Come and take a look at the one-storey classicist wooden building on the slope of Toomemägi in Tartu. Naturalist Karl Ernst von Baer used to live in the house from 1869 to 1896. The house was restored and turned into the Baer House Museum in 1976. The building currently belongs to the Estonian University of Life Sciences and houses the von Baer Natural History Centre.
The museum introduces the life led by farmers in the 18th century and the everyday lives and work of our forefathers. There are five oak sculptures created by St Petersburg artist Grigori Azarenkov by the museum. The museum is surrounded by beautiful landscapes, which make it a popular venue for folk parties and theatre performances.
We start by meeting in the car park of the Sangaste castle by the yellow window of NG, and will continue from there by bus.The first part of the hike takes us through the Valli quaking swamp on bogshoes. From there, we are going to move closer to the forest park, take a look at the rare species of trees in the dendrological park and enjoy the views across the Juudaoru valley.There will be a picnic at a mystical campfire site.The hike ends in the castle park where you will learn about the history of the manor and rye up to the formation of the cooperation network of Rukkiküla. We will also test the famous echo effect of the castle.
The National Piano Museum is located in a special building - the historic Holdre Manor.The Art Nouveau-style main building, with its Heimat-style influences, was erected around 1910 during the time of Woldemar von Ditmar. Previously, the manor centre had not been built in a representative style. The architect of the building was Otto Wildau, who also designed the nearby Taagepera and Karksi manor buildings. The aim of the National Piano Museum is to collect as complete a collection of Estonian pianos as possible.By prior arrangement, we offer a musical guided tour with Alo Põldmäe, a composer, singer and music educator who is in charge of the Piano Museum.
The KGB Cells Museum, known as the "Grey House", is a historical museum in Tartu, where the NKVD/KGB was located in the 1940s and 1950s. The basement of the building, where the cells were located, is open to visitors. Several cells, the punishment cells, and the basement corridor have been restored to their historical form. The prison cells are filled with an exhibition that provides an overview of Estonia's post-war struggle for freedom and the crimes of the communist regime. Here you can see photographs and objects from Siberian prison camps, as well as materials on the history of the Forest Brotherhood and secret resistance organizations. Step into history and experience the meaning of freedom!
Enjoy rural romance, wide-open spaces, and Estonian wines at the Järiste Wine Farm in Tartu County! We will guide you around the vineyards, discuss Nordic viticulture, and visit the wine kitchen. The tasting will take place on our pleasant terrace, decorated with 26-year-old vines, and will include an Estonian cheese selection. You will have the opportunity to taste five delicious products from Järiste Winery, all made with great care and love on the premises. We offer pizza and wine packages for groups.
A guided winter walking tour in the fairytale-like Old Town of Tartu feels like a journey to a magical land: your senses are open, wishes come true... On the tour, we explore the mysteries of Tartu's history and learn about the more mystical aspects of various places, legends, light and shadows, and feel the aura of centuries past. Walking through the Old Town, illuminated by Christmas lights, on snowy streets, and in a quiet park environment, snowy Tartu unfolds like a postcard – every corner hides a new story, and each step reveals the city's unique character. A leisurely pace allows you to enjoy the moment and notice architecture and details that might otherwise go unnoticed. On the walk, we also explore the local flavors of Tartu's Christmas City, which add warmth to the journey and provide an opportunity to experience winter Tartu with all your senses. The Winter Fairytale Walking Tour is designed for smaller groups, couples, and solo travelers seeking a more personal winter experience of Tartu. Come and discover the magic of winter in Tartu's Old Town!
A lighted boat trip on Koorküla's Lake Valgjärv takes you on an evening journey into an underwater world! Koorküla's Lake Valgjärv, with its clear water, mysterious atmosphere, and stunning natural beauty, is the perfect spot for a leisurely boat trip. The trip, starting at dusk, takes you on a boat across the lake, with light strips beneath the boat illuminating the lakebed and creating an enchanting atmosphere. During the trip, you can peek into the underwater world, with good visibility allowing you to see up to 2–3 meters deep. On the journey, you might encounter small and large fish, and, if you're lucky, crayfish and beavers. In the fall, you can see them gathering their winter supplies. The guide takes you to exciting observation spots – to the beaver nests on the opposite shore, over underwater wooden ruins, and into the reeds where fish spend the night. We divide the group into rafts to ensure the light play on the lake is as effective as possible and the experience is as uniform as possible. There is an option to order an outdoor meal to accompany your trip! Come with family, friends, or colleagues and discover the mystical beauty of Lake Valgjärv in a lighted boat!