Leave Tallinn for Tartu, the famous university town. Make a stop at Põltsamaa. The town is famous for its roses and wines. You can admire or buy roses in Roosiade and taste different wines in the tavern of the castle.
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TartuTartu is "the city of Estonian intelligentsija". The old University City is international and sophisticated. The old academic buildings, green parks, charming little cafés and affordable prices make your holiday more enjoyable.
There are a lot of museums in Tartu, the Tartu Toy Museum being one of the most popular ones. The museum's collection consists of more than 6000 dolls and toys. The children can play upstairs and the adults admire the fascinating exhibition downstairs.
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Põlva and TaeskojaLeave Tartu for a small Estonian town Põlva. If you are interested in nature, stop at the Taevaskoja Nature park. The Nature Park is situated about 8 km North of Põlva and is famous especially for its high edged rivers. If you like walking there is an easy 4 km long nature trail or you can choose longer routes: there are also 15 and 18 km long nature trails.
Next to the Nature Park you can find another special place: The Ants' Kingdom in Akste, the biggest colony of ants in Estonia with over 3 billion "inhabitants". About 1500 nests communicating and connected with each other by the tracks of forest ants are located here.
For sports lovers there is another easy way to admire the landscape. Rent a canoe and let the small lakes and rivers help you explore the countryside. The excursions are very popular so if you are interested in canoeing, do not forget to book your excursion well in advance.
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Setumaa (Setuland)Drive southeast from Põlva and you will arrive in Setumaa (Setuland). Setu people are a nation who managed to maintain their ancient language and traditions under the reign of Russian Czar Empire. The Setu Farmhouse Museum in Värska is worth visiting: you can find out about farm architecture, old tools and rich handicraft of the Setu origin. If you would like to try the traditional Setu food, stop at the Tsaikka house in the museum area.
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Piusa cavesDrive from Värskä to Võru. Make a stop at the Piusa caves, they really are worth visiting. The caves have emerged as a result of manual mining of glass-sand during 1922-1970 and they represent underground galleries with sandstone columns and vaulted ceilings. If you would like to walk in the caves, there are marked trails that you can follow. Do not forget to take with you a flashlight and warm clothes because it is dark and cold in the caves.
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VõruVõru is a small and charming town in southern Estonia with a lot of old wooden houses, friendly people and a funny antique shop called "Karma".
The highest point in the three Baltic countries is the mountain Suur Munamägi (318,1 m), which is located in the middle part of Haanja uplands (Võru county). Haanja is a popular hiking area. In Haanja you can visit or even stay overnight on Haanjamehen farm, which has been built in a traditional Estonian way.
Try hotel Kubija if you want to stay overnight in Võru. You can have your hair done, enjoy relaxing massage or have your nails decorated by the professional manicurist. There is a special suite in the hotel dedicated to Estonia's own boy, Erki Nooli.
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OtepääDrive northwest of Võru towards Otepää. The town Otepää is famous among cross-country skiers but is a very popular holiday destination even in the summer. There is a nice beach on the lake Pyhäjärvi and a lot of restaurants in the town. Those interested in skisports should visit Otepää Ski Museum.
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Family park & The Crone's HouseFamily park and The Crone's House in a joint project of Estonian farmers and small enterprisers. The inhabitants in Kaika have planned together what all a tourist can experience in the countryside. The main attraction of the area is the House of the Crone where you can learn different Estonian traditions and beliefs. In the garden you can find out how feels to be inside a tree or listen to the magic drums in the dim Magic House.
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ViljandiDrive further towards Viljandi. Make a stop at the romantic Sangaste Castle. Sangaste Castle obtained its present look in 1870-1880, when the Count Friedrich von Berg finished it imposingly. Sangaste Castle exists as a result of an insult made to Count Friedrich von Berg in his youth. Apparently, when proposing marriage to the daughter of an English count, the "father-in-law" replied: "I will not give my daughter away to a savage from Russia!"
The broken-hearted count returned home and built a castle in honor of his beloved. The Castle was built on the example of the Windsor Palace in England and today it is one of the most beautiful and unique castles in Estonia. In the beautiful Castle Park you can see many rare trees, many of which can in Estonia only be found in Sangaste.
Viljandi is a little old town in the middle of Estonia. The old castle ruins and the park surrounding them are still popular places for a picnic. Several centuries ago Viljandi was a famous trading centre on the Viking trade route to Novgorod. The small shops in Viljandi are still worth visiting.
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Back to TallinnDrive to Pärnu and continue back towards Tallinn. If you are not in rush take the coast road and stop at the small seaside resort town of Haapsalu on the way. The castle ruins in Haapsalu are famous for their ghosts.
If you still have time you could take a ferry to the nostalgic Saarenmaa. On the way to the capital of Saarenmaa, Kuresaar you will see the interesting island of Muhu. The islands Saarenmaa and Muhu are connected to each other by a 3,6 km long dam road.
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