Belgian autumn FAM trip

Welcome!

Visit Estonia is delighted to greet you in Estonia - a small country that calls out to culture scouts, natural nomads, and flavour seekers! A small nation built by centuries of change and different rulers. It's Baltic meets Nordic. It's Europe meets the East. Its medieval architecture and future technology. It’s abundant diversity and rich history awaiting exploration just a short flight away. A place where attitudes merge a Nordic mindset with medieval mystery, where the fast food comes as fast as it grows and where fewer crowds lead you to deeper conversations!
Below you will find your preliminary programme.
We aim to introduce the diversity of Estonia during these 3+ days and hope you will enjoy the contrasts, the Estonian way of wellness and our sustainability efforts. We will certainly get active, get close to the nature and try to immerse into the taste and feel of Estonia as much as we can.

We provide you with the Air Baltic flights from and to Brussels (luggage incl) - the schedule is below.

Scroll down for more information and articles about Estonia!

NB! In a nordic country weather can often provide surprises. It is always wise to keep a warm waterproof jacket at hand and kindly pack a jumper or sweater for longer outdoor stays, too - the secret lies in the layers😊. We hope you will keep an open mind and have a good time! Welcome!

Tartu
Viljandi
Viljandi
A bog walk
Estonian snacks
Christmas Market Tallinn
Tallinn Old Town
Forest restaurant
Coastline in Estonia

Your Estonia programme:

Day 1, Sep 13th, Wednesday
13:10 arrival to Tallinn airport by Air Baltic
welcome by Visit Estonia representative Kristiina Talisainen;
20min bus transfer to the city centre;
14:00 introductory lunch in Orangerie restaurant; followed by an intro tour in old town Tallinn, the Green Capital of Europe 2023.
PS Eva-Maria from Nordic Experience, a tour company, will join us for lunch.

17:30 check in and setting in Nordic Forum Hotel in Tallinn centre
PS the hotel has a small wellness area and pool, kindly pack swimwear if you would like to test it.

19:45 gathering in the hotel lobby for a 10min walk to dinner in old town, restaurant 38, known for its creative looking food.

Day 2, Sep 14th, Thursday, nature day

Breakfast and check out - luggage to the bus; kindly dress for a (nordic!) outdoor activity and grab extra layers;
09:30 ~1h40min drive to a bog (marshland) hiking trail in Endla Nature Reserve

11:15 exploring the national park landscapes - a light 1,5h hike in the bog and forest trails by Activest.
13:00 lunch will be served outdoors by Maitsemaa.
After the meal, 1h drive to Tartu
Quick settling in the hotel Lydia
16:00 intro activity: a 1h guided tour in the signature landmark of the university town as well as whole of Estonia: Estonian National Museum - to understand the story of Estonia as a country and as a nation.
17:30 return to the hotel and an option to relax in the small wellness area hotel Lydia offers.
19:30 dinner in restaurant Pompei, a few minutes walk from the hotel. We will be joined by Oliver from European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 and Triinu from a local incoming company E-Turist;

PS in the morning please wear your waterproof (and warm) jacket and hiking/rubber boots for the hike, but also pack your swimear into the suitcase - the hotel offers a sauna + pool chillout possibility.

Day 3, Sep 15th, Friday, Tartu day
09:30 checked out, continuing to explore the University town Tartu with its quirky street art, student lifestyle and laid back atmosphere in the first half of the day.
10:00 Walk in Tartu tour - special map will be provided in the hotel upon check in for it. It is a guided 1h walk in the old town and on the Toomemägi hill.
11:15 a visit to Plantarium, where we will handicraft a plantprinted postcard that Visit Tartu will be happy to send on your behalf to friends or family for you. Plantarium is a small concept shop right around the corner from Aparaaditehas, a former industrial complex but now a hangout place for students.
12:45 Lunch in Humal pub, where Merje from Visit Tartu will join.

14:30, after lunch, on to Viljandi, another small town pearl in the hilly South, who takes pride in being Estonia's folk music capital.
Checking in to a manor house hotel Schloss Fellin, opened a couple of years ago.

18:00 Visit Viljandi representative will meet us for a guided walk along the crooked cobblestoned streets with small wooden houses and admiring the majestic Castle ruins by the lakeside, followed by a dinner in restaurant Fellin.

Overnight in the manor house hotel.

Day 4, Sep 16th, Saturday

09:45 checked out, luggage to the bus.

A bohemian morning in Viljandi visiting the small Kondas art centre with as some quirky art; in addition, trying out 'parmupill' - a fool's harp, an ancient musical instrument.
11:30 a small bite in a local cafe KoduKOHVIK followed by return to the direction of the capital.
14:00 one stop on the way - vising a gin producer Tohi Distillery for a little tour and gin tasting.
On arrival to Tallinn - around 16:00 there will be some free time to settle in the newest hotel in old town Tallinn, Nunne.

18:00 a guide (Martin, a german living in Estonia) will meet you at the hotel to explore Tallinn's former derelict industrial districts that have turned into hotspots with entirely new life: Telliskivi Creative City and Noblessner. The tour will be walking, ending at the dinner place.
20:00 dinner in Telliskivi - Fotografiska rooftop restaurant, that carries Michelin Green Star recognition and is a part of a photo gallery boasting world class exhibitions. Fotografiska often hosts different happenings, parties & concerts, too.

Overnight in Nunne hotel.

Day 5, Sep 17th, Sunday, departures
10:00 - 12:30 a morning in Tallinn, a guided walk in Kadriorg - the baroque side of Tallinn. A huge park, Presidential Castle, Art Museums and seaside promenade Pirita nearby. The area includes also the Song Festival Ground, a landmark for Estonia's freedom, and the impressive monument of the Soviet Victims that is located overlooking the bay.
12:30 free time in the city centre
A pre-departure joint lunch on request;

15:15 transfer to the airport from hotel Nunne
17:45 departure to Brussels by Air Baltic

PS The organiser reserves the right to make changes to the programme.

Check out before you travel:

Lahemaa National Park

Tallinn, the capital

Museums & galleries

Green & sustainable

Your contacts:

Kristiina Talisainen
B2B projects' manager at Visit Estonia / Estonian Tourist Board
Kristiina.Talisainen@eas.ee
+3725288088

Mathias Meere
Aviareps, Air Baltic representative in Belgium and the Netherlands
+32485793690

Visit Viljandi
Johan-Kristjan Konovalov
johan-kristjan.konovalov@viljandimaa.ee

Visit Tartu
Merje.Laimets@visittartu.com
Culture Capital of Europe 2024 https://tartu2024.ee/en

Your tourguides:
Heli +3725365 2303 (13th and 17th)
Martin +372 55534824 (16th evening)

The people whom you met at the restaurants:
Eva-Maria from Nordic Experience evamaria@nordicexperience.com
Bert from Activest, the nature tour company https://activest.ee/en
Triinu from E-Turist e-turist@e-turist.ee (Tartu)