Category: Blog

Estonia takes great pride from how much the country has progressed since the end of the Soviet occupation in 1991. The years under the Soviet regime are seen as one of the darkest times in our history. As the locals are moving on and replacing concrete buildings and old factories with new Estonian architecture, we also realise how unique some of the places left here by the Soviets are. It is easy to find modern houses in most of the capitals in the world, but how about old offices of the Soviet secret service, prisons where people were sent to gulags or monuments that kept the vision of the power of communism? Here is a guide to nine sights in an area near Tallinn that tells the story of Soviet Estonia. We have also included tours that take you to these places so that your tour guide can tell you more. The history of the Soviet Union is a long topic and cannot be covered in a single blog post. We therefore recommend joining the Secrets of Soviet Tour in Tallinn and visit the most significant places together with a local tour guide. To visit many of the sights mentioned in this blog, as well as all the most important places in Tallinn including the Old Town, book the 8-hour Tallinn Top Attractions Tour. If you want to get out of the city then combine historical sites with nature on the Rummu Submerged Quarry and Coastal Cliffs tour or learn about the Soviet fish industry during the Day Trip to Prangli Island.   1. Rummu quarry It is not only the casual visitors in Tallinn who have been attracted by the surreal look of Rummu quarry. This place has also been used as a film set by foreign artists, which

Prangli Travel, as the name says, is an expert on tours to Prangli Island. As well we are the only company to provide seal-watching trips in North Estonia from Tallinn in English. We are also organizing trips  to our neighbouring uninhabited islands  Keri and Aksi. What is so fascinating about the islands and archipelago near Tallinn, the capital of Estonia? Estonia's approximately 2222 islands have played a defining role in the nation's history and culture. Official Travel Guide to Estonia VisitEstonia recommends Prangli Island as one of the 10 islands to visit in Estonia in summer. There is definitely a lot of  diverse and untouched nature, space and peace. Unlike other Estonian islands in the Gulf of Finland, life on Prangli island has been continuous for 600 years. Prangli island was the only island in North-Estonia where in Soviet times the inhabitants were allowed to continue to live. So it is definitely an authentic place to visit not only in summer but also all year around. Prangli Island has a ferry connection from the Viimsi peninsula all year round. Neighbouring islands Keri and Aksi are small inhabited islands that have their own charm attracting visitors who are looking for authentic places and adventures at the sea. Keri and Aksi are accessible from Prangli Island,  Neeme Port or Leppneeme Port,  with small motorboats accommodating up to 14 people. Prangli Travel offers regular tours to the island in summer, you are welcome to join the groups! For small groups it's also possible to combine the trips in summer making your days more memorable. For groups 6-14 people Prangli Travel may offer the combined trips for one or 2 days combining trips to visit Prangli, Keri or Aksi Island and also go for a seal watching. We also offer accommodation on the island in an authentic Villa of

Spending a night on the island in Estonia? Prangli is a small island and a natural oasis between Estonia and Finland that has been inhabited for many hundreds of years and has its own traditions and culture. The island has around 70 people living there all-year round and many more visitors in the summer season that are attracted to sail to the island or simply take a ferry to visit its pristine beaches, pine forests, and majestic boulders and learn more about its curious history. ©Meeli Laidvee. Spending a night on the island in Estonia Prangli island has been inhabited throughout its long history, even during the Soviet occupation, the people of Prangli are warm and hospitable towards everyone and you can learn a lot about their unique culture and traditions during a few days on the island. Prangli is definitely worth visiting for more days than one, for a long weekend or why not even a full week to be able to relax completely! After taking the ferry for an hour from Tallinn, you can start by exploring the harbour which is the heart of the small island where you will be greeted by locals and visitors alike. The harbour boasts small cafes, a house of local handicrafts and information. A short walk away, the Prangli restaurant on the seaside offers delicious food and a comfortable atmosphere in the pine forest with a sea view, open in the summer season. The villages of Idaotsa and Lääneotsa (East End and West End, respectively) offer a peek into the local lifestyle that has maintained many of its traditions through hundreds of years, with a touch of modern now as well. Not a long walk away is the Prangli Church with its own legends and traditions to discover, as well as many

The Estonian Year of the Sauna 2023 is a time to celebrate the sauna and all it has to offer. Now more than ever, during this year-long celebration it’s time to get naked and whisk away the evil spirits in a steaming hot sauna. What’s the Estonian Year of the Sauna 2023 and how can you enjoy the unique Estonian sauna culture? Let’s look closer.   Unique Estonian sauna culture One of the best things to do in Estonia definitely enjoying a baking hot sauna. The sauna is a crucial part of Estonian culture and has been for centuries. As proof of that, on a walking tour in Tallinn Old Town, you can find “Sauna” street and even a medieval Sauna tower. The first written records of saunas in Estonia are found from the 13th century but in reality, the Estonian sauna traditions date back even more. Did you know that in the very beginning, all the saunas were actually smoke saunas? The chimneys were added much later and are now commonly known as the “Finnish saunas”. But let’s rewind a bit and figure out what’s a smoke sauna. Since this type of sauna has no chimney, the smoke is let out through a window. They say the lack of chimneys maintains a higher temperature for a longer period of time. Smoke sauna is now mostly found in the south of Estonia, in Võru, and is listed by UNESCO.   Off to a great year of saunas The Estonian Year of the Sauna 2023 couldn’t have started better. Estonian Anna Hints won the hearts of everyone at the Sundance Film Festival and got the best-directing award for her “Smoke Sauna Sisterhood” documentary. The women in the film open up about the issues and experiences of womanhood in a safe place