PAID CONTENT FOR VISIT LAKE SAIMAA
PAID CONTENT FOR VISIT LAKE SAIMAA
Visit Lake Saimaa MIKKELI REGION, FINLAND
Situated in Lakeland Finland, the Mikkeli region stretches across the shores and islands of Lake Saimaa, Europe’s fourth-largest natural lake. Formed as glaciers retreated at the end of the Ice Age, the landscape is shaped by long ridges, emerald forests and labyrinthine waterways that extend across 14,000 islands. Nature is easily accessible, inviting visitors to explore it by cycling, boating, canoeing or hiking. With around 50,000 cottages and saunas, the
Mikkeli region is widely known as one of Finland’s most iconic cottage landscapes. It’s a place where slow living comes naturally, through time spent close to nature. A complete Saimaa experience includes the tradition of lakeside sauna bathing, followed by a refreshing swim in the lake. Other accommodation options range from camping areas to boutique hotels, restored manor houses and modern resorts — many of which are positioned directly on the shoreline. The lake is also home to one of the world’s rarest
species, the Saimaa ringed seal. Isolated from the sea thousands of years ago, it adapted to the unique
freshwater conditions of Lake Saimaa and today survives only in this region. Guided seal safaris operate during summertime, when travellers may glimpse the animals resting on shoreline rocks or surfacing briefly in quiet coves. Food traditions in the region remain closely
tied to the surrounding nature. In late summer and autumn, foraging trips introduce visitors to wild mushrooms, berries and herbs that have long shaped the local cuisine. Restaurants throughout the area serve seasonal dishes built around local ingredients — lake fish such as vendace, alongside wild herbs and forest harvests. Many local restaurants are entitled to use the Designation of Origin (DO) Saimaa label, one of Finland’s most globally recognised marks of origin, reflecting the quality, authenticity and purity of local food. Culture also plays an important role in the
Mikkeli region. Each summer, the Mikkeli Music Festival brings international musicians and orchestras to the area, while local markets, manor houses and small galleries reflect rural traditions and craftsmanship.
DON’T MISS Take a ringed seal safari with local tour operator Lakeland GTE, which combines excursions with inspiring stories of Lake Saimaa
90
THIS IS PAID CONTENT. IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER (UK) OR THEIR EDITORIAL STAFFS.
Need to know
KEY FEATURES • Modern villas on the shores of Lake Saimaa: Saimaanranta Resort
• Villas with unobstructed lake views: Sahanlahti Resort, Elsanranta Villas
• Authentic Finnish cottage life: Okkola Holiday Cottages
• Private luxurious escape: Rauhalinna
KEY ACTIVITIES • Enjoy a DO Saimaa dinner at Tertti Manor
• Boat tour to Astuvansalmi Rock Paintings with RIB Saimaa
• Foraging, nature & food experiences in the wilds with Uhkua
• Try a local vendace dish at the Mikkeli Market place
GET IN TOUCH •
visitsaimaa.fi • +358 44 7945669 •
matkailu@mikkeli.fi •
instagram.com/visitsaimaa_official
SAIMAA HORIZON 2030 PROJECT, CO-FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION
SAIMAA HORIZON 2030 PROJECT, CO-FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77
