Social Program

Welcoming Reception and Buffet Dinner Sokos Hotel Kimmel
Sunday, 10 June 19:00 – 22:00
Welcome to meet old friends and make new ones in the welcoming reception of ISTMA 2007 conference.

Finnish Evening
Tuesday , 12 June, 20:00 – 23:00
The restaurant will be a short bus ride away from the Sokos Hotel Kimmel. A typical Finnish dinner will be served. The evening will continue with music and dance.

Listen the silence of Koli National Park
Wednesday, 13 June (incl. in the reg. fee)
The long summer nights are greatly valued by the Finnish people because of the cold winter. Enjoy the dinner in the heart of Koli national park, and admire the midnight sun set while standing on the top of ancient rocks, where you can listen to the silence of the Finnish nature and admire the beautiful archetypal Finnish landscape. The hills of Koli are relics of the ancient mountain chain, Karelides, which was formed nearly 2000 million years ago. The highest top of Koli, Ukko-Koli, rises 347 m above the sea level. Close to this, there is a roofless chapel called the Temple of Silence. According to the tradition there have been sacrifices to the gods of forests and water.

ADDITIONAL TOURS

Tour to Island Hiekkasaari
Date: Thursday, 14 June and Friday 15, June 2007 (duration 5 hours)
Price: 75 € / person (Minimum 20 persons)
Taste a traditional bandit's roast on the island called Hiekkasaari in the lake Höytiäinen. You will feel the mood from the start, by sailing to the island in the beautiful scenery on the traditional boat Tuula m/s. It has functioned in passenger traffic since 1952.

In the island you have possibility to follow how a traditional bandit's roast is made. After the dinner in the midst of the nature, you will enjoy a coffee, made on open fire. There is also a nice beach on the island.

Excursion to Ruunaa Rapids
Date: Friday 15, June 2007 (duration 8 hours)
Price: 130 € / person (Minimum 20 persons)
The wild Ruunaankoski Rapids close to the Russian border offer an exotic adventure for families and active holidaymakers in the heart of wilderness. Admire the splendid scenery and magnifificent natural surroundings as you shoot the rapids in either a wooden boat or rubber raft. The tour culminates in a hearty Karelian wilderness lunch.

Life jackets, rubber boots and water proof jackets are provided by the tour operator. Please make sure that you have warm extra cloths with you (you might get wet). Underneath the waterproof jacket you might want to wear something light for example shorts or a sweat suit, according to the weather.