Add a review about Saimaa

The fourth largest lake in Europe is, no wonder, in the "country of thousands of lakes" of Finland .Saimaa, and we are talking about it, not only is its size and cleanliness, developed infrastructure, but also an abundance of fish and entertainment for tourists .In a word, here you can have a great rest in the bosom of nature with a big family or a cheerful flock of friends .The main "feature" of the lake is fishing .But not with less pleasure here go and in off-season days, to stroll through the ancient cities and fortresses, sit in the well-heated sauna, taste the delights of provincial scenic Finland .And what is especially pleasant about Russia Saima is very convenient - in the south-east of the country, literally side by side with the Russian border .

In fact, Saimaa is not just a lake, but a whole water system with numerous bays, water bodies, swamps, islands, straits and canals. Looking at its winding coastline, you can not at once say that this huge surface of water is a single whole. Behind the turn are hidden all the new bends, because of which it seems that the lake will never end.

From the tourist point of view on Saima there are several interesting cities .Firstly, familiar to all travelers from St. Petersburg and its environs, Imatra and Lappeenranta .They are closest to the borders of our vast, so that fans of Finnish shopping and cottages on the shore of Saima come most often to these cities .In the very center of the lake stands the powerful and brutal fortress of Olavinlinna - the venue for luxurious opera festivals .In the north, the lake covers Joensuu, and on the west, two more nice resort towns - it's Mikkeli and Varkaus .

Looking at the meandering coastline of Saima, you can not at once say that this huge surface of water is a single whole.
One of the most popular tourist attractions is the waterfall in Imatra. At one time, and to be precise, in 1772, the Empress Catherine II personally came here to admire the famous splashes of this waterfall. Moreover, in the 19th century, Imatra could boast of as many spectators as the Eiffel Tower. And all thanks to the dam built in 1921, more precisely the power station, because of which you can admire the frenzied water flow only in the summer, only at 18:00 and not more than 20 minutes, but with such a scope that one-third of the hour is enough to head off.

Depending on the region, Saima is ready to offer a variety of leisure styles .First, excellent bathing in its purest waters throughout the coastline .Cottages for rent here are surrendered everywhere and for very different prices, it all depends only on the size of the house and the proximity of the infrastructure .Secondly, rafting by canoeing, kayaking, yachting .In this case, it may be worthwhile to be based in Imatra, known for its rapids .Finally, a separate category of tourists can get carried away with lake safaris after a seal, which in the Linnansaari National Park .Well, about fishing on Saim should be said separately - this is a special, exclusively "rich in catch" theme .

Saimaa

Fishing on Lake Saimaa

Saimaa is a deep lake, its average depth reaches about 10 m, and the very bottom is at 84 m. The fish here are just frenzied, including a rare species of salmon, and in 2014 the appearance of a white gudgeon was noted. However, the king of the underwater world of Saami, under strict surveillance and a ban on fishing, is a seal - one of the freshwater subspecies of seals, which in 2012 there were only 310 animals. It is said that by 2025 the Finnish Conservation Union plans to increase the population to 400 lovely seals.

An important plus of the Saima for anglers is year-round. Here you can always find someone and show off. The only thing, do not forget about a special license that you can buy at travel agencies in Finland or at post offices somewhere for 10-20 EUR per week.