Estonian Glimpses

A Baltic gem but not renowned for warm weather, visiting Estonia in Northern Europe during winter offers intriguing and moody glimpses.

To share a few snippets of incredible countries, the Glimpses series started with Chile in South America. Then, I decided to continue with Burmese glimpses, Italian Glimpses, English Glimpses, Bolivian Glimpses, Calabrian Glimpses, Argentinian Glimpses, Fijian Glimpses, and Moroccan Glimpses.

These short, sharp travel posts are designed to provide a morsel and just a small taste of a country or destination that you may not have visited. Have you been to any of the countries or destinations that I’ve shared so far? Let me know and share your comment below. I’m randomly picking a country or destination each week so there isn’t a method to the madness.

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1. Tallinn

Lose yourself in Tallinn’s wonderful old town founded in the 11^th century, with 13th century buildings steeped in Medieval history, glorious architecture, cosy inviting pastry shops, and numerous restaurants.

Spend days just wandering around in the cobbled streets stumbling across ancient buildings, which is a contrast to the modern areas of Tallinn.

Check the little pharmacy shop that dates back to 1422 and is the oldest continuing-running pharmacy in Europe. Wander to the Photo Museum housed in the Town Council’s former prison with a 14th-century stone spiral stairwell.

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2. Kuressaare – Saaremaa Island

Kuressaare is the westernmost town in Estonia on the island of Saaremaa, which is renowned as the largest island in Estonia – remote Saaremaa Island is not on the tourist route.

Saaremaa’s territory has been inhabited for about eight thousand years. In the past, the people of Saaremaa have been ruled by Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Russia, so, have seen many battles.

Leave half a day to visit the lovely stone Episcopal Castle, built at the end of the 13^th century, containing labyrinths of corridors, stairs, chambers, and small rooms. The beginning of the 20th century restored the castle as a Saaremaa Knighthood residence.

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3. Angla – Saaremaa Island

The tiny village of Angla is around 55 minutes from Kuresaare and is famous for its wooden windmills built at the beginning of the 20th century.

Picturesque to photograph, the windmills are a part of the Angla Heritage Culture Centre, which hosts differing workshops, although not during the winter months as everything was closed.

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4. Tartu

Around 186 kilometres southeast of Tallinn and lying along the Emajõgi (Mother River) connecting the two largest lakes of Estonia, Tartu is the centre of southern Estonia.

The first permanent settlement on the site of modern Tartu dates to as early as the 5th century. By the 7th century, local inhabitants built a wooden fortification on the east side of Toome Hill (Toomemägi). A university town, English is widely spoken in Tartu.

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Where in Estonia?

Would you like to see more photos of Estonia or read more about the three weeks of independent travelling in Estonia? Check out these posts on Estonia for free travel tips. Wintery and bitterly cold but a wonderful country to visit and lovely hospitable locals.

Is there enough detail about each destination in this series and enough photos? Enjoyed this post on Estonia? What country or destination would you like to visit with me next? If I’ve been to your favourite country, then I’ll publish a post just for you, so leave me a comment.

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Visit Nilla’s Photography for more global images. More posts at Image Earth Travel.