A PHOTO TOUR TO THE INTERNATIONALLY AWARDED PARKS OF KOTKA
Store the lushness and blooming on your memory card! Our photographer guide will take you on a tour through the blooming parks of Kotka. In springtime you can capture the overwhelming colorfulness of the blossoming azaleas of the Fuksinniitty park, and the amazing rhododendrons and the beautiful tulips of the internationally recognized Sapokka Water Garden. In summertime you get to capture the lushness of Sapokka Water Garden, in addition to its ponds, arched bridges and mesmerizing roses and shrubs. You photograph the outstanding shapes of the rocks, the diversity of water plants, and the bubbly waterfall - both under or above the waterfall!
THE SECRET GARDENS OF FORTRESS TOWN HAMINA
Behind the gates of the old wooden city houses, you are going get to dive into the fascinating past of the fortress town Hamina (est. 1723) with all its amazing historic characters. The owners of the houses and gardens welcome you, offering a progressive lunch and refreshment tour. Dive into the old-world city-life, and take a short walk around to get to know the unique circular town of and its remains of the famous star-shaped fortress.
YOGA BY THE SEA
Let the wind touch you. Let the sea give you a scent. Hear the vibrant seabirds speaking. Give your mind and body time to relax. Listen to the sound of silence. Breathe free and dive into your inner journey and experience soothing yoga by the sea, in the magical surroundings on the beach by the seaside park of fortress Katarina. Add these peaceful moments as an unforgettable dimension to your experience.
KOTKA TOUR ON LAND AND SEA
Kotka and its main attractions, including a walk at the Sapokka Water Garden. Boat tour from Sapokka Marina, finishing with a local fishermen’s buffet. At the Fort Elisabeth island before getting back to port.
IMPERIAL KOTKA
The Tsars of Russia occasionally liked to travel to Finland. During the trip, we will visit the Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge built for Czsar Alexander III by boat and hear about the interesting joint history with Russia. On the way back the coack takes us to the Orthodox Church of St Nicholas which was the only building left in Kotka after the Crimean War undertakings that also affecting this island town.
FORT SLAVA ISLAND TOUR
Fortress island of Fort Slava listening to a concert whilst having a local tasting picnic within the remains of the fort. The tall ship Vivan takes you from the Kotka island on a 30 minute sailing trip to the island where you get a touch of the history of the region in an authentich athmoshere.
ROUTED BIKING
Wonderful, relaxed biking tours in the surroundings of the region. Meanwhile biking
take a swim in the sea, have a picnic in one of the internationally awarded island parks or just enjoy the scenery.
KOTKA ARCHIPELAGO BY TALL SHIP
Experience the beauty and the history from the Vikings to today, of the inner archipelago for 3 hours by sailing on board an old-fashioned tall ship, previously used to transport cargo abound the Baltic Sea, now fitted out to provide a comfortable voyage for its guests.
FINNISH SAUNA EXPERIENCE
Enjoy a thoroughly authentic Finnish experience by visiting a traditional sauna at the seaside. This sauna is built inside a cave and is heated up with local wood, which
provides soft, clean steam and a pleasant aroma. Or enjoy your sauna by the riverside at the Kymijoki River and cool yourself by doing a quick swimming experience in the rapids.
KOTKA BY LAND AND SEA
Your day will consist of three different parts – a tour around Kotka, originally built as a fortress to protect St. Petersburg, a bus trip filled with history, a bit of culture, as well as a boat trip around Kotkansaari Island. The tour starts with a trip that will take you around the main island of Kotka, where the city centre is located. You will experience the internationally awarded parks from park to park of the town, known as the green living rooms, the sculpture promenade – the outdoor gallery in the heart of Kotka. Then continue to the Isopuisto Park including the Church of St. Nicholas and hear about the development of Kotka from the Viking Age to the days of today. The tour will continue to the Sapokka Marina from where you will be taken on a boat tour around the Kotkansaari island through one of the most interesting historical sceneries in Finland.
KOTKA MARITIME CENTRE VELLAMO, SAPOKKA GARDENS AND LANGINKOSKI
An excursion dedicated entirely to the city of Kotka to discover its history, main monuments and ancient traditions connected to maritime culture and navigation in often prohibitive conditions.You will see the Sapokka Gardens, the Finnish Maritime Museum Vellamo and Museum of Kymenlaakso and the Imperial Fishing Lodge Langinkoski.
When leaving the port behind you, you will go on a sightseeing tour of Kotka, a picturesque boutique city with a long-standing maritime tradition. The first stop is a true temple of modern architecture - the Vellamo Maritime Centre, a multifunctional centre along the old quay. The facility is home to two museums. The next stop will be the Sapokka gardens. Apart from a small-boat harbour, Sapokka is also an old sea bay refurbished into a charming park area. The dominant element of the park is water: there is the sea of course, but water also flows in small brooks and ponds and in a waterfall on the south bank of the park. Then you will drive through the Kotka island and have a panoramic view of the many internationally awarded and diversified parks in the city centre when driving to the Imperial Fishing Lodge with its nature resort in Langinkoski by the Kymi River, and you arrive at the lodge a cottage built for Tsar Alexander III from Russia.
KOTKA AND THE IMPERIAL FISHING LODGE AT KYMIJOKI RIVER LANGINKOSKI
You start with a short walk to a motorboat, which takes you on a trip to discover the fascinating history of Finland: it was once part of Sweden, and later became the Grand Duchy of Russia, an autonomous state within the Russian Empire. On board, enjoy the searide as your guide tells you about the era of the Vikings and Hanseatic times, and of the strong links that exist between Finland and both Russia and Western Europe. Heading upstream on the River Kymi, you reach the Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge, originally the summer home of Tsar Alexander III, where you disembark for an imperial welcome and meet the daily life of the family that escaped the hectic life in St Petersburg for the peace and quiet of the River Kymijoki.
KOTKA/HAMINA AND THEIR ARCHIPELAGO BY TALL SHIP
Kotka and Hamina are undeniably maritime cities with a wide maritime history and culture. On this tour you can go back in time to the great days of sail. You will be taken to the tall ship, where you step on board a century-old cargo vessel that used to sail around the Baltics bringing goods and merchandise to Finland. Today this ship has been beautifully restored and converted to carry passengers during the summer months. Once on board, you can assist the crew with the sails, or simply enjoy the views of the beautiful archipelago outside Kotka/Hamina.
ARCHIPELAGO ADVENTURE
A short transfer takes you from your ship to the small boat harbour where your skipper is already waiting for you. Step on board your speed boat and enjoy a fast ride out to sea. Your adventure begins with a mini-cruise through the beautiful Finnish archipelago, during which you can also view Kotka/Hamina from a new perspective. Your boat takes you up close to the Russian Border, to view the island of Gogland belonging to Russia, where your skipper will arrange a photo-stop. Afterwards you continue to the Kaunissaari island, a small fishing village, where you can explore the network of public footpaths, view the local inhabitants’ summer cottages and enjoy the sparkling athmosphere of the island’s summer restaurant. Your return journey to Kotka will hug the coast, where you can see numerous private houses in addition to public open spaces.
AUTHENTIC ARCHIPELAGO OF KOTKA – HOPPING ON THREE ISLANDS
You will onboard an idyllic boat enjoy a pleasant cruise in the authentic Finnish archipelago, listening to the silence of the sea and experiencing the rough beauty and diversity of the islands.
At first you will be taken to the island of Fort Slava, which used to be a fortress over 200 years ago, built to protect the seaways to St. Petersburg. During this time Finland was a territory of Russia, and the location was optimal at the time. The tour continues to the historic islands of Rankki and Varissaari. You will dive into the stories and characters of the biggest naval battle in the Baltic Sea, which took place at the open sea in front of you. Russia and Sweden fought at this location twice, in 1789 and 1790. After this catastrophic battle, Katherine the Great decided to build a fortress town close to St. Petersburg, Svensksund, the predecessor of the city of Kotka. The island is exhaled with history.
EXPERIENCE THE FORTRESS TOWN HAMINA
You begin your tour with a boat trip bringing you to one of the most history-filled towns in Finland. Your boat will take you from Kotka to the fortress town Hamina (est. 1653) by the Russian border. The strategic location has always played an important role for the history of Hamina. Vehkalahti county, of which Hamina was a part of, was first mentioned in documents in 1336. The main sights of the town are, amongst others, the town hall, the town museum, the reserve officer school, and the Hamina fortress. Behind the gates of the old wooden city houses, you are going get to dive into the fascinating past of the fortress town Hamina with all its historically fascinating characters. The owners of the houses and gardens welcome you in their gardens. Experience the old-world city-life and take a short walk around to get to know the unique circular town of and its famous star-shaped fortress.
FINNISH MARSHLAND EXPERIENCE
Experience Finnish marshland nature and explore the Valkmusa National Park. The three hours walking tour, offers you a mind healing moment in the authentic nature with its wellbeing items. Versatile nature in the marshlands of the park takes you to the silence, peace and freshness of nature, relaxation and maybe even tastes of Finnish healthy berries.
Valkmusa’s extensive natural open bogs give visitors a chance to wind down and see, hear and smell, and even taste nature all around. You can look out for wetland birds and fluttering marshland butterflies, especially in spring and summer. Maybe also find some berries growing around the moss to eat, depending on your time of visit. The nature around you hugs you independent of the season.
FISHING EXPERIENCE BY THE KYMI RIVER
A coach will bring you to the Kymi River which is the largest river in southern Finland, being one of the best salmon-fishing rivers in the country. The river, which back in history marked the border between Sweden and Russia, offers also a haven for calm and relaxation.
The Siikakoski fishing area is upstream from the mouth of Kymi River. It includes countless excellent fishing spots for those in search of salmon, rainbow trout or sea trout. Siikakoski is the most popular location in the area, thanks to its accessibility and the relative ease of catching fish there
PARK CAPITAL BIKE RIDE OR WALK ABOUT
Join the route of 5 km on and around the Kotka island and experience the lushness of the National Urban Park neckless. Dive into the beautiful, rich and abundant flower gardens, historic and cultural athmospere from park to park. You can pop into the parks you like, or travel the entire route on foot or by bike. The tour includes Sapokka Water Garden, Katariina Seaside Park, Sculpture Promenade, Haukkavuori Lookout Tower, Palotorninvuori Park, Mansikkalahti, Sibelius Park, and Redutti-Kotka herb garden. All the parks have an own significant authenticity and history.
RIVER CRUISING OR RIVER RAFTING EXPERIENCE
Experience the power of the fast-flowing and unspoilt River Kymi and savour traditional Finnish food on this exciting tour. As you travel down the river, you will experience at close hand some of the miracles that the wild River Kymi has to offer. The free-flowing stream, peaceful inlets, trees hanging over the river, fishermen waiting for their catches, idyllic fields and the vibrant sounds of nature: all of these will remain on your mind for a long time. Before your journey, enjoy a delicious lunch by the riverside. You will get to taste traditional salmon flambé and traditional Finnish coffee prepared right over a campfire. This is a ‘back to nature’ experience that you absolutely have to try.