On this tour we visit the famous Imatra Castle hotel built in 1903. This unique art-nouveau hotel was voted the most beautiful building of Finland in 2014. We drive to the checkpoint of Imatra on the Russian border and then along the beautiful river Vuoksi to Alvar Aalto Church of Three Crosses. We’ll pop into the church if possible. WWII history comes alive at the legendary Immola airfield that witnessed Adolf Hitler’s visit in 1942. We’ll see  the idyllic old Niskalampi residential and the Ukonlinna resort that has become the leading center of sport tourism in South Karelia. Lake Saimaa with its spas and ports will become familiar to us, too.

During WWII  Imatra was often in the center of events. During the Winter War, the castle hotel Valtionhotelli hosted the Headquarters of Army of Karelian Isthmus. The most interesting episode was seen in the summer of 1942 when the Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler flew over here to congratulate the 75-year-old Marshal Mannerheim. Tragic moments wer experienced in the summer of 1941 when the Enso attack was made. German detachment Kuhlmey operated from Immola Airfield by in the summer of 1944. On this tour we see the authentic battle grounds and hear about the brave foreign volunteers who came to help Finland in the Winter War from Britain, France, Denmark and Sweden. We also hear about the military medical care in our country’s  history.

Haukkavuori rocky mountain is the highest point in South Karelia. A breathtaking scenery opens from the top of the mountain. The clear blue Lake Sarajärvi glitters right under the cliffs. This mountain used to serve as a border mark between Sweden and Russia in the old times. You can see the border line according to the Treaty of Nystad carved on the rocks on the top of the mountain. The Treaty of Nystad was the last peace treaty of the Great Northern War of 1700–1721. The tour takes 3-4 hours from Imatra. You can easily add a visit to Parikkala Statue Park to this tour.

Trip to the beautiful ice age cape Rastiniemi. Here you can see the very end of the second Salpausselkä ridge that was formed at the end of the last Ice Age appr. 11 000 years ago. The retreating ice sheet melted until a colder period started. The edge of the ice stopped at one place and that was how Salpausselkä ridges were born. In Rastiniemi, Lake Saimaa’s waters broke through the ridge and it was fallen apart.

Trip to the golden beach of Kyläniemi. This is a paradise for sun lovers and swimmers! Parents with small children are also fond of this beautiful beach because of its safe shallow waters. Kyläniemi is a perfect place for berry picking in July when the blackberries and raspberries ripen…

Imatra has a surprising number of interesting architectural objects. Different styles are well represented including art nouveau, functionalism and modernism. Wooden houses are also a key part of Imatra. During this tour you can choose a visit to several interesting buildings: Castle Hotel, Aalto Church of Three Crosses, Industrial Workers’ Housing Museum, Orthodox Church, Neitsytniemi mansion, House of Culture Virta or Karelian Outdoor Museum of 1800s. The tour may include coffee/tea at the Castle Hotel, Border Museum, House of Culture or Karelian Outdoor Museum.

In Imatra region there are many spots related to the famous Kollaa battle. During this tour we will see the place where the reverend Jorma Heiskanen disappeared during the attack to Enso in summer 1941. We visit the Kollaa Museum in Miettila village and finally honour the memory of world’s best ever sniper, Simo Hayha in Ruokolahti old cemetery.

10.00 Welcome coffee/tea at Hotel Valtionhotelli.
10.45 Bus to the Finnish-Russian border and Miettilä.
12.00 Kollaa Museum
13.00 Lunch at Lohela Restaurant. Local food & cast iron products for sale.
14.30 Bus to Ruokolahti Church hill.
15.30 Coffee/tea at Ruokolahti Outdoor Museum.
16.30 Bus to Imatra.

This tour can be easily charged into a Kollaa Battle & Flora Tour. Then we visit a beautiful local cottage garden in Miettila village.

10.00 Welcome coffee/tea
We have a nice cup of tea or coffee in the fabulous hotel Valtionhotelli.

10.45 Guided tour of the hotel
After the tea we have a guided tour around the hotel. We can also pop into the luxury rooms and hear interesting stories about the hotel’s history. This beautiful art-nouveau castle has seen a lot both in peace and war.

12.00 Guided walk in the Crown Park
The Crown Park with the rugged riverbed of the Imatra rapids is the oldest nature reserve in Finland. It was established already in 1842. We will hear stories about the birth of the river Vuoksi and the golden age of rapids tourism. We will see the rare river potholes and the unique guestbook on rocks. This tour is not fully accessible for people with physical disabilities or parents with children in prams because of the stairs.

13.00 Lunch in the hotel Valtionhotelli
The historical environment is a perfect setting for such portions as ”Pike perch à la Mannerheim” or ”Czar’s reindeer”. Buffet lunch is also a popular choice.

14.00 Sightseeing tour of Imatra

On this tour we will have a glance at the checkpoint of Imatra on the Russian border and then drive along the beautiful river Vuoksi to the Church of the Three Crosses. We’ll pop into the church if possible. We will hear some war history and visit the legendary Immola airfield which is not accessible without a permit. We will see the idyllic old Niskalampi residential are and the Ukonlinna resort that has become the leading center of sport tourism in South Karelia. Lake Saimaa with its spas and ports will become familiar to us, too.

16.00 Departure