Estonia's gradually becoming well-known for its stunning capital city, Tallinn, with more and more budget flights landing there. The countryside of this most northerly Baltic state is, however also well worth a visit. We've already taken you to the Russian border town of Narva, but this week it's the islands on the opposite corner of Estonia which get our attention.
Saaremaa and Nearby Islands
In south-west Estonia, where the Baltic Sea meets the Gulf of Finland, the island of Saaremaa has once again become a favorite summer holiday destination for locals, after it was off-limits to most during the Soviet era. Now, as Estonia attracts increasing numbers of tourists, foreigners are also starting to enjoy the gentle sunshine of Saaremaa, its famous beer and charming towns like Kuresaare.
If you spend some time relaxing and exploring Saaremaa, then an excursion to tiny Abruka Island should be added to your itinerary. It doesn't rate a mention in many guidebooks - why should it, with an average population of less than twenty people - but that's as good a reason as any to visit it.
A Day on Abruka Island
I reached Abruka Island on the twice-daily shuttle boat from Saaremaa's Roomesaare port, a half hour trip across. In winter, it's a drive across ice, but the summer version suited me perfectly. With a picnic lunch waiting in my backpack, I wandered the island's dirt tracks and sat at a rough wooden table near the seaside to eat. Abruka's population is centered in one corner of the island, and beyond the paint-peeling houses are forest and bush tracks to explore. The local cemetery is also a fascinating insight into the island's past.
Swings are a prominent leisure time activity for Estonians, so I wasn't surprised to find a set. While I swung a visiting choir from the Netherlands appeared on the next boat and performed a short open-air concert for the locals, plus me. My week in capital city Tallinn hadn't given me this kind of natural Estonian experience, so my trip to Abruka Island was eye-opening for me.
Experience the Other Estonia
While visiting the big cities like Prague or Moscow are the popular Eastern European destinations, getting off the standard tourist track can bring unexpected pleasures and much better stories to tell back home. When you head to Estonia, try to explore a small island like Abruka too, and really enrich your Estonian experience.
