Plunging into the ice-cold water with miles of deserted beach to admire was just the ticket after a night of pure natural magic.
There had been no sleep allowed in fear of missing the prize for patiently sitting in a special hide in the middle of Estonia’s Alutaguse National Park.
As dusk fell to darkness, a giant brown bear gently ambled along as he searched for his supper, oblivious to being watched by an admiring audience.
The park is home to around half of the country’s 1,000 brown bears and expert Bert Rähni from NaTourEst had built a lookout in the taigas forest to allow visitors a chance to see the beasts up close, as well as raccoon dogs, boars and badgers, plus a raft of birdlife including chaffinches and woodpeckers.
A short drive away takes you to Kauksi Beach on the shores of Lake Peipus, Europe’s fifth largest and lying on the border between Estonia and Russia.
Like most places in the country, you will virtually have the place to yourselves as Estonia is an outdoor paradise and geared up with free toilets and barbecues.
Estonia is an easy place to drive in and with roadside stalls along the way, selling everything from fish to honey, it’s a great way to see everything independently.
The capital, Tallinn, is a great place to start. Probably Estonia’s busiest place, but easy to walk around comfortably. The four-star Nordic Hotel Forum is in the heart of the city and with sumptuous large bedrooms, a top floor leisure centre and fabulous breakfasts, it’s a good spot to begin your journey. The more traditional Kalev Spa and Waterpark is great for families, with an Olympic sized pool and winding water slides.
Tallinn has a wealth of history and is the country’s cultural hub, just walking around the walled old town, with its cobblestone streets and pastel-coloured buildings will have you entranced.
There’s the Kiek in de Kök, a 15th century defensive tower, with a 500 metre long museum which includes four towers, and an underground late 17th century bastion passage which houses many carved stones.
Worth a look too is the Gothic Town Hall, built in the 13th century and with a 64 metre high tower, which sits in the beautiful main square. The nearby St Nicholas Church is a 13th century landmark exhibiting ecclesiastical art.
Historic food is served up in the medieval restaurant, the Olde Hansa, once the home of a rich merchant and today the past is reflected through the cuisine, music and drinks, with such delights as bear, wild elk and boar on the menu.
Getting around Estonia is easy as the roads are relatively quiet and a short hop from Tallinn takes you to the 50 metre wide Jägala Waterfall, which is at its best in the winter, when the water freezes and it becomes a glistening ice wall with large icicles.
Another natural phenomenon is the Viru Bog, one of the country’s most accessible and which passes through the forest of the Lahemaa National Park.
With a boardwalk trail of 3.5 km and observation tower, you can see for yourself, vast areas of the natural reservoirs which are surrounded by beautiful flowers, forests and sand dunes. Perfect too for wild swimming.
Nearby is the former Soviet submarine base at Hara Harbour, which has been transformed into a eating and sleeping facility.
Estonia’s second city, Tartu is currently basking in its European Capital of Culture status and it’s easy to see why people visit this beautiful spot.
The old town centres on the 17th century university’s neoclassical main building and the town hall square are home to a famous kissing fountain where traditionally, graduating students jump in to celebrate their success.
With the winding Emajõgi river running through Tartu, visitors can enjoy a traditional floating sauna and rest up at the VSpa Hotel, best for families with its 11 different pools and hot tubs and steam rooms.
Art is big in Tartu and the lobsided museum is full of old and modern pieces, plus an excellent exhibition of cartoons. Nearby, the botanical gardens are filled with floral beauty.
The city has transformed a former widget factory into a cultural area of cafés and art shops including TYPA, where old-fashioned printing practices are kept alive.
Estonia’s National Museum is just outside the main hub and as part of the year of culture, visitors can catch a self-driving bus up to the majestic building which is crammed with exhibits connected with the country.
An important part of the country’s heritage includes the onion route where old Russian believers continue to live traditionally in the small town of Peipsiveere. An authentic eating experience awaits at the Kolkja Fish Restaurant.
In between Tartu and Tallinn, a worthwhile stop off is to see the 1272 Põltsamaa fortress, which has been completely restored and reopened last year.
But it’s Estonia’s natural beauty which will keep drawing visitors back for more. The environmental playground is simply a delight to explore!
Fact Box:
For more Information and tourist help on visiting Estonia, please visit: www.visitestonia.com.
There are regular flights from most major airports to the Baltics. Holiday Extras is the market leader in UK airport parking, hotels, lounges and transfers, and last year its customers saved an average of £191 per trip by booking their airport parking in advance. Booking Airport Parking means you can enjoy more holiday with less hassle. Plus, with Flextras, if you need to cancel or amend you can without charge. For more information and to book please visit: www.holidayextras.com or call 0800 316 5678.
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
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