Coming to Finland and looking for unique places to see or new events to experience? I’m your local guide in Ilomantsi, eastern Finland, and here’s a few suggestions for you to see with me!
Winery & Distillery Tours?
How about a visit to the oldest winery in Finland and sipping a glass of local Arctic berry wine? Or enjoying local Arctic Blue Gin, the best gin in the world, in the legendary cafe and wine bar? The Winetower (Viinitorni) with its spectacular views at the height of 33 metres is a must-see place in my hometown. Or would you prefer listening to the history of Valamo Distillery and its product range from whisky to artisanal Absinthe?
I have a winery tour for international guests around the Winetower, seeing the old strawberry field and its surroundings. This is my personal favourite of my tours in the summertime! At other times we can have a tour with tastings in the winery and distillery.
Ready to Rock?
Interested in Finnish rock music, like Nightwish, Sonata Arctica or Amorphis? Then the Suomirokkia-näyttely, an exhibition on Finnish rock music is the place to go! I personally love those bands, and if you love them too, let’s go! (Ps. There’s a small café, too!)
Anything for Foodies?
Perhaps, after all, you’re more into food tourism and want to taste Karelian pies and pastries and other Karelian delicacies. Or maybe we should take an international food tour and have chicken malai at the Indian Restaurant Aisha and enjoy some Kosovan baklava!
Events & Festivals?
Besides interesting places, we also have unique events to visit: a small rock festival SRN-rokki in June, the annual Orthodox fiest Iljan praasniekka in July, traditional open air dancing events lavatanssit, a chainsaw sculpting event at Bear Festival Karhufestivaali in August, a special Wild Food Festival with beautiful meals at Villiruokafestarit plus many more – let’s plan together what to see and where to go!
I’m Your Local Guide to All This!
Milajan matkat – Your Local Guide in and around Ilomantsi
I am a local guide in Ilomantsi, i.e. in the easternmost town in Finland and the whole European Union. We live even further east than St. Petersburg or Instanbul. In addition to four seasons, the friendliest people of the happiest country, and all the above mentioned facts, we also have a 150-kilometre-long Battlegrounds Trail.
We can plan our guided tour together, or if you prefer seeing places yourself, I can preplan your trip with opening hours and prices, and will be available on Messenger/WhatsApp during your stay. In addition, I’m happy to teach you some Finnish on Zoom before you arrive! Just shoot me a message!
Milajan matkat (Milaja’s Tours) offers guided tours around Ilomantsi area in eastern Finland
You can book tours in and around Ilomantsi with several different themes. Let’s chat about your interests!
A one-day tour around the centre could look like this:
- Hermanni Winery, wine and souvenier shop with local products
- Historical Pappilanvaara hill and the Cultural Trail
- Cafe-bar Winetower, local non-alcoholic sparkling wine, coffee and snack
- Orthodox Church and a visit to the old Orthodox cemetery near the church
- Doll and Teddy Bear House with more than 3000 dolls, teddy bears and toys from different decades
- Piirolan Piha Arts and Crafts Centre, looms, souvenier shop with local handicrafts, exhibitions
- Parppeinvaara Rune Singer’s Village
- Karelian buffet at the restaurant Parppeinpirtti
- A visit and a guided tour at a unique Finnish rock exhibition, Suomirokkia-näyttely
- An evening at Guesthouse PikkuPriha and its hut or lean-to shelter
Contact me!
Feel free to contact me at milaja@milajanmatkat.fi or and ask me more! You’ll also find me on Facebook and Insta: @milajanmatkat
