Nature and culture in the heartlands of Saimaa

"Savonlinna lie among the thousands of lakes in Saimaa’s labyrinthine lake district. Through the Saimaa Canal, water also connects the region with Helsinki, the sea and the rest of the world. Clean fresh water, in which the rare ringed seal also thrives, covers nearly 40 % of the region’s surface area." 


...And that's the place, where I woke up this morning. I spent a night in "Kasinonsaari Island", one of the local hotels and early in the morning, warm sun woke me up with the songs of little birds. The atmosphere was so calm and relaxing. 

The scenery from Kasinonsaari island.

Before having a breakfast I decided, that I just have to go for a short walk on that island behind the hotel and maybe I would be brave enough for a swim on Lake Saimaa as well.. And yes, it was worth it - there were only few people jogging and some were settling down for a sunbathing and me and the small baby ducks with their mum! And I even dipped myself in to this lake from a nice rock - I can be so brave of myself, because the temperature of the water must be under 20 c degrees.. :) 


Well, after this amazing moment I almost flew back to the hotel and for a breakfast, which was buy the way quite a different experience as well, because even the breakfast room was full of people, the atmosphere were still calm and no one seemed to be busy. 


Hey, what a beginning for my holiday! I can not wait what the evening and Savonlinna Opera Festival brings on :)