Country holiday by bicycle

COUNTRY HOLIDAY (4 DAYS/ 60 KM)

On Country Holiday you can explore the traditional countryside in Parikkala, near the Russian border in an authentic way. At Jaana’s farm you can see domestic animals as sheep, chickens and cats and in surrounding villages you may visit various sights, such as an artist’s home atelier in the middle of a forest, boulders from the Ice Age and you may also swim in a lake which partly belongs to Russia.

You may take part in local life at Jaana´s farm, learn about Finnish customs and have fresh food from the garden. After a day’s physical activity by bike you have the chance to relax in sauna and can then retire to your outdoor sleeping room, the Aitta – a traditional summer accommodation on Finnish farms, where you will have a good night’s sleep.

This package is perfect for you, if you would like to spend three nights in a traditional accommodation on a Finnish farm and spend two days of cycling in the surrounding countryside, meeting local people and discovering rural life in an active way.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY

When arriving in Parikkala by train, you will be picked up at the train station by your host, Jaana, who will take you to your accommodation. After having settled down in the Aitta, you are invited to a welcome coffee in Jaana’s tupa (traditionally combined living room and kitchen). In the afternoon and evening you are free to explore the garden, experience farm life and make the acquaintance of different animals. A short walk to Mykkiin kivet, an interesting Ice Age stone formation, can be made. In the evening you can have a snack dinner with your hosts and wash away your travelling dust in sauna.

DAY 2: FINNISH COUNTRYLIFE

On your first cycling day you can experience local Finnish country life and culture throughout the day. You will visit the oldest village shop in Finland and discover an artist’s private workshop and home atelier in the middle of a forest. How about stopping at one of the clear lakes on your way and go for a swim in the refreshing water? You will return to Jaana´s farm along small idyllic forest paths past spacious countryside and beautiful natural landscapes. When you get back you get afternoon coffee and homemade dinner. Also sauna is hot for your exercised body. The day trip is about 30 kilometers of self-guided cycling and the ratio of paved road and gravel road is 20/80. The road profile is easy, only few uphill sections.

DAY 3: LIFE IN THE BORDER AREA

Your second day’s bicycle tour will take you to the border between Russia and Finland. Enjoy the natural peacefulness and the exotic feeling of the border region and have your picnic lunch, which you can take from Jaana’s breakfast table, at the lakeshore of Lake Tyrjänjärvi close to the Russian border. After returning you enjoy barbecue dinner and sauna and can spend the long summer evening in the garden. This day’s bicycle ride is again self-guided and covers about 30 kilometers of partly sandy and paved road (50/50). The road profile is a slightly more demanding than on the previous day due to longer passages on gravel road and more uphill sections.

DAY 4: DEPARTURE DAY

Depending on when you have to be at the airport or train station, you will have breakfast in the morning. In case of a later departure, you can enjoy some time on the farm or take a walk in the surroundings or have a walk around the beautiful Parikkala center on the lakeshore. Jaana will take you to the train station in Parikkala.

INCLUDED IN HOLIDAY PACKAGE

• travel planning, program organization and route directions
• transfers (return) Parikkala train station – accommodation
• 3x accommodation in private Aitta with sheets and towels
• 3x breakfast
• 2x packed lunch
• 3x afternoon coffee
• 3x meals (1x evening snack, 1x homemade dinner, 1x barbecue dinner)
• visit of local artist’s gallery and home atelier
• 3x sauna 
• bicycle with helmet, side bags and a bag for your map, basic repair kit and first aid kit and a cool box for your picnic lunch
• welcome meeting and telephone support daily 8 am – 8 pm

NOT INCLUDED IN HOLIDAY PACKAGE

• insurances (we recommend getting basic coverage)
• travel to the destination
• other meals than mentioned in the program

EXTRA SERVICES:

Activities or extra cycling days can be added to the program upon request and for an extra fee.

For example, Lake Simpele Tour which means 2 more cycling days to be added to the basic Country Holiday Package. That is 70 kilometers more and one additional night in a small and cozy B&B and/or Beach Cabin Tour where you cycle 35 kilometers more and stay overnight on a camping site in your own cabin with sauna on the lakeshore. Cycling back to the farm next day.

From our activity selection you can choose from Barefoot walking in the forest, Forest Yoga, Rod fishing with a rowing boat and Meal at open fire in the nature. You can also ask for additional activities and we will find the right thing for you.

Read Lena's and Carolin's review about Cycling holiday in the countryside!