19th of August 2024

Unfortunately, three members of the family had to return to Germany today because of school. Early in the morning we drove to Helsinki airport, from where Lisa, Luna and Finn had to take a plane back to Germany. Due to significant problems with the airline, the booked flight in the morning was cancelled without refund and we had to buy additional tickets for an evening flight.

At the same time, Lotta and I drove to the port of Helsinki and took a ferry back to Tallinn, Estonia. From Tallinn we went to Maardu for the third time, where we washed our clothes, towels and bed linen. Afterwards we followed the road to the south-east and passed the towns of Kadaka, Aruküla, Anija and Pillapalu. In Aegviidu we found a wonderful overnight spot directly at the beach of Nikerjärve lake (Nikerjärve ujumiskoht). Before bed Lotta took a bath in the lake and we built together a sand-castle. We were in the the bed before midnight but Lisa, Luna and Finn were still on the way back to home. After midnight, the rest of the family also found their way to bed.

Distance 85 km

Helsinki -> Tallinn (85 km, ferry) -> Maardu -(15 km) > Kadaka (13 km) -> Aruküla (9 km) -> Anija (15 km) -> Pillapalu (23 km) -> Aegviidu (8 km) -> Nikerjärve ujumiskoht (2 km)

20th of August 2024

This morning we took time to enjoy the wonderful place in Aegviidu. We swam in Lake Nikerjärve and Lotta made many friends. Therefore, we decided to have lunch here as well. 

In the afternoon we set off again for Eastern Estonia. We passed the towns of Kukevere, Ambla and Väike-Maarja before we had our fist break. In Vao we made a short break at the Vao tower (Vao tornlinnus) followed by an extensive break at the Kiltsi castle respectively Ass castle (Kiltsi mõis). A wonderful castle with a wonderful garden and a wonderful playground. Next we drove further to east where we passed the towns of Võivere, Laekvere and Avinurme. In the evening we found an amazing overnight spot called "RMK Kauksi telkimisala" directly at the beach of Kauksi. Here we enjoyed the wonderful moon above the lake Peipus (Peipsi järv).

Distance 154 km

Aegviidu/ Nikerjärve ujumiskoht -> Kukevere (15 km) -> Ambla -> (9 km) > Väike-Maarja (28 km) -> Vao (6 km) -> Liivaküla (11 km) -> Kiltsi mõis (2 km) -> Võivere (14 km) -> Laekvere (14 km) -> Avinurme (24 km) -> Kauksi (27 km) -> RMK Kauksi telkimisala/ Kauksi rand (4 km)

21st of August 2024

In the morning we try to have a bath in the lake Peipus (Peipsi järv) but it was too windy and to cold. After our breakfast we took the road along Lake Peipus to the south. In Kallaste we had a shortstop for visiting the cliffs called"Kallaste liivakivipaljand".Here we left Lake Peipus and followed the road to the southwest. Before Tartu we stopped at the Estonian national museum (Eesti Rahva Muuseum). We were very impressed of this museum especially the interactive possibilities and the exhibition in the basement floor were very interesting for us.

In the evening we visited the centre of Tartu. In the beautiful city park of Tartu we enjoyed a BMX race. We were speechless at the death-defying stunts. Before bedtime Lotta have a lot of fun with other Kids at an amazing playground. Our overnight spot was directly at the river Emajõgi. 

Distance 117 km

Kauksi rand -> Raatvere (51 km) -> Kodavere -> (8 km) > Kallaste (5 km) -> Kõdesi (8 km) -> Eesti Rahva Muuseum (40 km) -> Tartu (5 km)

22nd of August 2024

In the morning we spent a lot of time at Aura Waterpark (Aura Veekeskus), an indoor swimming pool with many water slides. Lotta especially had a lot of fun and was able to swim in deep water without help. In the afternoon we followed the road to south. After the town Karilatsi we found a wonderful lake called "Palojärve hoiuala" where Lotta took again a bath. 

In the evening we drove to Haanja National Park (Haanja Looduspark). We spent the night here. Before bed time we had an adventurous walk through the Hinni kanjon.

Distance 91 km

Tartu -> Voorepalu (31 km) -> Karilatsi -> (4 km) > Palojärve hoiuala (8 km) -> Varbuse (7 km) -> Hinni kanjon (41 km)

23rd of August 2024

In the morning we left our overnight spot in Hinni Kanjon and drove into the heart of Haanja National Park (Haanja Looduspark). Here in Rõuge we took a long walk around the Rõuge watchtower “Pesapuu” (Rõuge Ööbikuoru vaatetorn Pesapuu). Afterwards we drove to the highest point of Estonia called "Suure Munamäe". At the southern point of the Haanja National Park (Haanja Looduspark) we visited the wonderful Rogosin Manor (Rogosin mõis). Here we had a wonderful trip through the buildings and the fastinatic garden.

In the afternoon we crossed the border to Latvia. Our first stop in Latvia was in Marienburg respectively Alūksne. Here we had a wonderful break by visiting the Island with a great playground and the historical castle.

In the evening we found a beautiful overnight spot in Balvi directly at the lake of Balvu lake (Balvu Ezers).

Distance 126 km

Hinni kanjon -> Rõuge (6 km) -> Suure Munamäe -> (10 km) -> Plaani (7 km) -> Rogosi (4 km) -> Tsiiruli (8 km) -> Māriņkalns (17 km) -> Alūksne/ Marienburg (9 km) -> Balvi (65 km)