Estonia – local experiences

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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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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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/

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

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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