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Taste of Karelia
Explore timeless traditions & flavours of Karelia by bicycle
Small Group Tour
Credit: Visti Finland/Asko Kuittinen
Dates
June 21-28, 2025
July 12-19, 2025
August 23-30, 2025
Duration
8 days/7 nights
Suitable
For lovers of local flavours and traditions, looking for authentic learning experiences while connecting with your hosts and nature
Price
From AUD 3210 per person
Embark on our wholesome "Taste of Karelia" tour, where cycling between charming guesthouses unveils the rich culinary heritage and deep-rooted traditions of Karelia. Finnish cuisine harmoniously blends hearty country fare with contemporary continental influences. From fresh fish and meats to the vegetable-centric dishes of Karelia, a delightful array of flavours awaits. Engage in hands-on culinary workshops, such as crafting traditional Karelian pies and pastries, where you'll prepare and taste these delicacies using locally sourced ingredients.
Sauna culture is deeply embedded in Finnish life, serving as a place for physical and spiritual cleansing. Over the course of the trip, you'll experience five distinct saunas, each offering a unique "löyly" (steam), allowing you to immerse yourself fully in this cherished tradition. Beyond enjoying the saunas and refreshing dips in lakes, you'll learn the art of heating wood-fired saunas and crafting traditional sauna whisks, gaining insight into the rituals that are integral to Finnish culture.
This journey not only offers delicious, locally sourced meals but also provides a window into Finnish culture through authentic experiences and connections with your hosts. Nature plays a pivotal role in this tour, reflecting the Finnish people's profound bond with their environment. With over 70% of Finland covered by forests, these natural spaces are cherished for their tranquility and spiritual significance. This deep connection fosters a sense of well-being and belonging, enhancing the overall experience. All this unfolds as you bike from guesthouse to guesthouse, creating the perfect balance of relaxation and exploration.
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Tour Highlights
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Culinary Workshops – learn to prepare traditional Finnish dishes like Karelian pies, sweet buns, and local delicacies, all while using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
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Sauna Immersion – experience five distinct saunas, each offering a unique "löyly" (steam), and gain hands-on knowledge of Finnish sauna traditions
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Biking through Karelia’s Scenic Beauty - cycle between charming guesthouses while soaking in the beautiful landscapes of Karelia, from tranquil forests to shimmering lakes.
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Connection to Finnish Culture - engage with local hosts and immerse yourself in authentic Finnish traditions, gaining insight into the culture, cuisine, and lifestyle that have shaped this unique region.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Guesthouse Pihlajapuu
Your journey begins with a warm welcome from your hostess, Minna. Settle in and get ready for the relaxing days ahead. Enjoy a delicious dinner, then rest up for the adventure ahead.
Day 2: Herbs, Berries, and Wild Food Workshop
Today, we dive into Finnish wild foods with a hands-on workshop where we’ll learn how to cook, bake, and preserve these nature's treasures. Depending on the season, we’ll work with local herbs, blueberries, lingonberries and/or mushrooms.
Together, we’ll prepare a lunch made from fresh, local ingredients.
In the evening, unwind with a sauna experience and enjoy a wholesome dinner.
Day 3: Forest Bathing
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll make our way to Guesthouse Laitalan Lomat, where your sauna adventure continues. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by your hostess, Henna, and introduced to the day’s itinerary. You’ll have some free time to explore nearby nature trails or visit the charming town of Nurmes.
Later, we head to the forest for some peaceful relaxation. Hammocks will be provided for you to enjoy the soothing sounds of the forest as you take a forest bath. Afterward, we’ll gather ingredients for a special sauna hair rinse that you’ll prepare yourself.
Lunch today is a traditional Finnish fare prepared by Henna. Expect to enjoy freshly baked Karjalanpiirakka with egg butter, squeaky cheese (leipäjuusto), local salad, and more.
The sauna experience begins with a non-alcoholic tarry welcome drink on the terrace, followed by a serene sauna session on the banks of the Karhujoki River. Henna will guide you through the sauna
rituals, teaching you how to heat the sauna properly for a magical experience. You’ll wash in the sauna with local handmade natural soaps.
Afterward, refresh with a snack of local delicacies, including sparkling blackcurrant leaf drink, fish mousse on rye bread, and local marmalades.The evening culminates with a hearty dinner by the campfire, including delicious local dishes like rye bread, meatballs, and nokipannukahvi (soot pot coffee).
Day 4: Baking Workshop
Get ready for a morning of baking Finnish treats! Henna will guide you in making traditional pulla (cardamom buns) and cinnamon rolls (korvapuustit), or perhaps a berry cheesecake with fresh, local berries.
In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing canoe trip down the river, with a picnic lunch.
In the evening, it’s back to the sauna for more relaxation, followed by another delicious dinner.
Day 5: Finnish Summer Cottage Life
After breakfast, we head to Guesthouse Männikkölän Pirtti, where the sauna trail leads us to a traditional beach sauna by Lake Pielinen. Together, we’ll prepare the sauna, gather water, and light the fire. As we wait for the sauna to heat up, relax by the water and hear tales of Finnish summer cottage life.
Once the sauna is ready, take in the gentle steam and enjoy the stunning lakeside views. After the sauna, indulge in a traditional summer cottage sauna menu, featuring Karelian pies, berry pie, and other Finnish delicacies.
Dinner tonight is a true Karelian feast with a menu including wild mushroom salad, smoked salmon, and berry cake for dessert.
Day 6: Karelian Pastry Workshop
Start the day by baking Karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pies), a beloved Finnish pastry with a thin rye crust and a rice filling. You’ll learn to make them just the way Grandma Anna did. Afterward, there’s time for a wander around village of Nurmes, with plenty of opportunities for shopping and sightseeing.
In the evening, it’s back to the sauna before dinner.
Day 7: Smoke Sauna Traditions
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning sauna and swim. Then, we’ll head back to Guesthouse Pihlajapuu, where we’ll gather for a special sauna lunch at 2 pm.The sauna experience includes preparing whisks from birch, juniper, and aspen. Afterward, enjoy the soothing steam of the smoke sauna, and paddle a canoe over the lake to Minna’s sauna (or take a short drive if the weather doesn’t cooperate).Lunch includes traditional kukkonen pastries with wild fish cream cheese, vegetable soup, and sweet treats.In the evening, the final sauna session will be complemented by a traditional Finnish smoke sauna dinner by the campfire.Overnight stay at Pihlajapuu
Day 8: Time to say "Hei, hei!"
After an unforgettable week of saunas, delicious food, and Finnish traditions, it’s time to bid farewell and head home, refreshed and rejuvenated.
Price
Tour price
From AUD 3210 per person when 2 adults sharing a room
Single Room Supplement (7 nights)
What's included
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7 nights' accommodation in a twin room with shared facilities in three guesthouses
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Full board starting with a dinner on day 1 and ending with a breakfast on day 8
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Guided travel by bicycle between guesthouses
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Luggage transport between guesthouses
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Experiences and activities as per itinerary
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Group transfers on arrival and departure from/to Kuopio airport
Booking Conditions
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SAFETY & TRAVEL INSURANCE
All outdoor activities carry an element of risk and we strongly advice you to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance. You warrant that the information you provide regarding your health & fitness is accurate and there are no other medical issues (both physical/mental) that may impact your ability to enjoy this experience without the need for special assistance.
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WEATHER
If the organisers do not deem one of the activities safe, they reserve the right to change the order of the activities or the content of the program if necessary due to the weather. In extreme conditions they might have to reschedule or cancel.
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ALTERATIONS BY ORGANISER
Sometimes the organiser has to make changes, usually because of circumstances out of their control. If this happens, they reserve the right at any time to substitute accommodation or activities. If this means extra cost to you, we’ll let you know.
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ACCEPTANCE OF RISK
You acknowledge that travel involves personal risks which may be greater than those present in your everyday life. This could be as a result of the adventurous nature of your trip or the visiting of destinations which present geographical risks and dangers.
Our full terms & conditions (link).
Payment & cancellations
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20% deposit is required within 7 days after your holiday is confirmed
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Balance due 65 days prior to travel
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Cancellations:
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More than 66 days prior to departure - loss of deposit
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From 65 to 31 days prior to departure – loss of 50% of total cost
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Less than 30 days prior to departure - loss of 100% of total cost
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Please arrange a comprehensive travel insurance which covers all activities and any cancellation costs, should you not be able to travel
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Our full terms & conditions can be found here (link)
What's not included
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Meals other than described
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Alcoholic beverages during meals unless mentioned
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Tips or any other items of personal nature
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Flights
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Travel Insurance
Please note
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Your group may include participants from a variety of nationalities.
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This tour is subject to a minimum number of participants (2) to operate. Maximum number of participants per group 14.
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To ensure our commitment to responsible travel and respect for nature, your bed linen will be transported with your luggage between guesthouses, while you’ll receive a fresh towel each day
Weather
Please note that weather conditions vary from year to year and it is advisable to check the weather conditions before your arrival. You can check the weather on weather service sites such as
http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi.
Average temperatures in August vary between 20°C and 12 °C and in September between 13 °C and 7°C. Both months with an average of 10 days of rain.
Daylight
Check daylight hours for this region via this link
In August the sun rises around 5am and sets around 9pm. In September days are getting shorter with sunrise around 7am and sunset around 7pm.
Ask us about
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Creating a tailor-made pre and/or post tours
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Quote for train travel from Helsinki
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Adding extra activities to your travel package
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Arrangements for special celebrations or milestones during this tour