Finland Guide
The Lake Region
Parikkala
Heavily wooded with oak and maple trees, the forested area surrounding the small town of PARIKKALA offers ample opportunities for hiking, boating and goggling at the numerous species of birds – over 280 at last count – that call this part of Finland home. Solo exploration is possible, though you might be better off with a local who knows the area; try contacting the knowledgeable birder Hanna Aalto ( 
050 524 6597, 
www.ornio.net ), who runs personal tours for €175 per day per person, or ask at either of the accommodation options listed below. Arriving without a car can be problematic, as the town centre, wherein lie the train and bus stations, is several kilometres from any decent places to stay. Tourist information is a ten-minute walk from the station at Harjukuja 6 ( 05/686 11; www.parinet.fi ). Your best choices for accommodation are two small places just outside town: Laatokan Portti ( 05/449 282, www.laatokanportti.com ), 6km south of the centre, offers a range of double rooms (Price: €26-50). Run by a Finnish-born American, it's a wonderfully idyllic setting, with a large wooden deck at the lake's edge; you can also rent boats and fishing gear for around €15 per day. There are slightly more comfortable rooms, as well as a lakeside sauna and indoor swimming pool, a few kilometres north from Laatokan Portti at the rustic Karjalan Lomahovi ( 05 657 7700, www.karjalanlomahovi.com ; Price: €26-50). The friendly staff here can also arrange winter horse-and-carriage trips along the Russian border from the nearby thoroughbred farm in Kolmekanta. Both of these guesthouses offer hearty, well-portioned meals to both guests and non-guests; bank on around €15. In terms of other eating options in the area, you're pretty much limited to €12 lunchtime dishes like lasagna and potato gratin at Kaakonranta, Parikkalantie 19, also a bar hangout for local old-timers.