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Overnight stops
We stay mostly at regular camping areas and also at sites with holiday cottages. We make the reservations for you, but you should tell us what kind of accomodation you are interested in. We need to know your wishes by 31.5.2012. See the inscription form about the enquiries The prices are just examples and there can be some changes.

Below some information for your guidance. Please visit the websites for details.

THE ROUTE PLAN

Day 1: Sun 22.7.
Sulkava – Savonlinna – Kerimäki – Punkaharju – Kesälahti – Värtsilä – Ilomantsi (270 km)
40 km to Savonlinna with the famous Olavinlinna castle, nice market place and lakeshores. Kerimäki has the largest wooden chuch in the world. Punkaharju offers Art Centre ”Retretti” built partly underground with interesting exhibitions. Värtsilä has the border point (Niirala) into Russia, but we have no plans to cross it. Putting our tents up at Petkeljärvi Nature Park Camping ” Petkeljärven retkeilykeskus”.

Day 2: Mon 23.7.
Ilomantsi – Vuonislahti – Lieksa – Ruunaa (150 km)
At Vuonislahti we may stop for a visit at artist Eeva Ryynänen’s atelje to admire the special wooden sculptures she made during her carreer. Paateri wooden church is at the same location. Lieksa offers ”Elämyspiha Pikkukili” with animals for the kids and also for example rapids shooting down the river for the brave ones. Pielinen Museum is the second largest outdoor museum in Finland. Overnight at Ruunaa Camping Centre ” Ruunaan retkikeskus”. They arrange all kinds of activities, like fishing trips, rapids shooting, canoing, hiking tours… up to you.

Day 3: Tue 24.7.
Ruunaa – Kuhmo – Lentiira – Suomussalmi – Hossa (320 km)
At Lentiira you can visit Iso-Palonen Nature Reserve. Another option is to drive to Raattee if you are interested in Finnish history of 2nd World War against the Russians. There are also some popular artesan shops. Overnight at Hossa ”Erä-Hossa”. They also offer many additional activities, you can for example sleep in a wilderness cabin or a half-open traditional tent ”laavu”.

Day 4: Wed 25.7
Hossa – Kuusamo – Käylä - Rovaniemi (350 km)
Kuusamo wildlife center has for example bears and other beasts to be seen. ”Kuusamon Tropiikki” is a modern spa, if you want to relax a little in a totally different environment.
Oulanka Nature Park is the most popular in Finland, we recommend hiking the ”Bear Circle”. Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland. You can visit the office of Santa Claus or ”Arktikum” with exhibitions about the Arctic region. Overnight at ”Ounaskoski Camping” near the centre of Rovaniemi.

Day 5: Thu 26.7 Rovaniemi – Tankavaara – Inari (330km)
Crossing the Polar Circle just a little North of Rovaniemi with some secret rituals. You can make a stop at Tankavaara to see the Gold Museum. This is still an important gold minig area and hosts a gold washing competition exactly 26-28. July, so it it can be interesting but crowded.
Overnight at ”Lomakylä Inari”. A common meal in the evening with some Lapp specialities.

Day 6: Fri 27.7
Inari – Angeli – Lakselv (220km)
At Inari we recommend a visit to ”Siida” Nature Centre with interesting exhibitions of arctic wildlife and an outdoor museum. We will drive through the tiny village of ”Angeli” where most of people only speak Lapp language. Crossing to Norway and overnight at Lakselv ”Skoganvarre turist & camping”. They can offer excellent salmon fishing possibilities.

Day 7: Sat 28.7.
Lakselv – Skardsvåg – Norkapp (180km)
Last common driving day takes us up to North Cape which is the Northernmost point of Europe reachable by car (or so they say). The sun do net set here at all between 14th May and 30th July so we are just in time to see the Midnight Sun. Anyhow, often it is not seen because of fog, rain or even snowstorm. Overnight can be done at Nordkapp Tourist Hotel or at the camping in tents or cottages.

Day 8: Sun 29.7. Back home... (x.xxx km)

Cooking, food & restaurant meals
The cooking is most simple with your own camping cooker and it is comfortable to use at stops at roadside whenever hungry. Some campings are equipped with simple kitchen facilities. If you don’t want toi waste your time with cooking, we have looked up some places with Finnish specialities which we can recommend:

• Savonlinna, Market Square (”fast food” lörtsy, möttönen, savumuikku, muikkukukko)
• Punkaharju, Cafe Rantakivi (Punkaharjuntie 1234) Fish meals from local ingredients.
• Ilomantsi, Ravintola (=restaurant) Parppeinpirtti (Parppeintie 4), Carelian food
• Ruunaa Campng has fireplaces and smoking equipment at disposal
• Suomussalmi, Ravintola Kultainen kukko (Kauppakatu 4-6), known of friendly atmosphere and delicious food of the area.
• Kuusamos, Ruka ski centre wilderness dishes, mushrooms, berries…
• Rovaniemi, Ravintola Nili (Valtakatu 20), Lapp dishes and atmosphere
• Saariselkä, Kaunispää, Huippu-ravintola 437 metriä above sea level offers fantastic view (even Russia can be seen in good weather) Lapp specialities in Chaine des Rotisseurs style.
• Siida, Rravintola Sarrit, salty and sweet baking products and lunch buffet.

Contacts & enquiries: hupimestari-at-2cv.fi

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