Tartu Nature House natural cosmetics workshop

An extraordinary experience for friends or colleagues who appreciate exciting tastes and new experiences. We offer groups an exclusive opportunity to make one wine together (batch of 30 litres). Participants can combine different raw ingredients and techniques to create just the right wine. The winemaker helps and instructs and then, we leave the wine to mature for three to six months. We will design a personal label suitable for each bottle and bottle the finished wine, which we will deliver to you later. The visit also includes a tour of the vineyard and wine cellar.

The Art Studio sells great Estonian oil paintings and graphic art, high-class leather and wood goods and high temperature ceramics by Aivar Rumvolt. Please do not hesitate to call on us, if you need a special gift for your guest. The Avatud Ateljee Studio organises different courses: you are welcome to sign up for pottery, calligraphy, binding or leatherwork classes. In addition the studio organises poetry reading nights and meetings with artists. Groups can also visit Aivar Rumvolt’s pottery shop in Kubja by previous appointment. In summer there are workshops both for grown-ups and the young.

How many bees are needed to make one kilo of honey? Does honey always taste the same? How do bees communicate with each other, and how fast do bees fly? How many flowers does a bee visit during a foraging flight? Your questions will be answered at the unique Mesi Tare honey workshop on the Onion Route. We will taste honey and learn how to distinguish between fake honey and real honey! We will discuss how each of us can help protect bees and what threats they face. We will also drink a nice cup of tea, as is the custom of the Old Believers, and explore the impressive samovar collection at the Samovar House. Come and have a treat with your friends and family!

The art of papermaking began 2,000 years ago in China. In our craft paper workshop, you can learn how to make paper from recycled materials, as was done centuries ago. You can put flowers or other design elements inside the paper, and give the finished paper a lacy pattern under the press or make it mirror-smooth between the metal plates.In the workshop, we will give an overview of different techniques and possibilities. Each participant can make three sheets of craft paper (A5 format).

Fairytale Alatskivi Castle awaits visitors in South Estonia, about 40 km from Tartu. In the castle, you travel back in time to the 19th century, get acquainted with the life of a noble family and the manor's daily routine, and meet the servants who worked here a hundred years ago, brought to life with wax figures in the basement. Castle guides share captivating stories, and visitors can create a personal souvenir in the ceramic workshop. Allocate at least 1.5 hours to explore the exhibition, which spans three floors. On the castle's third floor is the museum of composer Eduard Tubin, which presents the life and works of one of Estonia's most famous musicians. The former carriage-horse stable next to the castle offers insight into the manor's management and daily operations. Alatskivi Castle is part of the Onion Route, which can also be explored through the bright yellow National Geographic windows. Stroll in the castle park, enjoy nature on the Alatskivi hiking trail, stay in romantic castle suites, and taste local dishes at the castle restaurant.

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!

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!

In the Mesi Tare fish cooking workshop, we prepare local dishes from seasonal Peipsi fish! The fish cooking workshop, held in the courtyard of the Mesi Tare Holiday Home, covers the entire process from start to finish, including cleaning, filleting, preparation, and cooking the fish. Depending on the season and the fish we have, we cook uhhaa, a traditional fish soup, smoke the fish, pan fry fish, etc. And finally, the moment that everyone is especially looking forward to — we serve the food and enjoy an authentic meal in an Old Believers' village on the Onion Route. The winter fish cooking workshop includes an experience on the ice with a karakat ride on frozen Lake Peipsi, ice fishing, and preparing uhhaa. See you at the workshop!