasso's travel company was fantastic. She turned our ideas into a magical storybook trip. She was so prompt at responding to any of our questions or requests and was able to organize the perfect trip, with amazing experiences and memories.
Reviewed By Wanda K.