Feel NORDIC - Lentiira

The roots of Lentiira Holiday Village go back to 1967, when Elsa Heikkinen founded the Petäjäniemi holiday home in Lentiira, Kuhmo. Elsa was a skilled hostess and entrepreneur who also ran the Kaesa home bakery, which still operates in Kuhmo today. Together with her husband Janne, Elsa transformed a rural farm into a tourism destination, where guests stayed in summer cottages and tents, bathed in the lakeside sauna, and enjoyed homemade meals in the main house.

In the 1980s, Elsa’s son Toivo and his wife Eija expanded the business by building more cottages, a smoke sauna, and a service building. They strongly developed tourism services: airport transfers, guided excursions, hunting, fishing, and traditional Kainuu dishes were offered. Lentiira became especially popular among German and Swiss visitors, and over the years, several notable Finnish public figures have also stayed at the holiday village.

In 2019, the village underwent another generational shift, as Eija and Toivo’s son Petri took over. Petri also runs a tourism business in Vuokatti, called Vuokatinmaa. In 2023, he decided to focus on Vuokatti and began looking for new entrepreneurs to take over the holiday village.

From summer 2024 onwards, Elise Heikkinen-Johnstone and Robert Johnstone have taken the reins.

Elise and Rob bring strong international expertise in tourism to Lentiira – they previously ran their own travel company in Namibia. Elise has a background in psychology and now aims to combine her knowledge with the wellbeing effects of the forest. Rob is a trained astronomer and a former professional cyclist. Together, they represent a unique combination: a passion for human wellbeing and a deep fascination with the wonders of nature and the universe.

Their dream is to develop the holiday village into a high-quality, modern destination where guests can enjoy genuine nature, peace, and unforgettable experiences. A new feature at the village is the opportunity to observe celestial objects through a professional-grade telescope – Lentiira’s exceptionally low light pollution makes stargazing truly breathtaking.

Elise and Rob honour traditions while bringing new ideas and heartfelt hospitality. They warmly welcome guests to discover the nature of Kainuu, the peace, and the brilliance of the stars in a whole new way.