Explore the northernmost Baltic country known for its handcraft traditions, singing culture, saunas, and wildlife preserves! Spend 11 days and 10 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, try “black bread,” take a sauna with fresh birch branches, and learn a song.

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

• 10 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

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 is best read on a computer rather than a phone.

Day 1

Meet in Tallinn in the afternoon. Leave your bags at the hotel or check in if possible. We’ll stay overnight just outside of the old city walls near the Kalamaja district and its wooden houses.

Guided walk through Old Town with our guide, a former professional guide and Tallinn/ Saaremaa resident.

Welcome dinner together.

Day 2

Travel to Tartu.

Day at the Estonian National Museum: exhibitions and private study room.

Walking tour in Tartu.

Drive to Viljandi for dinner and a night in a 4-star hotel.

Day 3

Visit the Viljandi Culture Academy, the academic and professional training programs of Tartu University, the center for creative, cultural, and heritage education at the Bachelor’s and Master’s level in Estonia.

Tour the Heimtali Museum, family farmhouse-turned-museum established by the country’s foremost textile artist, Anu Raud.

Drive to Pärnu, Estonia’s summer resort beach town where we’ll stay for two nights. Dinner together.

Day 4

Early start to travel to Kihnu Island by bus and ferry.

Day on Kihnu: museum, church, knitting, patchwork demonstrations with a folk concert. Visit the house of the elder master of Kihnu handwork traditions, Kihnu Roosi.

Ferry and transport back to Pärnu.

Free time and dinner on your own. Pack up to move to Muhu in the morning.

Day 5

Travel to Muhu.

Embroidery workshop with Muhu native master embroiderer.

Lunch, visit the handcraft shops, continued workshop.

Check into our horse-farm guesthouse where we’ll be staying for two nights.

Dinner at the guesthouse.

Details:

We’ll travel on foot in Tallinn and from there by private bus. Meals are included except for a dinner in Parnu and meals during free time in Haapsalu and Tallinn. Breakfasts will be taken at the hotel or guest house at your leisure before we start each day’s itinerary.

Group size: 10 - 12 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: coming soon!

Single Room with double bed.

Shared Room with two twin beds.

Deposit: $1000 Nonrefundable.

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