Culinary pleasures for Nature Lovers
A Wonderful, Relaxing Saturday with Riitta in Beautiful Northern Karelia
Finland was voted the happiest country in the world – come and enjoy that happiness with Riitta!
The unspoilt nature of Northern Karelia, the beautiful, authentic Finnish birch forest and the hilly landscapes invite you to spend a Saturday at Riitta’s “Pearl of the Eastern Border” at Tohmajärvi lake in beautiful Karelia. You will enjoy a generous brunch buffet featuring local specialities and Riitta’s delicious baked goods.
Later, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the soft steam of a traditional wood sauna, followed by a dip in the “Palju” hot tub or Lake Tohmajärvi.
A guided walk in the forest will bring you silence, peace, the soothing noise of birch leaves, and a romantic Karelian atmosphere … just like in the old days…
Between games of darts and Mölkky, Riitta recounts interesting local history and tells about her childhood life here in the area.
At the end of the day, we’ll have some delicious Finnish pancakes cooked over an open fire along with berries and freshly brewed campfire coffee.
Availability: Saturdays from June 27 to September 26, 2020
Group Size: 2-4 people. Larger groups on request
Location: Jouhkolantie 219, 82600 Tohmajärvi, Finland - Easily reached from Joensuu (55 km) and Savonlinna (100 km)
Price: Adults – 96 €, Children (ages 6-13) – 60 €, under 6 years free
Price Includes: Riitta herself, who speaks English, Finnish and German, hosts and takes care of her international guests, a tasty brunch buffet, a guided walk in the forest lead by a Forest-mind instructor, a wood-burning sauna and hot tub experience with the chance of a dip in the lake, all towels, shampoos and soaps, Finnish pancakes made over an open fire with berries and campfire coffee, and of course a wonderfully relaxed state of mind.
Reservations and additional information: info@fiittaokkonen.com, Tel. +358 447 444 070
All Saturday bookings must be made no later than 8 pm the prior Thursday evening.
For Groups of 5 or more - please contact us well in advance.
SCHEDULE
Riitta herself, the hostess of the “Pearl of the Eastern Border”, welcomes guests with a local drink of birch sap and black currant. All the ingredients come from her own homestead. Riitta recounts the story of her own birthplace and her life as a child among these magnificent hills.
The brunch buffet is catered in our summer kitchen which overlooks the wonderful Karelian lake scenery of fields and birch trees.
Riitta’s tasty goodies can be enjoyed in the charming summer kitchen restaurant or outdoors where you can admire the scenery.
After the meal, the program continues with a guided forest walk, followed by a sauna, playing Finnish games, a talk with Riitta, our hostess,
and finally we feast on Finnish pancakes with different toppings and freshly brewed campfire coffee.
10:00 – 12:00
Brunch buffet: locally sourced fish and meat appetizers, cold cuts, salads, natural yoghurt with all the trimmings (berries, seeds and nuts), boiled farm-fresh eggs, warm vegetable pastries, home-made rolls, breads and real Karelian pasties served with egg-butter spread. Regional desserts follow – a berry kissel (fruit soup) and whipped cream, jelly roll sponge cakes, layered cakes and cookies. Drinks included: tea, coffee and fresh spring water.
12:00 – 13:00
Guided walk in the birch and coniferous forest lead by a Forest-Mind instructor. We will do some small activities, relax our body and mind, and connect with nature.
13:00 – 14:00
Heating the wood-burning sauna with Riitta or just being, enjoying the great outdoors.
14:00 – 15:00
Sauna and hot tub for women – Mölkky, darts and Riitta’s tales to entertain the men
15:00 – 16:00
Sauna and hot tub for men – and, in turn, perhaps some of Riitta’s stories about the local area and nutritional awareness for those women who are interested. Riitta is also a nutritional therapist.
16:00 – 18:00
After the sauna, we will enjoy Finnish pancakes cooked over an open fire with berries, and of course, campfire coffee.
Overnight accommodation in a rustic countryside cabin (no electricity) is available at additional charge:
63 € in a shared double-occupancy cabin
95 € in a single-occupancy cabin
Breakfast and morning sauna are included in the price.
Please reserve well in advance.
Thank you for your visit!
Welcome back again!