The natural world is our greatest luxury
You are welcome to come and enjoy it with Riitta!
The unspoilt nature of Nothern Karelia, the beautiful, authentic Finnish birch forest and undulating hills call to you to spend some time at Riitta’s “Pearl of the Eastern Border”! We offer all the necessary ingerdients for a relaxing holiday; a warm sauna, a pristine lake, golden silence and wonderful accommodation in romantic, rustic cottages.
Nature will sooth your mind and Riitta’s local offerings of home-made goodies and baked goods will make even the most discerning gourmet happy. Riitta is also famous for her extensive nutritional knowledge.
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 the refreshing waters of Lake Tohmajärvi, and you can even participate in a new sauna experience – the floating sauna.
A guided forest walk introduces you to our region’s unspoiled nature, where you will discover silence, peace and the soothing rustle of birch leaves. You can go berry-picking on your own, and wander among the fields, the lakeshore and the forest. A rowing boat is available for our guest’s use and you can participate in heating the sauna and experience life just like a real Finn!
Riitta offers her guests wonderful Karelian hospitality at her own childhood homestead. You can try your hand at traditional Finnish games like darts and Mölkky, and later at the lakeshore, your body and mind finally unwind as you smell the aroma of fresh campfire coffee and enjoy tasty Finnish pancakes cooked over an open fire. Your nights will be filled with sweet dreams in romantic red cottages with a stunning lake view.
Season: Mid-May to the end of September, 2020
Group Size: Min. 6 guests – max. 12 guests
Location: Jouhkolantie 219, 82600 Tohmajärvi, Finland. Easy to reach from Joensuu (55 km), Savonlinna (100 km)
Price per week: 980.00€/person/room – double occupancy | 1,250.00€/person/room – single occupancy
Cottage: Sleep just like in the good old days in a romantic, off-the-grid countryside cottage with a stunning view of the lake. Twin or double rooms. Built in 2019. An authentic, freshly warmed sauna replaces the usual cold, modern bathroom. There’s no better way to start your day! Sauna and bio-toilet located about 20 meters from the cabin
The price includes: Accommodation for 7 nights, English, German, Finnish speaking host – Riitta herself, daily breakfast buffets, all lunches and dinners mentioned in the programme, daily morning and evening sauna, the opportunity to swim in the lake and enjoy the “palju” (outdoor hot tub), use of a rowboat, a fishing license, as well as all local activities mentioned in the programme.
Not included: Airport transfers
Optional Excursion: Day tour to Savonlinna – home of the world-famous Opera Festival – includes all transfers, guided tour of Olavinlinna Castle, lake cruise, lunch, and a visit to the Kerimäki Church – one of the biggest wooden churches in the world
Booking and information info@riittaokkonen.com, tel. +358 447 444 070
SAMPLE PROGRAM
Saturday:
Riitta, the hostess of “The Pearl of the Eastern Border” welcomes her guests with a refreshing local drink made from birch sap and black currents. All the ingredients come from her own homestead.
Accommodation in a traditional cabin with a lake view.
Handmade, tasty and authentic Karelian pasties with egg-butter spread, rye bread topped with local garnishes, and truly yummy cookies.
Freedom to move about, to enjoy nature, and just to rest and relax.
Dinners featuring local dishes in the summer kitchen.
Enjoy the lakeshore sauna and a dip in the lake. A good night’s sleep is guaranteed.
Sunday:
After a refreshing morning sauna, a scrumptious breakfast buffet is served in the covered summer kitchen which overlooks a wonderful Karelian lake panorama of fields and birch groves.
Breakfast can also be enjoyed outdoors while you admire the scenery.
Relaxation and enjoyment while you slowly acclimate to the pace of life in the countryside.
Riitta recounts tales of her own birthplace and her life as a child among the magnificent hills.
You are also welcomed to join Riitta in preparing lunch and warming the sauna if you like.
Dinner will be served either in the summer kitchen restaurant or around the campfire by the lakeside.
Monday:
Morning sauna and our generous breakfast buffet.
An excursion into the fragrant, Finnish forest under the guidance of a Forest-Mind instructor.
After your outdoor activities and communing with nature, the lunch buffet beckons – once again full of wonderful local delicacies similar to those offered at dinner.
Sweet dreams after another authentic Finnish sauna experience.
Tuesday:
Morning sauna and our generous breakfast buffet.
A day filled with outdoor activities: rowing, berry picking, fishing, chopping wood for the sauna and heating it up, etc.
If you’ve been lucky, you can prepare your catch of fish yourself over an open fire by the lake, if not – you can help Riitta with her catch and enjoy fresh fish like a local.
Of course, an evening sauna is included in the programme followed by the evening meal.
Finally, we feast on a typical, delicious desert of “lettuja” – Finnish pancakes with different toppings.
Wednesday:
Morning sauna, breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner.
Vedic Art day – unleash your creativity in a beautiful natural setting – a guided journey into intuitive painting.
In the evening – A sauna will be ready for your enjoyment down by the lake or just next to your own cabin.
Thursday:
Morning sauna, breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner.
A day of getting out into nature at your own pace OR A day trip to the Opera City of Savonlinna (optional programme).
For those who choose not to join the excursion to Savonlinna, a delicious, traditional lunch buffet will be served on site.
Communal dinner, sauna and swimming for all in the evening.
Friday:
Breakfast buffet in the summer kitchen after your morning sauna – delicious regional dishes and of course, Riitta’s home-made rolls with their tempting aroma.
Farewell Evening – sauna, swimming and rowing.
Dinner by the lakeside sauna along with grilling over an open fire, campfire stories and just enjoying the peacefulness.
The Sandman calls you to your cabin during the wee-hours of the light-filled night
Saturday:
Morning sauna and breakfast buffet.
Thank you for visiting and see you again soon!