Tourism booklet, Estonian Travel Guide

Discover Estonia 1

Fun at Every Turn

Discover Estonia

www.visitestonia.com

Discover Estonia2 Discover Estonia 3

DISCOVER ESTONIAEstonia lies on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea, south of Finland, bordering Russia to the east and Latvia to the south. It is a country of many facets with a rich history and diverse culture, rooted in centuries of tradition, much of which is still in evi-dence today.

Despite its compact size each region of Estonia has its own distinctive character. Visitors will find fens and forests, virgin bogs, over 1,400 lakes, 3,794 kilometres of coastline marked by bays and straits. The country has around 1,500 islands and islets, numerous rivers and streams and an unspoilt landscape characterised by colourful cities, historic villages and towns, dotted with manor houses, castles and traditional thatched dwellings.

Estonias capital, Tallinn, is also Europes oldest cap-ital and its Old Town is one of Europes best-pre-served walled medieval cities. The northern coast-line, on which Tallinn is located, is characterised by high limestone cliffs, spouting numerous waterfalls, and white sandy beaches nestled in dense pine for-ests.

Tartu is the countrys second city, a university town located in southern Estonia. It is a pleasant place to visit, tranquil and with a unique spirit, bisected by a river, with leafy parks and streets lined with 19th century wooden houses. The countryside sur-rounding Tartu has distinctive rounded hills, undu-lating green countryside, river valleys, lakes, nature reserves, old manors and stately castles.

Estonians eastern border is mainly marked by the vast shoreline of Lake Peipus (Europes fifth largest lake), studded with a string of villages known for their smoked fish, cucumbers and the best onions in the country.

To the west is the juniper-clad coastline and the numerous islands of Estonias archipelago, char-acterised by wooden windmills and traditional log buildings with thatched roofs that practically brush the ground.

Estonias best known seaside resort is its summer capital Prnu on the southwest coast, popular for its beautiful sandy beach, vibrant nightlife and cura-tive health spas.

This guide is your passport to finding out about what to see and where to go in Estonia and is planned to offer you two, three and five day tours, to optimise your stay and enjoy the many attrac-tions in the different regions of Estonia. Welcome!

New and old Tallinn

Estonia in briefOfficial name: Republic of Estonia (Eesti Vabariik in Estonian)

Area 45,227 km2

Inhabitants 1.36 million

Capital Tallinn (405,000 inhabitants)

Official language Estonian

Form of government: parliamentary democracy

National holiday 24 February (Independence Day)

Currency: the Estonian kroon (EEK) (1 EUR =15.6466 EEK)

National bird: barn swallow

National flower: cornflower

The Republic of Estonia is a member of the European Union; Schengen area and NATO.

Estonia is in the East European time zone (GMT/BST +02:00).

Estonias country code is +372. To place an International call start by dialling 00.

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on j pn the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea, To the west is the juniper-clad coaaststliline and the


called Tall Hermann and flies Estonias blue black and white national flag.

Opposite Toompea Castle are the characteristic onion domes of the beautiful St. Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral, Tallinns largest and grandest orthodox cupola cathedral, built in 1900.

A short distance away from the cathedral is the central Lutheran cathedral, known as the Dome Church, the onetime residence of Tallinns bishops and the countrys highest clergymen.

Toompea is also the site of the Patkuli and Kohtuot-sa viewing platforms which offer magnificent views of the Old Town and the Gulf of Finland behind.

Tallinns enclosing city wall originally had a length of 2.35 kilometres and comprised 46 wall and gate towers. Large sections of it still stand today includ-ing 26 of the defensive towers, each with its own name. The ancient city walls can be seen in their most authentic form along the narrow and well-shaded Mrivahe Street, where traditional lambs wool handicrafts can also be found.

Between the Old Town and the port is the Roter-mann Quarter, which has attracted much attention for its contemporary architecture. This is an area of formerly industrial buildings right in the heart of Tallinn, now rebuilt along sleek modern lines. The Quarter houses shops, boutiques, restaurants, of-

TALLINN AND NORTHERN ESTONIA

Tallinn Estonias capital, Tallinn, is the oldest capital in northern Europe and the European Capital of Cul-ture in 2011. The city was first recorded by the Arab cartographer al-Idrisi back in 1154. Tallinns subsequent 800 years of history has created a city of colourful buildings, slender spires, ancient hostel-ries and pleasant squares.

Tallinns Old Town is one of Europes best preserved medieval cities and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Town Hall Square provides a good start-ing point for any tour of Tallinn and is headed up by late gothic Town Hall which dates back to the early 13th century. The building has 64-metre high octagonal spire, topped by the landmark Vana Toomas (Old Thomas) weathervane. In summer visitors can climb to the top of the spire for a com-manding view of the city. Old Thomas, with his big moustache, is also a symbol of Tallinn city.

Just off Town Hall Square is the Town Hall Phar-

macy (Raeapteek), one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe, which sells modern medicines alongside those created from medieval recipes.

The most significant churches in Tallinns Old Town are also the largest. St. Nicholas Church has the old-est known decorative portal in Tallinn. The church currently serves as a museum and concert hall and its biggest attraction is a work by one of the best-known artists of the Middle Ages, Bernt Notke.

St. Olafs Church is the highest house of worship in Estonia and between 1549 and 1625 was the tallest building in the world, its spire rising to 123.7 metres. Not surprisingly the viewing platform offers the best view of virtually the entire city.

Toompea Hill is another of Tallinns important landmarks and also the seat of Estonias govern-ment buildings, including Stenbock House, where the prime ministers offices are located. The hills Toompea Castle now houses the Estonian Parlia-ment. The castles 45-metre high corner tower is Town Hall Square

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fices and apartments and a colourful farmers mar-ket where locals and tourists can buy fresh produce from Estonias farms and gardens.

The baroque Kadriorg Palace with its beautiful landscaped park, built by the Russian Tsar Peter the Great in the 18th century, is the most out-standing landscaped park in Estonia and is a short walk (around 2.5 kilometres) from the Rotermann Quarter. On display in the palace are examples of Western European and Russian art from the 16-20th centuries.

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Day 1 and 2

Day 2 - Cliff and LahemaaLeave Tallinns towers and spires behind a second day touring the north coastline provides a pleasant contrast with the city

The first must-see stop along the coast is the 31-metre high Trisalu cliff, a promontory into the Gulf of Finland that provides an incomparable view of the sea. Its limestone cliffs were sculpted by the ancient Neva River that is thought to have flowed millions of years ago through what it is now the Gulf of Finland This stretch of coast is highly char-acteristic of northern Estonia.

The road follows the cliff for some distance on its way to Keila-Joa, named after a six-metre high waterfall on the Keila River. The falls are among Estonias most imposing and can be up to 70 me-tres wide during high water in spring and autumn. Upstream from the waterfall are two pedestrian bridges where Russian newlyweds fasten padlocks engraved with their names then throw the key into the river as a symbol of their everlasting matrimo-ny.

Military enthusiasts will enjoy the former military garrison town of Paldiski with its classic Soviet

architecture, which had its glory days during the post-war Soviet era. Natures attractions include the Pakri limestone bank, soon to be the site of one of Estonias biggest wind farms. A short hop over the sea are the Pakri islands accessible in a day trip by boat and offering pleasant walks and hikes.

Continuing along the coast are the fortified stone ruins of Padise Monastery, originally established in the 14th century and the only one of its kind in the Nordic countries.

From the monks to Estonias biggest and oldest brewery at Saku. The old brewing facility houses a museum featuring antique equipment used for making beer. Samples of the companys beers are available for tasting.

Tuhala, Estonias largest area of karst, is the next stop, with its world famous "Tuhala Witchs Well", one of the most unique natural phenomenons in Europe. When underground rivers fill after heavy rain the 2.4-metre deep Witchs Well starts boiling, spouting a gusher of water above ground at 100 litres/second. Legend says that it happens when the witches down in the well are flailing themselves with branches.

En-route to Lahemaa, Estonias largest national park, are Estonias oldest stone barrows, part of a burial site thought to date back to the 8th or 7th century BC and now on the shoulder of the busy highway. The route also passes close to Estonias

Eestimaa reisijuht6 Eestimaa reisijuht 7

Close by is Tallinns striking new KUMU Art Mu-seum, the largest multifunctional art centre in Scan-dinavia and the Baltics. Its permanent exhibition traces the history of Estonian art since the 18th century, while temporary exhibits comprise of both foreign and Estonian modern and contemporary art.

From Kadriorg Park its a short walk to the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds where the Estonian Song Festival, is held every five years. Up to 25,000 singers gather to sing beneath the modern Tallinn Song Stage, built in 1959. The venue recently

hosted over 70,000 Madonna fans and has also provided a stage for Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Tina Turner etc.

From the Song Festival Grounds its a pleasant stroll to the seafront to visit the ruins of the original Pirita Convent, first consecrated in the 15th cen-tury and situated next to a modern convent build-ing, opened in 2001. The view back from the Pirita road towards the Old Town, harbour and modern Tallinn is spectacular.

Pirita is also the site of Estonias largest ma-rina, which hosted the yachting competitions for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, and Pirita beach is Tallinns premier sunbathing paradise. Practically the entire north coast of Estonia is endowed with similar sandy strips of beach bordered with pines.

Tallinn is an ideal place for museum connoisseurs the city is full of them. Besides the KUMU, the pride of Kadriorg, Estonias past is showcased at the History Museum and the Museum of Occupa-tions. The city also has Natural History Museum, Maritime Museum and Health Museum etc.

Tallinns Open Air Museum, located in the Rocca al Mare area, takes a trip back in time into recon-structed homes of Estonian peasants from the 17th to the 20th century. The Tallinn Zoo, noted interna-tionally for its mountain goats and bighorn sheep, is home over 2,000 animals around five hundred species. Jgala FallsKUMU Art Museum

Song Festival Grounds during the Song Festival The Witchs Well in Tuhala


Day 3 - Krvemaa and VirumaaFrom Estonias coast, to one of its many natural bogs, the Kakerdaja bog in the forests of Krvemaa, far from major roads and settlements. The Kaker-daja bog track is one of Estonias most famous bog trails and one of its oldest and has been recently renewed to provide a 3,2 km walk on a boardwalk over the bog to arrive at a lake.

Krvemaa is the birthplace of one of Estonias best-known writers, Anton Hansen Tammsaare. His former home includes an exhibit of the writers life and work and displays how life was during the events described in his Truth and Justice, one of the most important Estonian literary works. The property comprises of the original house, a granary, traditional barn, cowshed and smaller outbuildings. It hosts cultural events and open-air theatre per-formances throughout the summer months.

From the forests of Krvemaa, the route continues northeast to another medieval fortress. The 700 year old Rakvere Castle now houses a weaponry exhibit, a medieval chamber of horrors and archery range. Adjacent to the fort is a 7-metre long, 4-me-tre high bronze of an aurach, the largest animal sculpture in the Baltics.

Further to the east is the striking white walled, red-roofed Purtse castle, built in the middle of the 16th century as a fortified home with walls over two metres thick, which inside the castle produces a fascinating echo chamber effect.

The route from Purtse traverses into Estonias larg-est industrial region, Ida-Viru County. Here oil shale

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highest natural waterfall, Jgala Falls. More than 50 metres across, the water drops eight metres into a limestone bowl, eroded over thousands of years.

Mid way between Tallinn and Narva are the seaside ruins of Toolse castle. Estonias northernmost me-dieval fort was established in 1417 to protect the

local port from pirates. Also at Toolse is the Toolse Ostrich Farm, with guided tours of the farm to see the ostriches, rabbits and reindeer.

Lahemaa National Park (land of bays), established in 1971, is made up of four peninsulas and numer-ous islets, jutting into the Gulf of Finland. Lahemaas forests, marshlands and coastal areas are home to around 200 bird species and approximately 900 different plants.

A number of interesting and historic manor houses can also be found in this region. 500 years after it was first founded Vihula Manor re-opened as Vi-hula Manor Country Club & Spa. Sagadi Manor has both a manor house and forest museum and the 18th Century Palmse Manor offers tours through the restored mansion. Visitors can also enjoy its wooded park, swan lake and garden.

The Lahemaa area also features idyllic fishing vil-lages. One of these, Altja village, is a typically tradi-tional coastal settlement. Another local attraction, Ksmu, the captains village, was once the site of a nautical school and is now home to a maritime museum. The traditional fishing village of Viinistu has its own Art Museum, housed in a former fish processing plant, with a permanent exhibition of classical and modern Estonian art.

Vihula Manor

Altja fisherman village The Tarvas staue in Rakvere

Day 3 - Krvemaa and Virumaa


Day 4 - Narva and Eastern-EstoniaThe delightful Toila Park surrounds the Estonian presidents former summer residence. The palace itself was destroyed in World War II. Today numer-ous summer concerts are held in the park.

Ida-Viru County has the greatest concentration of lakes in Estonia at Kurtna. About 40 larger or small-er bodies of water are nestled in the gently rolling pine-clad terrain. The water is warmer than average in Estonia, tempting summer bathers.

A short drive away from Kurtna is Phtitsa Con-vent, Estonias only Orthodox convent, open to both tourists and pilgrims. A small Orthodox Chris-tian church was built in Phtitsa in the 16th cen-tury and the convent was founded in 1891. It now houses six churches. The site is claimed to be where a shepherdess witnessed a divine revelation near a spring of water. This water is claimed to have heal-ing powers, it can be bottled and taken away.

Back to the north, to the town of Sillame, which during the Soviet regime in Estonia was closed to the public because of its chemical factory which produced nuclear materials for Soviet nuclear pow-er plants and weapon facilities. Now Sillame offers a classic example of Stalinist city planning, its grand boulevard leading from the central square to the sea offers an atmospheric trip back to the 1950s.

Continuing east, the next coastal town of Narva-Jesuu is located alongside Estonias longest bath-ing beach, backed by dunes and pines. This former spa town, frequented at one time by Russian nobil-ity is now increasingly popular with summer tour-ists. Narva-Jesuu is the north-eastern end of the E9 European Coastal Path, which runs for 5,000 km (3,125 miles) from Cabo de So Vicente in Por-tugal.

The city of Narva, the third largest city in Estonia, is located on the eastern extreme point of the coun-try, right by the Russian border, on the Narva River. Once known as the baroque pearl of the Baltic Sea, Narva was practically reduced to rubble in 1944 by Soviet bombing raids. However, what remains of Narvas Old Town make a pleasant stroll. On the banks of the Narva River is the Hermann fortress which tower offers a glimpse of Russia and the im-posing Ivangorod fortress on the Russian side of the river.

Several kilometres upstream alongside a double tier waterfall is the famous Kreenholm Textile Factory, the largest factory in the Russian Empire in 19th century. The vast Romanesque style Narva Alexan-der cathedral, built for Kreenholms Lutheran em-ployees makes up a part of the factory complex. It

suffered serious damage in World War II, but has since been restored and today has an active con-gregation.

mines and giant ash hills, a symbol of the region, rub shoulders with unspoiled nature. Just outside the town of Kivili is the site of two of the largest artificial hills in the Baltics. The older, grassier hill is open to the public and offers skiing in the winter.

The Kohtla mining park and museum in Ida-Viru offers a chance to discover the underground world of the miner and visit its mine shafts and passage-ways. Visitors can ride in the railway cars used to transport oil shale out of the earth, try out mining tools and eat a miners lunch.

A short distance past the Kohtla-Jrve ash hills is the Ontika Landscape Reserve with its virtually un-interrupted 20-kilometre stretch of limestone cliff on the Gulf of Finland, rising up to 56 metres above the waves.

At 30 metres high, Valaste Falls are Estonias high-est, and are located between the settlements of Saka and Toila. To marvel at it more comfortably, a viewing platform has been erected. It offers a cross-section view of 470-570 million years of geology. The site is most impressive in winter when the fro-zen water creates impressive ice sculptures.

Hermanni fortress in NarvaNorthern Estonia's Limestone Cliffs

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seum on the outskirts of Tartu with its displays life-size helicopters, fighter aircraft and smaller planes.

Tartus 19th century wooden houses district of Supilinn (Soup Town) is a sight unto itself.

Day 1 - Tartu The youthful university city of Tartu in southern Estonia is also the birthplace of the national song festival tradition, which started in 1869. An impor-tant symbol of the town is a fountain with a statue of students kissing under an umbrella, located in Tartus Town Hall Square. On one side of the his-torical late 18th century square stands a building that has been called Estonias leaning tower of Pisa, built partly on the city wall, partly on wooden piles

that collapsed, now the site of an art museum.

The citys most important structures are close by, the main building of the University of Tartu, found-ed in 1632, and the recently restored St. Johns Church, which contains over 1,000 well-preserved terracotta sculptures.

A key geographical feature of the city is Toomem-gi, the site of an ancient citadel. It is now an Eng-lish-style park and a popular place for students who congregate near its Angels and Devils Bridge.

The University of Tartu

TARTU AND SOUTHERN ESTONIA

Pedestrian paths follow the crest of the hill to the red brick ruins of the Dome Church, once the larg-est cathedral and brick structure in Eastern Europe, now housing Tartus Museum of History in the renovated part of the church.

Bisecting the city is the river Emajgi, a navigable waterway with a functioning replica of a traditional trading vessel, a Hanseatic lodi, that sailed Estonias inland waters long ago.

Tartus Antonius Courtyard is a handicraft and art centre where visitors can watch craftsmen work-ing with leather, glass, porcelain, fabric and other materials.

Tartu is also a city of museums. The Toy Museum displays the different kinds of toys Estonian children have played with over two centuries. The Estonian National Museum displays historical and ethnologi-cal artefacts connected to Estonian folk culture.

The University of Tartu Botanical Gardens has over 6,500 plant species from all of the worlds climatic zones of the world. The Gardens greenhouse is the biggest in the Baltics.

Tartus other sites of interest include the former KGB cells near the city centre and the Aviation Mu-

The Kissing sculpture at Tartu Town Hall Square

SET

VILJANDI

TARTU

No

Vnnu

Misso

Paikuse

TihemetsaHalliste

isu

KpuRamsi

Viiratsi

Helme

Hummuli

TsirguliinaSmerpalu

ru Sangaste

Puka

Rannu

Rngu

KureklaTravere

PuhjaUlila

Ilmatsalu

Trvandi

Krvekla

Luunja

Roiu

AhjaVastse-Kuuste

Kambja

Mooste

Kose

Varstu

Vastseliina

Tori

Kanepi

VimelaParksepa

lenurme

Mehiko

Mustla

Vana-Antsla

Vana-Vidu

Pri

Suislepa

Kaagjrve

Lasva

MammasteKrootuse

Melliste

Osula

Vastemisa

SrgavereLaeva

Tilsi

Himmaste

Tsooru

Linna

PlgastePeri

Sihva

Saarde Karksi

Keeni

Saverna

Puiatu

Heimtali

Paistu

Haanja

Reola

HarglaMniste

Surju

Tali

Leevaku

Saarepeedi

Holstre

Ruusme

Llleme

Koikkla

Ala

Taali

Leevi

Jesuu

Riidaja

KamaraKrstna

Soe

Tnassilma

NuniPalupera

Maaritsa

Aakre

Saru

Nursi Puiga

Kavastu

Ruu

Kuldre

Vana-Kuuste

Tammistu

Valgjrve

MetsklaKarula

Patkla

Hellenurme

Sooru Tagula

KpaNavi

Tnnas-silma

Lapetukme

Konguta

MeeriNgiaru

Rmsi

Vorbuse Vahi

Silla

Kaarlijrve

Loodi

SultsiPorsa

Pikasilla

Tootsi

MeTatra

Kriku

Laanemetsa

Vastse-Roosa

Kanakla

KreverePraaga

Naha

Rasina

Koorkla

Taagepera

Jrja

assiaru

Snna

Krabi

Otsa

Kooraste

Lalsi

Luutsniku

ksaare

Valma

Veelikse

Vluste

Valguta

Oiu

Sangla

Tuhalaane

TsolgoVidrike

Kivilppe

LoosiKape

Vana-Koiola

Lniste

Taevaskoja

Sulbi

Meerapalu

V

Kuutsi

Urvaste

PokaVike-Rakke

Jmejala

H II U M A A

Vrts jrv

KARKSI-NUIA

ABJA-PALUOJA

ANTSLA

SET

MISAKLA

SA

A RE M A A

PLVA

ELVA

SINDI

TRVA

R

KILINGI-NMME

VRUVALGA

H II U M A A

CELE

AIALU VOLMARI

RUHJAVIKE-SALATSI

ALOJA

MAZSALACA

VALMIERA

VALKA

APE

ALKSN

HOPA

RJIENA

STRENI

Vrts jrvVrts jrv


A T V I A

OTEP

TARTU

Phajrv

UrvasteSangaste

Big Egg Hillhijrv

Taagepera

Forest bothers farm

Barclay de Tolly mausoleum

Ruge

Karula National Park

368 km~6 h 50 min

Day 1 and 2

RTU AESTO

TARSSOUTHERN E


Less than two kilometres from the Latvian border is a farm, formerly owned by members of the re-nowned freedom fighters known as the Forest Brothers, a group of Estonian, Latvian, and Lithua-nian guerrillas who waged warfare against Soviet rule during and after World War II. The farm offers a look at how they lived in hidden bunkers and of-fers the option to spend a night underground

Day 3 - Setos and Old BelieversIn the south easternmost corner of Estonia, a small fragment of people known as the Setos have clung to their own customs, traditional costumes and lan-guage to this day. The Setos are also known for their singing traditions. Their songs, following a thousand year old tradition, are called leelos.

TARTU

Vnnu

merpalu

di

Torma

AlatskiviKolkja

Varnja

Krvekla

Luunja

Roiu

AhjaVastse-Kuuste

a

Mooste

Veriora

Kose

Vpsu

muse

Vastseliina

Kanepi

VimelaParksepa

lenurme

Mehikoorma

Ruge

Kasep

Lasva

MammasteKrootuse

Melliste

Osula

VaraKoosa

Tilsi

Himmaste

ru

PlgastePeri

Saverna

Mereme

Orava

ola

u

Kpa

Pala

Leevaku

Maarja-Magdaleena

Obinitsa

Leevi

Maaritsa

Nursi Puiga

Kavastu

oore

Ruusa

Vana-Kuuste

Tammistu

Linte

Valgjrve

Vedu

KpaNavi

Tnnas-silma

Ristipalo

Mikitame

Vasula

Vahi

Treski

Niitsiku

Tootsi

Piusa

Vmmorski

Lbnitsa

Meeksi

Piiri

Tatra

Omedu

Vtikvere

Kodavere

Nina

Praaga

Rasina

Saatse

Snna

Otsa

oraste

Pataste

Lmati

Tsolgo

LoosiKapera

Vana-Koiola

Kudina

Lniste

Sulbi

TooniMeerapalu

te

Poka

Vana-Vastseliina

Piirissaar

H II U M A A

LA

MUSTVEE

KALLASTE

SA

A RE M A A

P

RPINA

VRU

TARTU

H II U M A A

PETSERI

GDOVOUDOV

ak

e

Pe

ip

us

L ak

e

Obinitsa

Ilumetsa

VrskaPLVA

Taevaskoja

Kasep

AlatskiviKolkja

Raja

242 km~4 h 30 min

The most scenic valley in the Haanja area is -bikuorg (Nightingale Valley). In the spring this nat-ural echo chamber comes to life with the incessant calls of nightingales.

The same county is the site of Estonias deepest lake, Ruge Suurjrv. Small in size, but with a depth of 38 metres.

Estonias biggest tree, the Tamme-Lauri oak, grows in Urvaste. Estimated to be 680 years old, the gi-ants trunk measures about 8.5 metres in circum-ference. It takes six adults to join hands around the tree.

The beautiful late 19th century castle of Sangaste is considered one of Estonias most elegant manors and is similar in style to Britains Windsor Castle. The majestic mansion consists of 1.5 million locally made bricks and now houses a hotel. In the same county is found the mausoleum of military leader Barclay de Tolly, a famous figure from the Napo-leonic Wars, which emanates an atmosphere of royalty, and Taagepera castle, Estonias most out-standing piece of Art Nouveau architecture

Back to South to Karula National Park, Estonias smallest national park. Its a region of fens, lakes, bogs, meadows, flora and fauna, offering a choice of hiking trails. Information can be found at the Ahijrv visitor centre.

Day 2 - Otep, Vru-maa and ValgamaaSouthern Estonias idyllic hilly landscape, the area around Haanja, Otep and Karula, features rounded hills and river valleys in the countrys most extensive upland region, alternating with blue lakes and dotted with castles, manor houses and ancient villages.

Estonias winter capital is the small town of Otep, 44 kilometres south of Tartu, home to the Estonian Winter Olympic gold medallists Kristina migun and Andrus Veerpalu. Winter activities in-clude cross-country skiing on marked trails and in the summer the area is popular for hiking, biking and swimming.

For a fun couple of hours the Otep Adventure Park, located at Tehvandi sports centre has five routes of varying height and difficulty comprising of suspended log walks, rope ladders, tightropes and suspension bridges. A stones throw from Otep is Phajrv lake, which many consider to be Esto-nias most beautiful, notably for its charming small wooded islands.

Big Egg Hill (Suur Munamgi), rising 318 metres above sea level, is the highest point in the Baltics. On the world scale, it is not very high, but by Esto-nian standards its almost a mountain! The 30-me-tre high observation tower at the top has an amaz-ing view stretching 50 kilometres in all directions.

Southern Estonias idyllic hilly landscape

The World Cup of cross-country skiing near Otep

Day 3 - Setos and Old Believers

Seto women in their traditional clothing


Day 4 - Viljandi and SoomaaTurning inland from Lake Peipsi is a region called Vooremaa with its very distinct landscape forma-tion created by glacial accumulation and erosion. Long hills, (drumlins), running north-south give the terrain a striped effect, resembling a field ploughed by giants. Long finger lakes in the valleys add even more beauty to the Vooremaa countryside.

25 kilometres from Tartu in Vooremaa is Elistvere Animal Park. It was originally an animal sanctuary for injured animals. Here practically all species of wild animals native to Estonia can be seen, includ-ing elk, brown bear, wild deer, fallow deer, wild boar, lynx, fox, raccoon dog, pine marten, mink, pheasant and squirrel.

The town of Viljandi is ancient town in southern Estonia situated on hills above a picturesque lake. The towns many church spires and its famous Wa-ter Tower, with its viewing platform, are reflected in the lake, adding to the beauty of Viljandis natu-ral setting. Beside the lake is a hiking path, tennis courts, diving tower, playgrounds, boat hire and catamaran trips. The most famous legends of the region, celebrated in local song, surround the Vil-jandi boatman who rows the lake and longs for his beautiful-eyed girl.

The ruins of the 13th century Viljandi castle are another must see stop, including a stroll across the deep moat on another one of the citys symbols, the suspension bridge. Besides the Kondas Centre

for Nave Art with its exhibitions and workshops, the Traditional Music Centre barn is a special treat for all devotees of folk music.

From Viljandi County to the expansive Estonian wetland area, the Soomaa National Park, with over 537 known species of bog plants, 185 kinds of birds and 43 mammals. This is a tranquil place of primal beauty with ancient forests and boardwalk hikes through the virgin bogs. Way-marked routes include a walk on the beaver trail that starts by the national park visitor centre.

TARTU

No

Vnn

Tabivere

OisuEidapere

ga

Paikuse

KpuRamsi

Viiratsi

K k lTravere

PuhjaUlila

Ilmatsalu

Trvandi

Kolga-Jaani

Olustvere

Adavere

Kamari Puurmani

Siimusti

Kuremaa

Alatskivi

Krvekla

Luunja

Roiu

Lhte

Palamuse

Tori

lenurme

RVAKANDI

TOOTSI

VNDRAUPI

ImavereKabala

Vana-Vidu

PriMelliste

Vastemisa

Srgavere

ksi VaraKoosa

LaevaSelja

Esku

Visiku

Pisisaare

Lustivere

Vike-KamariKo

Kaisma

Puiatu

Heimtali

Paistu

Reola

Kpa

PalaLuua

Maarja-Magdaleena

Saarepeedi

l

Taali

Suigu

Jesuu

Vihtra

Suureje

Tnassilma

KaarepereSadukla

Kava

VooreLaupa

KoksverePrnje

Vana Kuuste

Tammistu

Kergu

Vedu

Kahala

Retla

Reegoldi

Tksi

MetsklaKarula

MeeriNgiaru

Rmsi

Vasula

Vorbuse Vahi

Pikknurme

Painkla

Silla

Kaarlijrve

Pajusi

Kaansoo

Tatra

Krevere

Lalsi

Valma

Vluste

Pataste

Lma

Kalana

Oiu

Sangla

Kurgja

Kudina

PokaVike-Rakke

Jmejala

H II U M A A

Vrts jrv

VHMA

SUURE-JAANI

SA

A RE M A A

TRI JGEVA

PLTSAMAA

SINDI TARTU

H II U M A A

Vrts jrvVrts jrvVILJANDI


Elistvere Animal Park

149 km~2 h 50 min

The Seto Farm Museum, with its re-created 19th-century farmhouse complex, and the Obinitsa museum provide an opportunity to discover the traditional Seto way of life, handicrafts and every-day items used by this Slavic-influenced people. In Seto Tsimaja is a restaurant where Seto cuisine is served.

The town of Vrska is known for its picturesque stone church, its curative mud and its mineral rich water which is sold all over Estonia. Visitors can also bathe in the mineral water at the spa a couple kilometres down the road.

Estonia is the most meteorite-cratered place on earth. One of the six known areas of meteorite craters in the county can be seen near Ilumetsa. Estimated to have landed about 6,600 years ago, the asteroid created a total of five craters here. The largest and best-known is the 80-metre wide, 12-metre deep Prguhaud (Hell's grave). A cou-ple of hundred metres away are two other craters.

According to legend, these graves are a direct route to hell.

Southern Estonia is known for its orangey/red Devonian sandstone outcrops, such as in the pic-turesque Ahja river valley. At Taevaskoda on the river Ahja the sandstone cliffs rise to a height of 24 metres above the river.

Just a couple of kilometres before the shore of Lake Peipus in Tartu County is the fairy-tale Alat-skivi castle. Built between 1880 and 1885 is it the most beautiful neo-Gothic style building in the Bal-tics with its snow-white towers. The mansion was modelled after Balmoral in Scotland

The route alongside the Shore of Peipsi Lake fol-lows the old Russian tradition of having only one street, which means villages blend organically with each other. Here can be found some of the worlds few villages still populated by the Old Believers. These are the descendents of a highly religious, ethnic Russian minority who came across the lake in the 17th and 18th centuries to seek sanctuary from persecution after they resisted reforms in the Orthodox Church. The area is known for smoked and dried fish, cucumbers, golden onions and pick-les sold by the local villagers.

A feel for the strictly religious community, where electricity is disallowed, can be found in Raja villa church, lit only by beeswax candles.

Alatskivi Castle

Day 4 - Viljandi and Soomaa


Piusa sandstone caves


dress in folk costume every day and the unique handicrafts of the oldest generation are still prac-ticed. Local women express these traditions most vividly; they still wear skirts with striped folk pat-terns even when riding motorcycles. The island-ers way of life is so unique and traditional that the Kihnu culture today has UNESCO World Heritage status.

For children, the biggest magnets are the water centre, the Mini zoo, noted for its reptile and am-phibian collection and Prnus beautiful beach with its many attractions.

Prnu is also the setting for Estonias most stylish and perfectly preserved Art Nouveau villa, the Am-mende Villa, built in 1904 by a wealthy German merchant for his daughters wedding reception now the site of a hotel and restaurant.

Outside Prnu is the Hell of Tori, an 8.5-metre deep cave eroded into the sandstone by natural springs, which has been linked to the devil and the underworld. Also nearby is the Kurgja Farmstead Museum, the former home and work of Estonian Carl Robert Jakobson, a farmer, politician and leading figure in the Estonian national movement. The farm was created as a model farm and today the farming and rearing of animals, including Estonian breeds of cattle, is managed just as it was a century ago.

Day 2 - KihnuDue to its relative isolation, the island of Kihnu in is a place where local culture and centuries old tra-ditions are practised to this day. Local people still

Day 1 - Prnu Prnu, Estonias summer capital, is a highly ac-claimed holiday destination and resort on the south-west coast of Estonia. Shadowy parks, attractive white sandy beaches and quality restaurants, spas and nightlife are a draw for summer visitors. And if the main beach gets too busy, the white sands and warm waters of Valgeranna, Kabli or Lemme beach are a nearby alternative.

Various cultural festivals, numerous art galleries, exhibitions, a contemporary art museum, the Endla Theatre and the Prnu Concert Hall offer year-round entertainment. As with most large cities in Estonia, Prnu has a pleasant Old Town.

WESTERN ESTONIA AND ISLANDS

Eidapere

Audru Sauga

Are

Paikuse

Viste

Hdemeeste

Tihemetsa

Kpu

Tori

Tstamaa

JRVAKANDI

TOOTSI

VNDRA

PRNU-JAAGUPI

LAVASSAARE

Libatse

Uulu

Jpre

Selja

Papsaare

Saarde

Kivi-VigalaKirbla Kaisma

Surju

Tali

Taali

Suigu

Jesuu

VihtraSuureje

Reiu

Kamara

Prnje

Lpe

Kergu

Lindi

Ahaste

M

Lemmetsa

Silla

Koonga

iste

Pootsi

Manija

kla

Liu

Kalli

Mihkli

PrduLaikla

Kaansoo

Kanakla

Jrja

ema

Lao

Lemsi Laiksaare

Kima

Ojarse

Kima

Tahkuranna

Seliste

Thela

Tnumaa

usi

H II U M A A

Manilaid

HULA

P

SUJ

MISAKLA

SA

A RE M A A

SINDI

KILINGI-NMME

H II U M A A

Manilaid

P r n uB a y

Soomaa Nationa

PRNU

Tori

Kihnu

Kurgja

Ammende Villa in Prnu

Girls in Kihnu wedding

Day 1 and 2

158 km~2 h 40 min

Prnu beach

ESTOISLA

WWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEESSSSSTTEERN EAND I


visitor centre, with a meteorite and limestone mu-seum.

Saaremaas famous windmills can be seen at Ang-la. There are four typical wooden windmills and a slightly taller Dutch-style windmill.

The capital, Kuressaare, with its beautiful, well-pre-served old town, is the only town on the island. The towns most important site is the 14th century cita-del, the best-preserved medieval fort in the Baltics. It exhibits provide an overview of the history of the island as well as that of Estonia. In summer handi-craft shops, events, concerts and song festivals take place in the courtyard.

On the north coast of Saaremaa the Panga cliffs rise up to 21 metres in height, giving fantastic views over the Baltic Sea. An ancient sacrificial site is lo-cated at the highest point.

Mihkli farm museum on Saaremaas west coast is worth a short detour to learn more about histori-cal farms and everyday items hand-crafted over the centuries. Almost all of the items on display have been made by the six generations of the family who lived here.

The entire Vilsandi Island, a naturalists paradise, is located within a national park. The islands distinct and unspoiled environment is a water bird protec-tion site of international significance.

Day 4 - Hiiumaa and VormsiThe second largest island in Estonia, Hiiumaa, creates a landscape of swampy thickets and juni-per shrubbery, coastal meadows and dunes, peat moors and bogs. On arrival on the island, visitors are greeted by the sculpture of a woman standing in the sea, locally known as Ranna-Ella (Beach-Ella).

Day 3 - Muhu and Saaremaa islandsMuhu Island is Estonias third largest island and one of few locations in the country where traditional windmills can still be found in full working order. The islands St. Catherines church, one of the old-est in Estonia is notable for its historical frescoes and trapezium-shaped tombstones with pagan symbols. The most intricate tombstone depicts the pagan Tree of Life.

At the southernmost tip of Muhu is Pdaste manor, a luxurious hotel, spa and restaurant which has re-ceived international acclaim.

Koguva village is the best preserved 19th century village in Estonia. All of the buildings are architec-tural landmarks, most date from the 19th century though some from the 18th century can be found in the middle of the village.

Saaremaa, a land of nature, tradition and windmills, is Estonias largest island and is only accessible by ferry. The first stop on the itinerary is the nearly 800-year-old Valjala church, the oldest stone church on Estonian soil.

As said before, Estonia has more crater sites than anywhere in the world. The best known site is the Kaali meteorite crater on Saaremaa, measuring 110 metres across. Less than 3,000 years old, it is con-sidered the most recent meteorite crater in Europe, although the ancients considered it to be the tomb of the son of Apollo. Near the crater is the Kaali

Angla windmills in SaaremaaP

Risti

Kina

OrissaareLeisi

S l

AsteKrla

ParalepaTaebla

Palivere

Turba

Riisipere

AudruValjala

Kihelkonna Tstamaa

Krgessaare

LAVASSAARE

MRJAKoluvere

Linname

Pap

Kudjape

Vana-Vigala

Emmaste

Mustjala

Lmanda

Kljala

Liiva

Kivi-ViKirbla

Martna

Sip

Nigula

Prksi

Suuremisa

Nasva

Vatla

Lauka

Mnnamaa

PaladeTubala

PrsamaKarja

Tuudi

Laukna

Lpe

Liivi

Ellamaa

Kmsi

Lindi

Piirsalu

Kullamaa

Ahaste

Lehetu

Lem

Koonga

Lehtma

Reigi

Hellamaa

Heltermaa

Salinmme

Orjaku

Sru

KpuKalana

Triigi

Vhma

KdemaVeere

Tagaranna

Kaarma

Muratsi

Turja

Kiguste

Laimjala

TornimePideKrkvere

Kuivastu

Paatsalu

Varbla

Vaiste

Pootsi

Manija

Liu

Kalli

Mihkli

PLaikla

Puise

Saastna

Riguldi

Dirhami

Kuije

Sviby

Jausa

Lmala

Phalepa

HanilaKaruse

Nmmkla

Rude

Variku

TeenuseKassari

Metskla

Eikla

Sauvere

Sandla

Tagavere

Sutlepa

Oidrema

Lao

Kima

PhklaTahula

Sakla

Metskla

Kima

T

Seliste

druma

Thela

Matsi

Nurste

Harju

Nmba

Tnumaa

Kailuka

Papisaare

Matsalu

HellamaaPiiri

Pihtla

Kaisvere

Helmkla

Kirna

Suure-Rootsi

Panga

Tusi

Nootamaa

Vohilaid

HeinlaidTauksi

VORMSI

HH II U M A A

Manilaid

Vilsandi

V IN A

ME R

I

LIHULA

SA

A RE M A A

P

HeinlaidTauksi

M U H U

H II U M A A

Manilaid

Vilsandi

Kassari

Tagamisa

Noarootsi

P

V IN A

ME R

I

BA

LT

IC

Vilsandi National Park

KURESSAARE

Virtsu

Vilsandi

Ristna

Koguva

PdasteAngla

Valjala

Panga

KaaliMihkli

farm museum

KRDLA

Heltermaa

Sre tirp

Kpu

Tahkuna

Rohukla

HulloSaxby

HAAPSALU

Noarootsi peninsula

Penije


Kuressaare Castle Days Kpu lighthouse in Hiiumaa

Day 3, 4 and 5

802 km~16 h 20 min


On Kassari peninsula a statue of the islands ancient hero Leiger extends his own welcome. Legend has it that the long and narrow piece of land jutting out at the tip of the island was formed when Leiger be-gan building a road across the water to Saaremaa. It is customary for every visitor to leave a stone at the tip of the peninsula to finish the task.

Hiiumaa is the island of lighthouses. On the north coast of Hiiumaa is the Tahkuna peninsula light-house. At 43 metres it is the tallest cast-iron tower in Estonia. The 36-metre high Kpu lighthouse is the third oldest operating lighthouse in the world, having been in continuous use since its completion in 1531. Visitors may climb up the stairs for spec-tacular views.

9 kilometres west of Kpu is a third lighthouse at Ristna, built in 1874 on a peninsula that is consid-ered to have the best waves in Estonia, attracting surfers, sailboats and windsurfers.

The way through the islands capital Krdla passes right by Ristimgi. The story of this dense thicket of crosses is attributed to a number of legends. Sup-posedly two wedding processions collided here, re-sulting in the death of the bride in one party and the bridegroom in the other. The survivors married and the first cross was erected to remember the other couple.

VormsiThe island of Vormsi, Estonias fourth largest, has been inhabited since the 13th century and is one of a number of places settled by Swedish immigrants, hence the use of Estonian and Swedish for place names. St. Olafs Church in Hullo, the central set-tlement, is the primary historical and cultural monu-ment on the island. The Vormsi cemetery is one of the most unusual in Estonia due to its circular solar crosses. A tour of the islands villages can be com-bined with a swim, especially in the warm water of the bay of Hullo and Saxby beach.

Day 5 - Haapsalu and MatsaluKnown as the Venice of the North, Haapsalu is a wonderful seaside spa town on the west coast of Estonia with warm waters and an abundance of curative mud. The first Haapsalu mud spa opened its doors in 1825 and Russian aristocracy were among the first guests.

The towns narrow streets, miniature town hall and romantic wooden dwelling houses line routes that seem to always take visitors back to the sea. One of the most beautiful wooden buildings in Estonia, the Kuursaal, stands on the seaside promenade and now houses a fine restaurant.

The Dome Church of Haapsalu is the biggest sin-gle-naved church in the Baltic States and the most important historical and cultural monument of the town. In the baptistery window of the church Es-tonias most famous ghost, the White Lady, is said to appear each August when theres a full moon. Legend says that she is the ghost of an Estonian girl, the illicit lover of a Canon, who was entombed in the wall.

A small yellow house in Linda Street is the child-hood home of Ilon Wikland, who later illustrated childrens books by the world famous Swedish writ-er Astrid Lindgren. Ilons Wonderland has original copies of her drawings on display.

Along Haapsalus seafront promenade can be found the Tchaikovsky bench where visitors can

stop and enjoy the composers music. The world-famous Russian composer stayed in Haapsalu in 1867 and the first notes of his famous VI Sym-phony (adapted from the Estonian folk song, Dear Mary) are carved into the stone bench.

During the tsarist era, Haapsalu was the western terminus of the St. Petersburg line. Even though trains dont stop in here anymore, the city still has a tsarist era railway station, now a railway museum. At over 200-metres long, the covered platform is the longest of its kind in Europe and was built to be the same length as the train so that the Tsar could leave the train on rainy days without getting wet.

A detour out of Haapsalu takes the Noarootsi pe-ninsula, an early settlement for Estonian Swedes and still bearing bilingual place names. Naorootsi has a beautiful sandy beach, pine forests and is considered one of the best places for bird watching in Estonia.

Matsalu National Park is the biggest and most bio diverse migratory bird stop and nesting area in the Baltic Sea region and is a wetland of interna-tional note. Observation towers for bird watching are located at Keemu, Suitsu, Penije, Kloostri and Haeska. The national park visitor centre at Penije offers an overview of the natural treasures and park history.


The Dome Church of Haapsalu

Vormsi circular solar cross

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www.visitestonia.com

TRAVEL INFORMATIONwww.visitestonia.comwww.eesti.eewww.vm.eewww.rmk.eewww.turismiweb.eewww.regio.eewww.balticsworldwide.comwww.inyourpocket.com/estoniawww.tallinn-airport.eewww.bussireisid.ee www.peatus.ee www.ts.eewww.edel.eewww.maaturism.eewww.estonianspas.comwww.gorail.ee

DESTINATIONSwww.tourism.tallinn.eewww.tallinn.ee/eng www.visittartu.comwww.visitparnu.eewww.southestonia.infowww.saaremaa.eewww.rakvere.ee www.viljandi.ee tourism.narva.ee www.haapsalu.eewww.lahemaa.eewww.soomaa.eewww.setomaa.eewww.mulgi.karksi.eewww.northestonia.euwww.mois.ee

CULTUREwww.einst.eewww.festivals.eewww.laulupidu.eewww.estoniantheatre.infowww.estmusic.comwww.kunstikeskus.eewww.estlit.eewww.piletilevi.eewww.opera.eewww.concert.ee

ENG

Ente

rpris

e Es

toni

a, E

ston

ian

Tour

ist

Boar

d

2010

Text

by

Ulv

ar K

rt

. Dat

a as

of

Janu

ary

2010

.

Documents

Tourism booklet, Estonian Travel Guide