Vihula Manor Country Club & Spa wins prestigious hospitality award

Congratulations to Vihula Manor for winning "Countryside Luxury Retreat of the Year" at the European Hotel Awards in Vilnius. The award highlights the manor’s exceptional hospitality, outstanding service, authentic character, natural surroundings, and a refined guest experience. With an impressive overall score of 8.9 on Booking.com, this luxurious retreat offers an unforgettable experience for its guests.

 

 

Located just an hour’s drive from Tallinn, in the heart of Lahemaa National Park, Vihula Manor is one of Estonia’s most enchanting heritage properties. The elegant estate, originally built in the 13th century, has previously earned the title of “Best Historic Hotel in Europe 2020” and is the first and largest full-service 4-star Superior manor resort in the Baltic region. 

 

 

You can visit Vihula Manor's website here. 

Estonia is the 3rd most scientifically influential country in the world

For a country that is often celebrated for its digital innovation and quietly radical governance, Estonia has now achieved something even more improbable - global scientific impact. According to a new analysis of global citation data, Estonia’s research is cited 81.7% above the global average, overtaking even its Nordic mentors, Finland and Sweden. For a nation with a population of just 1.3 million people Estonia has become the world’s third most “scientifically wealthy” country, ranked behind only Iceland and Singapore.

 Further reading can be found here.

The most magical Christmas market in Europe

DNA reveals stone age Estonian girl as chewer of 10,500-year-old ‘gum’

A piece of stone age “gum” chewed by a teenage girl 10,500 years ago has been discovered by archaeologists in Estonia. The prehistoric birch tar had impressions of teeth marks and traces of saliva. Genetics experts from the Institute of History and Archaeology at the University of Tartu extracted DNA from the saliva and concluded it was probably chewed by a girl with brown hair and brown eyes.

The institute holds DNA samples from 20 percent of Estonia’s population, providing scientists with a modern genetic comparison to better interpret ancient DNA. Experts now know that ancient Estonians chewed tar – burnt or heated silver-birch bark – for things like relieving toothaches or used as glue. Birch tar is still used as an adhesive in Estonia today for sealing breaks in pots and tools.

Estonian boybuilder Anastassia Toikka crowned Wellness World Champion

Three-time World Champion Anastassia Toikka has won gold at the 2025 IFBB World Fitness Championships in Spain. Toikka, from Tallinn, is a successful Estonian IFBB wellness and bodybuilding athlete and has won multiple world championships. Tokkia won gold in the 'Master Women's Wellness 35-39 Years Open' category, beating fellow Estonian Kaisa Valtri who came in at 10th place.

The International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) was founded in Canada in1946. It has 204 affiliated nations and is one of the largest and most active international sport federations in the world.

Anastassia Toikka is a professional athlete, certified fitness trainer with a medical degree and a mother of two. Congratulations!

"Sisu: Road to Revenge"- The Finnish action film sequel filmed entirely in Estonia

Estonia transforms into a winter wonderland

The first heavy snowfall of the season has arrived, covering Estonia with a beautiful blanket of white. These stunning photographs capture a glimpse of how beautiful the Estonian landscape looks during wintertime. 

  

 

 

Estonian diplomat honoured with renaming of New York Street

The world's longest serving diplomat, Ernst Jaakson, has had a block of Manhattan's 34th Street  renamed in his honour. Jaakson was a dedicated diplomat who represented Estonia for 79 years from 1919 - 1998. He is credited with maintaining the legal continuity of the Republic of Estonia during decades of Soviet occupation.

The new 'Ernst Jaakson Way'  is located along East 34th Street between 2nd Avenue and Tunnel Exit Street. It is home to the New York Estonian House and lies just a few blocks from the Empire State Building. The re-naming coincides with what would have been Jaakson’s 120th birthday and symbolises the city’s recognition of his extraordinary legacy.

A special ceremony took place yesterday led by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna and New York City Council Member Keith Powers. 

Estonia among the most heavily forested countries in the EU

Over fifty percent of Estonia is covered in forest. These forests are a defining feature of the Estonian landscape, characterised by an abundance of pine, birch, and spruce trees. In addition to this Estonia has extensive swamps, bogs and wetlands that provide habitats for a wide variety of wildlife, including bears, wolves, lynx, and deer. Historically, forests are deeply ingrained in Estonian culture as a place of refuge, tradition, and heritage.

This year's Gingerbread Mania Theme is 'Love'

Every year a group of talented artists get together to create the piparkoogimaania / gingerbread mania art exhibition in Tallinn. The Estonian artists include ceramicists,  architects, designers and visual artists who produce delightful works of art made solely from gingerbread. Each year the exhibition has a different theme and this year the theme is 'love'. Gingerbread mania opens on November 29 and more information about the exhibition can be found here.

The unique and beautiful folk culture of Setomaa

Estonia has the cleanest air in continental Europe

Estonia's excellent air quality can be attributed to its vast forests, pristine bogs and wetlands, and government policies to reduce emissions. Estonian air quality has significantly improved over the last decade with the primary sources of air pollution continue to be car traffic and local heating. On a global scale, Estonia is only one of seven countries that met the WHO air pollution guidelines.

Who were the Forest Finns?

For nearly 700 years, Sweden and Finland were one kingdom — and their shared history runs deep. One fascinating part of that story is the migration of thousands of Finnish settlers into Sweden’s vast forests during the 1500s and 1600s.

Under King Gustav Vasa, settlers from Savolax and Tavastland were offered tax-free land if they cleared and cultivated new areas. These pioneers brought with them the art of slash-and-burn farming, transforming untouched pine forests into fertile fields. Their new communities became known as the Finn Forests (Finnskogar), especially in Värmland and Dalarna. 

Life was tough, but the skogsfinnar built a rich culture of their own — with smoke cottages instead of chimneys, handcrafted birchbark items, and traditional dishes like motti (nävgröt), a hearty porridge still remembered today.  Their story is one of resilience, cooperation, and cultural fusion — a quiet yet vital part of the shared heritage between Sweden and Finland. 

Some Estonians are descended from Forest Finns and I am one of them. I made this discovery with DNA research when a distance cousin revealed to me the family line and common ancestor. It is interesting to note that many Forest Finns later moved on and relocated to Norway. My ancestor settled in Eidskog which a beautiful area known for its forests, fishing areas and lakes.

Video: Estonia strengthens its border with Russia

Tallinn Christmas Market opens on November 21

Tallinn is a beautiful city to visit all year round but it is particularly magical at Christmas time. During the festive season Tallinn's medieval Old Town is transformed into a winter wonderland with  its charming Christmas market, traditional decorations, and fairytale atmosphere enhanced by snow. The world's first public Christmas tree stood on Tallinn's Town Hall Square in the year 1441 and its now a tradition seen all over the world. This year the Tallinn Christmas market will be open from 21.11.2025 - 28.12.2025. The atmosphere in Tallinn during this time is truly amazing! More information about the Jõuluturg can be found here.

Northern Lights shine bright across Estonia

Once again the aurora borealis has not disappointed observers in Estonia. During the past few months some stunning images have been captured at various locations across Estonia. This natural light display is truly phenomenal.

 

 

 

 

Estonia’s Gert Kark is the new Executive Producer of the Eurovision Song Contest

Estonian Gert Kark, the Tallinn-born TV producer who started his career at Terevisioon has been appointed the new Executive Producer of the Eurovision Song Contest. After working nearly a decade behind the scenes at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), he’s now running the production — that will be seen live by 160 million people worldwide. Gert Kark replaces Swedens Martin Österdahl who recently stepped down from the role. This is a great historic achievement for Estonia!