A Day Trip to Remember in Karelia
add_circle Pros
- The scenery was absolutely stunning, with rolling hills and picturesque villages as far as the eye could see.
- We had plenty of time to explore the Avenkoski and Ruskeala waterfalls, and even took a guided tour of the area.
- The food in Sortavala was delicious, with plenty of local cuisine to try, including a hearty bowl of Finnish fish soup.
- The bus tour was a great way to see the area, with a knowledgeable guide who shared all sorts of interesting facts and stories.
- The scenery was so beautiful that it felt like we were in a fairytale, with towering trees and sparkling waterfalls everywhere we looked.
remove_circle Cons
- The tour was a bit pricey, with extra fees for things like visiting the underground tunnels at Ruskeala.
- We didn't have as much time as I would have liked to explore the canyon itself, which was a bit of a disappointment.
- The description of the tour was a bit exaggerated, which made me feel like I was getting a raw deal.
- The souvenir shop in Sortavala was a bit overpriced, with some items costing way too much money.
- The bus was a bit cramped, with not enough legroom for some of the passengers.
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Editor's Summary
I recently took a bus tour to Karelia from St. Petersburg with a colleague, and it was an absolute blast. The scenery was nothing short of breathtaking, with the stunning Karelian countryside unfolding before our eyes. We spent the day exploring the Avenkoski and Ruskeala waterfalls, and even stopped in the quaint town of Sortavala for lunch. The experience was one-of-a-kind, and I'd love to come back and stay for more than just a day. The natural beauty of this place is simply mesmerizing – it's like nothing I've ever seen before. The scenery here is just breathtaking. It's like nothing I've seen before – a whole different world from the Ural Mountains.", "pros": [ "The scenery was absolutely stunning, with rolling hills and picturesque villages as far as the eye could see.", "We had plenty of time to explore the Avenkoski and Ruskeala waterfalls, and even took a guided tour of the area.", "The food in Sortavala was delicious, with plenty of local cuisine to try, including a hearty bowl of Finnish fish soup.", "The bus tour was a great way to see the area, with a knowledgeable guide who shared all sorts of interesting facts and stories.", "The scenery was so beautiful that it felt like we were in a fairytale, with towering trees and sparkling waterfalls everywhere we looked.", "The underground tunnels at Ruskeala were a fascinating piece of history, and well worth the extra fee.", "Taking a boat or catamaran out on the lake in the canyon was a great way to see the area from a different perspective." ], "cons": [ "The tour was a bit pricey, with extra fees for things like visiting the underground tunnels at Ruskeala.", "We didn't have as much time as I would have liked to explore the canyon itself, which was a bit of a disappointment.", "The description of the tour was a bit exaggerated, which made me feel like I was getting a raw deal.", "The souvenir shop in Sortavala was a bit overpriced, with some items costing way too much money.", "The bus was a bit cramped, with not enough legroom for some of the passengers.", "Some of the development sites scattered around the area were a bit of an eyesore.", "The Ruskeala Express was a bit too touristy for my taste." ], "faq": [ { "question": "What's the best way to get to Karelia from St. Petersburg?", "answer": "The best way to get to Karelia from St. Petersburg is by taking a bus tour, which will take you through the stunning Karelian countryside and drop you off at the Avenkoski and Ruskeala waterfalls." }, { "question": "What kind of food can I expect to find in Sortavala?", "answer": "In Sortavala, you can expect to find a variety of local cuisine, including Finnish fish soup, which is a hearty and delicious bowl of goodness." }, { "question": "Can I visit the underground tunnels at Ruskeala?", "answer": "Yes, you can visit the underground tunnels at Ruskeala, but it will cost you an extra fee. The tunnels are a fascinating piece of history, and well worth the cost." }, { "question": "How much time do I need to spend in Karelia to see everything?", "answer": "To see everything that Karelia has to offer, I would recommend spending at least a few days in the area. This will give you plenty of time to explore the Avenkoski and Ruskeala waterfalls, as well as the quaint town of Sortavala." }, { "question": "Can I take a boat or catamaran out on the lake in the canyon?", "answer": "Yes, you can take a boat or catamaran out on the lake in the canyon, which is a great way to see the area from a different perspective." }, { "question": "What kind of accommodations are available in Karelia?", "answer": "There are a variety of accommodations available in Karelia, ranging from budget-friendly hostels to luxury hotels. You can also consider staying in a local home or apartment, which will give you a more authentic experience." }, { "question": "Can I take a day trip to Karelia from St. Petersburg?", "answer": "Yes, you can take a day trip to Karelia from St. Petersburg, which will give you a taste of the area's stunning scenery and charming towns." ], "meta_title": "A Day Trip to Remember in Karelia", "meta_description": "Take a bus tour to Karelia from St. Petersburg and experience the stunning scenery and charming towns of this beautiful region.", "og_title": "A Day Trip to Remember in Karelia", "og_description": "Experience the best of Karelia on a day trip from St. Petersburg, with stunning scenery, charming towns, and delicious local cuisine.
Specifications
We took a bus tour to Karelia from St. Petersburg with a colleague, and it was an absolute blast. We visited the Avenkoski and Ruskeala waterfalls, and let me tell you, the scenery was nothing short of breathtaking.
We set off early in the morning, and before we knew it, we were surrounded by the stunning Karelian countryside.
We stopped in the quaint town of Sortavala for lunch, where we browsed a souvenir shop.
Finnish fish soup Next up, we headed to Avenkoski, where we spent an hour taking in the breathtaking views of the waterfalls and the surrounding landscape. You might remember the movie 'A Quiet Light' was filmed here, and it's easy to see why.
The water is rich in minerals and iron, which gives it that unique color and the foamy texture. It's a sight to behold, let me tell you.
The natural beauty of this place is simply mesmerizing.
But the real showstopper was yet to come – Ruskeala. This place used to be a marble quarry, and the underground tunnels and shafts are still intact. We only got to visit one of the tunnels and take a guided tour of the area, but it was still an unforgettable experience.
If you want to explore the underground tunnels, you can do so for an extra fee.
You'll find development sites scattered all over the place.
These "sleighs" were used to haul marble out of the tunnels.
The massive stones are visible at the bottom of the quarry, which is now a lake.
You can even take a boat or a catamaran out on the lake in the canyon.
Let me tell you, the scenery here is just breathtaking. It's like nothing I've seen before - a whole different world from the Ural Mountains.
I've seen some pretty weird and wonderful characters here, like this Pegasus - a winged horse.
Or take this granny - a Karelian doll in a pram.
There's the Ruskeala Express, where people are just chillin'.
They've even got an alleyway of Karelian birch trees. And a zoo, and loads of cafes and shops selling local products.
This place is like a fairytale - I'd love to come back and stay for more than just a day.
There are even day trips from St. Petersburg that last a few days. I'm hoping my little Karelian interlude will turn into a full-blown multi-day adventure.
