This Hidden Gem in Europe Has 120 Gorgeous Blue Lakes and 14,000 Islands — and It is Cherished by Locals

Finland is thought for a lot of issues — its sauna tradition, Lapland, and the northern lights. However one declare to its record-setting fame is the nation has the world’s longest lake shoreline. Tucked in southeastern Finland is the nation’s largest lake and the fourth-largest pure freshwater lake in Europe: Lake Saimaa. Not solely does the area have 120 blue lakes and a few 14,000 islands, however its shoreline is a bit of over 9,000 miles lengthy.

Whereas it is probably lesser-known to a global journey crowd, the charms of this area are broadly recognized amongst locals. Each July, Finns retreat to their lakeshore cottages to spend time in nature.

“The Lake Saimaa area is a summer time vacation paradise for Finns — there are about 70,000 summer time cottages (mökki in Finnish) in Saimaa,” Maisa Häkkinen, tourism director for Go to Mikkeli, informed Journey + Leisure. (Mikkeli is a metropolis within the Lake Saimaa area.) “Nearly all of Finns spend their weekends and summer time holidays at their cottages, having fun with the sauna and swimming, nature actions, and the native lifestyle, together with events, markets, and good meals. Saimaa is essentially the most prestigious cottage space in Finland.”

For these visiting from the capital of Helsinki, the area is a couple of hours away by automobile, relying on the place you go. Savonlinna, probably the most in style locations within the space, for instance, is a bit of beneath 4 hours away. (Locals trekking from Helsinki can break up the journey with a pit cease at Tertti Manor in Mikkeli, which has charming grounds, in a single day lodging, an epic buffet, and an on-site looking canine that can steal the present when you’re fortunate sufficient to identify him.) There’s additionally a 65-minute flight from Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Savonlinna Airport (SVL).

In the course of the summer time, Savonlinna is legendary for internet hosting an opera competition at Olavinlinna, a Fifteenth-century three-tower fort. Nature lovers should not miss taking a dip in Lake Saimaa, strolling via the forest to select berries and mushrooms, happening a seal tour to identify the endangered Saimaa ringed seal, or dabbling in canoeing, biking, mountaineering, and fishing. Häkkinen recommends visiting Linnansaari Nationwide Park, Kolovesi Nationwide Park, or Saimaa UNESCO International Geopark to take advantage of the native nature scene.

Whereas winter is much less bustling, it is nonetheless value contemplating. “Cottage holidays within the winter are extremely popular amongst Finns, mixed with good meals, strolling, skating or snowboarding on lake ice, stargazing, and, in fact, ice saunas,” Häkkinen stated. As for cold-weather actions, Häkkinen pointed to cross-country snowboarding, winter mountaineering, ice swimming, winter fishing, ice skating, and even driving electrical snow scooters in Puumala.

For spending the evening, luxurious stays embrace Sahanlahti Resort in Puumala, Kuru Resort in Rantasalmi, and Pihlas Resort in Kaitainen. And, in fact, the realm has loads of cottages for lease and tenting websites, too.

Lake Saimaa earned the worldwide European Area of Gastronomy title for 2024 from the Worldwide Institute of Gastronomy, Tradition, Arts, and Tourism (IGCAT). “Lake Saimaa was acknowledged for its dedication to sustainably shield and promote native meals and cultural uniqueness,” Diane Dodd, president of IGCAT, informed T+L. What impressed Dodd and IGCAT was the area’s “gradual tourism; pure, contemporary, and wholesome meals; pure lake water (so pure you possibly can drink it); and distinctive meals experiences.”

For fantastic eating, Restaurant Solitary, beneath the helm of chef Remi Trémouille, is a standout choice. Trémouille informed T+L the restaurant focuses on high quality over amount, which is why it solely presents a six-course chef’s menu spotlighting native and seasonal substances. “The seasonal menu is predicated on the gorgeous nature surrounding the restaurant: contemporary fish from Lake Saimaa and recreation, berries, mushrooms, and wild herbs from the close by forests,” he stated. (At current, the menu merchandise he is most enthusiastic about is the elderflower cotton sweet served for dessert.)

As for native delicacies, yow will discover fried muikku, a freshwater fish, on nearly each menu. There’s additionally lörtsy, a half-moon-shaped pastry filled with meat or veggies. Trémouille added that muikkukukko, a rye pastry with vendace and bacon inside, is a must-try. “It is actually in style and scrumptious,” he stated.

In line with Dodd, what really makes the culinary expertise in Lake Saimaa particular are the native culinary traditions. “Conventional strategies akin to smoking, pickling, and salting are generally used to organize fish, enhancing their pure flavors. Smoked vendace, for instance, is a well-liked native dish that highlights the distinctive traits of the fish,” Dodd stated. “The meals from Lake Saimaa is deeply tied to Finnish tradition and traditions, and serves as a unifying issue. For instance, the Karelian pie brings ladies throughout all walks of life to cook dinner collectively.”