Visit a Finnish forest to pick mushrooms and enjoy culinary experiences based on Finnish wild mushrooms. The mushroom experience is guided by top Finnish mushroom experts and by mushroom mentor and hotelier of Hotel Punkaharju, Saimi Hoyer. Dinner features visionary mushroom dishes by chef Mikko Lahtinen.
An introduction to Finnish sauna is also available. In two evenings, you can enjoy sauna, swim in the clear waters of the Saimaa lakeland and relax in an outdoor hot tub.
Though the experience is easy it is not suitable for the mobility-impaired. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes (e.g. trainers or hiking boots).
The price includes: 2 guided mushroom picking excursions (in English and in Italian) at Punkaharju including transport, 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners (one three-course and one eight-course), 2 days’ accommodation in selected room category, 2 sauna sessions (separately for men and women).
Additional Services: Cleaning and drying of mushroom you have picked, to take with you (EUR 20 per person)
Mushroom weekend presentation video with subtitles in English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LumMSNuszFY&t=10s
Day 1
15.00 Arrival at Hotel Punkaharju, check-in
16.00 Opening remarks by the experts and mushroom drinks at the lounge
16.30 Brief excursion to the forest along the esker
17.30–18.30 Sauna and outdoor hot tub, women
18.30–19.30 Sauna and outdoor hot tub, men
20.00–22.00 Three-course dinner at Restaurant Punkaharju
Day 2
08.00–10.30 Breakfast
11.00 Transport to mushroom picking at Punkaharju
14.00 Lunch and coffee
Afternoon: mushroom identification, assembly of mushroom exhibition and discussion with experts.
17.00–18.00 Sauna and outdoor hot tub, women
18.00–19.00 Sauna and outdoor hot tub, men
19.30-22.30 Eight-course mushroom dinner at Restaurant Punkaharju
Day 3
08.00–10.30 Breakfast
11.00 Check-out
Price from EUR 490 per person, -50% for children under 12 in extra bed.
See the Saimaa lakeland and forests and sample Finnish mushrooms on a unique mushroom cruise where you may also catch a glimpse of the elusive Saimaa ringed seal. The Saimaa lakeland is the only place in the world where the Saimaa ringed seals live, and there are only about 400 of them.