Do you know that Estonia has 2222 islands but only 318 of them are larger than 1 hectare?
So when you plan to come why not book your own island as there are so many available?
For example Viirelaid, also called Paternoster, is a small island of 38 hectares, it has just 4 inhabitants, a few houses and a lighthouse. So if you feel like getting away from the crowds then gather your group of kindred spirits and spend a few days in silence and luxury with sea playing music to your ears. Of course there will also be sauna, walks on the beach and why not dinner on the water? The island accommodates nicely a group up to 60 pax.
Estonians are proud about their national heritage and roots, this is a living culture where wearing a national costume is an honour and where a folk music festival is just as crowded as a rock concert.
Estonians are less than one million. Imagine an event with 30,000 performers and one third of the whole population as audience. This is our song and dance festival that takes place every 4 years. In Estonia nearly each municipality, school or enterprise has a choir or folklore dance group, there is also an impressive variety of different national costumes mounting to more than 100. If you want to get a glimpse of that culture you are invited to participate in a folklore dance workshop or in a choir rehearsal any place in Estonia. Or be audience to a surprise choir concert during your sightseeing program.
Once upon a time there was a prison. It was in 1938 that Murru prison was established together with a limestone quarry. There were 400 prisoners who worked there. The prison remained in operation during the Soviet times and closed only in 1991 when Estonia gained independence.
In order to keep the ground water out of the quarry there were water pumps working day in and day out.
When the quarry closed then so did the water pumps. Before anybody noticed the water had flooded the area. It happened so fast that not only all the buildings remained under water but also most of the appliances, among other things an excavator. Today all this forms a curious under-water museum, a lake with transparent water called the blue lagoon and the nearby hill of limestone sand.
You may explore it on a paddleboard or a surf. Snorkeling above coral reefs has become very common these days so why not try it out over this curious and unique sight, today already part of Estonian heritage.