This is a very special trip. Around Juhannus – in the time of nightless nights. For the Finns, Juhannus is the most important festivity of the year. Together they celebrate the longest day of the year with beer and carols. By foot or on the water you can explore Oulu, one of the most important economical centres of Finland. Whether you are interested in burned tar, self-burned Vodka, or whether you like the newest computer technologies or the multifaceted Flora and Fauna – in Oulu you can find the right thing for everyone.
Dates
16.06.-22.06.2008
04.08.-10.08.2008
15.09.-21.09.2008
Getting
there
The closest airport is Oulu (40km)
Accommodation
Hannuksen Piilopirtti (www.hannuksenpiilopirtti.fi)
In the middle of the countrified Region Tyrnävä – 40km in the south of Oulu,
the capital of this canton – our accommodation is located.
A former farm, rebuilded into an
accommodation for guests with a lot of lovely details. We stay overnight in
twin rooms, with collective shower/WC. In the “Pirtti” kitchen we prepare
delicious meals together.
Program
Monday: Transfer from the airport to our accommodation Hannuksen Piilopirtti. Information about the accommodation and the coming program. Dinner.
Tuesday: Breakfast. Guided walking trip on the “markun polku” (15km), a varied hiking trail with an impressive valley. Afterwards we visit the vodka factory Shamanspirits. There we have the possibility to try the self-made vodka (a big part of the potatoes grows on the fields around our accommodation) and other delectabilities. Transfer back to our accommodation and possibility to go into a Finish sauna. Dinner.
Wednesday: Breakfast. Guided walking trip on the island Hailuoto, through wonderful dunes, woods and mires, with many information about the typical Flora and Fauna of the island. Lunch at the campfire. Afterwards we visit the centre of the island and the old harbour (there you can buy typical handmade articles). Possibility to drink a coffee in the harbour area. In the afternoon transfer to a reindeer farm. We get to know a lot about the reindeer husbandry. About grooming and growing the animals as well as about the reindeer farmer’s life. After the visit, trip back to Hannuksen Piilopirtti. Dinner.
Thursday: Breakfast. Guided hiking tour in Sanginjoki (15km). Different trails run through a beautiful forest landscape. In between, lunch at the campfire. After the tour, transfer back to our accommodation and dinner.
Friday: After breakfast we have a short transfer to the city of Oulu. Then, after a very detailed instruction, we start canoeing and explore the city from the waterside. The old harbour invites us to make there a long break and to start a trip through the city by foot. In former times, the river Iijoki was used to transport burned tar to Oulu. At the harbour we can see the old store houses (for the tar), which have changed their function and are now bars or cafés. Only for the first tourdate: In the evening we have a short transfer to the island Turkansaari. An open-air museum on the island, with many old buildings, invites us to rest. We can enjoy the additional spectacle of a “Juhannuskokos”, (a big fire that is inflamed in many places on Juhannus) and other midsummer night festivities, including dinner. Transfer back to Hannuksen Piilopirtti.
Saturday: Breakfast. Beautiful hiking tour on the trail “Pilpasuo” (7km). We are going through a nature reserve and Natura 2000 area, which is famous for its wonderful landscape. Mires and woods are typical for this region and characterize this popular walking trail. Back in our accommodation we can use the Finish sauna again. Afterwards dinner, prepared by our hosts.
Sunday:
After the breakfast transfer back to the airport.
