A wonderful morning or day tour to explore the Onion Route and Peipsi region! The tour starts from Tartu and takes you to the shores of Lake Peipsi, where you will find Alatskivi Castle and the Old Believers Museum, and encounter the charming and authentic local community. The culinary experiences will lead straight to the heart of Peipsimaa. We'll try our hand at fun workshops, enjoy delicious onion pies, tea ceremonies, and craft wine, and dive into the legends of onion braids. The bravest can also take part in an exciting ghost tour. Transportation from Tartu and back is included in the tour price. Babelhouse tours are flexible and tailored according to the group's wishes and time constraints. During the tour, you can purchase local Peipsi onions, crafts, wine, and other souvenirs. The Onion Route tour is perfect for culture enthusiasts, foreign visitors, pre- and post-conference programs, and groups of friends who want to experience the authentic culture of the Old Believers together. Book your trip and enjoy an unforgettable day by Lake Peipsi!
Theatre House, situated in Tartu Old Town, is a theatre inspired by a museum, forming a part of the Tartu Toy Museum. The Theatre House takes its inspiration from our childhood, the games we played, the dreams we had, and the fantasies we brought to life. The Theatre House stages plays, but you can also put on your own show, play games, make handicrafts, and discover what goes on behind the scenes in the theatre world. There is a children’s studio on the first floor, in which children’s groups can take part in theatre-themed programmes. Visitors find a museum, an automated puppet theatre, and several exciting theatre-themed exhibitions in the basement level.
Kadaka Bakery is a fairy-tale-like place, created by hostess Merle using recycled materials. In the bakery, traditional Estonian rye bread is baked using natural sourdough, as are buckwheat bread, cinnamon rolls, waffles, juniper-coriander bread, sweet and savory pretzels, pumpkin cake, Italian-style focaccia, rye crisps, and cookies. A visit to the bakery offers experiences in every season and is suitable for the whole family. In the beautifully designed garden, goats, chickens, cats, and mini rabbits can be seen in spring and summer. Regular bread-making workshops and summer garden concerts are held in the bakery. Kadaka Bakery is well-suited for various team events and special gatherings, such as birthday celebrations. Come and experience authentic Estonian bread culture!
In the historic basement of Alatskivi Castle, a workshop led by a master potter awaits you, where you can sculpt cups, bowls, or other clay objects yourself. This experience combines creativity, craftsmanship, and the unique atmosphere of the manor. Book a workshop in advance! However, if you visit the castle with children and master Tanel is working at the same time, you can leave the children to sculpt in the pottery room—it's often the children's favorite activity at the manor! Tanel glazes the finished objects himself and sends them to your home by mail. Beautiful, one-of-a-kind objects sculpted by Tanel himself can be purchased as souvenirs. Take a refreshing, creative break in a pottery workshop at Alatskivi Castle!
Anderson Brewery in Tartu offers an excellent opportunity to participate in a barbecue and beer workshop, where you can enjoy grilled meat and taste Estonian craft beers! The workshop will teach you the basics of grilling, such as choosing meat, grilling beef and duck breast fillets, and making chimichurri herb sauce. During the brewery tour, we will taste eight different beers, learn about the history of beer, get acquainted with the brewing process, and explore the factory shop and the backstage of the brewery. If you wish, the brewery sauna will be heated! Come and enjoy this unique experience!
Alatskivi Ceramics is a unique space where history and Estonian craftsmanship converge – it is situated in the vaulted basement of Alatskivi Castle, where the manor's servants once resided. Now a talented ceramics master works there, creating unique, high-quality handmade clay products on-site – bowls, cups, jugs, and other beautiful everyday ceramics that make lovely gifts! Visitors can purchase and admire these unique items in the shop and also try their hand at working with clay – the workshops are suitable for adults and are especially popular with children. You can also visit the castle, the Eduard Tubina Museum, the Alatskivi Castle Horse Stable Exhibition, and the restaurant!
During this workshop exploring the tea culture of the Lake Peipsi region, we will learn about the tea drinking customs of the Old Believers and learn about Ivan Chai (fireweed tea), how it is made, and the role it has played in Peipsiveere villages. The workshop takes place at the Varnja Samovar House, which is located in a traditional Old Believer dwelling. There, you can take a closer look at the use of samovars in households around Lake Peipsi, learn about their history, and enjoy tea with the Old Believers' traditional boiled sugar. Depending on the season, participants can also try making Ivan Chai themselves. In the summer, this is done together with the hostess of Mesi Tare, who guides you through the entire process from picking the plant to drying it. During the autumn-winter period, the focus is on Ivan Chai's history and use, discussing its medicinal properties, traditional tea culture, and tasting a variety of tea flavors. Visit us with a group or team for the Peipsiveere tea culture workshop!
Aparaaditehas is a cultural space built in an old factory complex. Many creative entrepreneurs, artists, designers, and the house cat Johannes Gutenberg have made their homes here. The restaurants, cafes, and bakery in Aparaaditehas offer a variety of flavors to appeal to foodies of all types. Aparaaditehas also has small shops, galleries, and the TYPA Printing and Paper Arts Centre. Major events such as the Aparaaditehas Festival and Gallery Night take place inside the Creative City and factory yard. The factory also hosts smaller concerts, fairs, exhibitions, and workshops. Come and discover the world of the Aparaaditehas!