DAY 1
D included
After meeting at Tallinn airport in the afternoon, we have a 2-hour transfer to our small 3-star hotel (3 nights) located, perfectly for our purposes, in the countryside on the edge of the Matsalu Nature Park. This National Park on the west coast of Estonia covers a shallow bay and its surrounding coastal areas with various types of meadow and pastureland. It is one of the most important nesting and stopover site for waterfowl in Europe. More than 20 orchid species have been recorded here.
DAY 2
B, L, D included
We spend the day looking for birds and wildflowers in the area, mostly on foot, starting at the nearby Haeska observation tower overlooking the Matsalu Bay. From here, we head west along the shore discovering specialised habitats such as coastal, flooded and wooded meadows and alvars (dry grassland) towards the inevitably windy Cape Puise. We are a few days away from the summer solstice and at this northerly latitude (59°N) the sun will set around 10.30 pm.
DAY 3
B, L, D included
We board the comfortable ferry for our crossing (1 hr 15 mins) from Rohukula to the island of Hiiumaa. Following country roads, we circumnavigate the island, considered by Estonian botanists one of the richest localities in the country, and stop to walk and botanise in the forest and on the coast. The remarkable Kopu Lighthouse was built at the request of the Hanseatic League on the highest hill of the island (68 m) and has been in continuous use since its completion in 1531. We return to the mainland and our hotel in the evening.
DAY 4
B, L, D included
Haapsalu is a charming historic seaside town, developed around its 13th century Episcopal Castle and Cathedral. In 1825, a sea mud resort was established here and throughout the 19th century the town received many noble Russian visitors, including members of the Imperial family. We orientate ourselves on a circular walk through the town and along the sea front Grand Promenade, noting the well-preserved wooden imitiation lace 19th century Kursaal (spa entertainment hall); the Tchaikovsky Bench commemorating the composer’s visit and the old port, now serving as a yacht club. After lunch in an excellent café, we drive to the port at Virtsu to cross to Saaremaa (30 mins). We drive for 2 hours to the historic Loona Manor complex, which includes our 3-star hotel for 2 nights, as well as the visitors’ centre of the Vilsandi National Park.
DAY 5
B, L, D included
The Vilsandi National Park is one of the oldest nature reserves in the Baltics and was set up to protect the fauna, flora, geology and cultural heritage of an area covering the coastal sea, more than 100 islands and islets and the western part of Saaremaa. Within the park, we walk in the oak woodland and on the dunes of the Tagamoisa peninsula and later in the Viidumae Nature Reserve, both rewarding places for observing wildflowers. In the afternoon, we explore the Sorve peninsula, where bitter fighting took place during WW2 between the Germans and Russians. The Tehumardi Memorial commemorates the victims killed in the deadliest battle.
DAY 6
B, L, D included
Kuressaare, Saaremaa’s capital, is situated on the south coast on the Gulf of Riga. We start our tour of this small historic city at the moated mediaeval castle and walk through streets lined with well-preserved buildings of varying architectural styles. We drive east to reach the mainland, using the ferry, by mid-afternoon. En route to Parnu, we stop to walk the boardwalk trail in Tuhu mire. Our boutique hotel is situated in the city’s historic centre.
DAY 7
B, L, D included
Parnu is the favourite seaside resort of Estonia. thanks to its long white sand beach and sunny climate. Our walk through the city centre covers the remains of this mediaeval city’s fortifications, Parnu’s oldest church, the Gothic St. Nicholas, the modern state-of-the-art concert hall on the riverbank, the 18th century Town Hall and the Neoclassical Mud Spa near the beach. A 2-hour drive takes us to Tallinn and by late afternoon we are settled into our 5-star hotel, a stylish conversion of a mediaeval building in the historic centre. We walk through the cobbled lanes to the splendid Town Hall square and our dinner in an atmospheric restaurant.
DAY 8
B, L, D included
From the ramparts of Toompea, the upper town inhabited by the German nobility after Tallinn joined the Hanseatic League in 1284, there are fine views across to the islands in the Gulf of Finland. We visit the Toomkirik, whose Lutheran simplicity contrasts with the nearby Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, then walk down through the mediaeval defences into the lower town. We see the Gothic Town Hall, Art Nouveau buildings and the 16th century House of the Blackheads, the former headquarters of the professional association of ship owners, merchants and foreigners, en route to lunch. In the afternoon, we turn our attention to the outstanding collection of mediaeval art displayed in the atmospheric setting of the 13th-15th century St. Nicholas Church.
DAY 9
B included
The morning is free for individual wanderings, perhaps visiting the comprehensive Estonian History Museum in the Great Guild Hall, investigating the many linen, wool and amber shops or people watching from a traditional café on the Town Hall Square. A midday transfer to the airport concludes your holiday.