Highlights of the stay
- Andrea Chénier - Giordano at Olavinlinna Castle
- The Barber of Seville - Rossini at Olavinlinna Castle
- A guided visit to Ainola, the Sibelius House
- Transfers Helsinki / Savonlinna / Helsinki (outbound by coach / return by train)
- A cruise on Lake Saimaa
- A panoramic tour of Helsinki and an excursion to Punkaharju
- An organ concert at the Church in the Rock
Small-group guided tour
Amid deep forests, shimmering waters and the long light of summer, Finland offers music a setting of remarkable poetry. The journey begins in Helsinki before continuing to Ainola, the home of Jean Sibelius, where the composer found the silence he considered essential to his creative work. From there, the route leads to Lahti and the Finnish Lakeland, onward to Savonlinna and Lake Saimaa. An excursion to Punkaharju, through birch and spruce forests, together with a cruise among the lake’s many islands, deepens this immersion in a natural world closely bound to Finnish identity.
At the heart of the journey, the Savonlinna Opera Festival celebrates its 115th anniversary in 2027 within the impressive medieval fortress of Olavinlinna. Giordano’s Andrea Chénier, presented at the festival for the first time, features Angelo Villari, Camilla Nylund and Tommi Hakala in Rodula Gaitanou’s production. The following evening, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville returns in Kari Heiskanen’s sparkling production, alive with all the wit and energy of opera buffa.
Program
- Tuesday, July 13, 2027 : Arrival in Helsinki; welcome drink with your fellow travellers and guest speaker.
- Wednesday, July 14, 2027 : Panoramic tour of Helsinki; visit to Ainola, the home of Jean Sibelius; journey through the Finnish Lake District to Lahti.
- Thursday, July 15, 2027 : Journey through the Lake District to Savonlinna; evening performance of Andrea Chénier at Olavinlinna Castle.
- Friday, July 16, 2027 - Discovering Punkaharju and the Finnish Lakeland; cruise on Lake Saimaa; evening performance of The Barber of Seville at Olavinlinna Castle.
- Saturday, July 17, 2027 - Train journey to Helsinki; organ concert at the Rock Church; afternoon at leisure.
- Sunday, July 18, 2027 : Morning at leisure; departure and private transfer to Helsinki Airport.
Arrival in Helsinki
- Arrival at Helsinki Airport. You will be met by your driver and taken by private taxi to your hotel.
- Meet the other participants and your speaker over a welcome drink – a chance to get to know one another and to be introduced to the highlights of your stay in Savonlinna.
- Dinner at your leisure
- Night in the hotel U14 - Autograph Collection
Visit to Ainola and journey to Lahti
- Breakfast in your hotel
- Panoramic city tour by bus.
- Lunch at the traditional Savotta restaurant
- In the afternoon, a short journey to Jarvenpää (around 30 minutes’ drive) to visit Ainola, the home of the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.
- Guided tour of the villa, built of timber and designed by the Finnish architect Lars Sonck. Situated in the heart of the countryside, visitors can in turn experience the same silence that the great Finnish musician considered essential to his creative work.
- Onwards to the lake district and the city of Lahti.
- Three-course dinner and accommodation at the 4* Muukulan Kartano manor house.
The lake district & Savonlinna & your evening “Andrea Chénier”
- Breakfast in your hotel
- In the morning, departure for Savonlinna. You will be able to enjoy the magnificent landscapes of the Lake District and its characteristic colours, ranging from the green of the forests to the blue of the waters
- Lunch in Savonlinna
- Check-in at the hotel, followed by an introductory talk on the evening’s performance
- Dinner at your leisure
- 6.15 pm: coach transfer to the fortress
- 7.00 pm, performance of Andrea Chénier of Giordano at Olavinlinna Castle (Category 1)
- 10.00 pm: coach transfer back to the hotel.
- Overnight stay at the Sokos Seurahuone Hotel
Savonlinna & Your evening “Barbier de Séville”
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- In the morning, departure for the Punkaharju isthmus through typical Finnish countryside, amongst birch and spruce forests and lakes stretching as far as the eye can see.
- Lunch at the restaurant Metsa
- In the afternoon, a boat trip on Lake Saimaa. During this boat trip, which lasts about an hour, you’ll be able to admire Olavinlinna Castle and the many islands dotted across the lake.
- Dinner at your leisure
- 6.15 pm: coach transfer to the fortress
- 7.00 pm, performance of The Barber of Seville of Rossini at Olavinlinna Castle (Category 1)
- 10.00 pm : coach transfer back to the hotel
- Overnight stay at your hotel
Savonlinna & Helsinki
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Transfer to the station for your return journey to Helsinki by train
- Arrival in Helsinki and a short organ concert at the Church in the Rock. This circular church, partly carved out of the rock, boasts excellent acoustics.
- Afternoon free
- Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel U14 - Autograph Collection
Departure
- Breakfast in your hotel
- Free morning
- Private transfer depending on your flight time
Accommodations
Your hotels in Finland
Mukkula Manor, situated in Lahti, Finland, is an elegant 18th-century historic residence set on the shores of Lake Vesijärvi. Surrounded by extensive grounds featuring centuries-old trees, it now houses a boutique hotel with a restaurant and a lakeside sauna. It is a peaceful setting that combines heritage, nature and modern comfort.
The Seurahuone apartments are spacious, suite-style accommodation in Savonlinna. These apartments offer a comfortable alternative to traditional hotel rooms.
The Hotel U14 is a 4-star boutique hotel in the heart of Helsinki, a stone’s throw from the harbour and Esplanadi Park. Modern and welcoming, it offers 117 rooms, a restaurant, a bar, a sauna and a gym.
Tarifs
Double room (2 pers)
3.237 € / pers.Double room (Use for 1 pers)
4.204 € / pers.Programmes and prices are subject to change made by venues and providers.Availability has to be confirmed at the time of booking.
The price includes
- Transfers
- Accommodation
- Show seats
- Excursions
- Meals mentioned
- Tax
- Entries in the sites
The price does not include
- Assistance
- Tips
- Flights
Practical information
For each country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs) publishes travel advice sheets on its website. You will find the latest recommendations on safety, formalities and health. We strongly recommend that you consult these sources of information regularly, right up until the day before your departure.