InFAcTo packages

TOUR

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S FOOD ANDACTIVITYTOURISM

VÕROMAASETOMAA

SAAREMAAESTONIA

HÄMEENLINNAFINLAND

Pristine nature, unique cultures, hospitable entrepreneurs and lo-cal fl avours – these are the ingre-dients which are included in the brand new tourism packages on off er at our destinations of Häme, Hämeenlinna region, Finland and Võromaa, Setomaa and Saaremaa regions in Estonia.

Hidden treasures, off the beaten track, just for you to enjoy with your family and friends; traditional food made from mostly local in-gredients and activities honouring

local culture and traditions are all waiting to entice you with an as-surance that all will be well taken care of and you will want to return, time and again

The tour packages presented on the following pages were devel-oped by the small entrepreneurs and tourism teams in Häme, Saaremaa, Setomaa and Võromaa as a part of the Central Baltic IV A Programme 2007-2013 project InFAcTo - International Food and Activity Tourism.

Smoked fi sh from Hämeenlinna

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Baltic

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Finland

Latvia

Estonia

SAAREMAA

SETOMAAVÕROMAA

HÄMEENLINNA

Helsinki Saint Petersburg

Tallinn

Riga

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TASTE OF..One of the highlights of any jour-ney is the food. Flavours that are particular to the regions. What are these local delicacies and the stories behind them? You will be delighted to hear, see and taste all that we off er.

You are most welcome to try out just one region or combine a few. Who knows, maybe you will be so impressed by one the routes on off er and would then like to visit off er and would then like to visit another of our regions on your next holiday!

Cooking outside in Võrumaa

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The tour leaves the town centre along road no. 10 towards the Kankaisten Marjatila berry farm.

Kankaisten Marjatila, (address Kankaisten Kylätie 58, Hämeenlinna) grows strawberries, raspberries, currants and peas. The farm has a shop selling a wide range of berry products, bread and honey as well as a lovely café off ering delicious cakes and pastries all baked on site. Children can enjoy their own play area and meet all the animals that live on the farm. The shop is open through the berry season, from mid-summer until mid-August.

The tour continues to the bakery shop of Tuulosrievä (address Syr-jäntaantie 58, Tuulos, Hämeenlinna). This is a traditional bakery where all bread is made without additives and baked in genuine, wood-fi red ovens. The shop is open every day through-out the year. During the summer a small café also operates in the bak-ery.

Our next destination is the nearby shopping centre Kauppa keskus Tuulonen (address Tuuloksentie 1, Tuulos, Hämeenlinna) with manu-facturer’s outlets and special shops where you can make great fi nds at great prices. A visit to Sipen Saluu-

na is an opportunity to try sahti, an age-old Finnish beer, highly regard-ed by beer experts around the world.

After shopping, take road no. 12 towards Hauhon Iloranta (address Rukkoilantie 129, Hauho, Hämeen-linna), where a delicious summer lunch is served every day between the 10th of June and the 15th of Au-gust, 12 noon – 2 p.m.

Iloranta is great place for all-inclu-sive farm stays – and if you love great traditional Finnish home cook-ing, why not stay a bit longer! The tables are laden with delicacies prepared with care from local ingre-dients gathered from the fi elds, for-ests and lakes nearby: fresh home-made bread, fi sh smoked on site by the host, organic potatoes and vegetables and wild mushrooms.

REAL FOOD FROM THE COUNTRY

Enjoy locally produced food and products in the cafés and restaurants of this area.

Accommodation options include comfortable ho-tels and holiday villages. Summer

fl avours

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CONTACT:HÄMEENLINNA TOURIST INFORMATION Keinusaarentie 6,13200 Hämeenlinna FINLAND +358 (0)3 621 [email protected] visithameenlinna.fi

CAR TOUR1 DAY

Wine and meal

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This route, which circles the island, combines site see-ing with a taste experience of the local and traditional foods of Saaremaa, always fresh and wholesome.

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CAR TOUR6 DAYS

Your trip begins at Vanatoa Hotel, located in Koguva village, a well preserved historical seaside village protected under heritage conser-vation. Visit the Muhu Museum depicting the lifestyle of the 19th century and the reconstruction of the ancient ship Uisk, a type of sail-ing vessel used since the time of the Vikings.

In the evening, enjoy a hearty din-ner of fresh fi sh or game served at the hotel restaurant.

On the next day, tour the island of Muhu. See the well preserved 13th century Katariina Church, visit handicraft shops or go horseback riding at Tihuse Farm.

For a new taste experience, try the ostrich meat or omelette at Laasu Ostrich Farm for lunch and enjoy dinner at Pädaste Manors‘ restau-rant Alexander, which has won best restaurant in Estonia award for three consecutive years.

On Day 3, travellers drive along the seaside to their next accommoda-tion and can visit the Maasilinna stronghold or Jaani church en route. A fresh vegetable salad with sheep’s milk cheese awaits at Allika Villa upon arrival. After a walk on

the beach, take a look in the picnic hamper supplied by your hosts – smoked fl ounder and home-made beer, juice and more.

Your hosts at Allika Villa will help you plan your next day. Take a hike in the nearby forest, where you will fi nd berries and mushrooms in season, go fi shing on the sea, visit an Open Organic Farm or do some sightseeing.

On Day 5 you will make your way to Georg Ots Spa Hotel in Kures-saare, where you can relax in the saunas and pools, or order some special spa treatments. Visit the sites of Kuressaare –the medieval castle, the marketplace, the artisan food and handicraft shops and then enjoy dinner at the Spa or a smaller restaurant in town .

On your route back towards the mainland, stop off at Kiratsi Farm Shop where you can try the home-made ice cream, see the Kaali me-teorite crater and have lunch at the café at Koplimäe Organic Farm.

Hope you enjoyed your tasty vaca-tion!

A FOODIE VACATION

Allika Villa

Kiratsi Farm Shop

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This adventure takes travellers to cosy terrain, nostalgic farms and heritage sites of the Haanja. The visitors will meet local people and gain new experiences of local food and farming. Village idyll tastes like Grandma’s.

Guided tours include:

Jõeniidu Farm – goats, goat´s cheese, typical village;

Hartsmäe Farm – ecological farm, pigs (hybrids of wild boars and pigs), home-baked bread;

Mooska Farm – meat smoked in a smoke sauna, guided nature walks on Vällamägi Hill

Nopri Farm Shop – local dairy prod-ucts.

Suhka Tourist Farm – horses, depot of local fi re brigade (www.suhka.ee)

Hurda Farm – stories of trees and herbs and their curative features, smoke sauna, a bear oak and stone circle (cannot be visited in winter) www.hot.ee/h/hurdatalu

The observation tower on Suur Mu-namägi – the highest point of the Baltic States (318 m).

Plaani Orthodox church, Plaani Lodge, an English style pub in the countryside, Rogosi Manor and Park, Mustahamba Oak and lot more.

The package includes:

1 night accommodation at Vaskna Farm.

1 breakfast

2 lunches

2 coff ee breaks

All visits and attractions

Services of a tour guide

The package does not include trans-port.

The programme may be changed and attractions or farm visits re-placed with similar activities.

CONTACT:VASKNA FARMHaanja, Võrumaa 65101ESTONIA

+372 5650 7773 (Margit Utsal)[email protected] www.vaskna.ee

GROUPS 8-30 PERSONSROUND THE YEAR1 DAY AND NIGHT

VILLAGE IDYLL

Keywords: produce, re-laxation

TASTES LIKE GRANDMA’S

Tasting the homemade beer

Cheese and meat

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Seto Handicraft As-sociation Kiravüü

Seto rESTo

Taarka TarõKöögikõnõ

TASTES OF SETOMAA

CONTACT:MTÜ SETOMAA TURISM

+372 [email protected]

The trip gives an overview of Seto culture and history, travellers can test handi-craft and cooking skills and experience local tastes. We listen to polyphonic Seto singing or leelo, enlisted in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list.

COACH TRIP15 PERSONSFROM SEPT TO MAY2 DAYS

The fi rst stop in Setomaa is Kirävüü Handicraft Association, where we get some tips in crafts and plait a ribbon or a similar item, Seto snacks will be off ered by our hosts.

Seto Farm Museum presents the story of a Seto farm and its architec-ture. We learn about daily life in this area about 100 years ago.

A drive through Russia or Saatse boot - on the way from Värska to Saatse a section of the road passes through Russia.

Obinitsa church. It has been re-cently renovated. We hear more about the role of religion in Seto community.

Late lunch of Seto cuisine, and sto-ries of local cooking and customs at Taarka Tarõ in Obinitsa.

A walk in Obinitsa village. We take look at the monument to the Mother of Song, and visit the chapel and museum. Mother of song enjoy a special status in Setomaa where they are renowned and celebrated. Chapels (tsässon) are special here and these tiny prayer houses can still be found in many villages today.

Seto Art Gallery shows what the resident artists work on, and visi-

tors make a travel memento in the block printing technique. The gallery has collections of art, silver jewel-lery, wallpapers and other handicraft items.

Accommodation is at Piusa Ürgoru Holiday Centre, Setomaa Tourist Farm or Obinitsa Holiday Centre according to the size and wishes of the group.

Dinner and a leelo concert with singing and dancing together. Leelo singing is internationally acclaimed, it is enlisted on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.We join in cooking, using old and modern recipes.

Meremäe Hill, wonderful views open from the top of the hill over Estonia and across the border. The cupolas of Pechory monastery can be seen in fi ne weather.

Vastseliina Bishop´s Castle tells the story of where two cultures come into contact. An excursion is fol-lowed by medieval tastes in food.

Nopri Farm presents what they do on the farm and in the dairy. Farm produce can be tasted and there is a farm shop for purchases.

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VÕROMAA SOUTHERN ESTONIA

Võru County kindly welcomes visi-tors and wants them to share the magnifi cence and beauty of its nature.

Domed hills, deep valleys, large rolling plains, fast-running rivers, beautiful little lakes, great views.

Unique hiking-tracks and cross-country skiing trails in the wild na-ture, untouched bogs and natural wetlands – this is Võru County!

People of Võromaa

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CONTACT:ABZ REISIDVabaduse 1, 65609 VõruESTONIA

+372 78 [email protected]

ACTIVELY IN THE NATURECOACH TOUR20 PERSONS1 DAYBEST TIME: MAY TO SEPT

Explore the South-Estoni-an nature.

A relaxing canoeing/kayak tour, animal and birdwatch-ing, exploring

Võru – Rõuge – Haanja – Mooska Farm

Getting acquainted with the town of Võru, located on the shores of beau-tiful Tamula Lake. It was founded in 1784 according to the wishes of the Empress Catherine II of Russia. The town has a regular planning and lay-out of streets. A walk to the Kreut-zwald park and beach promenade.

Lunch

Rõuge has St Mary’s church from 1730, which boasts an organ built by the Kriisa brothers. There is also the Monument to Estonian Mother which celebrates the Estonian woman as mother and expresses gratitude to her.

Rõuge has 7 lakes, of which Suurjärv is the deepest in Estonia at 38 m. Rõuge primeval valley is up to 70 m deep in places and features several other smaller valleys fl owing into it. Ööbikuorg (Nightingale valley) is one of them, there are many springs, and an old hill fort site on its high bank. What a hydraulic ram is will be explained.

The valley also features a hydraulic workshop and museum.

Haanja is an unrivalled destination for hikers in the county. People’s ability to work hard, their handicraft skills, sense of humour, love for mu-sic and song has helped them live in this area of hills and poor soils. It is balanced by wonderful countryside, so attractive for ramblers and here we fi nd the highest hills of the Baltic states and Estonia – Suur Munamä-gi (318 m) and Vällamägi (303.9 m).

The viewing tower of Suur Munamä-gi presents a view across Estonia and into Latvia and Russia.

A visit to Mooska Farm – local food and meat smoked in a smoke sauna. Meat is smoked in a traditional way on the farm. During the experiential food trip visitors can taste and buy smoked meat and the best food products from the neighbourhood.

Mooska smoke sauna

Rõuge Water Party and Boat Rally

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DISCOVER THE VÕRU COUNTY

INDIVIDUAL TRAVELLERS2 DAYS

Võru-Rõuge-Haanja

Võru County is an area where travel-lers can enjoy peace and quiet out-doors. Woodlands and hills create magnifi cently diverse landscapes. In the south it almost touches the sky, as from the top of the highest hill in the Baltic states - Suur Munamägi, marvellous views open out over hilly scenery, deep valleys and clear lakes.

One of the most famous residents of the county was Friedrich Kreutzwald, author of the national epic “Kalevi-poeg” and who worked as a doctor in Võru between 1833 and1877.

Võru County Museum. The per-manent display demonstrates local history from the Stone Age until the present day. It has an interesting presentation of ethnographic items, exhibition on the Kriisa brothers, famous for building organs, work-shops of tailor and cobbler, Seto farm and forest brothers’ hideout.

Lunch in Võru.

Kreutzwald Museum is one of the fi rst buildings in the town, he worked and lived in it for 44 years. The museum has six buildings, a spacious yard and beautiful garden. A stroll to the beach promenade on Lake Tamula.

Accommodation at the Kubija Hotel (www.kubija.ee; twin/double rooms), access to the spa and sauna centre.

Taarapõllu Farm in Kangsti village. Fruit, berries and vegetables are grown and processed on the farm. The product range includes juices, jams, dried berries, berry snacks, milled berries, purees and diluting juice (advance booking).

Rõuge Ööbikuorg (hydraulic ram, viewing tower)

Hydraulic workshop and museum.

Suur Munamägi Hill and viewing tower in Haanja.

Mooska Farm, tasting of smoked ham (prior booking).

Võru town

Observation Tower at Suur Munamägi

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Canoe/Kayak Tours. 4-day canoe/kayak tour along the Võhandu River. Võhandu is the longest river in Estonia (162 km), which empties into Lake Lämmijärv in Põlvamaa (South-Estonia).

Along the way it runs through a breathtaking scenery and narrows in places creating small valleys. This canoeing tour takes you from the vicinity of the town of Võru to the town of Räpina and includes around 80 km of relaxing canoeing and three short land transports.

Keep a lookout for wild animals. The forests of South Estonia are home to elk, roe deer, foxes, wolves, bears and lynx, and if you keep quiet and still at around dusk, you may spot a beaver in the river.

This is not a guided tour, it is a dis-covery of your own, taken at a pace to suit yourself and you can choose your own camping spot each night. Detailed guidance and advice will be given before the start of the tour by the Matkajuht team.

RIVER ADVENTURES

CONTACT:MATKAJUHT

Ph +372 5667 [email protected]

4 DAYSGROUPS 4-40 PEOPLEFROM 9 MAY TO 16 SEPTSTART TUE/WED AT 2PMOTHER TIMES BY PRIOR AR-RANGEMENT

Relaxing canoeing, animal and birdwatching, exploring

Kayaking on the river

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MEET THE PEOPLE

COACH TOUR20 PERSONS2 DAYSBEST TIME: MAY TO SEPT

Meet the people, learn about the culture and enjoy a peaceful atmos-phere in the southernmost county of Estonia – Võru County!

Getting acquainted with Võru, located on the shores of beauti-ful Tamula Lake. It was founded in 1784 according to the wishes of the Empress Catherine II of Russia. The town has a regular planning and layout of streets. A walk to the Kreutzwald park and beach promenade.

Lunch

Rõuge has St Mary’s church from 1730 and boasts an organ built by the Kriisa brothers. There is also the Monument to Esto-nian Mother which celebrates the Estonian woman as mother and expresses gratitude to her.

Rõuge has 7 lakes, of which Su-urjärv is the deepest in Estonia at 38 m. Rõuge primeval valley is up to 70 m deep in places and features several other smaller valleys fl owing into it. Ööbikuorg (Nightingale valley) is one of them, there are many springs and an old hill fort site on its high bank.

The valley also features a hy-draulic workshop and museum, established in the early 20th cen-tury to benefi t from the valley´s geography and abundant water resources. The force of water

was used to operate machinery and a power turbine; what a hy-draulic ram is will be explained. The fi rst fl oor has a display of old household tools and collections of photos, newspapers and other items.

Haanja is an unrivalled destina-tion for hikers in the county. Peo-ple’s ability to work hard, their handicraft skills, sense of humour, love for music and song has helped them live in this area of hills and poor soils. It is balanced by wonderful countryside, so attractive for ramblers and here we fi nd the highest hills of the Baltic states and Estonia – Suur Munamägi (318 m) and Vällamägi (303 m).

The viewing tower of Suur Mu-namägi presents a view across Estonia and into Latvia and Rus-sia.

A visit to Mooska Farm – lo-cal food and meat smoked in a smoke sauna. Meat is smoked in a traditional way on the farm, during the experiential food trip, visitors can taste and buy smoked meat and the best food products from the neighbour-hood.

Accommodation at the Kubija Hotel (www.kubija.ee, twin/dou-ble rooms), access to the spa and sauna centre. Dinner in a national style: starter – herring with sour cream. Main course: roast pork with sauerkraut and potato, or chicken roll with rye bread fi lling. Dessert: Kama and curd mousse or fruit soup with whipped cream.

Coff ee, herb tea and spring water.Bread, rolls and fl avoured butter.

A trip to Taarapõllu Farm in Kangsti village. Fruit, berries and vegetables are grown and pro-cessed on the farm. The product range includes juices, jams, dried berries, berry snacks, milled ber-ries, purees and diluting juice.

Lunch

Metsavenna Farm: in the trips of forest brothers visitors can search out forest brothers in their hideouts, visit an underground bunker, hear true stories of life after WWII, and sing old songs along with the master.

Farm shop

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Pokumaa is a theme park where in the Poku Hall visitors can see origi-nal illustrations and oil paintings by the famous Estonian artist Edgar Valter, characters of his books are on display, and also photos of him and his pokus in diff erent seasons. Visitors can learn about the life of pokus, admire fascinating interior design and ornaments of the hall, participate in various events and ac-tivities, all of which are underpinned by nature, Võru County and Edgar Valter.

Road Safety Teaching Centre is like the smallest town in the world but a town like any other complete with a disco, drive-in cinema, petrol station, cafe, shopping street and so on,

Make your child’s dream come true here

Drive diff erent cars

Participate in a dodgem car race in the streets of the town (prior book-ing only)

Training and fun drives for children

Experience the town from a pedes-trian’s perspective

Drive under guidance of an experi-enced instructor

Road safety classes for children

Nõiariik (Sorcerer’s Kingdom) is a fun-fi lled theme park in Uhtjärve primeval valley for the entire family. In the park visitors can meet the Lit-tle Witch, walk along the witch trail, make talismans, go on hikes, swim, play ballgames, have lunch, and spend an active day, www.noiariik.ee.

Prior booking is required.

Accommodation at the Kubija Hotel, (www.kubija.ee; twin/double rooms), access to the spa and sauna centre.

Price includes: accommodation, ac-cess to the spa and sauna centre, use of dressing gowns and slippers, buff et breakfast, morning sauna, mini golf and use of Nordic walking poles.CONTACT:

ABZ REISIDVabaduse 1, 65609 VõruESTONIA


TOGETHER WITH CHILDREN IN VÕRUMAA

Pokumaa – Tamme-Lauri Oak - Urvaste church - Uhtjärve Nõiariik and Road Safety Teaching Centre

INDIVIDUAL TRAVELLERS AND FAMILIES2 DAYS

Children’s party

Poku`s House at Urvaste

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SETOMAA SOUTHERN ESTONIA

Setomaa is a place where you can experience strong tradi-tions, hospitality, thousands of years of history, traditional villages and fortifi ed farms, virgin forest and lakes.

We have UNESCO recognition for the ancient Seto song gen-re, Seto kingdom and kings, fairs and fetes, the healthful bounty of nature, Seto gour-met and handicraft. Welcome to Setomaa!

Leelo singing by Seto choir

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SETOMAA Seto Farm Museum

Piusa CavesVisitor Centre

SETOMAA PAST AND PRESENT

CONTACT:ABZ REISID OÜVabaduse 1, 65609 VõruESTONIA


COACH TRIP15/25/40 PERSONSFROM APR TO OCT2 DAYS

Visits to a museum and tsässon (chapel) to learn about local customs, ar-chitecture, handicraft and religion. Seto art can be admired in an art gallery and excellent Seto food appreciated at meal times.

Day 1

The visit to Setomaa begins at No-pri Farm dairy, which manufactures products that are natural and pro-cessed as little as possible. Dairy produce can be tasted in the dairy and there is farm shop for purchas-es.

Seto style lunch at Setomaa Tourist Farm.

A visit to Halás Kunn art gallery in Obinitsa where collections of art, silver jewellery and craft items can be seen and the block printing tech-nique learned.

Trip continues in Värska, the largest Seto village.

Accommodation and dinner at Hir-vemäe Holiday Centre in twin/dou-ble rooms. Evening entertainment with Seto leelo singing and dancing.

Day 2

A visit to Seto Farm Museuma at Värska which presents farm archi-tecture and the tools and crafts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.A drive through Russia or Saatse boot - the road from Värska to Saatse passes through a strip of Russia, locally nicknamed as ´boot´.

The next stop is at Jumalamägi Hill (God´s hill) where Seto beliefs and the god Peko are described. The Vana Jüri Soap Workshop is located nearby, where ecological hand-made soaps are made and sold.

The route passes Koidula train stat-ion on the border, one of the largest recent investments in infrastructure.

Lunch and stories of Seto cuisine and customs at Taarka Tarõ in Obinitsa.

Introduction to Obinitsa village which includes a visit to the local chapel (tsässon). Similar little chap-els can still be found in many vil-lages in Setomaa.

Piusa Caves Visitor Centre. Piusa caves is a system of tunnels and columns cut into sandstone when sand for glass production was dug manually.

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Obinitsa Museum

Seto rESTo at Setomaa Tourist Farm

IN SETOMAA WITH CHILDREN



INDIVIDUAL TRAVELLERSUP TO 6 PERSONS2 DAYSFROM APR TO OCT

Come and discover Setomaa! Come with chil-dren! Discover it through places which present history, traditions and crafts of Setomaa, through places which are childlike enough to attract even the youngest in the family!

When in Setomaa, go to Obinitsa Museum fi rst. A local guide tells the story of Setomaa history and culture through local tools, customs, traditions, daily life and the wonder-fully skilful craft of Seto women.

Next to the museum is a little village chapel, locally tsässon. Similar little chapels can still be found in many villages in Setomaa. Ask the guide to show the chapel as well!

Lunch of Seto food awaits then in Taarka Tarõ in Obinitsa. Visitors can join in cooking too if they wish.

From Obinitsa drive to the Piusa Caves Visitor Centre. Piusa caves are the result of manually digging sand for glass production. A local guide tells the story of these caves, and takes you to the Museum Cave and to an open quarry where you can play and run around in the sand.

Now it is time to fi nd your bed for the night! The package includes accommodation at Piusa Ürgoru Holiday Centre (www.puhkemaja.ee) or Setomaa Tourist Farm (www.setotalu.ee) in twin/double, triple or family rooms.

Piusa Ürgoru Holiday Centre on the Piusa river is set in a place of

natural beauty. Visitors can also go to sauna or catch trout for dinner (charged separately). Setomaa Tour-ist Farm attracts visitors with ex-quisite Seto dishes and a children’s playground. Meremäe Hill (204 m) near the farm has a viewing tower with superb views.

After breakfast visit Vastseliina Bish-op’s Castle and its visitor centre, take a walk in the castle ruins and climb on top of the viewing tower.

The next stop is Nopri Farm dairy, which manufactures products that are local, natural and processed as little as possible. Visitors can see how a 170-head dairy farm is man-aged, perhaps even touch a cow, and do their shopping in the farm shop.

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Saatse Seto Museum

Taarka Tarõ Köögikõno at Obinitsa

SETOMAA TOUR IN WINTER



INDIVIDUAL TRAVELLERS UP TO 10 PERSONS 2 DAYSFROM NOV TO MARCH

Landscapes under a blan-ket of snow and smoke rising from chimneys. On a cold winter’s day, what could be better than stay-ing indoors and learning about Seto traditions, handicraft and tastes.

Setomaa enchants travellers with its cultural and religious heritage and traditions. First, head to Saatse mu-seum which exhibits Seto culture in short but captivating fi lm clips, the museum also houses the art gallery of Renaldo Veeber. A short forest trail starts at the museum and takes travellers very close to the border between the EU and Russia.

When your stomach starts grum-bling, it is time to visit Taarka Tarõ in Obinitsa for lunch. Relax a while and learn from the cook how to bake de-licious blini in a genuine Seto oven and listen to her stories of the local cuisine and customs.

Now it is time to fi nd your bed for the night. The package includes accommodation at Piusa Ürgoru Holiday Centre (www.puhkemaja.ee) or Setomaa Tourist Farm (www.se-totalu.ee) in twin/double rooms.

Piusa Ürgoru Holiday Centre on the Piusa river is set in a place of natural beauty. Visitors can also go to sauna (charged separately). Setomaa Tourist Farm attracts visi-tors with exquisite Seto dishes and a children´s playground. Meremäe Hill (204 m) near the farm has a viewing tower with excellent views.

After breakfast the art gallery Halás Kunn in Obinitsa awaits, here Seto art, crafts, singing, dancing and theatre are all pursued. The gallery displays collections of art, silver jewellery and craft items. Gallery artists conduct a block printing workshop but other crafts can also be tried, including crocheting laces and ceramics.

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Sand Quarry in Piusa

Seto Tsäimaja - Tea House

A VISIT TO SETO COMMUNITY

CONTACT:KAGUREIS OÜUus 5, 63308PõlvaESTONIA

+372 5698 [email protected]. kagureis.ee

GROUPS UP TO 20 PEOPLEFROM 15 MAY TO 15 SEPT3 DAYS

Day 1

Arrival in Põlva, a green town in the south-east of Estonia. Check in at the Pesa hotel (holder of a Green Key certifi cate). Those interested can discover Põlva on their own – stroll to the lake, see the song festi-val grounds, visit the culture centre.

Dinner at the Pesa restaurant, con-cert by a leelo choir

The concert programme includes leelo singing (enlisted in the UNE-SCO intangible cultural heritage list), presentation of leelo and folk cos-tumes, and joining in the dancing.

Day 2 – tour of Setomaa

After breakfast we set off to Setomaa. Halás Kunn is a peculiar art gallery in Obinitsa, which off ers a fabulous insight into Seto handi-craft and culture. The gallery is run by Evar Riitsaar and Kauksi Ülle. The welcoming hosts show silver jewellery, wallpapers with Seto pat-terns, handicraft and block printing technique. We also visit the village chapel or tsässon, a holy place for Seto people.

By midday we arrive at the Nature Reserve of the Piusa Caves, which has the largest bat colony in Eastern

Europe with about 3000 bats, some species are very rare. The museum cave is open for visitors where a 3D kiosk enables the exploration of nu-merous underground tunnels which are closed to visitors. Those inter-ested can make a decorative bottle fi lled with local sand, or visit Piusa pottery nearby.

Now it is time to drive to Värska, the largest settlement in Setomaa, and enjoy lunch at Seto Tsäimaja (teahouse). This is a genuine culi-nary experience fi lled with authentic dishes of Seto cuisine, food comes in hand-made clay dishes, Seto mu-sic garnishes the meal.

After lunch a nice walk takes visitors to the Seto Farm Museum where displays of a Seto farm from about a hundred years ago.

The trip continues towards Saatse Museum, the road crosses Russian territory in the Saatse ´boot´. The museum is on the EU border and a short forest trail is way-marked near the museum and the border.

The day is concluded by dinner at the Pesa Hotel restaurant.

Day 3

Breakfast and departure for home.

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Piusa Pottery Workshop

Chanterelle from Setomaa

TO SETOMAA BY BIKE AND BY TRAIN

CONTACT:KAGUREIS OÜUus 5, 63308PõlvaESTONIA

+372 5698 [email protected]. kagureis.ee

INDIVIDUAL FOREIGN TRAV-ELLERSFROM 15 MAY 15 SEPT

11:09 Board a train at Põlva station

11:38 Get off the train at Orava sta-tion

6 km cycling trip to the Nature Re-serve of the Piusa Caves.

The Reserve aims to protect, re-search and present bats and the caves where they hibernate. It is the largest bat colony in Eastern Europe and home to about 3000 bats, some species of which are very rare.

There is guided tour in the museum cave, as a memento you can make a decorative bottle fi lling it with local sand.

You can also drop in at the pottery and witness the process of making clay items.

From there the trip continues to Obinitsa for a discovery of Seto culture. Four kilometres of pedalling in the picturesque countryside and you arrive at Halás Kunn studio and art gallery. It presents an admi-rable collection of silver jewellery, so characteristic of Seto people, manu-ally printed wallpapers which use seto patterns, exhibitions of paint-ings and woodwork. The welcoming hosts are eager to show what they do.

When feeling hungry, unpack the “cyclist’s haversack“ provided by the Pesa Hotel and enjoy your meal.

The next stop is Obinitsa Museum which displays the history and daily life of the Seto people.

Time to hit the road again to catch the 15:37 train at Orava.

Half an hour on the train and back to Põlva at 16:09.

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SAAREMAA WESTERN ESTONIA

One of the best restaurants in Es-tonia, sheep, horses, junipers, old villages with water reed roofs and a developing community of artisan food producers off ering you the tastes made from local ingredients.

Come and enjoy the idyllic island either in summer or winter.

Horseback riding at Muhu island

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After arriving on the island, you will take a beautiful coastline drive to your fi rst accommodation, the newly opened Pidula manor, one of the fi nest baroque manor houses in Es-tonia. Once there, stroll through the manor park with its ancient trees or simply relax before the 5 course din-ner. You will receive individual ser-vice at this peaceful and quiet hotel without losing out on luxury.

There are many possible choices to fi ll the next day. Spend time ex-ploring the coastline or visit some artisan food producers. At Uustlu sheep farm the owners will off er you sheep milk cheese and woollen handicrafts. Taste the many mus-tards made at Mustjala Mustard.

Lunch is served at the Lümanda diner, a countryside restaurant fa-mous for traditional dishes made from fresh ingredients sourced di-rectly from neighbouring farms.

The following two nights will be spent at the Georg Ots Spa Hotel in Kuressaare, off ering an array of pools, saunas, soothing massages and spa treatments.

You will have a choice of having meals at the spa restaurant or one

of several smaller recommended restaurants in town.

The next stop is Pädaste manor on Muhu island, member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The manor restaurant Alexander, is well known for its Nordic Islands’ Cui-sine, based on the region’s tradi-tions and made with local ingredi-ents. It has been ranked as the best restaurant in Estonia for the past three consecutive years by Flavours of Estonia. The six-course “Menu of the Islands” changes in keeping with the seasons.

Enjoy your time on Muhu by fi shing, hunting, horseback riding, sightsee-ing, or simply relaxing.

For a taste experience, enjoy a lunch of ostrich meat or an ome-lette off ered at Laasu ostrich farm. A week´s holiday in fresh sea air stimulates the taste buds of all epi-cureans. You will only fi nd the best along this trail.

SAAREMAA GOURMETCAR TOUR6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTSFROM MARCH TO OCT

This route takes you through the best hotels and restaurants in Saaremaa offering the highest level of service and exceptional cuisine, prepared, as much as possible, from local and organic ingredients.Georg Ots Spa Hotel

Lümanda diner

CONTACT:SAAREMAA MARKETING ASSOCIATIONKiratsi küla, Kaarma valdSaare Maakond

[email protected]+372 5860 7068www.saaremaaturundus.ee

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The bus from Kuressaare heads fi rst to the seaside village of Karala, where the travellers will be greeted by a member of the village associa-tion who will tell them all about life in the village, past and present. This is followed by a cooking workshop in the community house kitchen to prepare lunch dishes from local and seasonal ingredients. If the season favours, the group can go foraging for wild berries or mushrooms in the forest. And to follow? A picnic at the seaside. The dishes, made by your fair hands, are complemented with fi sh directly from the local bay that are smoked hot on-site. It’s un-fortgettably delish!

Those who don’t relish cooking can try less prosaic, though no less im-portant, jobs such as building a dry stone fence or cleaning fi sh nets.

The next stop is Leedri village, a jewel in its own right in Saaremaa, with archaic stone fences, windmills and ancient legends. A walking tour of the village ends at Orbu farm with tasting of juniper syrup, hand-made in small batches in a farm-house kitchen as well as delicious barley scones and tea.

At Käesla village the group will ar-rive just in time to see the evenings

main course being removed from the fi re pit, where it has been roast-ing all day long. Succulent morsels of tender lamb will be served with traditional barley and seasonal veg-etables. Dinner under the stars with live entertainment is truly a memora-ble feast.

And that’s another yummy day done!

THREE SMALL VILLAGES TOUR

COACH TOUR30-45 PERSONS1 DAY

This day tour takes in three villages in the western part of Saaremaa where you have a picnic by the sea, try your hand at old time farm chores and at the end of the day, relax and sa-vour a feast of roast lamb.

Juniper SyrupKäesla village

Smoking fi sh



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AGRITOURISM ADVENTURE.. JUST FOR KIDS!

After the ferry crossing to Muhu island, the fi rst stop is Koguva village, a well preserved histori-cal seaside village protected under heritage conservation. There is much to see here, in-cluding the Muhu Museum depicting the lifestyle of the 19th century with thatched roof farm dwellings, threshing barn, storehouses and high stone fences. Visit the reconstruc-tion of the ancient ship Uisk, a type of sailing vessel used since the time of the Vikings. A hearty lunch is served in one of the oldest farms of the village Vanatoa.

The next stop is Koplimäe Organic Farm, where the chil-dren will discover how various grains are grown, milled into fl our and then made into bread, followed by a degustation of some of the best breads made on the island, fresh from the oven.

After a stop at the ancient Pöide church, the road leads to Kuressaare, where the Kuressaare Castle, one of the best preserved castles in the Baltics dating from the 14th

century, is waiting to be ex-plored.

A delicious dinner typical of Western Saaremaa fare awaits the young trekkers at Kipi-Koovi Hiking Centre,where they will stay for two nights. Accomodation is in camping cabins located in a forested area. The center is also a certi-fi ed organic farm with apple orchards and farm animals.

The morning of Day 2 is spent on Sõrve peninsula, taking in the natural aattractions of that area, such as, rocky shorelines, the Ohessaare cliff and the Vi-ieristi coastal beach.

The children will visit a sheep farm and wool mill where the owners will demonstrate how wool is made into yarn and then transformed into beautiful handicrafts.

Lunch is at Lümanda diner, a countryside restaurant famous for preparing traditional dishes from fresh ingredients sourced directly from neighbouring farms. Pickles, condiments and baked goods are all made on site. The restaurant owner is

always happy to introduce the food being served.

Next in line are seeing the old windmills in Leedri village and then back to Kipi Koovi, where the children will bake bread on a stick over a campfi re in the evening.

The third day starts in Ki-helkonna visiting an ancient church with two towers and then off to a horse farm. Horse lovers can see horses of the native Estonian breed, pre-sented by Aivar Kallas, long standing board member of the Saaremaa Farmers Association.

Lunch is served in the Kärla Public School cafeteria for an experience of just how good school food can be. A stop at Kiratsi Farm Shop with a degustation of homemade ice creams is a fi tting end to a three day countryside food ad-venture through Saaremaa.

COACH TOUR30-45 PERSONSBEST TIME: MAY, JUNE3 DAYS

This package, created es-pecially for school groups, is an educational tour which introduces the local foods and traditions of Saaremaa to chil-dren through visits to farms, edible forests, seaside fi shing villages, museums and more.

Koplimäe FarmCONTACT:SAAREMAA MARKETING ASSOCIATIONKiratsi küla, Kaarma valdSaare Maakond


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The group’s day out begins with a multi-media presentation all about sheep at the KnowSheep Resource Centre located in the historic Kures-saare market hall. The group will be off ered a cup of herbal tea with a barley scone and have some time for a stroll around the marketplace, where vendors sell their handicrafts and an array of local food products. The guide will take the group on a short walking tour of the town, drop-ping by in some cosy handicraft shops, and then onto the bus.

The drive to Sõrve peninsula through marvellous landscapes and admiring sea views is a perfect introduction to the next stop at the Anseküla village community house. Members of the village association have been especially active in pre-serving the cultural heritage of the region and will present their tradi-tional Sõrve folk costumes, handi-craft patterns and old techniques of spinning and weaving wool.

Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on workshop to learn fi nger weaving and make a braided sash or garter from yarn spun out of local wool. Lunch will be off ered, a choice of lamb or fi sh pre-pared following traditional recipes

which the chefs are happy to share, followed by coff ee and dessert.

Back on the bus, the tour continues following the coastline to the “end of the island world” at the very tip of the peninsula, a place of natural beauty with sea vistas, rocky shore-lines and a lighthouse. Weather permitting, it is even possible to see Latvia across the Gulf of Riga from here. Optional stops can be made en route to visit the WWII coastal defence battery or military museum.

The last stop of the tour is the family operated spinning mill and organic sheep farm in Lõu village. The Sepp family will off er a tour of their prem-ises, introduce their sheep and talk about their activities. As a memento of the sheep themed trip visitors can buy yarn and woollen handicrafts at the mill shop and thus conclude the soft woolly day on Saaremaa.

SHEEP TRAILGROUPS 12-30 PEOPLE1 DAY

The Sheep Trail on Saaremaa is a wonderful way to learn all about sheep and why islanders are so fond of them.

Sheep of Saaremaa

Woollen handicraft



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From December to March when Es-tonia rests under a snowy blanket, it is a good time to gather a group of 10-12 friends and combine a re-laxing spa holiday with wandering along food trails. The winter trail of about eight hours takes you through Eastern Saaremaa. The fi rst stop, Koplimäe Farm in Pöide municipal-ity, is an organic farm where you can learn about grinding grain into fl ours and the process of making bread. The farm’s shop-cafe sells both lo-cal and organic food, including origi-nal farm ice cream, not to mention home-made breads.

Tihuse Riding Farm on the neigh-bouring island of Muhu is where carriage or sleigh rides or riding (for bravehearts) is available for a small charge. The light lunch of food grown in nearby fi elds or barns tastes exquisite after such experi-ences.

While driving back to Saaremaa your guide can tell you stories of contemporary eating habits, and soon the highlight of the day – a cookery workshop - takes place at Villa Uueelu in Kavandi village. The renovated yet typical threshing barn

- dwelling house comes with modern kitchen equipment but also has a wood-heated cooker and a bread

oven. According to the calendar and the time of your visit, the hostess and chef will assist you in cooking traditional Chirstmas, Shrove Tues-day or winter foods, all from local produce but with a Saaremaa twist and nuance.

Everybody joins in laying the table and enjoying good company and wintery farm milieu. Reminiscing and experience sharing may con-tinue in the saunas at the spa later in the evening.

WINTER TRAILGROUPS 10-12 PEOPLEFROM DEC TO MARCH1 DAY

Spend your winter day in the island

Villa Uueelu



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HÄMEENLINNAFINLAND

Just an hour’s drive from Helsinki, Hämeenlinna region off ers relaxing atmosphere away from the big city hustle and bustle.

Reknowned for it’s namesake Cas-tle, the birthplace museum of the national composer Sibelius, as well as the green parks of Aulanko and it’s range of quality golf courts, the region is now bursting with unique experiences for tourists.

On off er is an array of culinary and nature experiences, ispired by the

surrounding parks, forests, fi elds and lakes.

The local entrepreneurs have made an eff ort to network with each other in their product development thus ensuring that the tourists have an enjoyable stay fi lled by delights. Do come and enjoy!

Häme Castle

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The shores of Iso-Roine have been inhabited since the Stone Age, and, rich in fi sh, the lake has provided sustenance to the people living in its vicinity since time immemorial. It is likely to do so into the future, since the lake is carefully looked after and maintained, for example through regular restocking of valuable fi sh species.

The guided fi shing trips are a great opportunity to try fi shing with gill nets or fi sh traps even in the winter. You can also try the traditional fi sh-ing technique using a trident, have a go at catching crayfi sh, or try angling, jigging, troll or lure fi shing. The best method depends on the weather and the season. The pack-age includes two guided fi shing trips, the required permits, equip-ment and accommodation; fi sh caught on the trip will be prepared together into a delicious meal.

Accommodation options are the Leppäniemi log cabins or rooms at Iloranta in Hauho. Both are situated by Lake Iso-Roine. The package in-cludes bed linen and the use of the sauna. At Iloranta, the package also includes full board with its famously good food. All meals are cooked with care, using local ingredients from the lake, forest and fi elds near-

by whenever possible. And don’t miss the home-baked bread and the smoked fi sh prepared on site by our host – simply divine. At the Lep-päniemi log cabins, guests prepare their own food.

Alternative programming is organ-ised for those who do not wish to participate in the fi shing trips. This may include wellness treatments, shopping trips or a picnic.

For more details on the accom-modation, visit www.iloranta.fi and www.hirsihuvilat.fi

THE SECRETS OF FISHING

One way of fi shing at Lake Iso-Roine

Leppäniemi log cabin

The fi shing trip takes place in one of the Fin-land’s deepest lakes, Lake Iso-Roine, Hauho, Hämeenlinna. The lake boasts crystal-clear and pure waters with a wide variety of fi sh.

FAMILIES/SMALL GROUPS FROM 1 OCT TO 15 JUNE6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTSARRIVAL ON SUNDAY


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Experience a piece of Lapland close by Hämeenlinna. Iittala Reindeer Park is a short 3-kilometre drive from the centre of Iittala, in the midst of a pristine forest.

The Reindeer Park has been de-signed and built with attention to every detail so as to refl ect and respect the culture that we proudly wish to present. The owners are Sámi people, and come from an old family of reindeer herders, with a wealth of knowledge and stories to share with their guests about the tradition culture and way of life of the Sámi.

Guests are fi rst introduced to the feeding of the reindeer and while participating in this and taking pho-tos of these great animals, they will also be learning about the past and present of reindeer herding as a live-lihood. There is also a quick course on reindeer lassoing included in the visit!

In wintertime, as soon as there is enough snow, visitors can take a reindeer ride through the quite and peaceful forest, an experience they will cherish for a long time to come.

Imagine sitting by a bonfi re, sip-ping hot coff ee or tea freshly made on the fi re, accompanied by the

traditional Lappish delicacy, baked cheese. While chatting around the fi re, the owners will do their best to give deeper insights into the cul-tures and lifestyles of the Far North.

To conclude the experience, guests are welcome to visit the souvenir shop where all the products are connected to Lapland, reindeer and the shamanistic traditions of the North.

After your visit at the Reindeer Park a delicious lunch awaits at Iittala Glass Centre. Here the fascinating story of Finnish glass industry and design is told and on the site there is also a factory shop, great little craft shops and a small chocolate factory. On the way back to Helsinki, there will be a guided tour in the city of Hämeenlinna and an opportunity to do some more shopping.

VISIT TO A REINDEER PARK

Iittala Glass Centre

Reindeer parkA piece of Lapland in Southern Finland

DAY TRIP10 - 60 PARTICIPANTSFROM HELSINKI AND TAM-PERE


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Our trip to Hämeenlinna begins at Helsinki Airport, our fi rst stop is in Tuusula to visit the home museum of the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. After arriving at our fi rst ho-tel, the Petäys Resort, stunningly lo-cated in Hattula by Lake Vanajavesi, we will enjoy a tasty evening meal introducing the local food traditions.

On Day 2 after breakfast, we will learn the great art of making the vihta, made from fresh birch twigs and used in a traditional sauna, or you can choose from many other independent indoor or outdoor ac-tivities. A light lunch will be served at the hotel. In the evening, we will bathe in a traditional Finnish sauna and try out our self-made vihtas, followed by a typical Finnish sauna meal of barbecued sausages while admiring the view over the lake.

On Day 3 our trip continues to the Lepaa garden shop and winery, which produces excellent fruit and berry wines. In addition to wine, the garden shop also sells seasonal vegetables, fruit and fl owers. We will also visit one of Finland’s most beautiful medieval churches, the Church of the Holy Cross in Hat-tula, after which we will take in the Parola Tank Museum or alternatively artist Sirkku Rahunen-Ahtila’s atel-

ier. In the evening, we will relax at the hotel, enjoying an exquisite and delicious meal made from the best local produce. An option is to take a sauna at the lakeside.

On Day 4 we will arrive in the City of Hämeenlinna, where a guided tour will take us to the birthplace of the now familiar composer, Jean Sibel-ius, and the medieval Häme Castle. Our hotel is the Spa Hotel Rantasipi Aulanko which is set in the very landscape that inspired Sibelius to compose many of his great works. A dinner with a wealth of choice of local delicacies will be served at Aulanko Kievari.

The tour can be combined with a lake and canal cruise with Finn-ish Silverline ships or with visits to Turku, Naantali and Helsinki (three days).

THE WHITE NIGHTS OF SOUTHERN FINLAND

Rowing on the lake

The white summer nights are an experience of their own, you only need add pure nature, clean water-ways and delicious tastes to make it even better.

COACH TRIP FOR GROUPS5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTSFROM 1 JUNE–31 JULY

Sauna by the lake


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A relaxing winter holiday package is a wonderful way to enjoy the great Finnish outdoors, good skiing fol-lowed by the heated outdoor pools of the spa. The package includes three nights at one of our great ac-commodation options as well as family day tickets to Calpis Ski Center and the spa at Rantasipi Aulanko.

Calpis Ski Center has an excellent range of slopes suitable for begin-ners as well as seasoned skiers The seven ski lifts with nine ski runs pro-vide just the right amount of chal-lenge and variety for all skills levels and is the only resort in Southern Finland with a FIS standard piste. From 300 to 450 metres long, the slopes have a vertical descent of between 86m and 94m. There is also a slope for sledging.

The Aulanko spa has a range of pools and saunas to choose from as well as water slides and a pool bar.

We have accommodation options to suit every taste:

Hotel Emilia, a family-run hotel in a central location on Hämeenlinna’s pedestrian shopping street.

The traditional Aulanko Holiday vil-lage is located in stunning scenery by Lake Aulankojärvi.

Tervakoski Tervaniemi off ers ac-commodation in 20 cabins, all with private sauna; there is a restaurant in the manor and lakeside saunas.

Haapaniemen Huvilat comprises fi ve beautiful villas, all with the pri-vacy of their own beach.

The package includes linen, clean-ing and in hotel accommodation an abundant buff et breakfast.

WINTER FUN OUTDOORS AND INDOORS

Aulanko Spa

Calpis Ski Center

Enjoy great days of skiing, swimming and relaxing in the sauna. Take a fun-fi lled winter break in the Hä-meenlinna region!

FOR FAMILIES WITH 2 ADULTS AND 2–3 CHILDREN UNDER 12 SHARING A ROOM OR CABINDAYS, 3 NIGHTSFROM 2 JAN TO 31 MARCH, WEATHER PERMITTING


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The material on this brochure reflects solely the authors views. The Central Baltic INTERREG IV A Programme 2007-2013 Managing Authority is not liable for any information published here.

2013All rights reserved.

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