Estonia 3rd to 10th August 2019  

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Estonia 3rd to 10th August 2019   David Ritchie 1
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The island of Saaremaa lies on the west coast ot Estonia in the Baltic Sea. Saaremaa is unique for its biodiversity and well preserved cultural and natural heritage. It is home to the Vaika Bird Sanctuary, one of the oldest nature sanctuaries in Europe. Saaremaa represents the site of one of the first Estonian Song Celebrations (1863) – a more, than 150 year – tradition of Song Celebrations is one of Estonian cultural highlights and Choral singing is one of the most widely spread traditions of Estonians.

Interpretation of Natural and Cultural Heritage of Coastal Estonians

3rd to 10th August 2019

Proposed Dates: AUG01-10 (one week, 7 nights in between these dates)

Themes & Topics Studied: see the programme

Host website: http://www.heritagetours.ee

Contact: maarika.naagel@gmail.com

Programme outlines

DAY 1
Goal of the day:
Arrival, see Tallinn Old Town (UNESCO heritage siye)

DAY 2
Goal of the day: Military history, resorts
The Arvo Pärt Center , traces of Peter the Great and former Soviet nuclear base in
Paldiski town , Haapsalu resort
Visit former closed military town Paldiski and coastal resort Haapsalu (wooden
achitecture, Haapsalu lace center and castle ruins (meet the development manager
of the castle)

DAY 3
Goal of the day: Island heritage alive
1. wooden boat building in a vocational school
2. small craft center in Estonian Maritime Academy

DAY 4
Goal of the day: Kuressaare – the hidden pearls of the capial of the island
1. „Spaaremaa“ – 195 years of spaa-tradition using local sea mud for healing and
wellbeing.
2. The wind of change in old and outstanding 14th c Episcopal Castle to make it
the best among most outstanding sites of the Baltic countries.
3. The info center of Saaremaa traditional costume

DAY 5
Goal of the day:
1) Lighthouses – part of the coastal heritage
2) Runic songs and runic singing – the ancient way of story telling
Visit the lighthouse museum
Runic song performance and workshop

DAY 6
Goal of the day: Country school as a carrier of heritage.
How to turn your problems into values.
Small country school starting to use local heritage as a base of the studies.
Multifunctional school as the center of community life.

DAY 7
Back to Tallinn
Goal of the day: heritage of the capital
Vabamu – the museum of occupations
Sea plane harbor
Under the city – the Bastion Passages
Meet the officials to get deeper insight on how the history is interpreted to make city
even more attractive and sustainable.

DAY 8
Departure

Conditions:
9-seater bus, professional driver- escort –guide, 3 meals per day, accommodation in
2-3* farms, hostels, hotels, 2-4 persons per room, full programme.

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