TravelGuides

(TGA) - Travel - My husband and I will be traveling to Finland from Madison, Wisconsin at the end of May. We will arrive in Finland on May 22 and are staying at Holiday Club Katinkulta for a week and one night at the end in Helsinki. I am looking for suggestions on the following:
the best way for 4 adults to travel from Helsinki to Katinkulta
the most economical place to rent a car for the week
suggestions on things to do in Katinkulta
grocery stores that are nearby
restaurants that shouldn't be missed
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated
---- Reply -----
Hi!
The most convenient way is to rent a car at Helsinki Airport and drive to Sotkamo, since you plan to have a rental car for the week anyhow.
At the airport you can use Budget, Avis, Sixt, Hertz and Europcar. Check their websites for the best price.
In the Vuokatti websites you'll find the most activities that can be done there.
Nature is the key thing there, but the local Katinkulta spa is also pretty good.
Also for shopping, there are a couple of shops locally, and some more a few kilometer away in the nearby small town Sotkamo.
www.vuokatti.fi/index_uk.php?id=9_123&la=uk
Doing a trip to Kajaani by car gives you much more shopping facilities.
---- Reply -----
Hi,
You can take a direct train from Helsinki to Kajaani, takes approx 6,5 hours. The best way to come to Katinkulta is by car, but there is a bus connection from the train station to Katinkulta.
Car rentals:
- www.tigercarrental.com/car-hire/kajaani.htm
- www.avis.fi/avisonline/fi/avis.nsf…
- europcar.com/car-rental-FINLAND-KAJAANI.html
- http://www.budget.fi/
You cannot ski outdoors in May but there are ski and snowborad tunnels open year-round, there are also summer activities: fishing, golf, horseback riding. Check: www.vuokatti.fi/index_uk.php…
Don't miss Kippo restaurant in Sokos hotel. There is a decent restaurant in your hotel - Maisema.
There are 2 shops:
S-Market Vuokatti
Katinkullantie 1, 88610 Vuokatti
and
K-Vuokatti
Varsitie 1, 88610 Vuokatti
Nearest Alko , special store where you can by alcohol, is located in Sotkamo. There are also 2 Alko stores in Kajaani. Alko is closed on Sundays. You can buy beer and cider from regular grocery stores, but not wine.
Hope you have a great trip!
Katerina
---- Reply -----