Tour Overview
Welcome to Estonia! In Estonia there are hundreds of outstanding well-preserved historical mansions, some with a history dating back to the 14th century. Many of them are restored and live on as private estates or museums, some stand “conserved”, awaiting for their better times- and some lay in bleak, although bittersweet romantic ruins. Estonians are proud of their historical heritage and manor houses are an attractive and popular countryside sightseeing. On this tour you will visit twenty castles and manor houses with ancient castle ruins, visit Estonia’s biggest towns, most popular resorts on the Baltic Sea coast and Lahemaa National Park. Accommodations offered are in historical boutique hotels and the most beautiful manors and villas of Estonia. Enjoy.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Tallinn, EstoniaToday when you arrive in Tallinn, you will be met by a local iExplore representative and taken to your hotel via private car for check-in. The Merchants House Hotel is a beautiful and historical 37-room boutique hotel located in medieval Tallinn. The Merchant House possesses two 14th and 16th century properties with a number of unique features: an intriguing array of passageways, balconies and hidden staircases, elaborate medieval façade, wooden beamed ceiling, hand painted frescoes and fully restored fireplaces. After checking in and freshening up, depart with your English-speaking guide for a city tour of the Capital of Estonia. Tallinn is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities, famed for its ancient stone walls, winding, cobbled streets, torch lit alleys, secret stairways and tower ramparts. The panoramic tour includes Kadriorg Palace -the 18th century baroque palace of Peter the Great and Park, Convent of St Bridget in the Pirita suburb and Glehn castle- built in Swiss medieval style in the 19th century. The walking tour gives an introduction to the historical heart of Tallinn, which was a rich and prosperous town of Hansa merchants. Tour continues from the Dome Hill (Toompea), from Castle Square where Toompea Castle, the seat of the Estonian Parliament is facing the 19th century symbol of the Tsar’s power in Estonia, Alexander Nevski Cathedral. After visiting the Dome Church (13th century) and enjoying a breathtaking view from a viewing platform, the tour continues by strolling along the narrow cobblestone streets down. Enjoy dinner tonight at a restaurant in the Old Town.
Merchants House Hotel
Dinner Day 2: Tallinn- Lahemaa National Park- Rakvere- Kalvi
After breakfast we are heading north, the route leads along the northern Baltic Sea coast of Estonia through the biggest Baltic national park - Lahemaa. The park is an interesting mix of coastal bluffs, dense forest, 7000-year-old bogs, 18th century manor houses, and numerous lakes, rivers and waterfalls that cascade down some 56m (184ft). We visit Kolga Manor- beautifully designed complex (13th cent.), re-built in the classical style. Next visit to Palmse manor - the showpiece of Lahemaa. The 18th century baroque house, open to the public, is filled with period furniture, and you can wander the landscaped grounds to see the 17th century distillery, hotel and granary. Next visit to Sagadi Manor built in 1749 and decorated in rococo style. The complex hosts a Manor museum, forestry museum, park and hotel. Further on we’ll visit the Vihula Manor, which comprises many buildings built in different times that form a delightful ensemble, where in addition to the mansion, one can also enjoy distillery, dove house, ice cellar, palm house and manor park. We arrive in Rakvere- home to Rakvere Castle ( 14th c.). Special events are now held at this castle, and the museum houses exhibits on weapons, medieval torture, and the history of the Livonian Order. Overnight at a castle on the seaside- The Hotel Kalvi. The castle was first mentioned in 1209, when a Danish king gave it to a loyal knight. After centuries of private ownership, followed by neglect in the Soviet era, it became a hotel in 2002. The castle grounds and buildings were restored to their original grandeur. Today you can enjoy the royal ambience and luxurious comfort in its elegant and individually decorated rooms and suites. Kalvi is situated on the beautiful coastal cliffs of North-Estonia – with a fascinating view to the sea, away from the highways and city noise; it provides you with comfortable privacy. Kalvi Castle also has its own farm, which provides vegetables and herbs to the restaurant. Dinner tonight will be at the hotel.
Hotel Kalvi Castle
Breakfast, Dinner Day 3: Kalvi- Narva- Tartu
After breakfast we depart for Narva- the easternmost point of the European Union, lies on the Estonian and Russian border. The inspiring restored tower of medieval Narva Fortress overlooks Ivangorod fortress on the Russian bank. We visit the Narva Castle (15the c.) museum telling about the battles fought here by Swedes, Russians and Teutonic Knights. Short sightseeing in Narva. Next our journey takes us to the ruins of Laiuse Castle (14 c.) and Kuremae Nunnery, which still operates as an Orthodox convent. The route leads along the Peipsi Lake, Estonia’s largest lake is the fifth largest lake in Europe. On the way to Tartu we’ll visit small towns of Mustvee, Kalaste and manor of Alatskivi (1885) a copy of the Balmoral castle in Scotland, which serves now as a museum. After arrival in Tartu we will visit the second largest city in Estonia, which was previously an important Hanseatic Town and is now an academic center. Your guide will take you on a walking tour including Dome Hill and its monuments, St. John Church and the University of Tartu. Overnight in hotel Antonius: The charming and luxurious Antonius Hotel is located in the center of Tartu, just opposite the University of Tartu, has only 16 rooms decorated combining wallpaper patterns, wall paintings, fireplaces and stoves, soft furniture with velvet- and roseate textiles. The building with its dignified history was first mentioned in the historical records of the 16th century. During the subsequent centuries the building has been home to the Livonian Noblemen’s Manor House Credit Association, as well as the famous Guild of Saint Antonius. Dinner is at the hotel this evening.
Antonius Hotel
Breakfast, Dinner Day 4: Tartu- Viljandi- Parnu
After breakfast we depart for Põltsamaa - called the Estonian Wine Capital. Short sightseeing including Põltsamaa castle. Visit to a wine cellar in the castle yard where we will be introduced to local products and wines. Then we depart for Viljandi- town on the Viljandi Lake, main attraction is Viljandi castle- one of the largest in the Baltic region. It was a major fortification of the Livonian Order and was appointed a commander from 1248. The fortress was continually rebuilt and modernized over the next two hundred years. Next stop is at Olustvere manor - one of the best-preserved manorial estate ensembles in Estonia. Walking in the park. Continue to Pärnu, on the western coast - the summer capital and known for its sandy beaches, mud baths and Art Deco hotels. Overnight at Ammende Villa: Dating from 1905, it is the most impressive Art Nouveau building in Estonia. The halls, salons and hotel rooms are spacious, providing an atmosphere of comfort and serenity. All the rooms in the showpiece main building are furnished with century-old solid wood furniture, which retains its original looks from 100 years ago. The "Seven Stars and Stripes" quality mark for luxurious products and services has been awarded to Ammende Villa Hotel and Ammende Villa Restaurant. Enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.
Ammende Villa Hotel
Breakfast, Dinner Day 5: Parnu- Saaremaa Island
After breakfast we are heading towards Saaremaa Island. We take a ferry from Virtsu and suddenly you are back in time to a rural idyll. The islands of Muhu and Saaremaa have long been the place where Estonians themselves go to escape modern life, get back to nature and unwind to the slow pace of island life. In the villages there are still stone fences and houses with thatched roofs. Junipers, dolomite, windmills and the famous local home-brewed beer are considered the symbols of Saaremaa.
After arrival to Kuressare island we’ll visit the Kuressaare town and its castle. Kuressare castle maintains its medieval facade and was not significantly modified when architectural styles or ownership changed. Inside the museum, guests can learn about the history of Saaremaa.
On the return way to Muhu we’ll visit Kaali Meteorit Crater and Oti Manor (19 c.), which now houses a hotel. Overnight at Padaste Manor: Padaste Manor is a refreshing island escape in a restored manor. It is idyllically located at Pädaste bay on Muhu Island in the Baltic Sea. Five 19th Century iron stone buildings join the stately Manor in a horseshoe shape, opening up to the Baltic Sea. The Manor ensemble is set amidst a 7 hectare landscaped park surrounded by 22 hectares of meadows & forests. The estate is surrounded by centuries old iron stonewalls, partly overgrown with moss. A variety of grasses, ferns, wild flowers, berries, brushes, orchids, pine, birch and our ‘national’ tree the juniper, paint the landscape of Pädaste Bay.
All 14 rooms are elegant, romantic and supremely comfortable, are beautifully appointed with luxuriant fabrics, unobtrusive state-of-the-art technology and wonderful attention to detail. They are air-conditioned and offer views either over the park or the Baltic Sea. Dinner at the hotel.
Padaste Manor
Breakfast, Dinner Day 6: Muhu Island- Haapsalu- Tallinn
After breakfast we depart for Haapsalu- small resort town on the seashore, it had been built on the strip of land that was formed of many islets, called the Nordic Venice for that plenitude of water, with a turbulent history dating back to 1291. Here we are visiting the Haapsalu Castle -13th century Bishop’s castle with an attached Dome church, set amidst the 16th century walls marking the expansion of the building. The tall Watchtower offers impressive views over the city and the surrounding bay. The castle exposition contains unique collection of medieval weapons. On the way to Tallinn we visit the Wihterpalu manor with late classicistic main building (1830), now offering accommodation, a restaurant and conference services. Short stops at the ruin of the medieval Cistercian Padise monastery (13 c.) and at Keila waterfalls and Keila castle. Then we depart for Tallinn and overnight at Hotel Barons. Hotel Barons, located in the heart of historic Old Town is a business class hotel that offers high quality accommodation with luxurious extra services. The hotel was opened in 2003 in an Art Nouveau style building completed in the year 1912 as a bank office. The newly renovated building has maintained many of the elements of historical architecture, such as doors, elevators and bank safes. All rooms are equipped with direct-dial telephone, Internet connection, SAT-TV, mini-bar, hairdryer and bathrobe. The hotel has separate rooms for allergic people and people with special needs. Farewell dinner at the medieval restaurant Olde Hansa. Olde Hansa is the home of a rich Hanseatic merchant. Good opportunity to feel yourself back in time- middle Ages. Wooden benches are laid out with boar skin covers; flickering candles provide atmospheric lighting and a troop of string-plucking musicians round off the ambiance in style. As for the food; the recipes and ingredients have been meticulously researched so that your dinner tastes exactly the same as in times yore - even the cooking methods have been copied!
Hotel Barons
Breakfast, Dinner Day 7: Depart Tallinn
After breakfast you will be driven to the airport for your flight home.
Breakfast
