Estonia Rural Hostelling

It's obvious: you have to see its capital to get a first impression of a neighbouring country. Tallinn is number one on every traveller's agenda who's visiting Estonia. But the opposite is true, too: you don't know a country if you've only seen its capital. So don't miss out the countryside when going to Estonia!

A good place for hostellers to go to can be found in South Estonia, in the province of Valgamaa. Its main - though small - town of Valga is situated at the border to Latvia. In fact the border goes right through the heart of the city, enabling you to cross borders as frequently  as you want to, and experience two languages, two mentalities, two currencies, two ways of living at the price of one!
 
Hostellers will find an unexpensive (or - if needed - more upmarket) bed at Kalda Farm Youth Hostel, only 20 km outside of Valga. There you can both enjoy the quiet life plus the pleasures of the countryside and the huzzle and buzzle of Valga/Valka.

The hostel offers walking tours in the plains and softly rolling hills, fields and forests for those interested in nature. Beavers, wild game and birds can be watched in the forests and swamps.

The young and sportive can hire canues to explore nearby rivers and lakes, either just for enjoyment or for the more demanding art of fishing.
Bicycles are for rent, too. The "Tour de LatEst" biking trail is passing by right at the doorstep!
Take along a lunch packet and spend a whole day outdoors!

Those who are interested in history can visit a lot of places in the vicinity. All the nations who invaded this country in its past left some memorabilia behind: the Danes, the Germans, the Swedes, the Polish and the Russians. Only the Finnish stand out and above from this list of unwelcome "guests": they came to help Estonia in its birth pangs.

And what can be done after an exhausting day out in the forests or on respectively in the water? They have a pub where to sip a freshly tapped cool beer or some of the harder stuff, if you shouldn't prefer a cup of coffee or some other refreshment. You can listen to or make some music, play board games, chat and pass the time of the long summer evenings away. Or relax in the spacious sauna, sit on the veranda in the evening sun or gather round a campfire outdoors - or indoors in event of unfriendly weather.

The best should be mentioned last of all: the wardens Heinar and Ulrich are willing to offer you any help, advice and assistance needed to make your stay an enriching one.