Räpina Manor Park

Luunja Rose Garden is a beautiful, unique, and popular concert venue with a stunning view by the Emajõgi River. It has a long history and a total of 58 rose varieties grow there. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, a new rose variety called Luunja by Estonian rose breeder Mart Ojasalu was planted in the rose garden. It is dedicated to locals and all Estonians.It is a unique variety, the aim of which is to give the people of Luunja municipality, above all, a sense of togetherness and to leave future generations with an admirable rose garden.

The park in Vana-Vastseliina was established in 1830 by the then owner of Vastseliina Manor Guido Reinhold von Liphart, who designed a beautiful species-rich 8-hectare park. The bandstand has been preserved, where folk festivals take place. Bird lovers will be delighted by the rare species nesting in old tree cavities. You can also admire Estonia's fastest-flowing Piusa River.In 2016, 25 new trees were planted in the park, one of them in honour of the Lipharts.The 15 km long hiking trail of Piusa River valley starts from the park.The manor park can be reached from Vastseliina Episcopal Castle by coming down a romantic staircase or from the highway a little further away.

In the city centre of Tartu, around the new Tartu Environmental Education Centre, there is a large park covering 10,000 m² and containing a large number of species. Old and ancient trees meet newly designed park trails offering learning and recreational possibilities in the hilly park. The park is home to over 80 species of trees and shrubs and over 200 species of herbaceous plants.A visitor can find peat, butterfly, and vegetable beds in the park; there is also a man-made beaver nest, a sun dial, a fountain, an observation tower, and a study trail about rocks. The old orchard has also been preserved. Children can have fun at the otter slide, a three-sand sandbox, and a carousel. Park facilities and plants are introduced by several information boards.

Põltsamaa — the city of bridges, parks, roses, and wine — and beautiful Roosisaar at its heart. Põltsamaa Rose Island is a place where you can enjoy beautiful nature, fascinating history, and peaceful city life all at once. Formerly known as Kaubasaar before World War II, it was the heart of Põltsamaa's business activities, but today it has become one of Estonia's most beautiful public rose gardens. You will find nearly 2,000 blooming roses, a romantic gazebo, winding walking paths, and stunning views of the Põltsamaa River and fish pass. Rose Island is lovely in every season. In addition to the rose garden, you can enjoy a music park, fountain, amphitheater, and children's play area, making the island a pleasant stop for both family travelers and those seeking a romantic stroll. In the evening twilight, illuminated paths and the fountain create an especially enchanting atmosphere. Come walk, relax, and discover a place where both roses and the story of Põltsamaa bloom.

The University of Tartu Botanical Garden offers study programmes and excursions for visitors of all ages. There are more than 10,000 species and varieties of plants in the garden. In addition to natural plants, including rare protected plants, we introduce new decorative plants. In the greenhouses, rainforest and desert plants can be seen. We are the oldest botanical garden in the Baltic States, operating for more than 200 years in the same location. The garden is designed by world-renowned botanists, professors Ledebour and Bunge. Guests can visit the greenhouses with a ticket, but the garden is open for everyone for free. There is a playground for children.

You'll need several people to measure the circumference of the ancient, nearly 400-year-old oak tree towering nearby Lake Pühajärv in Otepää! The trunk of this ancient tree has a circumference of 6.6 meters. It is called the War Oak because it has witnessed many historical events. Apparently, peasants of the Pühajärv Manor refused to work for the manor in autumn 1841 and the rebels were punished near the oak. The Pühajärve War was one of the first peasant uprisings against the landlords in Estonia, and in memory of it, an oak tree was planted nearby, where a memorial stone was erected on the 130th anniversary of the uprising. A beautiful park with walking tracks surrounds the tree today, and although the ancient tree is no longer in its full glory, it stands here to its full dignity, recalling times gone by.

When walking around the Räpina School of Horticulture, you will find an exciting planting area for perennials, and you can enjoy various summer and perennial flowers in the collection garden. In the collection garden, you can admire 50 different varieties of park roses by Rein Joost, lilies of Mart Heering, about 30 varieties of lilacs by Adolf Vaigla, and 20 varieties of vines by Jaan Kivistik.There are more than 600 different species of trees and shrubs throughout the park and the school (dendrological plant material), with herbaceous plants that include perennials, roses, lianas, natural herbaceous plants, and summer plants – a total of almost 1,200 plants.It is possible to book excursions both in the park and in the collection garden.

Mõniste Manor was first mentioned in 1542. The last owners of the manor were the von Wulff family, but the manor was destroyed in the Estonian War of Independence. The 14.6 ha park at Mõniste was founded in 1840 and is one of the oldest in Võru County. The Mõniste Reservoir plays an important role in the design of the park. The site of the former Manor House is now a large meadow. Spruce, oak, linden, silver birch and larch are indigenous to the park. Some of the more rare species include common spindle, Manchurian walnut and Douglas fir. A sculpture depicting bears is located near the park on the Võru-Valga highway - a reminder of the highway decorations that were in fashion during the Soviet occupation.