ThreadWritten Cultural Textile Tour: ESTONIA
July 15 - 23, 2026
Explore the northernmost Baltic country known for its handcraft traditions, singing culture, saunas, and wildlife preserves! Spend 8 days and nights touring the country from the capital Tallinn, university town Tartu, resort city Pärnu and the islands: Kihnu, Muhu, and Saaremaa. Visit the Estonian National Museum for a comprehensive look at the cultures and traditions, embroider with a professional artisan on Muhu, explore the UNESCO certified-heritage “island of women,” meet weavers and knitters, visit a sheep farm and wool mill, try “black bread,” take a sauna with fresh birch branches, and learn a song.
Women of Kihnu at a folk concert, 2023.
Learn, create, and experience:
Visit several different parts of the country by private bus from Tallinn to Tartu, Parnu to the islands, and Hapsaalu, an advantage of this special tour
The Estonian National Museum, Estonia’s ethnographic museum, for a cultural overview and study textiles specially selected from the collection by ThreadWritten founder Sarah
4-hour workshop with a professional embroiderer on Muhu Island based on the wedding blanket tradition
Kihnu, the “island of women,” and witness the weaving, embroidery, songs, dance, and ceremonies inscribed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage
The lace knitting tradition of Haapsalu and the link to local architecture
Estonian history and cultural insights from our local guide and Saaremaa resident, Maarika, who will accompany us all week
A day on Saaremaa, visiting Kuressaare and villages, meeting locals who are keeping clothing traditions alive
8 nights in hotels and guesthouses from the city to the countryside
Traditional sauna, an integral part of life in Estonia and a practice that dates back to the 13th century
Walking tour and museum visits in Tallinn with free time and guidance on what not to miss if you’ll be extending your stay
Shopping for handcrafts, textiles, and craft supplies throughout the trip
Tallinn’s main square. Photo by Erkko Vuorensola.
Estonia is known for its natural beauty from pine forests and marshlands to secluded inlets and rugged coastlines. The trip is equally about textiles and culture with the special benefit of seeing three different regions of the country. Our local host and professional guide, Maarika, will share her insights on Estonian culture, favorite places, and the history of the country.
(The Itinerary below is best read on a computer rather than a phone.)
July 20
Day in Saaremaa.
Visit Kuressaare and the Folk Costume Advisory Centre.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
Workshop: local clothing, song, and dance
Sheep farm and wool factory visit.
Dinner together.
Private Sauna experience in the home of a local.
Overnight in Kihelkonna.
July 21
Travel to Haapsalu.
Visit the Lace Center and local museum.
Walking tour of wooden house architecture and the promenade.
Dinner together on the water at your expense.
Overnight in a small charming hotel in Haapsalu.
July 22
Travel back to Tallinn for our last day. We’ll stay overnight just outside of the old city walls near the Kalamaja district and its wooden houses.
Day in Tallinn: Explore the city, visit museums and learn about the vibrant contemporary craft scene. Lunch on your own.
Closing dinner together.
July 23
Breakfast together at the hotel and check-out.
Continue your stay on your own or return home.
July 15
Meet in Tallinn in the afternoon
Walk through Old Town.
Welcome dinner.
July 16
Travel to Tartu.
Day at the Estonian National Museum: exhibitions and private study room.
Walking tour in Tartu.
Dinner in Viljandi and drive to Pärnu to our hotel.
July 17
Early start to travel to Kihnu Island by bus and ferry.
Day on Kihnu: museum, church, weaving, knitting, patchwork demonstrations with a folk concert. Meet elder master of Kihnu handwork traditions, Kihnu Roosi.
Ferry and transport back to Pärnu.
Free time and dinner on your own.
July 18
Travel to Muhu.
Embroidery workshop with Muhu native master embroiderer.
Lunch and continued workshop.
Visit the Muhu church and Museum.
Dinner and travel to Muhu guest house where we’ll stay
for the next two nights.
July 19
Free day to stitch, hike, take a sauna,
or get a massage in Muhu.
Meals together at the guest house.
In our private workshop, learn to stitch large colorful florals in the Muhu tradition:
Detail of a wedding blanket from Muhu Island.
Please note:
There is a lot of walking on cobblestones, uneven terrain, and some hills.
We will be traveling frequently, moving to new accommodations to see the textiles, meet artisans, and soak up the beautiful landscapes! The longest travel time will be up to 4.5 hours including ferry passage.
Itinerary is subject to small changes due to weather, scheduling, opportunities, and the desires of the group.
Tallinn’s old town.
Details:
We’ll travel on foot in Tallinn and from there, by private bus. Meals are included except for two dinners in Tartu and Parnu and one lunch during free time in Tallinn. Breakfasts will be taken at the hotel or guest house at your leisure before we start each day’s itinerary.
Group size: 6 - 8 participants.
All embroidery supplies are included. You are welcome to bring favorite tools or a project for the bus ride or evening free time. Our days are full so you may rest more than stitch at night.
You can fly to Tallinn or you may wish to fly in and out of Helsinki traveling to and from Tallinn by ferry.
Questions? Please email me!
Pricing:
$6595 Single Room with double bed.
$5995 Space in Shared Room with two twin beds.
Deposit: $1000 Nonrefundable.
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