Estonia – local experiences

ESTONIA

 amarillo HOME VISIT ON KIHNU ISLAND
WEBSITE: http://www.kuraga.eu

Kihnu is the largest island in the Gulf of Riga with the area of 16.4 km2. It is 7 km long and up to 3.3 km wide. There are four villages on the island.The unique atmosphere of the island can be experienced visiting a local family at Kuraga Farm. Three generations are living in one farm and are happy to welcome guests.

Duration of the programme: 1.5 hours.

The programme includes:

  • Presentation of Kuraga family about everyday life and the past on the island.
  • Homemade local lunch from ecological self-grown and home-made food such as white/black bread, herbal tea, jam and other goods from family’s garden.

Local music performed by the Kuraga family members.

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 amarillo

ANGLA WINDMILL HILL AND HERITAGE CULTURE CENTRE WORKSHOPS

ADDRESS: Angla küla, 94244 Saaremaa (the largest Estonian island), Estonia

DISTANCE: Tallinn 130 km
SEASON: all year around
FOR WHOM: individuals / groups
DURATION OF THE PROGRAMME: 1,5-3 h (depends on the chosen activities)
HOST: Mrs. Anu Noor
WEBSITE: www.anglatuulik.ee

In Angla, the only windmill hill on Saaremaa, that has maintained its original look, is waiting for you. Four of the five Angla windmills are typical trestle windmills characteristic of the island, built at the beginning of the 20th century. A Dutch-style windmill, slightly taller than the others, stands in the middle of the group. All of the windmills are open to the public.One of the key elements of the Angla Windmill Hill complex is the Angla Heritage Culture Centre. One of the materials used in its construction was local stone thought to be 425 million years old, containing coral, stromatoporoids and brachiopods.

At the centre you can take part in a number of workshops – trying your hand at pottery, felting, bread-making and more, take part in heritage culture events and try Angla rye bread. All workshops have to be booked in advance.

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 amarillo TASTING ALATSKIVI CRAFT WINES
ADDRESS: Hirveaia tänav 4, Alatskivi alevik, 60201 Peipsiääre vald, Tartumaa, Estonia
DISTANCE: Tallinn
220 km, Tartu 40 km
SEASON: January – December
FOR WHOM: individuals / groups
DURATION OF THE PROGRAMME: 1 hour
HOST: Mrs. Külli Must
WEBSITE: www.alatskivimaitsed.ee
There is an old ice house in Alatskivi, behind the stone garden surrounding the castle, which has been given a new life. In this historical building, you can learn about the local culture and try craft wines made of fruits and berries. During the tasting workshop, you can try five different wines and play a game in which you try to guess the ingredient it was made of. The host will also give you an overview of the wine-making process, the beautiful Alatskivi Castle, and local flavours.

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 amarillo PICTURESQUE CIDER TOUR AND TASTING AT SIIDRIKODA
ADDRESS: Valgjärve küla, 63419 Kanepi vald, Põlvamaa, Estonia
DISTANCE FROM TALLINN:
221 km, Tartu 44 km
SEASON: January – December
FOR WHOM: groups max 60 pers.
DURATION OF THE PROGRAMME: 1,5 – 2 h (excl.transportation)
HOST: Dr. Sulev Nõmmann
WEBSITE: www.siidrikoda.ee
Come and discover how we make world-class beverages from local raw ingredients with science and technology in the beautiful landscape of Otepää in South Estonia.
The visit will explain the cider-making process and includes a tour in the apple orchard, in the brewery, and tastings of the products. Cider is a popular and traditional drink but here, we give it some Estonian taste. In addition to cider, we make many other exciting products such as the Rosie and Rosanna sparkling fruit wines and Äpu, a carbonated apple juice, which is a popular drink among families.The Siidrikoda farm grows its own apples. Apple orchards with more than 8000 trees provide unforgettable emotions while blooming in second half of May and providing ripe apples from August till first half of October. All products are available to purchase.

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 amarillo MÄNNIKU FOREST FARM – HERITAGE TOURISM WORKSHOPS
ADDRESS:Kondi tee 27, Intsu küla, 69611 Viljandi vald, Viljandimaa, Estonia
DISTANCE FROM TALLINN:
176 km, Viljandi 10 km
SEASON: January – December
FOR WHOM: groups
DURATION OF THE PROGRAMME: 2-3 h (excl.transportation)
HOST: Mrs. Ene Sillamaa
WEBSITE: www.metsatalu.ee

Männiku Forest Farm offers different workshops with professional instructors.
Workshop topics:
• Estonian national textile workshop, where we study wood block printing (xylotypography), braiding various ribbons, etc.
• Estonian folk music workshop, where folk music is introduced and various musical instruments can be tried.
• Estonian traditional dance workshop, where different dances, accompanied by folk instruments, are learned.

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 amarillo VISIT TO PIESTA KUUSIKARU APPLE FARM
ADDRESS:Piesta Kuusikaru talu, Kullimaa küla, 87611 Pärnumaa, Estonia
DISTANCE FROM TALLINN:
115 km, Viljandi 60 km, Pärnu 45 km
SEASON: January – December
FOR WHOM: individuals / groups (max 20 pers.)
DURATION OF THE PROGRAMME: 1-2 h
HOST: Mr. Hardi Nigulas, Mrs. Külli Eller
WEBSITE: www.kuusikaru.eu
Piesta Kuusikaru farm in Pärnu county invites you for a visit which combines the past with the present. Take a walk in our young organic orchard, tour the artisan food production facility, and hear some exciting stories about the early generations at our family farm, established by the current owner’s great-great-grandfather in 1868. During your visit you will be told about the production process – how the apples are pressed into juice. It is possible to taste some products and to learn about the history of this farm as a fascinating example of the formation of the Estonian nation. There is also a farm shop where guests can buy locally made apple products as well as some unique gift items.

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 amarillo MEDICINAL HERB TOUR GUIDED BY A HERB SPECIALIST AT THE ENERGY FARM
ADDRESS: Vihi küla, 71402 Põhja- Sakala vald, Viljandimaa, Estonia
DISTANCE FROM TALLINN: 141 km, Viljandi 33 km, Tartu 107 km

SEASON: May – September
FOR WHOM: individuals / groups
HOST: Mrs. Tiiu Siim, Mr. Aivar Siim
WEBSITE: www.energiatalu.ee

The farm on the banks of the River Navesti is Estonia’s largest company engaged in the cultivation and processing of organic medicinal herbs. The farm has an education and health path of medicinal herbs, open from May to September. During the tour, you will get acquainted with the farm and its activities, the flower garden and the cultivation of medicinal herbs. You will learn to know the traditional medicinal herbs used in Estonia and around the world. It is possible to look, touch, taste, smell and admire the herbs and their beauty. The tour ends with enjoying organic tea and eating an organic sweet in the teahouse. It is possible to buy medicinal teas. The medicinal herb tour is guided by a herb specialist.

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 amarillo FROM THE CITY TO BEER CAPITAL – SAKU TOUR
DURATION OF THE PROGRAMME: 6 -7 hours

Country life experiences and tastes during a day trip outside Tallinn. You are welcome to enjoy the history and modern tastes of the Baltic largest beer brewery and great Saku manor, the Metsanurme old barn and the bread history, Esko’s farm dairy products and the environment.

The programme includes:

  • Presentation of the manor house, workshops and handicraft.
  • Visit to Esko`s farm dairy, presentation of production, degustation (cheese, curd, yogurt, feta-cheese).
  • Visit and coffee-break in Metsanurme village house (former grain dryer).
  • Visit to Saku Brewery – guided tour in the factory and beer-museum, production degustation, dinner in brewery pub.

Saku Brewery www.pruulikoda.ee
Saku Manor House www.sakumois.ee
Metsanurme Village Centre www.metsanurme.eu
Esko Farm Dairy www.eskotalu.ee

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 amarillo AVINURME WOODEN HANDICRAFTS CENTRE
ADDRESS: Võidu 3, Avinurme 42101, Mustvee vald, Jõgevamaa, Estonia
DISTANCES: Tallinn 160 km, Tartu 80 km, Rakvere 56 km,
Riga (Latvia) 341 km
SEASON: May – August
FOR WHOM: individuals / groups; workshops up to 15 pers., forest bathing up to 50 pers.
DURATION: workshops 1-2 h; forest bathing 3 h (excl.transportation)
WEBSITE: www.puiduait.ee

 

 

Avinurme wooden handicrafts centre in Jõgeva county is a tourist centre that offers a chance to get acquainted with local woodcraft and spend quality time in woodworking workshops.
They also offer a relaxation programme (Forest bathing / Shinrin-Yoku) in the nearby forest where visitors are taken by a narrow-gauge train. The train ride is 1km.

Duration of the programme: 1.5-2.5 hours (depends of the workshop theme).

FOREST BATHING

Go to a forest. Walk slowly, breathe. Open all your senses. This is the healing way of Shinrin-Yoku – Forest Therapy, the medicine of simply being in the forest. Forest bathing idea is simple: if a person simply visits a natural area and walks in a relaxed way there are calming, rejuvenating and restorative benefits to be achieved. Visitors pick herbs in the forest and use them to make tea at the Handicraft centre.

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 amarillo VÕROMAA SMOKE SAUNA AT MOOSKA FARM
WEBSITE: http://www.mooska.eu

The Adventure Trip and Smoke Sauna package presents the smoke sauna traditions of Old Võromaahaving found a dignified place in the list of UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The smoke sauna session in Mooska smoke sauna is customarily at least 3 hours of bathing enjoyment.Body and soul will be cleansed while relaxing in a mysterious and comforting steam room, together with the host family, whisking, bathing, and pampering yourself with sauna honey. The sauna is located near a pond for a cooling swim when water is ice free or an invigorating dip in winter. During the experience your hosts will tell you all about and explain the Estonian smoke sauna traditions and beliefs. Smoke sauna is a holy (sacred) place for the family.

The Adventure Trip and Smoke Sauna package has been awarded the EHE (Genuine and Interesting Estonia) quality label.

Duration of the programme: 5-6 hours.

The programme includes:

  • A nature trip to Vällamägi Hill, where participants will gain a deep insight into the local cultural heritage.
  • A guided smoke sauna session after the walk.

Lunch or dinner made of local products.

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 amarillo A CIDERMASTER’S “DEGORGEMENT WORKSHOP” AT TORI CIDER FARM
ADDRESS: Orava tee, Jõesuu küla, 86802 Tori vald, Pärnumaa, Estonia
DISTANCE FROM TALLINN: 140 km

SEASON: January – December
FOR WHOM: groups (min. 10 pers.)
HOST: Mrs. Veranika Haas, Mr. Karmo Haas
WEBSITE: http://siidritalu.ee/

 

 

The cidermill locates in an old farm from soviet times, and you can feel and touch this realistic aura from these times. During renovations we tried to keep it original as much as it was possible. And the result is nice and comfortable cider saloon with 40 seats and through the glass you are able to see the working area of cider production. During the tour we talk about the secrets of making good cider and wine. The tour is followed by a workshop – ’Dégorgement’. It is an important part of producing cider in the traditional champagne method. The tour ends with cider tasting experience. It is possible to buy farm products to go.

Duration of the cider tour: 1,5 hours (excl. transportation)

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 amarillo JAANIHANSO FARM – CIDER AND ORCHARD TOUR
ADDRESS: Õuna, Kaelase küla, 87215 Halinga vald, Pärnumaa, Estonia
DISTANCE FROM TALLINN: 100 km, from Pärnu 37 km

SEASON: January – December
FOR WHOM: individuals / groups
HOST: Mr. Alvar Roosimaa, Mrs. Veronika Roosimaa, Mrs. Jana Jaaksalu
WEBSITE: www.jaanihanso.ee/en/

 

 

 

 

 

Jaanihanso is a family owned cidery and orchard located on a historic farm dating back to 18th century. We make cider and sparkling wine from locally grown, in-house pressed apples, blackcurrants and pears using traditional bottle fermentation method also used for making champagne and cava. Visitors can take a tour in the production facility and orchard followed by a tasting of five different ciders and wines.

Duration of the cider tour: 1,5 hours (excl. transportation)

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 amarillo KUUSIKU NATUREFARM
WEBSITE: http://www.kuusikunaturefarm.ee

You will find the nice and quiet Kuusiku Nature Farm on the edge of the beautiful Lahemaa National Park by Lake Viitna Pikkjärv. The Kuusiku Farm offers traditional farm bread.

Duration of the programme: 5-6 hours.

The programme includes:

  • Introduction of Kuusiku Naturefarm.
  • Guided nature tour  in the nearby nature reserves or wetland  areas.
  • A cooking class for traditional foods, for example, mushroom dishes, bread baking, etc..
  • Lunch or dinner made of local products.

 

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amarillo VEINIVILLA WINERY
ADDRESS: Valgejõe Veinivilla, Valgejõe, Harjumaa, Estonia
DISTANCE FROM TALLINN: 60 km
SEASON: May – October
FOR WHOM: groups of up to 50 pers.
HOST: Tiina Kuuler
WEBSITE: www.veinivilla.ee

 

 

The winery is located 60 km from Tallinn and offers visitors the chance to get to know the secrets of Estonian winemaking. The excursion includes a visit to the vineyard on the banks of the Valgejõe River, a tour of the winemaking building and the chance to enjoy eight varieties of local wine. With prior arrangement guests can take part in seasonal winemaking activities, which may include establishing new ground for planting vines (digging etc.) or helping with bottling and labelling the wines.

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amarillo UUE – SAALUSE WINERY
ADDRESS: Rõuge vald, Võrumaa 65147
DISTANCE FROM TALLINN: 267 km
SEASON: May – September
FOR WHOM: groups up to 25 persons. Duration 1.5 – 2 h
HOST: Mrs Maris Kivistik
WEBSITE: www.koduveinid.ee

 

 

This winery is situated in a beautiful location on the shores of Lake Alajärv, in Haanja Nature Park (a NATURA 2000 protected site). The farm makes berry and fruit wines from local produce. Visitors can learn about the wine-making process, see the plantation (sea buckthorn and grapes), taste and buy wines, and enjoy the peace and quiet of the beautiful Lake Alajärv. The visit includes a tour of the vineyard and the winery, followed by tastings of three different berry and fruit wines (with canapes). Wines are available to purchase.

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amarillo TURGI HANDWEAVING HOLIDAYS
ADDRESS: Turgi Cottage, Torila, Peipsiääre, Tartumaa, Estonia
DISTANCES: Tartu 50 km, Lake Peipus 1.5 km
SEASON: June – August
FOR WHOM: individuals/groups (max. 8 pers.)
DURATION: 1–4 days, arranged at time of booking
HOSTESS: Veinika Västrik
WEBSITE: www.facebook.ee/turgitalu

 

 

Turgi Cottage offers weaving courses with traditional handlooms. The hostess is a weaving teacher with considerable experience, having authored several weaving handbooks. Beginners will learn how to make small textile souvenirs (Estonian belts, bands, scarves, etc.). Advanced weavers can learn various special weaving techniques.
The course package includes:
• Individual handloom weaving tuition
• Textiles (warp and weft for weaving samples)
• Presentation on Estonian home textiles from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
• Accommodation in a traditional log cottage
• Homemade local food
• Use of sauna
While staying at Turgi Cottage the course participants can spend their leisure time by Lake Peipus with its sandy beach and forests full of wild strawberries.

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amarillo IISAKA FARM
ADDRESS: Iisaka Farm, Uuri, Harju, Estonia
DISTANCE: Tallinn 50 km
SEASON: 15 May– 15 September
FOR WHOM: groups 10–40 pers.
DURATION:
– farm tour 1.5 hours
– handicraft workshop 1.5–3 hours
HOST: Liis Burk
WEBSITE: www.iisakatalu.ee

 

 

 

Iisaka sheep farm presents its story, from its beginnings in the distant past to its operation today as a functioning family farm. It is situated in the middle of Lahemaa National Park and is surrounded by Kahala Lake and juniper fields. The place is ideal for raising sheep and making handicrafts, and the farm has passed from father to son for five generations. The family honours traditions and has adopted environmentally friendly production practices. They use various old handicrafting techniques in everyday life – to make yarn out of fleece, to make tallow candles and to make hats using traditional methods.

During the farm tour the hosts discuss the lives and beliefs of the farmers of centuries past. They also talk about the farm’s history and today’s work in sheep breeding and the creation of wool products.
The handicraft techniques workshop includes skills like spinning, needle binding, candle-making and wool work.

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amarillo MARIA FARM
ADDRESS: Kõpu küla, Tõstamaa osavald, Pärnu 88109 Estonia
DISTANCES: Tallinn 156 km, Pärnu 32 km
SEASON: all year
FOR WHOM: individuals/groups of up to 40 people (depending on the activity or workshop)
HOSTS: Riina and Enn Rand
WEBSITE: www.maria.ee

 

 

Maria Farm is a West Estonian–type farm, built at the beginning of the last century. It represents five generations of tradition and hospitality. The farm is a popular holiday site for local and international guests. It also offers a number of visitor programme options:

  • Estonian homemade bread baking workshop – participants are guided through the process of making a perfect bread dough and baking their own bread.
  • Handicraft workshop – needle felting; wet soap warping; candle, finger puppet, paper basket and jewellery making; sea painting.
  • National evening with a folk programme – national music; dancing, including audience participation; traditional farm dinner.
  • Horse-riding lessons for beginners and trekking for skilled riders.
  • Rural spa packages based on healing sauna procedures and traditional beauty treatments using natural substances such as salt and honey.

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 amarillo TREASURE HUNT ON A VIKING SHIP WITH A DEMONSTRATION OF ANCIENT WEAPONS AND ARMOUR
ADDRESS: Saula küla, 75117 Kose vald, Harjumaa, Estonia
DISTANCE: Tallinn 29 km, Riga 306 km

SEASON: May – September
FOR WHOM: small groups (min. 4 pers.)
WEBSITE: www.viikingitekyla.ee/en

The Viking Village was built with the aim of teaching and showing visitors what ancient Viking life was like. A scenic location and authentically styled buildings offer visitors a place to relax, learn about themselves and the environment, take a break from fast-paced modern life and discover the Viking within themselves.

The Viking Village is open all year round and offers both physical activities as well as leisure facilities for the young, the old, friends and colleagues, smaller and larger groups for shorter and longer periods.

Upon arrival in the Viking Village, you will be greeted by the Viking chieftain, who will give you an overview of various ancient weapons, items and clothing. You will also get to listen to stories about ancient times, when our forefathers were brave seafarers and ruled the Baltic Sea. To head out on your adventure, you will be given clothes and helmets to protect you on the journey.

Then you will board an authentic Viking ship with your friends and family as Viking conquerors, grab the oars and head off on a treasure hunt.

The ancient Vikings are famous for their skill as seafarers and conquerors. The Viking Village resurrects this ancient tradition and, from the month of May (depending on the weather), offers you a chance to sail down the Pirita River like a real Viking and take part in a voyage lasting over an hour. As a Viking, you will be the one holding the oars of the ship and deciding on how far you wish to venture. Following a treasure map given to you for the journey, and with a strong crew and experienced thralls, you should be able to reach a treasure chest filled to bursting with gleaming riches. The treasure must be divided among the crew amicably, and according to ancient law, the map reader, i.e. the navigator, is entitled to twice the bounty of other adventurers.

The expedition will be led by the Viking captain, who is generally the helmsman and whose hands are long calloused from life on the sea and swinging his war axe in battle. Under the leadership of the captain, the crew may feel confident: he will be your guide and will help you find the treasure, because sailing a Viking ship is not an easy thing to do.

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amarillo ESTONIAN AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM WORKSHOPS
ADDRESS: Pargi 4, Ülenurme, Tartu County, Estonia
DISTANCES: Tallinn 191 km, Tartu 8.5 km
SEASON: all year
FOR WHOM: groups
WEBSITE: http://epm.kovtp.ee/web/eng/home

 

The museum offers agricultural exhibitions and themed workshops demonstrating and teaching traditional skills. Programme duration is 1.5–2 hours. The following packages are available:

  • Magical honey

The workshop introduces a beehive, beekeeping equipment, apiculture products (propolis, pollen, etc.) and the health benefits of honey. Visitors learn about the different types of bees, their jobs and their lives. Wax candles are made during the workshop, and honey and pollen are tasted.

  • From Grain to Bread

A workshop that teaches participants about tillage, harvesting and bread baking. Participants will use traditional tools to make bread right from the beginning, literally from the grain. The benefits of bread to health and bread-related traditions are introduced. Of course, tasting the local bread is also included.

  • Blacksmithing

Blacksmithing is the oldest way to work with metals. Participants will watch the local blacksmith at work, and listen to his stories and explanations of the tools and tricks of the blacksmithing trade. A piece will be forged by the blacksmith during the workshop.

  • Discovering potatoes

A workshop in which participants learn about the origin and spread of the potato, the parts of the potato plant, the different sorts of potato, and the tools and machines needed for growing and harvesting. The hands-on part of the workshop includes starch research, experiments with iodine and making potato prints on paper or textiles.

  • Cooking traditional Estonian food

Cooking traditional Estonian food with the hostess.