Second only to Tallinn in the city stakes Tartu is considered the intellectual centre of Estonia. Located here are: The University of Tartu, The Estonian National Museum, The Supreme Court of Estonia and being the birthplace of beer brewing in Estonia, the location of the A. Le Coq Beer Museum. So much culture in one spot!

Tartu seems to like street art.

The Estonian National Museum holds the complete history of Estonia from the stone age. The Russian occupation is not forgotten nor should it be.

The Museum Entrance.

The Home of Skype.

The Baltic Chain

Estonian jewelery

Letters from escapees.

The faceless revolving and rotating 19th century Estonian zombies were a bit scary!

Finally not to be outdone by Vegas…..

OH NOOOOO! THE HOUSE IS UPSIDE DOWN!!!

By the way back in 1510 the tradition of using a tree at Christmas began. Christmas tree experts are unsure as to the exact location however the smart money seems to be on Estonia.

Viljandi half way betwixt Parnu and Tartu (good grief Estonian is like a foreign language) is a lovely medieval town re-inventing itself post Soviet era and doing a great job.

Suspension Bridge from 1879, rebuilt twice but never by the Russians.

The Old Fort Dungeon At Viljandi.

Old Fort Ruins.

The Eestis do like their Saunas, this one is mobile and wood fired. People one end Pizza the other?

The old is new again, The Old Castle Concert Venue.

Cobbled Streets with Mushroom Skies and giant Strawberry Fields Forever. John Lennon must have visited here!

Viljandi has several concert amphitheatres and hosts many concerts each year. Once again however we timed it wrong and will miss the following duet. Arrangement for ocarina and single string fiddle.

By the way the Estonians like a good swing. and so do the Australians apparently.

Rivendell is an Elven realm in Middle-earth. No scratch that……. Rivendell is an Elvin realm in Middle-Estonia. It’s also an AIR BNB!

We thought this place rated it’s own page.

“GOURMET” KITCHEN

3 “BEDROOMS”

THE “STAIRS”

Six people in here was a bit of a squeeze. We needed to climb the stairs on hands and knees, the toilet was in a cupboard, the kitchen sink was screwed straight to the wall. We had fun cracking Elf and Gnome jokes though.

Lyndal said she thought she could “sell” us the idea of staying here as it was actually larger than a caravan. Which we had to admit it was. Just.

Entry, lounge, dining, bathroom behind the glass, and laundry at base of stairs.

Tenn’ enomentielva

(until we meet again)