Tour
Day 1:
Arrival to Helsinki airport and one and a half hour drive by rental car to Kouvola (about 130 km), Sokos Hotel Vaakuna in the city center. In the afternoon, a visit to Mustila Arboretum, the most significant arboretum in northern Europe with over 300 different kinds of trees and thousands of rhododendrons and azaleas in bloom in June. In the evening, Tykkimäki’s sauna by the lake.
Day 2:
Local firms offer a wide variety of services from natural outdoors meals to rock climbing trips and guided tours. On the Ketunlenkki trail (5 km) in the nationalpark, you can experience Repovesi’s highlights, including a suspension bridge, the manually operated Fox’s ferry and breathtaking views over green forests and blue lakes. For a change from hiking you can explore the lakes of Repovesi by canoe or on boat tours. Accommodation either at Orilampi Cottage and Holiday Centre (9 km from Repovesi) or Kirjokivi Mansion (7 km from Repovesi).
Day 3:
On your way to Kotka from Repovesi National Park (50 km from Kouvola), you can visit a unique UNESCO World Heritage site at Verla groundwood and board mill (27 km from Repovesi National park). The mill was established by the Verla rapids in 1872. Arrival and accommodation at Santalahti Resort. Santalahti is a five star holiday resort located only 5 km from Kotka city centre at the seaside. Santalahti offers accommodation in cottages, luxury apartments and at a five-star camping site.
Day 4:
Visit the Maritime Centre Vellamo. Its architecture is unique and its museums are full of stories of the sea and the region. The Maritime Museum of Finland and the Kymenlaakso Museum invite you to experience history in many ways: listen, look, smell, touch and play. In the summertime, the Museum Icebreaker Tarmo welcomes you onboard for an adventure on the ship.
In the afternoon excursion to the enchanting Hamina with its narrow streets and historic town center. On the way back stop at the imperial fishing hut Langinkoski. Overnight at Santalahti Resort.
Day 5:
After breakfast, departure to Strömfors Iron works area (35 km from Kotka). The old craftsmen tradition is continued at the iron works, which makes the setting unique. Life in the century-old area continues whilst maintaining old traditions. The area has museums and handicrafts shops, restaurants and cafes. Journey continues to Porvoo (40 kilometers) from Strömfors. With its red riverside warehouses, Old Porvoo is one of Finland’s most photographed landscapes.
Day 6:
Excursion to Loviisa with its impressive wooden house district. In the Svartholma sea fortress you can learn interesting facts about its exciting history. From Loviisa the journey continues to Pellinki island in Porvoo. On the Island Riddle adventure hike in Pellinki, you can collect clues as you walk through an enchanting fores and along stunning cliffs and silent waters. Also in Porvoo Bosgård Manor offers organic BBQ food, nature trails, and a chance to get acquainted with a real working farm.
Day 7:
After breakfast, departure to Sipoonkorpi nationalpark. The woods are surrounded by rolling fields and picturesque villages. Sotunki Kalkinpolttajan Nature Trail, 4,8 km leads through demanding terrain. Kalkinpolttajan Nature Trail circles in the field and forest landscape in the traditional limestone mining and agricultural area within the vicinity of the village of Sotunki. After a lovely day in the forest return the rental car to Helsinki Airport (30 min).
