Leonor’s Blog: My incredible introduction to Estonia

I've just returned from an unforgettable adventure in Estonia - and wow, what an unexpected gem it turned out to be!

I was invited to join a small group of travel agents from around the UK for an exclusive four-day educational trip, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I met part of the group at Heathrow, and after a short stop in Helsinki with Finnair, we landed in Tallinn, where the rest of the group was waiting.

From there, we hopped onto our private minibus (with great wi-fi!) and headed off on a two-hour drive to the charming coastal town of Pärnu. Not long after we arrived, we went on a bike tour around the town. I’ll be honest - I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this part, but it turned out to be one of my favourite activities of the whole trip!

The commentary from our guide, Veronika, was excellent (we had headsets provided), and cycling through a quiet town by the beach was such a calming experience. We even stopped for homemade Linden tea and cookies made by our lovely guide. What more could you ask for?

Our first stay was at the Hedon Spa & Hotel in Pärnu. It’s a stylish, modern, 4-star property right on the seafront, with beautiful rooms, a relaxing spa, friendly staff, and one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve had. The view from my room was amazing!

Dinner that evening was at Mon Ami, a fantastic local restaurant with delicious food and lovely conversation. Pärnu absolutely blew me away with its natural beauty and peaceful vibes. I would go back in a heartbeat!

After a relaxing morning including our own 'silent spa' experience, it was time for our next adventure - Saaremaa Island! We travelled by ferry from Virtsu to Kuivastu, a quiet village on the island of Muhu. You can’t miss these islands if you’re visiting Estonia.

Lunch was at Muhu Winehouse, the world’s northernmost wine tourism farm. It was such a special place, and I was honestly amazed at how proudly the locals talked about their country - you could really feel how much it means to them.

Later, we visited the Angla Windmills - one of the few places in Estonia where you can still see the traditional Saaremaa-style windmills in their original setting. They greeted us with hot drinks, warm bread, and homemade biscuits - it honestly felt like arriving at a friend’s house. That kind of warm welcome was a theme throughout the whole trip.

From there, we travelled to Kuressaare, the island’s main town, where we explored Kuressaare Castle. Every room had a story, and the views from the towers over the town and sea were amazing. You think it’s going to be a quick visit, and then suddenly you’ve been there over an hour, lost in history!

We finished the day with a gentle walking tour through Kuressaare - peaceful streets, colourful wooden houses, and a postcard-perfect feel.

Dinner that evening was something really special. We ate at Veski, a restaurant inside a historic windmill, where the owner joined us and shared the story behind the place. He was so passionate - it made the experience even more memorable. He even served us nine different homemade drinks made from local berries! Each had a totally different flavour, and all were delicious. And yes - the food was just as good. Totally worth visiting.

That night we stayed at the Georg Ots Spa Hotel, and honestly, what a way to relax after a full day! The views were stunning, and I kept thinking how amazing it would be to wake up to that every morning.

After breakfast, we packed up again and took a short flight on a very small plane back to Tallinn, Estonia’s wonderful and vibrant capital. We checked into Nordic Hotel Forum, a beautiful modern hotel in the heart of the city. My room had a sleek design and a really personal touch - a handwritten welcome letter and a jar of honey made from the hotel’s own rooftop beehives. So sweet, literally!

Lunch was at Radio in Kadriorg with Agnia from Visit Estonia, who along with Andy from Nordic Travel Solutions and Danny from Minty Highway had organised the whole itinerary. We were also joined by Angela from the Unique Hotels Group who have several lovely Estonian hotels in their portfolio. The food, the service, the vibe - it was all spot on.

Then it was time for our final tour of the trip, led by the incredibly fun and knowledgeable Vidrik. Before this trip, I thought Tallinn was mostly about the Old Town and historic buildings - but there’s so much more! We saw rooftop bars with incredible views, trendy marinas, cool cafés, markets and creative spaces. It’s a perfect city break for younger travellers too, which I didn’t expect.

And of course, we couldn’t miss a visit to Tallinn’s Old Town. It’s just as magical as everyone says - narrow cobbled streets, colourful buildings, and centuries of history around every corner.

Looking back at my pictures, I still can’t believe how beautiful it all was - I felt like I was stepping back in time. I’d love to go back in winter and experience the Christmas markets - my colleague Debbie went last year and said they were amazing!

Our final night’s dinner was at Härg - an excellent award-winning restaurant and the perfect way to end our trip.

Estonia was such a surprise for me - so much more than I expected, and I’m so glad I got to visit Pärnu, Muhu, Saaremaa and Tallinn. It’s a perfect summer alternative to some of the hotter European resorts, with something for everyone - from nature and history to food and wellness.

A huge thank you to Visit Estonia, Nordic Travel Solutions, and Minty Highway for making this trip possible - and to the lovely group of travel agents I travelled with. I learned so much from them.

And of course -thank you, Estonia. It was a pleasure and I can’t wait to introduce others to this fantastic country.