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Day 1

• Arrival in Petrozavodsk. Accommodation in hotel. Breakfast in cafe.
• Departure to Olonets (150 km). Bus tour "City at the spit" incl. a visit to Olonets national museum of Southern Karelians. The museum also features an exhibition of old New Year Tree toy decorations. 
• Bus tour "So many villages, so many customs".

You will undertake a facinating journey to the land of Karelian Santa. Fairytale characters Pakkaine-frost and Lumineito-snowgirl are waiting for you in the magic world of the Karelian village. This tour takes you through small Karelian villages with the spirit of old Olonets area. There is a legend about a foreigner who was travelling in a wagon through Olonets region. When falling asleep and waking up he would ask: “What is this wonderful view?” and the answer would be the same all the time: “Olonets”. In his road diary the traveller wrote: “Olonets is the greatest city in the world which I ever happened to pass.”  Just like that traveller, the tour takes you through Megrega, the village of “straw hats”, Jyrgelitsa, the village of jewellers, Kuitezha, the village of hunters and fishermen and other unique villages. A real gem of the tour is the village of Bolshaya Selga, which managed to maintain its original look.

• You will spend a day in the nature playing traditional Karelian games and sliding and then feel the warmth of the peasant's house, sit by the Russian stove, drink tea from the samovar with pies. You will learn the secrets of making traditional festive dishes of Southern Karelians, like "skancc" with oatmeal. 
• You can attend a master-class on making Christmas tree decorations from cardboard. You can make "Pakkaine" decoration and take it with you to remember Karelia or hang it on New Year tree in the museum.
• Departure to Petrozavodsk. Supper in restaurant / cafe  

Day 2

• Breakfast. Bus tour "Winter Petrozavodsk" with the visit to the Central Reception Office of the Karelian Santa.

  Central Reception Office of Pakkaine - the Karelian Santa opens its doors in Petrozavodsk December 23, 2006 – January 10, 2007!

  At the Reception Office you can:

  • write and send a letter to the Karelian Santa at "Pakkaine's mailroom" (reply guaranteed!)
  • have your picture taken with Santa
  • watch the chronicles of Olonets Games of Santas
  • watch a musical performance "Karelian winter fairy-tale" also featuring Karelian folk bands

  Pakkaine is waiting for everyone who believes in Christmas and New Year!

  13.00  Picnic and entertainment program by the Lososinka River (incl. New Year tree, camp fire, snow tubes, gifts from Santa)

• 17.30  Back to Petrozavodsk. Free time

• At extra charge: Aquatica swimming pool (slides, Finnish sauna, Turkish sauna, jakuzzi, water disco, children pool, cafe/bar, tanning facility, work-out machines (250 rub. per person per hour)

Day 3

• Breakfast.  Visit to the first Russian health center "Martian Waters" founded by Peter the Great, tasting mineral water from four springs, visit to St.Peter's Church; visit to Kivatch waterfall, one of the largest plain waterfalls in Europe, visit to the birch grove; picnic in Kivatch natural preserve.
• Back to Petrozavodsk
• Transfer to the train station, trains to Moscow/ St.Petersburg

SPECIAL OFFER!

On December 2-3, 2006 annual international "Games of Santa Clauses" will take place in Olonets.