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Slow down on Estonia’s Islands

Step back in time on two islands that retain their rural charm The Times - UK - Logo By Cath Urquhart for The Times August 8 2009 In Estonia, it’s not about the quantity of sights you see, according to Martin Breuer, an hotelier on the island of Muhu on the west coast. It’s about experience. “Our destination is a very good example of ‘slow travel’, ” he says. Until Estonia gained independence in 1991, Muhu was the westernmost edge of the Soviet empire. One unexpected side-effect of the Soviet occupation was that Muhu and the neighbouring island of Saaremaa have retained a rural charm, for no industrial development took place for half a century. The result, for today’s holidaymakers, are two time-capsule islands where the attractions are simple pleasures such as walking in juniper and pine forests, bathing at deserted beaches or taking treatments at one of several spa hotels. Like the Isle of Wight, these are small, gentle places that force you to slow down and relax. I spent several days exploring Muhu. Even in Soviet times it was a place where artists came, and at Koguva village on the west of the island I was soon admiring the work of local artists in the village’s gallery-cum-wine bar. Read the full article online BackStep back in time on two islands that retain their rural charm The Times - UK - Logo By Cath Urquhart for The Times August 8 2009 In Estonia, it’s not about the quantity of sights you see, according to Martin Breuer, an hotelier on the island of Muhu on the west coast. It’s about experience. “Our destination is a very good example of ‘slow travel’, ” he says. Until Estonia gained independence in 1991, Muhu was the westernmost edge of the Soviet empire. One unexpected side-effect of the Soviet occupation was that Muhu and the neighbouring island of Saaremaa have retained a rural charm, for no industrial development took place for half a century. The result, for today’s holidaymakers, are two time-capsule islands where the attractions are simple pleasures such as walking in juniper and pine forests, bathing at deserted beaches or taking treatments at one of several spa hotels. Like the Isle of Wight, these are small, gentle places that force you to slow down and relax. I spent several days exploring Muhu. Even in Soviet times it was a place where artists came, and at Koguva village on the west of the island I was soon admiring the work of local artists in the village’s gallery-cum-wine bar. Read the full article online

 

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