An example route might take you from Nurmes at the northern end of the Saimaa lake system, through the Karelian lake ports of Lieksa and Joensuu, and finishing in Savonlinna, where passengers can spend an evening at the opera in the magnificent Olavinlinna fortress. Kuopio is another busy lake steamer port, from which tours depart across the network of eastern lakes and canals, offering both on-board and hotel accommodation along the way. Further west, lake steamers depart from Hämeenlinna.