Central Finland has a wealth of lakes and waterways just waiting to be explored on our houseboat adventure – discover peace and tranquillity while gently cruising in your very own summer house on water, with many wonderful villages, beaches and places of interest to visit along the way. With excellent facilities on board including a private sauna, outdoor sitting area and barbecue, guests can relax and enjoy the scenery in this beautiful area.
As you head north from Helsinki you are quickly immersed into beautiful nature – it is easy to see why Finland is known as the land of a thousand lakes. The south eastern area is awash with endless possibilities to enjoy outdoor activities with beautiful lakes, forests and sweeping landscapes the main attraction.
With three nights onboard a houseboat you can navigate the lakes at your own pace, choosing the route as you go or following a specific course based on your preferences. You’ll stay in quality accommodation in a floating ‘summer house’ – just imagine sitting on the deck of the houseboat on a warm summer night under the midnight sun with your toes dangling in clear water.
The journey begins at Heinola harbour a small resort between Lake Ruotsalainen and Lake Konnivesi. On arrival at the harbour you will be met and given full instructions and safety information about the boat with recommendations on the route to take. The boat has an easy to use navigation system with chart-plotter as well as electronic and paper maps. Along the way there are villages to visit with restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, gas stations and water points to service your needs.
It is also possible to rent stand up paddle boards and bicycles if you like to get active. They allow you to explore away from the main lake and discover the surrounding countryside. There are many cycling routes available and the option of four different types of bicycle to rent.
Choice of Duration
We have based this break on three nights on board. However, you also have the option of four night and seven night houseboat rental so you have more time to relax and enjoy the nature. You could even choose to combine this with a tailor made self-drive trip.
Choosing Your Houseboat
Standard Houseboat – ideal for couples or small families. It has one bedroom with double or twin beds; open plan living area with a sofa bed; small kitchenette with fridge, stove, kettle and coffee machine; bathroom with shower; sauna and terrace area with furniture.
Spa Houseboat – bigger than the standard with a main bedroom with double bed; second bedroom with bunk bed for two guests; open plan living area with a sofa bed; dining table and chairs; small kitchenette with facilities as above; terrace with dining furniture; sun deck on top of the houseboat; bathroom with shower and separate sauna.
Deluxe Houseboat – the largest and highest quality, ideal for larger families or group of friends. There is the option for six or eight berth boats. The six berth has two double bedrooms, the eight berth has either a double or twin beds in the main bedroom and bunk beds for four in the second bedroom; living area with sofa bed; kitchenette as above plus freezer, microwave and dishwasher; terrace with furniture; sun deck; bathroom with shower and separate sauna.
Itinerary
Arrive in Helsinki and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. Enjoy the many sights of the capital, famous for its Neoclassical architecture mixed with modern Scandinavian design, by foot or by tram. The city is especially lively in the summer with many outdoor markets, cafes and bars scattered around the town and nearby islands. There are numerous art galleries, museums, historical churches, botanic gardens and much more to discover.
Finnish Houseboats
This morning make your own way to helsinki bus station and take the local bus to Heinola (journey time approximately 2 hours). From the bus station it is a short transfer to the harbour where the houseboats are located. The check-in time for the boats is between 3pm and 6pm. You will be met and shown the facilities with full instructions on how to use the boat, including suggestions on the routes to take, places to visit and where to spend the first night on the water.
Using a map, chart-plotter and the GPS to use, navigate the lakes and canals to find sandy beaches, fishing spots, villages and attractions along the way.
Find a secluded place for a swim, try your hand at fishing or rent bicycles so you can explore further inland. In the evening, light the barbecue and enjoy the midnight sun.
Travel back to Heinola harbour and return the Houseboat by 10am. Transfer to Heinola Bus Station and on to Helsinki for another overnight stay in the city.
Transfer to Helsinki Airport by airport coach or train (payable locally) for your return flight home.
Prices & departures
What's Included
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Two nights in Helsinki with private bathroom
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Bus travel between Helsinki and Heinola
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Houseboat rental including cleaning and bed linen
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24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
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No surcharge guarantee
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Full financial protection
From £1889 Excluding Flights
5, 6, 9 Nights
May-Sep
This itinerary starts from around £1,217 per person, based on 2 sharing a room/houseboat, including hotel.
Prices may vary depending on departure date and booking date, as well as any changes to the included components. The final cost of a tailored holiday will be based on the level of houseboat and hotel, class of travel, included activities, travel season, and how far in advance it is booked. We will confirm the exact price for your holiday in your individual quotation, based on your chosen travel dates and inclusions.
Choice of Houseboat and duration
Spa and Deluxe house boat options are also available as well as 4 or 7 night houseboat rental – please contact us for a detailed quote based on your preferred requirements and travel dates.
Make this trip yours
Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.
Bruno
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We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.
Experts with real experience
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Jenna
Travel Specialist
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Rosie
Travel Specialist
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Doug
Travel Specialist
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Ben
Travel Specialist
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Darren
Travel Specialist
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Kieran
Travel Specialist
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Jo
Travel Specialist
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Phoebe
Travel Specialist
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Freya
Travel Specialist
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Lauren
Travel Specialist
