Guest House Rowan Tree (Pihlajapuu) is situated in the Eastern part of Finland called North Karelia. The traditional log house used to be a village school but has now been lovingly renovated for it's new purpose, welcoming international visitors. We have ten bedrooms, seven rooms upstairs and three rooms downstairs, and can accomodate up to fifteen persons. There are lounges and balconies as well as a Finnish sauna heated with a log fire. Our kitchen provides fresh local food. The small town of Nurmes lies about 20 km away from Guest House Rowan Tree.
Rowan Tree is hosting holidays and tours around the year. We are literally in the middle of the woods where you can pick blueberries, granberries and mushrooms in the Autumn. We also cook marmalade from rowan berries. In winter there is plenty of snow with cross-country tracks straight from the door. The fireplaces and radiators keep the whole house warm and cozy, even in the most frosty weather.
Spring comes so quickly, one can almost see the leaves and flowers grow as the snow gradually melts away. You will also witness the birds migrating back after the long winter.
In summer we recommend a morning swim in the nearby lake, or enjoying the white nights that never go dark. We'll teach you to play a Karelian game called Kyykkä or to sing some Finnish folk songs. Our guests can also choose to have a lie-in and enjoy a late breakfast if they wish to just relax.
The following activities are available during your stay at Rowan Tree:
Canoeing: on a small lake nearby where it is impossible to get lost, or on the Lake Pielinen that spans over 100 km and was revered as a holy place since stone age. It is famous for making a barely audible, dark, echoing sound. That is, of course when it is not frozen. Many famous artists have been inspired by Lake Pielinen. Sibelius had even his piano transported on the top of the hill Koli, to enjoy the combination of music and watching the glittering waves and forests dissapearing in the distance.
Biking: we have bikes, helmets and maps - and offer guided tours as well. In the ”land of the thousand lakes” (or about 220 000, to be more accurate) you'll be never far away from a beach. The roads are mainly in good condition with little traffic but to really see life at the country-side you need to take the sandy side-roads. Oh yes - and we have a couple of hills here. It's not like tour de France but not completely flat, eihter.
Cross-country skiing and snow shoe walking: we can provide the equipment and professional instruction for both of these, as well as skiing workshops from beginners to advanced. If you already know how to ski, you might want to explore a new, different technique. The skiing scenes in North Karelia are varied with rollign hills and flat, frozen lakes. Early spring can be a great for snow sports – the days are getting longer and sunnier. Sometimes the bright sun combined with night frost creates an icy crust on top of the snow, easily bearing the weight of a skiier. One is then free to ski where ever they wish, over the fields and lakes with amazing speed, and no need for ready-made tracks. Mid-winter will be darker but there is more of a chance to spot the northern lights.
Archery: Minna can give an introductory workshop in archery. Depending on the weather, this can be an indoor or outdoor activity.
Sauna: in addition to our wonderful in-house sauna that has modern showers and a terrace for cooling down, we cherish Minna's authentic smoke sauna. The smoke sauna stems from the times before chimneys but is still regarded as the highest achievement in the art of sauna design. Electric saunas that can be switched on by mobile phone one the way home, simply can't provide the noble heat that is so caracteristic for this ancient type of sauna. It takes several hours to gently heat up the giant pile of stones in the corner of a smoke sauna. The fire is made of alder wood and is believed to be guarded by the sauna elf, who lives behind the stove. It's not advisable to be rude in a sauna. If the sauna elf feels disturbed, he might burn down the whole building.
While the sauna takes it's time to heat up, Minna's father- in-law carefully prepares the birch tree bundles or in winter juniper bundles, traditionally used to improve circulation and to bring a lovely scent into the bathing room. Before bathing the smoke is being let out through the door, while the stones are still glowing and radiating warmth at a healing infra-red frequence. The experience is best rounded up with a dip into the well which turns into an ice hole in winter. About 1 km from Guest House Rowan Tree (in winter we can just walk over the lake but in summer we need to jump in the canoe or drive round the water).
Guided berry picking and mushroom hunting in autumn: You can easily learn to recognise the most common eatible berries. Then you can enjoy them fresh from the forest whenever you wish - for the rest of your holiday.
Nordic Walking: we have all the equipment and can guide you to the secrets of this fun an healthy way of moving that has established itself as a new national sport amongst the Finns. In this country no-one will ask, where you left your skis!
Volleyball or other indoor games: in the sports hall just accross the yard. Sirke is a qualified PE instructor and she coaches a local volleyball team.
Hiking: the Karelian Round is a 500 km long route passing by Guest House Rowan Tree. Stunning views and guaranteed peace. Autumn is a very good time for hiking as well as Summer. There are some interesting natural landmarks on the route, to which you might choose to make day trip.
Salmenkylä, Nurmes
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