Summertime in Estonia
Summertime in Estonia is a colourful mix of old and new – lying on the Baltic Coast, this diverse, culturally-rich country boasts sandy beaches in the north, a vibrant café culture, stunning lakes, rivers, wildlife and a refreshing sense of space. Even better, Sterling goes a long way in Estonia, certainly further than the Euro.
Tallinn, the country’s capital city, which lies on the north coast, is a fantastic blend of medieval and modern. Dating back to 1154, Tallinn’s beautifully-preserved Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and mixes age-old architecture with the buzz of cafés, boutiques and art galleries.
From 3rd June, the Old Town literally blossoms with Tallinn’s increasingly popular garden design festival; from 2nd – 5th July Tallinn plays host to the annual Song and Dance Festival, a huge event dating back to 1869 drawing thousands of singers and dancers, clad in national costume.
Super-DJ Moby is gracing Tallinn with his musical genius on 8th July for Õllesummer, the largest outdoor festival in the Baltics – Franz Ferdinand headlined last year’s festival, which is described as both a four-day arts and beer festival. A truly heady mix!
Summer prompts Tallinn’s open-air markets, including newcomers Nõmme food market and Rotermanni, which sells exclusively Estonian food from different farms around the country – pop along to this market for delicious pastries and organic seasonal vegetables and fruits, in particular Estonia’s lip-smackingly delicious wild blackberries.
What’s more, Tallinn remains excellent value for visitors – Regent Holidays (regent-holidays.co.uk) has a three night break from just £321 per person including return flights from London Gatwick and 3* accommodation on B&B basis.
There’s even more to Estonia than its capital city and exploring the country couldn’t be easier, thanks to its size and slick local transport system - Regent Holidays has a fantastic value eight day Highlights of Estonia Tour, from £515 per person, including return flights from London Gatwick, 3* accommodation on B&B basis and transport during the tour.
This tour is brilliantly thought out and offers a taste of Estonia’s history on the north-eastern frontier before reaching Tartu, the second largest town in the south, home to ancient bridges and churches. Next stop is Pärnu, a popular summer destination with beautiful stretches of white sandy beaches and a buzzing cultural life.
If you fancy staying put for a while, the 16th century Vihula Manor is a hidden gem on the Mustoja River in the north-east corner of Estonia’s stunning Lahemaa National Park. On your doorstep are some more Estonian delights, including secluded sandy beaches, historic fishing villages and medieval castles.
Leaving the manor will be all the more difficult once the Vihula Eco-Spa opens this summer – saunas, outdoor hot tubs and a range of treatments will be available using entirely-organic products, many of which are made from ingredients grown in the manor’s gardens.
Regent Holidays has a four night break at the Vihula Manor from £499 per person including accommodation on B&B basis, flights from London Gatwick and transfers. Vihula Manor is also a great add-on to a break in Tallinn, an ideal combination of vibrant city and soothing country life.
For more information, visit regent-holidays.co.uk.
