VisitKarelia_4E5A3285[2]

Virtual FAM Trip
North Karelia & South Karelia

Program and registration
29.-30. September 2021

Discover South and North Karelia online

We warmly invite you to learn more about the Finnish regions South and North Karelia our virtual FAM trip taking place September 29 and 30 2021! The destination and local companies introduce themselves and present online what to look forward to in the destination. 

South & North Karelia in Finland

If you travel to the easternmost part of Finnish Lakeland, you’ll find yourself in Finnish Karelia. It is part of a larger area called Karelia, spreading to the Russian side of the border also. During this fam trip, we stay in Finland. Direct train connection from the Finnish capital takes you to the biggest towns in the region through beautiful lake scenery. A lot of people choose to make a self-drive-tour following the Eastern border, Route Via Karelia. The biggest lakes, Saimaa and Pielinen, are connected with a net of smaller lakes and rivers. Local people still fish and hunt themselves and also pick up berries, mushrooms and herbs. Therefore food is clean, fresh and tasty basicly where ever you choose to eat. Among great food, also singing, playing music and laughter are present at every day life. Guests are welcomed warmly no matter if  it´s a planned visit or a surprise. People know their roots and history and cherish the traditions with care. Four national parks and multiple other outdoor routes on land and water, welcome the nature lovers to the region. Finnish Karelia is an attractive destination throughout the year, offering a versatile selection of activities for FIT`s and groups. Welcome to Karelia and to meet propably the happiest people of all the happy people in Finland!

VK-Harri-Tarvainen-wharfpicnic.jpg

Online experience for tour operators

The aim of the virtual FAM trip is getting to know the destinations, products and services. Therefore, suppliers of the region present their products and services in pre-produced videos. The virtual FAM trip is realized on two different days.

Participation in the virtual FAM trip

The virtual FAM trip is aimed at tour operators from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Participation is free of charge. Of course, also several colleagues of a company can participate in the virtual FAM trip.

To participate you only have to fill out the form below. The link to participate will be sent by mail before the virtual FAM trip, no software has to be downloaded. However, a good internet connection is required, as well as the possibility to play sound.

Virtual communication

In addition to the video presentations of the region and companies, there will also be the opportunity to exchange ideas with local suppliers after each presentation. You as a tour operator can directly ask the providers any questions you may have. They are connected via video and are available to answer your questions.

 

Karelia map

 

Contact

goSaimaa - South Karelia
Katja Vehviläinen
Kauppakatu 40, Lappeenranta
katja.vehvilainen@gosaimaa.com
Tel. +358 44 717 7991

VisitKarelia - North Karelia
Leena Tervakorpi
Länsikatu 15, Joensuu
leena.tervakorpi@visitkarelia.fi
Tel. +358 40 614 7273

Program

Day 1, Wednesday 29. September 2021
South Karelia region

Module 1: 09.00 - 09.45 h (CET, Central European time)
  • goSaimaa - Lappeenranta & Imatra region
  • Säräpirtti Kippurasarvi restaurant
  • Saimaa Lakeside
Module 2: 10.00 - 10.45 h (CET)
  • CreativeKaiku
  • Saimaan Palju
  • Saimaa Travel

Day 2, Thursday 30. September 2021
North Karelia region

Module 3: 09.00 - 09.45 h (CET)
  • VisitKarelia - Accommodation Karelian Style
  • Itärajan Helmi
  • Lietsu Boutique Aparthotel
Module 4: 10.00 - 10.50 h (CET)
  • VisitKarelia - Authentic Experiences
  • Karu Survival
  • Erä-Eero 
  • Puukarin Pysäkki

goSaimaa

Lappeenranta-Imatra region is a part of the Lake Saimaa region and is located only a couple of hours away from the Finnish capital Helsinki. You can travel visa-free to Russia from the Lappeenranta and combine the beautiful Lakeland nature with the cultural metropolis - St. Petersburg. The gem of the area is Saimaa, Finland's largest and Europe's fourth largest lake. The region is full of unique geological, cultural and historical sights to discover. Plenty of activities and accommodation options to choose from. Enjoy the beautiful and pure Finnish nature, magnificent Lakeland views, intriguing cultural sights in addition to local food and people.

goSaimaa is the official destination management organization on the Lappeenranta-Imatra region in Lake Saimaa area. Our region has to offer: 30 hotels, over 5000 beds and 20 000 cottages. A lot of interesting activities and unique tourist products could be found in the region.

Contact: Katja Vehviläinen

© goSaimaa

Finnland-Kulku-goSaimaa-Imatrankoski © goSaimaa

Säräpirtti Kippurasarvi

LEMIN SÄRÄ - ONE OF FINLAND’S SEVEN WONDERS

The oldest dish in Finland, särä dates back a thousand years. Prepared from a thousand-year-old recipe, this traditional lamb roast is delicious beyond compare! In line with local custom, Särä should be savoured slowly - there are no limits on portions, so feel free to eat your fill! Särä is made from roast lamb, potatoes, and salt. Preparing särä takes at least nine hours, including heating of the baking oven.

The dish is named after the birch trough in which it is cooked. The trough is carved from an uncut birch log. When in the oven, fresh pieces of alder are placed underneath the trough. These smoke slightly during cooking, giving the roast a unique taste and a pleasing colour.

Contact: Esko Hietaranta

© Säräpirtti

Finnland Kulku Säräpirtti dish © Säräpirtti

Saimaa Lakeside - Setl North Europe Oy

Setl North Europe has two cottage complexes in Finland, one of them - Saimaa Lakeside is located in North Karelia closed to Ruokolahti, 40km from Imatra. The cottages were build in 2009, and we had renovated them in 2020-2021.

We offer 6 comfortable cottages for accommodation. The cottages are located at a great distance from each other, which will provide a quiet and private holiday in the heart of pure forest at Saimaa lake shore.

Each cottage has 4 bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, an indoor sauna,a relaxing terrace with a barbeque grill and access to pier. Our guests can use electric boats, lakeshore sauna, bicycles without additional payment.

There is a playground for children, a trampoline, a sports ground and sports equipment (table tennis, football, volleyball, basketball, badminton) in the middle of our complex.

Next year we plan to build a hall with conference area and professional equipped kitchen.

Contact: Alexandra Petrova

© Saimaa Lakeside

Finland Kulku Saimaa Lakeside Room Interior © Saimaa Lakeside
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CreativeKaiku

CreativeKaiku is a family-owned business in South Karelia, southeastern Finland. We offer you a chance to visit “far, far away”, to experience the mythical atmosphere of the nature and see the wonderful nature attractions which are hidden in the deep, mystical forests or nearby the beautiful lakes! Here, in the middle of nowhere, you can hear something of our exciting history, unique mythology, old stories and fairy-tales and feel the calming effect that only the wilderness can give.

We can also customize our excursions for different kinds of themes, groups and ages. Our eco-friendly excursions include also traditional forest hikes and nature and wildlife observation. The excursions are organized on request. A full meal, packed lunch or for example tea /coffee with traditional pastries on a campfire can be included in each excursion if ordered. With our cooperators we can also offer so called Finnish evenings for groups with tasteful meals, stories and programs.

Contact: Virve Niiranen

© CreativeKaiku

Finnland-Kulku-CreativeKaiku-Odd-stone-©CreativeKaiku

Saimaan Palju

Saimaan Palju is a local activity provider / DMC. Our products include for example cycling tours, kayaking tours, weekly program for FITs in Lappeenranta.

Contact: Teemu Virtanen

© Saimaan Palju

Finnland Kulku-Saimaan Palju-kayaking © Saimaan Palju

Saimaa Travel

Saimaa Travel offers visa free cruises from Lappeenranta, Finland to Vyborg and St. Petersburg in Russia through the Saimaa Canal in May-September. We are specialized in tours to Russia and the Lake Saimaa region in Finland all year round.

Contact: Suvi Laine

© Saimaa Travel

Finnland Kulku-Saimaa Travel-Carelia © Saimaa Travel
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VisitKarelia

Region North Karelia is located in the easternmost part of Finnish Lakeland, some 400 km from Helsinki. It is a great destination for food enthusiast and nature lovers but also for those who are looking for authentic experiences. Most often food is prepared from what the lakes and forests offer during different seasons.

Karelian culture is stories about orthodoxy, rune singing, war history, Karelian traditions and other characteristics of life between East and West. The Finnish national landscape that opens from the oldest bedrock of Europe, Koli hills, is something to experience at least once in a lifetime. For nature lovers four national parks and several other outdoor areas, offer great trails for day-hikes, canoeing and biking and the possibility to observe wild animals.

Contact: Leena Tervakorpi

© Jarno Artika

Finnland Kulku-VisitKarelia © Jarno Artika

Itärajan Helmi

I offer accommodation in the new wooden cottages (beds are like in 5* hotels) with breakfast and dinner (I cook and bake myself, really delicious). I offer also program like forest bath, vedic art painting, fishing and in autumn hunting. The nature with peace. I have two saunas by lake and bu cottages with hot pot.

Contact: Riitta Okkonen

© RitWellness Oy

Finnland Kulku-RitWellness Oy Outside © RitWellness Oy

Lietsu Boutique Aparthotel

Lietsu Boutique Aparthotel offers unique hotel accommodation with Karelian heart and hospitality in the city center of Joensuu, Eastern Finland.

Each of the 31 small apartments has a unique design and is equipped to a high standard. Two of the rooms have wheelchair access and some of the rooms can be combined. All rooms have their own kitchen, private bathroom and washing machine and are equipped with air conditioning and heating.

Guest will experience Karelian culture and delicacies when entering the hotel. Central location along the River Pielisjoki, charming facilities, sauna with a river view and tasty Karelian breakfast ensure a memorable experience. Also meeting services with catering are provided for maximum eight people in our meeting room.

Contact: Maria Saastamoinen

© Lietsu Boutique Aparthotel

Finnland Kulku-Lietsu Boutique Aparthotel-bedroom © Lietsu Boutique Aparthotel
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VisitKarelia

Region North Karelia is located in the easternmost part of Finnish Lakeland, some 400 km from Helsinki. It is a great destination for food enthusiast and nature lovers but also for those who are looking for authentic experiences. Most often food is prepared from what the lakes and forests offer during different seasons.

Karelian culture is stories about orthodoxy, rune singing, war history, Karelian traditions and other characteristics of life between East and West. The Finnish national landscape that opens from the oldest bedrock of Europe, Koli hills, is something to experience at least once in a lifetime. For nature lovers four national parks and several other outdoor areas, offer great trails for day-hikes, canoeing and biking and the possibility to observe wild animals.

Contact: Leena Tervakorpi

© VisitKarelia

Finnland Kulku-VisitKarelia-hiking © VisitKarelia

Karu Survival

Karu Survival offers outdoor activities for its customers in Finland. Main areas are North Karelia and Lapland. Company is specialized in hiking and canoeing trips from one day trips to several day expedition style adventures, bushcraft and survival workshops from short workshops to one week long classes, mountain bike adventures and wild edibles. All our guide are professional with long history of outdoors. Company´s main language is English. Karu Survival helps its guests experience nature at its best, following the principles of sustainable development without damaging the environment and adhering to the concept of “leave no trace”.

Contact: Mikko Kettunen

© Karu Survival

Finnland Kulku-Karu Survival-canoeing © Karu Survival

Erä-Eero

Erä-Eero offers wildlife photographing and observing in the beautiful landscape of North Karelia Finland. The best place to see wolverine in its natural habitat.

Contact: Eero Kortelainen

© Erä-Eero

Finnland-Kulku-Erä-Eero bear at a lake © Erä-Eero

Puukarin Pysäkki

Puukarin Pysäkki is a dream destination for those who appreciate locality, nature, unique food, and experiences. Rest in the soothing embrace of nature and enjoy pure North Karelian delicacies. Connect with nature and find your way back to your own unique path.

Contact: Anni Korhonen

© Puukarin Pysäkki

Finnland Kulku-Puukarin Pysäkki © Puukarin Pysäkki
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Registration

Visit Karelia_Karelian_pies

Virtual FAM Trip South & North Karelia
29.-30. September 2021