Gastronomy tour of Finland's Lake Saimaa region

Start your trip with complimentary airport lounge access before boarding your flight to Helsinki. On arrival, collect your hire car and drive north for around two hours and 40 minutes to Tertti Manor – a converted 17th-century country estate in the Lake Saimaa region, surrounded by gardens and forests. Not only is it a homely place to stay; it’s also a gastronomic destination in its own right.

The award-winning restaurant here proudly celebrates the culinary heritage of South Savo, producing delicious dishes using fresh ingredients from the manor’s own vegetable and herb gardens, as well as meat and fish from local producers. This is the perfect introduction to the flourishing gastronomic scene of Lake Saimaa. 

Stay: Tertti Manor (Superior)

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, you’ll have some free time to relax and perhaps take a stroll through the gardens. Later on, head to Ollinmäki winery (around 20 minutes’ drive away), which has been producing berry wines and ciders using apples from their own orchard since 1995. While learning about the history of the winery, you’ll get to sample three different varieties in a tasting session, alongside ‘sapas’ (Finnish tapas) dishes that perfectly complement the flavours of each wine. Taste buds already activated, it’s then time to head back to Tertti Manor for another delectable dinner. 

Stay: Tertti Manor (Superior) 

Heading east, make a stop at the Tea House of Wehmais for a delectable tea and chocolate tasting session in the converted stables of a traditional manor house. Your next destination is Savonlinna, one of the oldest and most attractive towns in Finland and a major cultural hub in the Lake Saimaa region. You’ll be staying at a modern hotel on the edge of the market square, with an abundance of places to eat and drink in the vicinity – including the hotel’s own rooftop restaurant, Muikkuterassi, which serves crispy fried vendace (a regional delicacy).

The next day is set aside for you to explore Savonlinna as you please. It’s a compact town which can easily be explored on foot at a leisurely pace. The 15th-century Olavinlinna Castle is a must-see highlight, while the food stalls of Market Square and the Savonlinna Museum on Riihisaari island are also worth a visit. There’s also plenty of scope to arrange adventures further afield, including boat trips, bike rides and kayaking tours.

Stay: Original Sokos Seurahuone Hotel (Superior)

Your journey continues south today, as you make your way to Sahanlahti Resort, set within a 17th-century former sawmill on the banks of Lake Saimaa. You’ll be staying in one of the luxurious, waterfront Elsanranta Villas with a private deck, a heated plunge pool, a sauna and elegant Finnish furnishings. Later on, after settling into your stylish accommodation, head out to Uhkua for a wild food experience on Lake Saimaa. A fishing boat will take you to an idyllic island for a four-course dinner showcasing the freshest ingredients sourced from the surrounding nature, such as fish from the lake and mushrooms and berries from the forests. The views here are gorgeous, and if you’re lucky you may even catch a glimpse of a rare Saimaa Ringed Seal. 

Stay: Elsanranta Villas, Sahanlahti Resort (Deluxe)

Today, you’ll be warmly welcomed into a Finnish country home to learn the art of baking traditional Karelian pies – a much-loved delicacy consisting of a thin rye crust stuffed with creamy rice and topped with buttered eggs, which have been made in the region since the 17th century. There’s also plenty of time to relax back at the resort, perhaps taking a refreshing dip in the lake, renting canoes or unwinding, Finnish-style, in the sauna. For dinner, choose from three restaurants covering everything from freshly caught fish and meats cooked over an open fire to authentic, Neapolitan-style pizzas. 

Stay: Elsanranta Villas, Sahanlahti Resort (Deluxe)

The next leg of your journey brings you to Lappeenranta, a laid-back town on the southern shore of Lake Saimaa, where you’ll be staying in a boutique hotel in a former spa house. Along the way, you’ll stop for a hearty lunch by a campfire. You’ll then have the remainder of the day to explore Lappeenranta at leisure. An ideal way to get a feel for the place is to follow the nature and culture trail that winds through the Fortress of Lappeenranta before strolling down to the pretty waterfront promenade, which is lined with restaurants, cafes and an extraordinary collection of elaborately sculpted sandcastles. Be sure to seek out Lappeenranta’s signature pastries – ‘vety’ (ham and egg) and ‘atomi’ (ham or egg) – which you’ll find at stalls in the marketplace. 

Stay: Hotel Lähde (Standard)

After one last breakfast, leave Lappeenranta behind as you drive back to Helsinki to catch your flight home.