Saimaa Canal Lakeland Savaonlinna

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Kristina Brahe's eastbound cruise, awarded with the Scandinavian Travel Award, enables you to experience two different insular worlds connected by the Saimaa Canal. The cruise passes several beautiful islands of the eastern Gulf of Finland. Words cannot describe this special summer feeling on the islands. The sea, the haze, the wind and the sounds must be experienced all together.

Langinkoski and the Imperial Fishing Lodge are without doubt the most widely known destinations of the summer cruises. Czar Alexander III, being fond of fishing and simple life, found here the beauty of the surrounding nature and the river rich in salmon. In many books about Russian Czars there is a photo showing Empress Dagmar, her son and the captain of the imperial yacht Tsaverna peeling potatoes on the kitchen stairs of the Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge. Today Kotka offers many more sights, among them Kotka Maretarium and Sapokka Water Park.

On the way to the canal you will sail past Virolahti. The last Russian Czar Nikolai II, the son and follower of Alexander III, liked to spend his summer holidays here. Cruising along the Saimaa Canal will remind of not only the imperial summers, but also of the times of tar steams and rafting. The locks will take you to Lappeenranta, the lively capital of South Karelia with its unadulterated Karelian dialect.

Kristina Brahe sails through the Saimaa Archipelago and the unique scenery of the Lake Saimaa, where characteristic features are seals, sour milk, fish pie and the smell of a lakeshore sauna. On your way back you will have a short stop at Puumala, which was chosen the most beautiful municipality in the Lake Saimaa District a couple of years ago.

It is possible to take only parts of this cruise:

Helsinki - Savonlinna, departs Wednesdays, starting $430/double

Savonlinna - Helsinki, departs Fridays, starting $315/double

Itinerary

Depart Helsinki 10:30 AM

Arrive Kotka 5:00 PM

KOTKA IN THE ERA OF THE CZARS AND CATHERINE THE GREAT, 3 hours

The reigns of Catherine the Great, Alexander III and Nicholas II of Russia are closely associated with the history of the Kotka region. On this tour, the guide will tell you about various events in Kotka during the Russian reign. You will visit the Imperial Fishing Lodge situated at Langinkoski approx. 5 kilometres from the centre of Kotka, built for Czar Alexander III and his family in 1889. This "hide-out" of the Imperial family will be presented by a theme guide in the role of Dagmar, Princess of Denmark and the Emperor's wife (Maria Fjodorovna). The guide will also describe the life of the Imperial family in the 19th century. On the way back to the town centre, the tour runs beside the historic Kotka Redoubt, which currently houses a herb garden. Parks at their best can be admired in the centre of Kotka and at the Sapokka Water Park, which has won more prizes than any other park area in Finland. The Kotkansaari fortress community during the era of Catherine the Great and the Greek-Orthodox Church of St Nicholas will be presented at Sapokanlahti, close to the location of the Ruotsinsalmi Naval Battle. The tour is completed by a visit to the Kotka Maretarium, where giant fish tanks provide an overview of underwater life in Finland, ranging from fell creeks to the Baltic Sea.

Depart Kotka 8:30 PM

Arrive Lappeenranta 9:00 AM

LAPPEENRANTA WALKING TOUR,

1.5 hours

The oldest part in Lappeenranta is the Fortress, where in an old trading centre the town was founded in 1649. In the 18th century the town was first fortified by the Swedes and then by the Russians. The Orthodox church and the most of the old buildings date back to the Russian era. Nowadays the Fortress is a lively and active part of the town. Many buildings have been renovated and they serve as private residences, handicraft workshops, museums and caf�s. There are three museums: South Karelian Museum, South Karelian Art Museum and Cavalry Museum. The Fortress area has evolved into a popular year-round attraction and a centre of activities. On the guided tour you will discover the colorful history and lively present-day life of the Fortress.

Depart Lappeenranta 10:45 AM

Arrive Savonlinna 6:15 PM

Olavinlinna Tour approx. 1,5 hours

The tour goes from the harbour along the oldest street in Savonlinna, Linnankatu street, to Olavinlinna castle. Linnankatu street has played an important role in the history of Olavinlinna Castle and in the history of Savonlinna. Olavinlinna castle, the medieval fortress standing in the middle of the swiftly-flowing straits of Kyr�nsalmi is one of the best-known historical attractions in Finland. The castle was founded in 1475 by a Danish-born knight, Erik Axelsson Tott, to defend the kingdom of Sweden against attacks from Russia. During ists eventfull history, Olavinlinna has witnessed a good many battles, and intriguing tales about the castle have lived on until the present day. The first opera performances were staged in the castle as early as 1912, and today the castle provides the venue for the Opera Festival as well as other popular events. After the guided tour in the castle return to the harbour.

Depart Savonlinna 11:00 AM

Arrive Lappeenranta 7:30 PM

Depart Lappeenranta 8:15 PM

Arrive Kotka 9:00 AM

Depart Kotka 9:30 AM

Arrive Helsinki 4:00 PM