Emajõe-Suursoo, located in Tartu County, is home to dozens of bog islands and pristine nature, where a local guide can take you on an adventure. Since humans rarely set foot here, the area is home to a diverse range of species. Using bogshoes, we will walk across the bog islands and explore their primeval forests. We will definitely see traces of animal and bird activity and maybe even meet the local inhabitants themselves. If you are lucky, you may find a proud eagle owl or moose antlers during the hike. The trip also includes a light snack. The hike is suitable for children aged 12 and above. Friendly pets are welcome too!
We offer you an archaic and rustic smoke sauna experience directly on the slope of Obinitsa. The use of the smoke sauna is generally included in the room price. From the smoke sauna, you can dive directly into the refreshing barrel sauna and enjoy the healing beauty of Setomaa nature vis-à-vis. The smoke sauna tradition is one of the most special in the region. Heating the sauna is a long process that lasts several hours. Once the last smoke, or "karm," is released from the heated room, the true sauna enjoyment can begin. In a well-prepared smoke sauna, the air is clear and light, the steam pleasantly soft, and health-restoring. It is not just a place to wash, but part of an experience where rituals, stories, and closeness to nature help balance both body and mind. Don't be surprised if you hear chickens clucking or smell ponies Saara and Spotter in the air. They too are busy with their daily activities at Ilmaveere, and this is part of the unique Setomaa atmosphere that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The smoke sauna traditions of Vana-Võrumaa are listed in the UNESCO cultural heritage.
Võru Sports Centre offers varied exercising opportunities both for grown-ups and children. The sports centre features a full-size athletics hall, ball-game hall, judo hall and gym. In addition there are also necessary storerooms, locker rooms and showers. The sports centre is also accessible to people with physical disability. Next to the Võru Sports Centre there is a full-size stadium, where national and international competitions take place. For spectators, there is a stand seating 396 and a café with a view of the ball games and stadium in the athletics hall.
Trepimäe Recreation Area is a popular and very beautiful leisure spot on the eastern shore of Estonia's largest inland lake, Lake Võrtsjärv, in Elva municipality, offering visitors expansive lake views, tranquility, and pure nature away from mass tourism. It is an ideal destination for both family holidays and nature lovers who appreciate silence, open views, and an authentic natural environment. Trepimäe has been recognized as a natural heritage site, and its natural appearance has been preserved for generations. The forest area hosts a nearly 90-year-old pine forest with lingonberry and blueberry habitats. The area is perfect for walks, nature observation, and at the right time, for berry and mushroom enthusiasts to enjoy quiet foraging trips. The recreation area's beach is suitable for swimming, and visitors have access to picnic and campfire sites, a small camping area, a volleyball court, and an open beach house. When visiting the Trepimäe Recreation Area, it is worth stopping by the nearby Lake Museum, where you can explore the secret life of Lake Võrtsjärv's fish in an exciting way!
The host of Mesi Tare will take your group on an adventure to Piirissaar, a small island in Lake Peipsi! We start from the Varnja Harbor, where the host will be waiting with a fishing boat. The boat trip lasts two hours, depending on the weather and water level. We will walk with a guide through Piirissaar's three villages and see all the important places on the island, including the Piirissaare Old Believers Museum, the location of the Old Believers' prayer house, the Orthodox church and the Piirissaare Titanic. For lunch, the guide will take you to Zinaida's home, where she will lay out a magnificent table for her guests. (Note: The food must be paid for on the spot.) The day ends with a boat trip back to Varnja.
An orthodox congregation was established in Tartu in 1845 and Priest Joosep Shestakovski (1856–1888) initiated the building of an orthodox church. Tartu Saint George the Martyr Church was built using donations from the congregation and it was consecrated in honour of Saint George by Bishop of Riga and Mitav Benjamin in 1870.
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.
St Zachariah’s and St Elizabeth’s Orthodox Church in Räpina is a neo-Classical oblong building consisting of three parts. In the Western part there is a bell tower and in the Eastern part a crescent-shaped apsis. A cupola with a tambour is in the middle of the building. The exterior of the building is in classical style, incorporating cornices and rustic work. Simple iconostasis of the 19th century catches the eye in the interior.