RUOTSINPYHTÄÄ > KOTKA (37 km) Continue the trip along King’s Road (E18) to Kotka.
	Kotka is one of the most maritime cities in Finland. It is located on the coast of the Eastern Gulf of Finland, little more than an hour’s drive fom Helsinki. The river Kymijoki, the longest in southern Finland, flows into the sea in Kotka. The city of Kotka offers excellent opportunities for various outdoor activities, including archipelago cruises, fishing, sailing and shooting the rapids. Furthermore Kotka has fascinating history.
	The Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge was built in 1889 on the banks of the picturesque Langinkoski rapids near Kotka. Czar Alexander III of Russia, Grand Duke of Finland, visited Langinkoski and had a lodge of redwood logs built for his visits to fish for salmon in the rapids. The Czar was only able to spend a few summers in Langinkoski, but now visitors can fish for salmon on the same site. The lodge is located 5 km from the town centre in the nature reserve of Langinkoski, tel. +358 (0)5 228 1050. www.langinkoskimuseo.com. Kotka Maritime Festival will be held 24.–27.7.2008. There are nautical events for people of all ages, iclunding street theatre, an opening parade, the Sea Shanty Festival, Children’s Maritime Festival, concerts, dances, rowing competitions, sailor’s cultural events and the sea market, tel. +358 (0)5 234 4714. www.meripaivat.com.
KOTKA > HAMINA (26 km) Drive further along route 170 to Hamina.
	Hamina (Fredrikshamn) is associated with international politics and diplomacy. In 1783, the empress Catherine the Great and King Gustavus III of Sweden met here in this little town.
The trip will now continue north along route 6 to Lappeenranta. You can choose the Via Karelia Tour from Lappeenranta. We recommend a cruise with Kristina Cruises: The Russian czar family often visited Finland in the 19th century during their summer holidays. When times became dangerous and unsafe in Russia, the czars, especially Nikolai II, brought their families to the peaceful Grand Duchy of Finland, where they could relax almost like regular tourists. The Czars’ Road was launched for the first time in the summer of 2003. You can embark on a cruise from Helsinki for four days through the southwestern archipelago, the Gulf of Finland and via the Saimaa Canal to Lake Saimaa. www.kristinacruises.com.