The town of Kouvola in south-eastern Finland stands on the National Route 6 highway carrying traffic from Helsinki to the country's eastern border. Visitors who hire a car in Kouvola will note that the capital is just a 9 minute drive away. The River Kymi loops round the west of the town and to the north are a series of lakes. This means the region offers an abundance of opportunities for sports and relaxation in the surrounding woods and on the water. Highlights include the Repovesi National Park and the Verla Groundwood and Board Mill, a World Heritage Site.
Kouvola stands on the crossroads between east-west and north-south highways and railway services. It is also the western terminus of the Trans-Siberian railways which connects Europe to the furthest reaches of Asia. If you hire a car in Kouvola you'll find it's easy to get around. Kouvola's main claim to fame is the Tykkimaki Theme Park which offers 33 rides for summer thrill-seekers. In the winter the attention switches to the Mielakka Ski Resort, which offers six downhill slopes and illuminated cross-country skiing trails just a mile from the town centre. Other highlights include the Mustila Arboretum and the Manski shopping mall.