Not long ago, I had the chance to visit Estonia, a small country situated by the Baltic Sea. It’s not only blessed with stunning scenery but also has a simple and sincere local culture. I spent several days in the rural south of Estonia, enjoying homemade farm meals every day, joining the farm owner on trips into town, and unwinding in a wooden sauna at night — truly delightful.
This year, snow arrived earlier than usual in Estonia. By early November when we visited, the ground was already covered in snow. The coldest it got was minus 7 degrees Celsius, with an average of around minus 3 degrees. Fortunately, although our farmhouse was in a fairly open area, the wind wasn’t too strong — otherwise, it would have felt even colder.
In such cold weather, the most important thing is to wear a windproof jacket. Even better if it’s waterproof and breathable, as blocking wind, rain, and snow from touching your body helps reduce heat loss — in other words, it keeps you warm. This time, I wore a jacket from Columbia with added fleece inside, which was sufficient for the weather there.
Another thing worth mentioning is that having the right pair of shoes is crucial when walking on snow. What makes a good pair? First, they need good traction; otherwise, it’s easy to slip. Second, it’s best if they’re waterproof, because you never know how deep the snow is, and you might step into it. If your shoes aren’t waterproof, melting snow can soak your feet, making for a very uncomfortable experience.
Being in Estonia, one of the things you notice about the locals’ happiness is how thinly populated the country is. They don’t face the land scarcity issues we do. Instead of worrying about buying apartments, locals often consider whether to buy a piece of land to set up a farm, where their families can escape the summer heat.
Money isn’t seen as a measure of success here — happiness is what matters. Spending the day around a wood fire with friends, enjoying a wooden sauna, and chatting is a typical day for the locals. It’s just that simple.
If given the chance, I’d love to return to Estonia and spend more time on the farm, soaking in the local lifestyle.
Text and photos by Dan @ Half a Travel Journalist’s Story
(Editor's note: This product was sponsored by Columbia Sportswear. The author did not receive any other fees or remuneration.)