The Secrets of Saimaa - Product manual by Dominus

THE SECRETS OF SAIMAA – PRODUCT MANUAL

SUOMI HELSINKI PoriTurku Tampere Jyväskylä KuopioKajaani RovaniemiOulu Joensuu Lahti EspooVantaa PorvooKouvola VarkausMikkeliSavonlinna TALLINNSTOCKHOLM KotkaHamina 100 km NORWAY FINLAND IMATRA IMATRA Ruokolahti RautjärviParikkala LuumäkiLemiYlämaa Nuijamaa Savitaipale LAPPEENRANTA Rauha Joutseno/Taipalsaari South-KareliaFinlandLappeenrantaandImatraregion LAPPEENRANTA LAKE SAIMAA

THE SECRETS OF SAIMAA – PRODUCT MANUAL 3 4-5 The secrets of Saimaa round tour example 6 Lappeenrannan Upseerikerho 7 Suvorov band 8 B & B Hiitolanjoki, Nature Healing Powerhouse 9 Dramandala 10 Pinja Sointu 11 Retuperä Reload 12 RIB Saimaa 13 Suomen Metsäterapiakeskus 14 Black and White Theatre 15 Vuoksi Fishing Park INDEX

TRANSPORTATION FROM HELSINKI TO LAPPEENRANTA (2-3 h)

Mystery Forest -tour (2 h) at Pirunkirkko with a forest musician Pinja Sointu & Retuperä Reload’s nature instructor Ninni Kopo nen, in cooperation with B & B Hiitolanjoki

Hiitolanjoki River in Rautjärvi, South Karelia, is home to Finland’s last remaining stock of original and fully natural landlocked salmon. Barriers to the upstream movement of mi gratory fish will be removed and three new flowing rapids will be created. With a combined descent of 18 meters, the rapids at Ritakoski, Lahnasenkoski and Kangaskoski will form an excep tionally stunning passage in Southern Finland. hiitolanjoki.fi/engosaimaa.com/en/hiitolanjoki-river(source)

GUIDED TOUR TO HIITOLANJOKI

DRIVE TO PIRUNKIRKKO (30 min) A FLAG CAVE DEVIL’S CHURCH gosaimaa.com/en/devils-church-cave-pirunkirkko

gosaimaa.com/en/about-the-region/lappeenranta

gosaimaa.com/en/about-the-region/rautjarvi

Restaurant Military Officers Club is a full-service restaurant on a scenic spot of Rakuunamäki district in Lappeenranta, on the shore of Lake Saimaa. lappeenrannanupseerikerho.fi/en-us Suvorov band performs in a theatrical way combining old and new styles, storytelling concentrates to historical figure, gener alissimos Suvorov, and the history of Finland on a modern way. facebook.com/suvorovband (FIN)

B & B Hiitolanjoki, Bed & Breakfast and Nature Healing Power house offers affordable but quality accommodation on the banks of the Hiitolanjoki River in Rautjärvi. They also organize themed excursions. bbhiitolanjoki.figosaimaa.com/en/bb-hiitolanjoki(FIN)

NATURE, A SOFT HIKE (1 h)

The Bear Mythology is a one-man inclusive show which allows the audience to empathize to the interesting and calm storytell ing. Dramandala’s Sami captures the audience and takes them to an ancient theme. tilitysjavalitys.fi (FIN)

THE SECRETS OF LAKE SAIMAA DAY 1

B & B HIITOLANJOKI

SAUNA & SWIM SNACK DAY 2

4 THE SECRETS OF SAIMAA – PRODUCT MANUAL PROGRAM AT THE B & B

A SWORD DINNER & SUVOROV BAND

Bed & Breakfast and Nature Healing Powerhouse CHECK-IN

A soft hike to the forest and program at the Devil’s church with nature guides mentioned above. Program. pinjasointu.fi retuperareload.fi(FIN)(FIN)

THE BEAR MYTHOLOGY (1 h) performer: Dramandala/Sami Kettunen agency: Kulttuurin Tilitys ja Välitys

RESTAURANT UPSEERIKERHO

DRIVECHECK-OUTBREAKFASTTOHIITOLANJOKI (5 min)

-MUSIC PERFORMANCE

DRIVE TO RAUTJÄRVI (1 h)

ISLAND HOPPING IN IMATRA WITH A RIB BOAT by Olli Ahonen A safe ride with a RIB boat to the island labyrinth of Lake Saimaa Purest Finland. ribsaimaa.fi (FIN)

EVENING SNACK BY THE FIRE FIRE SHOW BY LIEKINKIELI (30 min) agency: Black & White Theatre SAIMAA ROUND TOUR EXAMPLE

SAUNA AND SAUNA RITUALS

FARM MANOR VISIT & LUNCH AT OHTANIEMEN PIDOT (Ohtaniemi feast) The former cook of the three former presidents of Finland, Miss Riitta, opens the doors to her home and cooks a fantastic open buffet to the audience. Storytelling as a part of the experience. ohtaniemenpidot.com/tietoa-meista (FIN) DRIVE TO IMATRA(1 h)

VISITCHECK-OUTBREAKFASTTOVUOKSI

Sauna is a holy place for the Finns, Taru will introduce the audi ence to different sauna rituals.

ARRIVAL TO HAAPASAARI (island) Suomen Metsäterapiakeskus, Taru Astikainen CHECK-IN Haapasaari island offers relaxation, sauna experiences and tasty food for the guests. In Haapasaari guests can get to know the forest. metsaterapiakeskus.figosaimaa.com/en/metsaterapiakeskus(FIN)

LiekinKieli duo Julian & Reetta interpret the story of fire. Black and White Theatre mediate different cultural shows, theatre art, etc. LiekinKieli being one of those. blackandwhitetheatre.fi/en DAY 3

LUNCH AT VUOKSI FISHING PARK DEPARTURE TO HELSINKI FROM IMATRA (2,5-3,5 h) DRIVE TO OHTANIEMI (30 min)

THE SECRETS OF SAIMAA – PRODUCT MANUAL 5

FISHING PARK (Vuoksen kalastuspuisto) SOFT ACTIVITIES/PROGRAM

Vuoksi Fishing Park located in the Imatra city center, it is an oasis, which offers caravan, sauna, restaurant, and activity ser vices, among fishing and summer cruises on the river Vuoksi. vuoksenkalastuspuisto.figosaimaa.com/en/vuoksi-fishing-park(FIN)

A beverage pairing has been planned for the sword meal, for which you can choose a welcome toast, white wine and red wine, as well as cognac or liqueur with coffee. Schnapps can also be included in the meal, which is enjoyed together in the man ner of the cavalry. Non-alcoholic options are also available. We welcome you to enjoy hundreds of flavours and stories at the Officers’ Club Restaurant.

T he Officers’ Club Restaurant is a lunch and private res taurant open to everyone in Rakuunamäki, on the sho res of Saimaa. The original Officers’ Club was establis hed in 1890. The Officers’ Club is a popular place for family and business parties. The restaurant is located just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Lappeenranta. What makes the Officers’ Club unique is its history and the hundreds of flavours and stories that are part of our service. On weekdays, you can enjoy a tasty buffet lunch. A wide selec tion of beverages and refreshments is also available. For groups, the Officers’ Club is a unique place to visit.

• Must be reserved seven days in advance

6 THE SECRETS OF SAIMAA – PRODUCT MANUAL EXPERIENCE FLAVOURS AND STORIES AT THE OFFICERS’ CLUB Hannu Hyppönen | Lappeenrannan Upseerikerho | Upseeritie 2, 5300 Lappeenranta +358 50 555 8040 | upseerikerho@lappeenrannanupseerikerho.fi | www.lappeenrannanupseerikerho.fi

meal from a wooden serving dish. For dessert, a local pastry known as Rakuunaleivos is served.

• Available on weekdays and Saturdays from 16.00 to 21.00

• Menu from EUR 69.00 per person

Tykistöpää, Rakuunapää and the banquet hall offer a total of over 200 customer seats in three halls. Five meeting rooms with presentation equipment and comfortable sauna facilities are available for reservations. Our specialty is a three-course sword meal. The starter is the cavalry lieutenant’s soup, which is served on an army tin plate with a spoon-fork. The main dish is the cavalry captain’s steak, which is flamed on a sword with cognac and served as a group

• The smallest group size is eight and the largest is 50 people

The Lappeenranta Officers’ Club and its sur roundings offer a great opportunity to enjoy Saimaa’s beautiful nature. At the Officers’ Club, you can see and hear stories about the history of Finland and the events of the Officers’ Club. For dinner, you can enjoy a delicious three-course sword meal. An experience to remember. Reser ve a sword meal for a group.

SWORD MEAL

• Beverage pairing for the menu from EUR 29.00. Ordered on the spot

Suvorov Band is a three-man acoustic band (accordion, per cussion, guitar) that, in keeping with the spirit of street music, can perform practically anywhere.

W hatever one expects from a historical musical theatre performance, Suvorov Band probably is not that. Instead of pathos and strutting around, the band goes wild. A. Suvorov has gone down in history as one of the world’s most successful military commanders, but also as an eccentric and a prankster. It is this spirit of his personality that the shows also honour. The band’s show is entertaining and captivating.Thescripts, compositions and lyrics are the group’s own pro duction. The songs heard in the performances draw on nume rous different musical styles, and their tunes echo rock and roll, ska, gangsta rap and folk music. From one song to another, the story is carried forward by humorous and historical dialogues. Suvorov Band’s performance does not rest on its laurels, but makes history in a way never seen before! Suvorov Band can be booked for any occasion. Suvorov Band’s set lasts about an hour, consisting of three twenty-minute independent performances. The performances can therefore be presented separately or as one longer entity.

THE SECRETS OF SAIMAA – PRODUCT MANUAL 7 SUVOROV BAND Aapo Stavén | Suvorov band +358 50 383 4308 | suvorovband@gmail.com | www.facebook.com/suvorovband

Lappeenranta’s own theatre, music and culture professio nals, Aapo Stavén, Seppo Äikäs and Ossi Välimäki, perform in Suvorov Band.

Suvorov Band is musical theatre in the form of a street band. The band’s stories are centred around Generalissimo Aleksandr Suvorov (Rus.), who lived in the 18th century, and the history of Old Finland (now the region of Southeast Finland).

• hiking • stand-up paddle surfing and canoeing • cycling • concerts • champagne floating • picking berries • mushroom picking • fishing • guided nature walks • well-being days and weekends • skiing • snowshoeing ACTIVITIES FOR ALL SEASONS:

• Ritakoski provides six-bedroom accommodation with two bunk beds and a double bed, which can also be turned into single beds. Ritakoski has a riverside view towards the Kan gaskoski lean-to. Room size approx. 32m2

• You can also see the river from the window of Juvankoski. The room has two bedrooms with a double bed or two single beds. Room size approx. 17m2

• Lahnanen is an approximately 30m2 room with a double bed and a bunk bed for two people, as well as a folding armchair. The room has a view of the river.

• Rapukoski is an approximately 25m2 room with a double bed, a bunk bed and a folding armchair. Rapukoski houses five people.

Our unique accommodation facility is located two kilometres from Road 6 while still being close to the peace of the wilderness. We offer high-quality but affordable accommodation with Karelian hospitality all year round. Here you can wash off the dust from your trip in the riverside sauna, take a dip in the river to refresh yourself, and wake up to the smell of fresh bread rolls. Our rooms are suitable for single travellers, couples and families. Pets are also welcome.

•Hiitolanjoki.Kangaskoski provides charming two-bedroom accommodati on with a view to Hiitolanjoki. The room has two single beds, which can also be transformed into a double bed. Room size approx. 17m2

• Uudensillankoski is a suite with its own bathroom and toilet. Our accommodation is located on the second floor. There is a safety gate at the stairs. For children, we also have a portacrib, a potty and a high chair. Free Wi-Fi is available to customers. In the lobby on the upper floor, there are refrigerators intended for customer use, a coffee maker, a kettle and a microwave. The shared bathrooms are located upstairs. Our breakfast consists of local products: Karelian pasties from the local baker’s shop, eggs from local chickens, organic oatmeal, berries, and spruce tree syrup to start your energetic day. In the summer, we use wild herbs directly from nature. We offer lactose-free, gluten-free and vegan food. In the riverside sauna, you can experience the atmospheric traditional Finnish sauna. If you want something extra, you can make your sauna experience even more special with a peat, herbal or honey sauna. You can swim in the river all year round.

8 THE SECRETS OF SAIMAA – PRODUCT MANUAL A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP IN HIITOLANJOKI Anne Repo | B & B Hiitolanjoki Nature Healing Powerhouse | Kangaskoskentie 220, 56800 Simpele +358449713950 | welcome@bbhiitolanjoki.fi | www.bbhiitolanjoki.fi

T he Kangaskoski border guard station was located at the site between 1955 and 2008. The proximity of the bor der can be seen in the border zone signs. The Russian border is only 700 metres away. The restoration of Hiitolanjoki also makes the destination interesting. The river’s dams will be dismantled in 2022–2023, and that is when Finland’s only native landlocked salmon population will have a chance to recover. Ladoga salmon are a daily sight in the river. Our rooms are named after the rapids on the Finnish side of

BECOME ABSORBED IN THE MYTHOLOGY WITH STORIES, PICTURES AND OBJECTS

The bear is certainly a familiar creature to us all, but few have encountered it in the wild. Throug hout the ages, all kinds of stories have been told about the bear, and because of this, the bear has been both a feared and a worshipped creature. Would you like to explore the mythology of the bear?

The mystical bear experience is designed in such a way that everyone has the opportunity to immerse themselves in the mythology of the bear. The experience is available in Finnish and English. The stories also incorporate photos that enliven the story and open up the situations to the viewers. In addition, there is a lot of other material that enables viewers to immerse themselves in the stories even more deeply.

I n the story-based mystical bear experience, you will be guided through bear mythology with the help of stories, pictures and drama. During the experience, you will get answers to how the bear was born. What happened at bear kil ling feasts, and how has the existence of the bear been reflected in people’s lives in the past?

THE SECRETS OF SAIMAA – PRODUCT MANUAL 9 MEET THE MYSTERIOUS BEAR Sami Kettunen | Dramandala +358505435317 | antti@tilitysjavalitys.fi | www.tilitysjavalitys.fi

SOUVENIRS Throughout the ages, people have had various magical items and amulets. At the end of the mystical bear experience, each participant gets to make their own unique amulet, which they can take home as a souvenir.

From me, you can order a sound journey in Pirunkirkko, a gentle yoga moment outside or inside, a singing bowl/drum relaxation, a nature connection experience, or even a whole wellness day as a part of your trip in the South Karelia region.

T he world was born of sound. It thundered over the ice age, shaped our rocks, smoothed their surfaces and carved caves for our shelter. That is when the spacious, vault-like Pirunkirkko was also formed in Rautjärvi’s Torsansalo. It is one of the most beautiful caves in Finland. It has a long history as a prote ctor of the local population, and even a famous healer has worked there. You will hear more about the colourful history of the cave during the sound journey. The sound journey starts when you reach the cave. You proceed in silence along the forest path to the cave, and open your senses to the beauty of nature and the rugged landscape of the rock. You let the scents and the colours of the forest conquer you, as your body gently descends into the rhythm of nature. In the cave, you can wrap yourself in the protection of a soft blanket and let your eyes take in the solid bedrock of the cave, the

10 THE SECRETS OF SAIMAA – PRODUCT MANUAL WELCOME TO A SOUND JOURNEY TO PIRUNKIRKKO Pinja Sointu | Mäntyrinne 7 A 9, 55800 Imatra +358 50 3543655 | pinja.sointu@gmail.com | www.pinjasointu.fi

You will be enchanted by the cave, hear the ancient hum of the drum amplified by the cave walls, relax to the sound of the singing bowls, and hear the beautiful call of the kantele and the song. A sound journey in a cave is a unique experience where all the elements of nature are present. Here you can surrender to being and throw yourself into the nurturing arms of nature.

A drum and ancient chants begin a powerful sound journey, lea ding you to your ancient wisdom. The rhythm of the drum pulsates with life. It opens your imagination, and guides and roots you on your journey to yourself. The singing bowls caress your body and mind with their sweet, soft chords that spread to every corner of the cave, creating a harmonious world of sounds around you. You get to surrender to a state of complete relaxation. The bright echoes of the kantele guide you to the core of Finnishness, the time of the wise men, for which the Pirunkirkko cave is famous. The sound journey opens your creativity and returns you to your own nature, strengthening your connection with nature!

beautiful red patterns of the vaulted ceiling, and the hypnotic trunks of the cave’s trees.

I, Pinja Sointu, will guide you on this magical journey. I call myself a forest musician because my passion is to make sound journeys in beautiful natural places. I work as a multi-talent in the field of culture and well-being: yoga teacher, nature connection instructor, music and sound. The well-being of the body and mind is important to me, and I want to strengthen their connection in my clients using sound journeys. Nature, and a deep connection with nature, is an important part of us and one of the basic pillars of our mental well-being.

The goal of all the services I offer is to increase the overall well-being of the customers, accumulate resources, and provide a moment to disconnect from everyday life. You are welcome to be served with a package tailored just for you!

THE SECRETS OF SAIMAA – PRODUCT MANUAL 11 RETUPERÄ RELOAD – always more wow Ninni Koponen | Retuperä Reload | Kuoppamäentie 44, 54100 Joutseno +35840-5424147 | nkoponen@gmail.com | retuperareload.fi

Laughter yoga is a funny concept where one consciously deci des to start laughing through various guided exercises. With the support of the group and your own dedication, the consciously started laughter turns into genuine, heartfelt joy that soothes and cares holistically.

The versatile health effects of the forest are talked about a lot, so would now be the time for you to experience them personally? Or would you like to laugh with tears in your eyes and feel the rush of feel-good hormones? With my gui dance, you can safely enjoy the magical power of South Karelian nature, recharge your batteries with well-being, and lower your stress levels. My company, Retuperä Reload, offers nature tours, laughter yoga and event production.

Ioffer nature tours to groups of different sizes. The nature of South Karelia offers versatile opportunities for taking a break, calming down, and getting away from the hustle and bustle. In addition to a lake landscape, you can choose from different forest environments, marshes, rocky landscapes and even caves. With the professional skills of a nature guide and good local knowledge, I am able to take you to the best destina tions. I will tell you about nature, plants and animals, as well as all kinds of stories. I will guide you in getting to know the environment with all your senses so that you will remember the experience even years later. Through various exercises, you will become aware of the surrounding forest and your own presen ce. Nature tour services are tailored according to your needs.

In addition to nature tours and laughter yoga, I organise va rious events with my partners. How about retreats that increase your resources and offer time for yourself? Or would you like to try something silly, such as champagne floating? Or would you like to get a taste of nature camping with a glamping-style full-service natureBnB experience?

In my work, the customer is always at the centre of every thing. I guarantee that you will be satisfied with the service you receive and feel that you have been met as a person, as an individual. Safety is an important factor for me on tours. I take safety into account holistically and foresee possible risks in ad vance. In my company, I operate responsibly and in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.

12 THE SECRETS OF SAIMAA – PRODUCT MANUAL RIB CRUISES AND TRIPS IN SAIMAA Olli Ahonen | RIB Saimaa +358505629320 | tmiolliahonen@gmail.com | www.ribsaimaa.fi

On RIB SAIMAA’s boat ride, you can explore Saimaa’s spectacular sights safely and, if you like, with some speed. We customise charter trips to Saimaa. Our operating area covers Lappeenranta, Imatra, Puumala and Savonlinna.

O n our website, you can also find ready-made tour options for spending a fun summer day on the waves of Saimaa. We are happy to be part of a travel package, which can include, for example, island visits, hot pot coffee on Saimaa’s numerous islands, or a picnic according to the custo mers’ wishes. We organise canal cruises on which you get to explore, among other things, the military canals of General Suvorov aboard RIB SAIMAA. Canal cruises in Kukonharju, Käyhkää and Telataipale are a wonderful experience. Route commentary available in English. The boat can accommodate 11 customers.

DESTINATION IN SAIMAA

SAUNA AND TASTING TRIP TO HAAPASAARI

The Finnish sauna and Saimaa offer relaxation and recovery, both for the body and for the mind. Join us for a gentle sauna experience on the shore of Haapasaari and a refreshing dip in Lake Saimaa. The sauna’s purifying steam, pine in the sauna water, a soothing foot bath, and a herbal honey salt scrub offer a unique moment of recovery and regeneration. During the event, you will also learn about the health benefits of sauna and Finnish sauna culture. Finally, we will enjoy a restorative sauna drink to support the wellbeing effects of the sauna and Saimaa. After the sauna, enjoy a tasty and easy snack in the bosom of nature, by the campfire, in the cosy campfire hut of Haapasaari. Self-roasted pancakes with a savoury or sweet stuffing crown a simple batch of campfire food. For dessert, authentic hot pot coffee is brewed over an open fire.

THE SECRETS OF SAIMAA – PRODUCT MANUAL 13 RETURN TO NATURE Taru Astikainen | Suomen Metsäterapiakeskus | Haapasaari, Imatra +358 50 347 3668 | info@metsaterapiakeskus.fi | www.metsaterapiakeskus.fi

This summer’s best stress reliever is Saimaa, the Finnish sauna and the dock. Finnish folklore is based on the healing and restorative power of nature, which essentially involves pau sing, silence and listening. For many people, nature, sauna and the dock are still places of calm and silence, helping us to slow down, recover and relax as a counterbalance to our busy every day lives. The Finnish sauna tradition was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in December 2020.

GET AWAY FROM IT ALL AN ISLAND

The Finnish Forest Therapy Centre introduces the Finnish forest and provides a forest therapy experience for all forest visitors. W e organise restorative and relaxing activities in a natural environment for various groups, compa nies and communities. Pausing, human encounters and proximity to nature are the basis of the well-being moments at the Forest Therapy Centre. The activities focus on nature and well-being themes and promote the recovery of body and mind, giving new perspectives on personal well-being.

SAIMAA, FINNISH SAUNA AND THE DOCK

In the ecological forest village of Haapasaari, the natural envi ronment and Saimaa are the main focus during your stay. Take a moment out of your everyday life and spend a nice day, evening or weekend with friends or work colleagues, relaxing, breathing in the healing power of the pine forest, and admiring the sun sets. In Haapasaari, you can organise different events, parties, or workplace health promotion days, or just come with your own group to relax and have a nice time. We also organise various nature and wellness services on request. How about a soothing bath on a sunny cliff, a retreat in a pine forest, or a gentle soak in a cleansing sauna at the end of the day? We are located on an island in Lake Saimaa, about 5 minutes by boat from the port of Imatra, about 35 kilometres from Lappeenranta.

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14 THE SECRETS OF SAIMAA – PRODUCT MANUAL BLACK AND WHITE THEATRE Katri Lätt | Black and White Theatre +358405588411 | katri.latt@gmail.com | blackandwhitetheatre.fi

During the festivals, we have been able to experience the most curious theatre trends in Imatra – absurd puppet plays, circus, acrobatics, contemporary dance theatre, musical street theatre, traditional drama, high-quality modern opera and skilful ballet.

HIGH-QUALITY INTERNATIONAL THEATRE CAN BE BOOKED THROUGH US

The Black and White Theatre produces modern, versatile, experimental and bold theatre, and the theatre’s own productions have been performed widely around the world. I n Imatra, we organise the annual international Black and White Theatre Festival. The soul and “primus motor” of the theatre is film and theatre director Kamran Shahmardan, who moved from Azerbaijan to the small town in the early 2000s, and whose temperamental artistic nature has managed to adapt to the slightly cooler Nordic atmosphere here in Finland.

Julian is an accomplished artist of music, visual arts and parkour/circus, while Reetta has years of experience in both event production and performing in music, theatre and aerial acrobatics.Amagical and mystical atmosphere, vigour and dance resona te in LiekinKieli’s performance. In addition to the showy move ments, nuances are created by the playfulness and interaction between the couple. The performance requires a flat area of about 5 x 6 metres (sand, short grass or asphalt). There must be no flammable material near the area.

LiekinKieli, formed by a local artist couple from Imatra, invites its viewers to interpret the story of fire. Accompanied by self-composed songs, the choreographies combine into a single whole in the form of poi and staffs. The duo formed in 2016, when a budding poi enthusiast met an old hand, and the flame flared up.

THE SECRETS OF SAIMAA – PRODUCT MANUAL 15 VUOKSI FISHING PARK AN OASIS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY Toni Kainulainen | Vuoksen Kalastuspuisto | Varpasaarenpolku 12, 55120 Imatra +358 40 061 2100 | info@vuoksenkalastuspuisto.fi | www.vuoksenkalastuspuisto.fi

Vuoksi Fishing Park’s idyllic campsite and its services are located in Varpasaari, Imatra. The camping area, which is one of the most beautiful in Finland, is popular with families with children and caravanners. Our campsite is open all year round.

CAMPSITE

RESTAURANT WANHA VIRVELI

PRIVATE SAUNA RÄIHÄN KUOHU

It is wonderful to take a dip in Vuoksi after the beach sauna Räihän Kuohu’s soft heat. You can order food from our restau rant and enjoy it on the sauna terrace in your own peace. The private sauna is open all year round.

Vuoksi Fishing Park is a third-generation family business in Varpasaari. V arpasaari is, true to its name, a toe-shaped promonto ry surrounded by Vuoksi, near the centre of Imatra. Vuoksi Fishing Park has perfect transportation conne ctions around Imatra. Our operations are summer-focused, and the season is from 1 May to 30 September. Our campsite operates year-round, and the restaurant Wanha Virveli also serves out of season. Next to the fishing park is Hiljan piha, a Karelian home from the 19th century.

The fishing park’s restaurant Wanha Virveli is open in the summer season, and in winter by order and in connection with various events. Wanha Virveli’s delicious food and homemade pastries can be enjoyed on the sunniest terrace in town. In sum mer, you can often enjoy live music on our terrace. In our restaurant, you can enjoy fresh salmon from our own salmon pond. You can also catch your own salmon and take it with you smoked or enjoy it in our restaurant. Our services also include fishing from the fish pond. You can catch the fish from the pond yourself or we can do it for you. You will not find fres her salmon than this anywhere. The salmon can be smoked in our own smokehouse, or you can take it home fresh. We also prepare delicious gravlax and cold-smoked salmon, which can often be found on the salad table in our restaurant.

ACTIVITIES AND RENTAL EQUIPMENT

The fishing park has plenty of things to do and see for all ages. You can fish, play mini golf, go on a Vuoksi cruise or relax on the beach. From us, you can rent fishing equipment, rowing boats, electric mountain bikes, stand-up paddle boards and, as a novel ty, skishoes. You can also try wakeboarding and water bikes on the Vuoksi river.