6. Saaremaa

Vidzeme seacoast – settling ground of the ancient Livs. Ainazi and Pjarnu – the first centres of navigation in Baltic States. Pjarnu role in the history of Estonia. Saaremaa – a unique Estonian preserve of history and nature – heir of the Estonian nation’s mode of life and culture.

Itinerary of excursion:

1st day.
We depart from Riga in an early morning. Our road will go through Latvia. Seacoast of Vidzeme – Adazi, Gauja, Lilaste, Pabazi, Saulkrasti, Skulte, Salacgriva – the typical small villages of the Baltic Seacoast. The Baltic Sea and its bays, inter alia The Gulf of Pjarnu. Pjarnu – one of the oldest Livonian cities. Small acquaintance’s excursion in the city. Departure to Virtsu. Going with ferry to the island – Saaremaa. We will start sightseeing tour in the unique Saaremaa island with Muhu island – ferry stops right there. Visitation of Koguva open-air ethnographic museum. Koguva is the village, where Estonians live still continues to go on.
Unique wooden heritage is Angla Windmills. Windmills are characteristics of this district. There are five windmills in Angla, you can see pillar type windmills as well as Holland type, on which windmills go round. We will visit Karla Church and well-known natural specimen – Panga Cliff. Panga is the highest cliff in Estonia. Night in the hotel.

2nd day.
Breakfast. Visitation of the capital of Saaremaa - Kuressaare. Kuressaare – ancient, historic centre of the island. Kuressaare Episcopal Castle – architectural monument of the 14th century. Visitation of castle – museum. Free time. Continuation of acquaintance with Saaremaa. Sightseeing of the Kaali Meteorite Craters. Passage with the ferry at evening and way back.
We will return to Riga at approximately 23.00pm.