A Finnish cottage with a Dutch touch

In June 2007 we have completed our holiday bungalow in Finland. For our family it is a wish we've had for many years and is realised now. The holiday cottage has become a spacious house and offers a comfortable accommodation for at least 6 people. We have built the bungalow for private use, but in the time that we are not present we offer lovers of nature and quietness to hire it. The holiday cottage is situated in the heart of the Saimaa region in South-Karelia some kilometres away from the Russian border.  The Finnish lake district is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. The landscape has been formed by the last ice age and offers a variety of woods, rocks and lakes with many islands. Finland has a magnificent nature and a climate with  a light and agreeable summertime and severe winters with much snow and ice. Many people in Western Europe think that because of Finland's northern location has a cold climate also in summer, but most summers are warmer and drier than Great Britain or the Netherlands. The country is thinly populated but never deserted, except in some parts of Lapland.

The holiday cottage with nearly 2 ha woodland is called Hirvimäki which means: Hill of Elk in Finnish. It is located 250 km north-east of Helsinki in the district of Taipalsaari.  This village, surrounded with farms and little settlements has together about 5000 inhabitants. The important town in the neighbourhood  is Lappeenranta on a distance of 17 km.

The address is: Toijantie 94,   

54960 Vehkataipale, Finland

The pictures on this page show the bungalow shortly after its completion and the  new built terrace at the shore of the lake on a spring sunset.

We are a Dutch family with fondness of Scandinavia and especially of Finland. What attracts us is the combination of nature and climate but also the quietness and silence your find here. The Finnish people is used to keep some distance and is not talkative but if you get to know them they are very friendly. We travelled in the country by bicycle, camping and hiring cottages for many years. Some time ago we decided that we would like to have a place of our own in this country. In 2006 we had the opportunity to buy a plot of woodland suitable to build a log-house. After the decision we had a very busy year, jobs and two boys going to school  in the Netherlands and building a house in Finland. The result you can see on this page.  Trees have been cut, sand was brought in and a bungalow has been built in the wintertime of 2006-2007. The house itself is completed and it has become comfortable bungalow. 

Cycling or cross-country skiing?

Our favourite activities are cycling and canoeing on the lakes in summer and cross-country skiing in winter-time. The surrounding area is dominated by the forest and lakes. At the backside of the bungalow there is a path ( 100m) that leads to a little beach and a landing stage will be built in the spring for 2008. An Indian  canoe is available. The place is also perfect for swimming or fishing. The lake is called Little Saimaa and is a part of the great Saimaa lake. This part of Finland  is a labyrinth of lakes and is perfect for canoe trips for one or more days.  There are a lot of possibilities in the field of activities but you have to know the way to find them and it helps if you understand the Finnish language, which is not easy.  That is why we are  happy about the cooperation with Hostel Mansikka they have the connections in the region. A lot of activities can be arranged especially when it is asked in advance. For instance, if ice-fishing  is something you want to do, we can arrange an experienced guide for you and he brings the equipment too.

Holiday in Finland

"Holiday in Finland isn't it very expensive? and isn't it very far away?" are questions we often hear. And also "isn't it very cold country?" The answer is that a holiday in Finland should not be very expensive if you decide to fly and make an early booking. Hiring a car is useful but travelling with the Express bus can be a cheap alterative. If you want to take your car to Finland and look forward for a comfortable and easy " all-in" voyage you can choose for the Finnlines. It is not cheap but the fare  depends of the season.

From our place in the south of the Netherlands to our cottage in Finland is a distance of 2000 km.  If we visit the bungalow by plane it takes about 12 hours and travelling with the Finnlines about 2,5 days. Being in Finland feels very different than western Europe. Life is more calm and easy and we are more aware of the nature.

News

The 1st of April 2010 Ryanair starts a regular service from Düsseldorf-Weeze an Airport near the Dutch border to Lappeenranta. It is a direct connection and the  flying time is 2,5 hours.The Lappeenranta Airport is at 17 km distance from our holiday cottage.