Savonlinna Opera Festival | Lake Saimaa Region

First-class opera in a medieval castle

The Savonlinna Opera Festival is Finland’s premiere cultural event. World renowned for its high-quality opera performances and concerts, every summer it brings music lovers from across the globe to the charming lakeside city of Savonlinna. The month-long festival is held in Olavinlinna, a towering medieval castle by Finland’s largest lake. This creates a uniquely dramatic ambiance for its 70 000 visitors. Once inside, festival-goers are dazzled by classics and rarely seen works as well as world premieres and visiting productions from esteemed opera houses like La Scala.

Visit Lake Saimaa | Lake Saimaa | Visit Savonlinna | Savonlinna Region | Saimaa Lakeland

Hotel Järvisydän

Our unique Järvisydän hotel is in our awesome main building, which is constructed from Finnish stone and old wood – all locally acquired.

Standard Room
Standard rooms have double bed, balcony to the garden or forest and rocks, shower/toilet, hairdryer, minibar, tv and capsule coffee machine, and water kettle. Rooms are also equipped with towels.

Suite Room
Suite Rooms have a living room/small kitchen, bedroom, and a sleeping gallery. There is a double bed in the bedroom, and in the sleeping gallery there is one single bed plus a folding bed for one. The sofa of the living room can be used as an extra bed for two persons. In the bathroom there is a shower, jacuzzi and a toilet.

Superior Rooms
Our Superior Suite with a jacuzzi is a nice option also for a longer holiday. Superior has a double bed and the sofa can be used also as an extra bed for one person. In the bathroom, there is a shower, jacuzzi and a toilet. Superior have also a second toilet, hallway, and a balcony with the view to Lake Saimaa.

VIP suite
Our Vip Suite is located in the top floor of the hotel and we can recommend it for e.g. for a special occasion like honeymoons or for small meetings. Vip Suite is equipped with a jacuzzi, fireplace, kitchen, 2 toilets, meeting lounge, and of course with a view to Lake Saimaa.

Linnansaari National Park

Lakeland home of the unique Saimaa ringed seal ​

In Linnansaari, you are in the middle of the Lake Saimaa and the wonderful scenery of archipelago. You are also at the home of the unique Saimaa ringed seal. In summertime one can get to the park by a boat from Oravi or Rantasalmi. In winter, there is a maintained ice track across the lake from Oravi to Rantasalmi. In summer, several excursion harbours around the park welcome boaters. In the main island nature trails, heritage landscapes and lush forests welcome the hikers. There are also services in the main island of the National Park.

In nature conservation areas, everyman’s rights do not apply in the normal way. Please always check the rules Linnansaari before making your trip. National parks are nature reserves, whose key task is to safeguard biodiversity and enable people to enjoy and relax in nature on the terms of nature conservation.
All national parks in Finland are managed by Metsähallitus.

Lietsu Boutique Aparthotel – Hotel with Karelian Charm in Joensuu, Eastern Finland

We offer service with a personal touch – Any request, big or small, we’re here to help!

Each of our hotel rooms has a unique design and is equipped to a high standard. The decorative details in each room tell stories about local history, culture and nature. You may book your stay with or without local Karelian breakfast.

Lietsu Boutique Aparthotel has 30 double rooms and one smaller, single room. Some of the rooms can be combined to make a larger space for example for a family stay. All the rooms have their own kitchen and bathroom and are equipped with air conditioning and heating. Our hotel doors are secured by code locks.

If you book your stay directly from the hotel or on our website www.lietsuhotel.fi, parking is included in the price. Also, in direct bookings the use of the gym is free and you are offered a private 1-hour Finnish sauna with a river view.

We are proud to have the audited EcoCompass certificate for our responsible environmental management system (EMS), and we have gained the Sustainable Travel Finland certificate. We also collaborate with the Joensuu Climate Block project and are engaged in the national Energy Efficiency Agreement for the hotel sector. Equality and accessibility – well, isn’t it obvious that everyone is equal and all should have equal access to services? We believe so and strive to make everyone’s stay comfortable and safe.

Come and enjoy the relaxing Lietsu atmosphere in North Karelia!

Koli National Park

Finland’s best loved national landscape

When you take in the marvellous view over Lake Pielinen from the top of Ukko-Koli hill, it’s easy to see why this spot has attracted so many Finnish artists, photographers and nature-lovers over the centuries. The splendid scenery always instills a sense of serenity and wonder in visitors. Koli’s hills and lakes provide fine settings for enjoyable outings and activities at any time of year.

In nature conservation areas, everyman’s rights do not apply in the normal way. Please always check the rules of the destination before making your trip.
National parks are nature reserves, whose key task is to safeguard biodiversity and enable people to enjoy and relax in nature on the terms of nature conservation.
All national parks in Finland are managed by Metsähallitus.

Spa Bomba

Relax at the luxurious Spa Bomba in Nurmes, overlooking lake Pielinen. Try the Karelian sauna Kyly, experience a traditional Finnish sauna Sampo or relax at the steam sauna Taivaankansi. The sauna department also has experience showers and foot baths.

The pool area pampers you with hot and cold pools, a main pool with different kind of massaging showers and streams and special showers with light and sound. The outside terrace has outdoor jacuzzis which are perfect for relaxing while looking at the stunning view. The pool bar serves you and you can enjoy the refreshments at the relax area of the spa on the heated seats. Come and experience the Karelian themed spa!

Bomba House

Bomba House is a copy of a house built in Suojärvi, Russian Karelia. The original house was built by Jegor Bombin in 1855 for his son Dimitri Jegorov and it was built using long round logs. The original house had 27 rooms and you could even ride in with a horse.

After the Second World War the house was decided to be re-built to Bomba, Nurmes. This beautiful building represents traditional Karelian style architecture with its surrounding Karelian village. The building has a Restaurant Bomba, café and museum rooms.

Welcome to visit the Bomba House and explore more of the Karelian history of the area!

Juminkeko Kalevala Exhibitions

Get to know Juminkeko’s temporary exhibitions about the Kalevala and the Karelian culture

Juminkeko features temporary exhibitions all year round.

The exhibitions deal with the Kalevala as well as the Finnish and Karelian folklore. They can also be connected to a certain annual theme.

We wait for you at one of our openings, concerts, lectures or perhaps at the Arhippa Perttunen’s symposium.

You will have a taste of how the Kalevala and the folklore are still a source of inspiration for a lot of artists both from Finland and other countries.

You can take part in our events virtually. Check out Juminkeko’s YouTube channel.

Juminkeko’s permanent exhibition features the statues of the Karelian runosingers and the translators of the Kalevala by Alpo and Nina Sailo.

Martti Aiha’s sculpture “Arhipan kivi” dominates Juminkeko’s courtyard. Commissioned by the Finnish Kalevala Society and the Karelian Culture Society, this work is dedicated to the singers of the Kalevala.

Antti Nieminen’s statue “Ruoto” is also on display.

Hotel Kalevala

Hotel Kalevala is a unique, small lakeside hotel 3 km from Kuhmo Centre in Eastern Finland. Surrounded by ancient forests and crystal clear lakes, Hotel Kalevala is nestled in a true nature wonderland. Kuhmo is perfect place for wilderness and activity adventures.

The idea for the building originates from a tale of an eagle spreading its wings to rise into the air. The story of the hotel is based on the Kalevala, an old Finnish epic.

The hotel has 44 well-appointed twin rooms and 3 luxurious suites. Pets are also welcome to stay in our hotel. The Hotel has three floors and elevator.

Hotel’s saunas bring warmth and joy to different occasions. Enjoy also our indoor and outdoor jacuzzis and try our peat and infrared saunas.
We have lots of free parking space and Electric Car charging pole for the guests. The rooms are non-smoking and some are allergy-friendly.
We warmly welcome you to our beautiful Hotel!