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Culinary Experience in Estonia, 5 days

Small group, 16 people maximum

One of the World’s great cuisines waiting to be discovered? Well, now’s the time to find out while trying your hand too. Estonian food and cookery, with plenty of Russian to add spice, awaits you on this absorbing trip where you’ll savour and prepare local dishes under expert guidance. Enter Estonia’s soul and open new gastronomic horizons…

DAY 1

Arrival to Tallinn, where you'll be met by our representative for your complimentary transfer to the city centre Hotel “Domina Ilmarise” or similar.

DAY 2

Visit the most important attractions of the Estonian capital, including the charming Kadriorg Park, a place of residence for the Estonian president, on today's "Highlights of Tallinn" tour. You will visit the Song Festival Ground where a short stop will give you an impression of the enormous Song Festivals that are held every five years on this site, with up to 30,000 performers singing to a capacity of 300,000 spectators. Visit a local food market for you to experience the local culinary atmosphere. Continue to Tallinn's famous Old Town with the best attractions it has to offer.

2- course lunch in a lively restaurant on Town Hall Square. Continue your tour in the Old Town with a visit to a lively handicraft quarter to see the preparation process of different handicraft arts. Free time for shopping will be provided.

Depart for the scenic Estonian countryside. Take memorable photos during short stops by the Finnish Gulf and visit a seaside herb garden. Enjoy the tips of your local hostess, introducing you the history and legends of medicinal herbs and seasoning. Learn how to pick and dry herbs and make tinctures. Conclude your day by joining her in preparing a magical witch soup for dinner followed by tea and home-made jam.

Overnight in Palmse Manor Park Hotel in the heart of Lahemaa National Park or similar.

DAY 3

Start your third day by relaxing in the peaceful atmosphere of Palmse Manor and enjoying its unspoilt surroundings. Your guide will shortly meet you in the lobby for a tour to Old Rakvere Castle. During the guided tour you will hear about medieval life and its interesting cuisine. You will also have the opportunity to taste the local Estonian beer in the courtyard of the castle or browse their souvenir store.

This afternoon we get busy in the local restaurant of a small Estonian town for an afternoon cooking class with their delightful Chef featuring one Russian and one Estonian dish. Get your apron on to get active in the eating area and also peek into the kitchen.

We then arrive to the youthful university town of Tartu. Dinner in the hotel. This is the night for you to explore the town by yourself and dig into local life by visiting numerous cafes, pubs and restaurants suitable for every taste. Our centrally located hotel offers an excellent opportunity for this and whenever you get tired, a comfortable bed is just a walking distance away. Ask your guide for tips for the best cake in town ;)

Overnight in Hotel Tartu or similar (simple hotel in the city centre)

DAY 4

Feel free to enjoy a longer sleep this morning. Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby for a tour to the Old Believers Russian villages by Lake Peipus, the 9th biggest lake in Europe. The Old Believers first settled on the Estonian shore of the lake in the 18th century to find a peaceful place beyond the reach of reforms in the Russian Orthodox Church. Since then they have been living in a separated community by the lake without mixing with Estonians. Take a walk on the gravel streets of the smallest town of Estonia, stroll the forgotten village roads and enjoy the sight of incredible onion fields.

As this is a very secluded place, you will be especially honoured with your next one-time opportunity to learn about the Russian Old Believers mouth-watering cuisine. Get your notebooks out and enjoy the colourful personality of the local housewife inviting you to her home and teaching you the preparation of her famous dishes. Although you will probably be feeling almost full from sampling your hostess's marvellous appetizers, you just can't miss the local Onion Restaurant and their traditional fish soup. Dare to replace your traditional cup of afternoon tea with a pure Russian one served from the traditional samovar and with hard-boiled sugar. Be careful, you might change your habits!

We will then drive to a special region in Estonia called Setomaa- a land with their own dialect, traditional costumes and cuisine. Being Estonians, but strongly influenced by Russian culture, their food combines elements of both cuisines. Meet your local hostess and in traditionally decorated rooms take a relaxing moment in the country air before dinner.
Enjoy a simple and light dinner, followed by free time to enjoy the peaceful nature...

Overnight in a local Tourism Farm

DAY 5

Start your day with a homey breakfast at the farm. After saying good-bye to our hostess, we depart for Tallinn. There will be several stops on the way to stretch your legs. Stop for lunch and enjoy barbecued meat. Arrival to Tallinn airport no later than 2PM.

Have a safe journey home and see you on our next Travel Merchant trip!

Included in the price:

• 4 nights in standard twin rooms (4-star city centre hotel in Tallinn, Palmse Manor Park Hotel in the heart of Lahemaa National Park, simple city centre hotel in Tartu, Tourism Farm in the beautiful countryside in Setomaa)
• 3 meals every day, except on the day of arrival (different locations, different styles every time)
• Guided coach and walking tour “Best of Tallinn with a special culinary touch” on Day 2
• Entrances to Dome Church and Nevsky Cathedral in Tallinn and to Old Rakvere Castle in Rakvere
• 2 common cooking sessions under supervision of local experts
• At least one home visit
• Detailed information booklet about Estonia and its cuisine, recipes included
• All transfers 
• Tour representative service during whole tour
• All local taxes

Not included in the price:

• Flights – return flights can be obtained with less than £100. We will be happy to help you with bookings.
• Personal insurance
• Other personal expenses, tips

Min. 6 people

This special interest tour is also supported by www.travelquest.co.uk