FAM trip from Sweden sep 2023

FAM trip to Estonia, Sep 27 - Oct 1st 2023.

''Uncover Estonian Gems: Exclusive Escapes to Tallinn and Islands of Muhu and Saaremaa"

Visit Estonia is delighted to invite you to Estonia - a small country just over the sea or only 1h flight away. A country that calls out to culture scouts, natural nomads and flavour seekers! Estonia is a 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 conveniently close to home.

Below you will find your programme. We invite you to experience the friendly contrast between the ever evolving Tallinn - the 2023 European Green capital - and the serene islands, where time goes to rest. Let us immerse into some exclusivity of some manor house and boutique accommodations, the recently Michelin recognised food that mixes old and new and introduce the side of Estonia that can be designed to cater to customers with discerning tastes and higher expectations. There will be tasting some local produce, checking out our take on sustainability and trying Estonian way of wellness.

NB! In our corner of the world, as you perfectly know, it is always wise to keep a water and windproof jacket at hand, there might be surprises. Also, pack something warmer for longer outdoor stays and swimwear for some wellness, too 😊 We hope you will keep an open mind and have a good time! Welcome!

As a little warm up, have a look at a Saaremaa island video.

Haapsalu
Golf on Saaremaa
Kuressaare Castle
Hiiumaa island
Noblessner

former shipyard
Tallinn's Old Town

Catharine's Passage
Muhu island

national costumes
Kadriorg Park

baroque example

Your programme:

The Treasures of Tallinn and The Exquisite Island Getaway

Day 1, Sep 27th, Wednesday
10:30 arrival in Tallinn airport - group welcomed by Visit Estonia's Kristiina Talisainen
Heading right on to the West Estonia to Haapsalu - 1h20min drive from the airport; Haapsalu is a charming seaside town with little wooden houses, romantic seaside promenade and a magnificent Castle with a museum. It makes for a great summer weekend spot or a relaxing daytour - also close to Noarootsi, an area boasting with Swedish heritage.
We will have lunch in Haapsalu in Hapsal Dietrich and go for a short guided walk around town before moving towards Virtsu harbour in the afternoon (55min drive).
16:25 a 30min ship crossing to island Muhu, where with stepping out of the ferry you can already feel the slow motion of time.

17:15 checking in and settling in to the countryside lux Pädaste Manor.
18:30 a small manor house premises' tour.
19:30 dinner in nearby Muhu Namaste farm that operates also as an accommodation.

Day 2, Sep 28th, Thursday

Morning we will explore Muhu island, its traditional fishermen villages and chillout options.
08:30 breakfast in Pädaste
09:30 checked out, luggage to the bus - we will drive on to Tihuse Riding Farm to try a tour on horseback or horse carriage - the farm offers options for both beginners and advanced, longer or shorter rides. To prepare the riding gear the farm needs your height & weight information.
Next stop on Muhu island - the traditional Koguva village with a small harbour and a museum storing their beautiful handicraft. The village has also several accommodation and eating options. Lunch will also be on Muhu, 13:00 in a characteristic traditional farm, Nautse.

On the afternoon we switch to Saaremaa (Ösel) island that is connected to Muhu by a bridge road. After an 1h15min drive we will end up in the in southwestern part of Saaremaa. Our first visit will be a small gin producer Lahhentagge, who's distillery story began with Christmas trees!

Dinner and overnight in Pilguse Residency, where we have a slow evening enjoying the tranquility of the area, some smoke sauna and hot tub on request. The Residence lies among the several protected coastal nature areas, a couple of kilometers off the seaside.

Day 3, Sep 29th, Friday
08:30 breakfast in Pilguse;
09:30 start from Pilguse, exploring the quieter nature protection area in the southwest of Saaremaa and driving around in nearby countryside, visiting local villages and a syrup producer.
By noon we will arrive to Kuressaare - the capital town of Saaremaa that features a number of spa hotels, a medieval episcopal Castle and generally laid back lovely little village atmosphere.We will integrate one site inspection to a bigger spa hotel GoSpa.

12:30 lunch in Kuressaare Hafen, followed by a guided cycling tour if weather allows.

It is 50min driving back towards Kuivastu ferry port where we take the 16:25 ferry back to the mainland.
On arrival to Tallinn at around 19:00, we check into the newest hotel in Tallinn, Nunne, in old town and will spend the evening exploring Tallinn.
19:30 dinner in Väike Rataskaevu, a tiny restaurant ca 10min walk away, where you will be joined by Visit Tallinn's Silja Hurskainen.

Day 3, Sep 30th, Sat
Tallinn day, exploring the diverse faces of the capital: the medieval Unesco listed old town, newer districts emerged from Tallinn's industrial heritage and Tallinn's seaside around Pirita, Kadriorg Park, Noblessner and Kalamaja.
10:00 start of the walking tour from Nunne hotel;
Visiting Niguliste Church, that operates as a museum and features a newly opened glass elevator for a lovely view over the old town.
Next up: trying VR glasses for some of the history stories of Tallinn;
Lunch: in Lore Bistro in Noblessner area, the shipyard-recreated into a seaside district;
A hop into Seaplane Harbour, one of the landmark museums in Tallinn (it will get a total revamp in the beginning of 2024).
Overnight in Nunne hotel.

Day 4, Oct 1st, Sun
Morning in Tallinn.
Options: site inspections, entrance(s) to museums, discovering different districts or just shopping + free time = flexible!
Option to obtain the Tallinn Card from Visit Tallinn to enter museums of your choice and use public transport - for those individual discoveries.
12:30 farewell lunch on request

14:15 organised transfer to the airport from Nunne hotel
16:35 SAS flight to Stockholm Arlanda

PS the organiser, Visit Estonia, keeps the right to make changes to the programme.