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Anu Metsallik

@bitsofbaltics

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Travel tips, hidden gems & photo-worthy places.
📍Currently Oxford & Tallinn

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Founded in 1525, Christ Church is one of Oxford University’s 39 colleges, with 500 years of royal history, literary legends and Hogwarts magic.

★ Harry Potter: The grand staircase is where Professor McGonagall welcomed Hogwarts’ first-years, while the cloisters featured Harry discovering his father’s Quidditch trophy. The Great Hall inspired Hogwarts’ dining hall, recreated for filming in a studio near London.

★ Alice in Wonderland: Lewis Carroll, a mathematics lecturer here, invented the story during an 1862 boat trip with Alice Liddell, the dean’s daughter, and her sisters. It was published in 1865.

★ Royal history: During the English Civil War King Charles I made Oxford his royalist capital, used Christ Church as his headquarters and held his Parliament in its Great Hall (1644–1645).

★ Political legacy: 13 British Prime Ministers studied here, including William Gladstone, who served four terms.

★ Architecture: Christ Church is both a college and home to Oxford’s cathedral, with 12th-century origins. Its iconic Tom Tower was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, architect of London’s St Paul’s Cathedral. taken in Christ Church, Oxford by @bitsofbaltics

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3 days ago

It’s been a week in Oxford 🇬🇧 and we love it so far!

#oxford_uk #postcardsfromtheworld #backintime taken in Oxford by @bitsofbaltics

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13 days ago

Hidden among the pine forests of Laulasmaa is one of Estonia’s most remarkable cultural landmarks: Arvo Pärt Centre.

Arvo Pärt is Estonia’s most internationally celebrated composer and lives just a short distance from the Centre. The center was built here so his personal archive could remain close to him while being preserved for future generations and opened to researchers from around the world.

Pärt is the creator of the tintinnabuli style, a unique musical language he developed in the 1970s that has made him one of the world’s most performed contemporary composers.

The archive contains over 50,000 documents, including handwritten musical scores, notebooks, recordings, photographs and personal correspondence spanning decades of his career.

One of the Centre’s hidden treasures is its extensive library, built from Arvo and Nora Pärt’s personal collection. It includes thousands of books on theology, philosophy, spirituality and world religions that have inspired his work throughout the years.

The building also includes a small chapel, reflecting the profound role that spirituality and the Orthodox Christian faith have played in Arvo Pärt’s life and in shaping his music.

Rather than standing out from nature, the architecture blends into the surrounding pine forest. Floor-to-ceiling windows, natural wood and quiet spaces make silence feel like part of the experience.

Just a 40-minute drive from Tallinn, the Arvo Pärt Centre makes a perfect day trip if you’re visiting Estonia. Even if you’re not a classical music fan, it’s a place where architecture, nature and silence come together in a truly unique way.

#visitestonia #arvopärt #offthebeatentrack #classicalmusiclover #slowtravel taken in Arvo Pärt Centre by @bitsofbaltics

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2 months ago

Postcards from Madeira, Portugal 🇵🇹

#bucketlistdestination #passionpassport #traveltips #photodump #visitmadeiraisland

I spent two weeks in Madeira this March and fell in love with this beautiful Portuguese island, famous for its dramatic landscapes, year-round spring-like climate, and unforgettable hiking trails.

Funchal, Madeira’s vibrant capital, is home to many beautiful churches, with Funchal Cathedral standing out for its craftsmanship, history, and cultural importance.

Rua de Santa Maria is one of Funchal’s oldest and liveliest streets, lined with art galleries, outdoor terraces, and some of the city’s most popular restaurants.

Beyond its bustling restaurants, Rua de Santa Maria is a street where even the doors are works of art, with more than 200 painted by local and international artists.

A lesser-known gem in Funchal, Livraria Esperança is worth a visit for its unique display of more than 100,000 books, with nearly all of them shown cover-forward rather than by their spines.

Cabo Girão offers breathtaking views from one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs, rising 580 metres above the Atlantic Ocean.

Mercado dos Lavradores is Funchal’s famous food market, known for its colorful displays of tropical fruits, fresh seafood, and local specialties.

Mercado dos Lavradores is the perfect place to try Madeira’s exotic fruits, including passion fruit, custard apple, pitanga, and monstera deliciosa, often called the banana-pineapple fruit.

Monte Palace Tropical Garden felt like a hidden paradise above Funchal.

Monte Palace Tropical Garden was one of my favorite places in Madeira, with Japanese-style gardens, tropical plants, flamingos, and an overpriced but delicious piña colada.

One of Madeira’s unique traditions is the Monte Toboggan Ride, where wicker sledges guided by two carreiros race downhill from Monte toward Funchal.

The Madeira Botanical Garden is home to more than 2,000 plant species from around the world, I especially liked the collection of palms and cacti.🌵

Jardim do Mar on the southwest coast is one of Madeira’s most charming villages, known for its dramatic cliffs, laid-back atmosphere and spectacular ocean views.🌊

A catamaran trip i taken in Madeira, Portugal by @bitsofbaltics

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4 months ago

If you love tulips but want something a little quieter and smaller than Keukenhof, then Poldertuin deserves a spot on your Netherlands spring itinerary🌷

Located in Anna Paulowna, this hidden gem is often called “a mini Keukenhof”, with more than 200,000 flower bulbs blooming every spring.

It feels like a fairytale park, with winding little paths, tiny bridges, colorful flower fields, and far fewer crowds. Much calmer than Keukenhof, completely free, and perfect for pretty photos and a relaxed walk!

There are also picnic tables, which makes it such a lovely spot to sit down and enjoy the flowers for a while.

If you’re like me and think there’s no such thing as too many tulips, then this place will make you very happy💛

#poldertuin #tulipseason #poldertuinannapaulowna #visitnetherlands #placestovisit taken in Poldertuin Anna Paulowna by @bitsofbaltics

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5 months ago

Amsterdam’s canal houses have some cool secrets 👀

• Many houses lean forward a little on purpose. This made it easier to lift heavy furniture up without crashing into the windows below.

• The hooks at the top of the houses are real pulley systems. People still use them today because the staircases inside are very steep and narrow.

• In the 17th century, property taxes were based on canal frontage width. So people built ultra-narrow houses that went deep and tall instead.

• The fancy tops of the houses are called gables. During the Dutch Golden Age, rich merchants used them to show off their money and status.

• Some of these canal houses are more than 400 years old and have been standing since the 1600s.

• Amsterdam is built on soft, wet ground, so the city stands on millions of wooden poles pushed deep into the soil. Some buildings lean because those piles shifted over centuries.

• Big windows were a sign of wealth. Rich families wanted people passing by the canals to see their art, furniture, and decorations.

• No two canal houses look exactly the same. Different shapes, colors, and gables gave each home its own personality.

#bitsofamsterdam #amsterdamhouses #dutcharchitecture #canalhouses #visitamsterdam taken in Amsterdam, Netherlands by @bitsofbaltics

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5 months ago

It’s been a while since I last posted, but this felt way too beautiful not to share: Keukenhof in full bloom 🌷

Every spring, more than 7 million flower bulbs are planted here, with around 800 varieties of tulips spread across a 32-hectare park. Keukenhof is honestly one of those places that doesn’t feel real until you see it yourself.

A few tips from my visit:

• Late April is perfect. Warmer weather makes it much nicer for walking around, and for those flowy dress photos. We visited on April 28.

• Avoid weekends and peak hours between 10:00–16:00. That’s when most tourists and buses arrive. We booked a 15:30 timeslot and walked around 3.5h. The soft golden light around 18.00 added some extra magic.

• Prebook your tickets. You’ll skip queues and save a bit of money. Parking is also paid, but slightly cheaper if you book in advance.

If you’re planning a spring trip in the Netherlands, this place is 100% worth it!💐 taken in Keukenhof Gardens, Lisse - Netherlands by @bitsofbaltics

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6 months ago

Hotel Telegraaf — one of our favourite getaways in Tallinn, Estonia. Romantic vibes, luxurious private spa, dreamy breakfasts, and the kindest staff. A true gem.❤️

#telegraafhotel #visittallinn #bitsofbaltics
@telegraafhotel @pvanhoof Elegant breakfast spread at Telegraaf Hotel in Tallinn, featuring fresh pastries, poached eggs, and gourmet coffee in a cozy dining setting. taken in Hotel Telegraaf by @bitsofbaltics

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2 years ago

Amazing winter wonderland in Estonia❄️ Although I prefer warmer months, there is something about the pure white snow and deep pristine forests that brings peace to my heart... taken in Lahemaa National Park by @bitsofbaltics

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6 years ago

Reflecting today how much has the pandemic changed my life, my views and my values. 2020 has been a year on change and transformation allowing me to slow down and look inside. It has taught me how to be grateful for everything in my life and let go of so many things and ideas that don't serve me any more.

How has all this experience been for you? Can you find a few positive things that it has taught you? taken in Vihula Manor Country Club & SPA by @bitsofbaltics

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6 years ago

How cool is the Christmas tree in Vilnius this year!
📸@govilnius taken in Vilnius, Lithuania by @bitsofbaltics

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6 years ago

Blue Monday taken in Telliskivi TLN by @bitsofbaltics

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6 years ago