Estonia Recap
We just completed a truly incredible June adventure to Estonia. And the truth is, this journey tested Lauren and me in new ways. Both the planning and implementation pushed our program design and logistical boundaries, stretched our leadership skills, and ultimately proved (1) (dang) we’ve gotten very good at this work, and (2) from deeper effort comes deeper reward. Estonia was one of the most profound travel experiences we’ve had to date.
Estonia is a nation that neither of us had ever stepped foot in. When we first began researching, we quickly discovered that Estonia is almost entirely unmapped territory for yoga, wellness, or mindful travel retreats. There was no blueprint for us to follow. No template to copy. In creating this adventure, we were truly starting from scratch.
For the better part of a year, we immersed ourselves in detective work. We researched what makes this country “tick”, we tracked down leads, chatted with remote Estonian vendors, navigated language barriers and unfamiliar cultural norms, and leaned into the kindness of strangers on the opposite side of the world. Through word-of-mouth and a generous local willingness to share knowledge, Lauren and I wound our way to two spectacular venues and a vibrant network of local contacts who we now proudly call friends.
Still, at least for me, a quiet doubt lingered in the background: Even after all this hard work, would our community actually want to come on this program?
If you are based in the US, Estonia can feel incredibly far away. It is relatively unknown to the average traveler. If you look at a map, its proximity to St. Petersburg, Russia, is also unmistakable, and we knew this might make some people uncomfortable. Yet, fueled by our signature On Point optimism and a gut feeling that this was a great opportunity, we carried on. In the end, we knew the itinerary we built was an impeccable, world-class offering that we could confidently stand behind..
To our absolute joy, our community did what they always do: they rallied and rose to the occasion. They were just as captivated as we were by the promise of midsummer in the heart of the Baltic region. On June 19th, our group of eleven touched down on the Estonian island of Saaremaa, thrilled, a bit jetlagged, and 100% ready for a bucket-list mindful adventure.
The Anatomy of an On Point Adventure
We designed each day to be a full-sensory experience, intentionally anchoring our energy in the mornings, before using the remainder of the day to send our energy and attention outward into the world. One of our “whys” for keeping our retreats small (typically 12 or fewer guests) is the ability to remain creative and nimble as things unfold. This particular trip brought together one of our most diverse cross-sections of participants yet, spanning a wide range of ages, physical abilities, and individual interests. In age alone, we ranged from 20 to 83! A smaller group size allowed us to customize the experience moment-to-moment, providing the right level of individual healthy challenge for everyone during our yoga practices, activities, and excursions.
Mindful Mornings: Through yoga, functional movement, guided meditation and breathwork, and group discussion, we grounded our bodies and minds. These conscious morning rituals ensured that, as the day progressed, we weren't just sightseeing; we were truly present and experiencing the sights, sounds, tastes, and sensations of this wild, multifaceted country.
Adventurous Afternoons: Our afternoons were alive with activity. One day we strolled across the grounds to a historic horse barn filled with traditional Estonian horses. These majestic creatures, along with their massive feet, carried us on a fun trail and carriage ride through the countryside. Another day, we boated to Vilsandi, Estonia’s first bird and marine mammal sanctuary, where we hiked through the stunning landscape. We connected not only with the wildlife but also with our guide. Monica shared emotional stories of the island’s few dozen residents, who, during Russian occupation, lived under strict military control and were trapped there for 46 years until Estonia regained its independence in 1991.
Magic on the Marsh
Our home base on the island of Saaremaa, located off Estonia’s rugged western coast, was the breathtaking Pilguse Manor. This expansive property strikes a flawless balance between elegant modernity and rich tradition, operating with a deep commitment to sustainable tourism.
5-Star Hyper-Local Dining: The manor estate produced almost all of the food we ate, turning every single breakfast, lunch, and dinner into a 5-star culinary masterpiece.
The Sanctuary: Our morning yoga deck overlooked a pristine marsh. We practiced under blue skies and sunshine, with coastal breezes and a landscape teeming with wildlife. We even lured some of the Pilguse team to join us for morning yoga, creating a playful opportunity for cross-cultural connection.
Cultural Immersion: The estate hosted us for an authentic pickling workshop, a traditional smoke sauna ceremony, and front-row seats to local Midsummer solstice celebrations in the neighboring village.
Experiencing the endless daylight of the summer solstice was nothing short of surreal. Even at midnight, a golden twilight painted the landscape, illuminating the path for the night owls of our group, as they finally wandered off to bed.
The Magic of Tallinn
After six unforgettable days on Saaremaa, the people we met had come to feel like family. Leaving was honestly incredibly hard. But we knew the medieval capital, Tallinn, wouldn't disappoint. We mobilized our group, drove east, and hopped a ferry back to the mainland.
While Tallinn boasts dozens of vibrant, trendy neighborhoods, the walled Old City was pure magic. We enjoyed two. nights at a luxury boutique hotel. Frozen in time and flawlessly restored, Tallinn’s historic buildings tell a vivid story of vikings, pagans, wealthy merchants, and ancient nobility who all left their indelible mark on the city's skyline and cobblestone streets. Our guide, Ivar, was kind, funny, and as engaging as he was brilliant. It was so fun to hear not only his stories about Estonia but tales from his personal travels, including wild stories about his hitchhiking days through America’s Pacific Northwest. Lauren and I work hard to partner with guides and other vendors who aren’t just skilled, but who bleed passion for their work, culture, and community. Ivar was no exception.
Our Biggest Takeaways
We returned home deeply changed, carrying so many new core discoveries and realizations… too many in all to share, but we’ll offer three:
A Traditional Smoke Sauna is Medical-Grade, First-Rate HEALING: The traditional Estonian sauna ritual is a transformative physical and mental reset. The combination of smoke, heat, steam, scrubbing our skin with salt, painting ourselves with orange honey, beating our arms and legs with birch branches, and capping it off with an invigorating cold plunge might sound like a nightmare… but it was actually one of the best feelings we’ve ever experienced. The whole group was left glowing both inside and out. Many of our participants are now eagerly expanding their wellness routines at home to include sauna time.
Estonia is a Top-Tier Hidden Gem: It is easily one of the most magnificent, undiscovered corners of the planet, offering pristine, untouched nature, deep-seated history, and world-class culture without the overwhelming crowds of Western Europe.
Resilience Breeds Beauty: The magnetism of the Estonian people lives in their national identity and pride. Because both Germany and Russia ruled with an iron fist until the early 1990s, we heard firsthand, emotional accounts of horrific persecution. But we were also privileged to hear equally powerful, empowering stories of singing protests, resistance, victory, and resilience on the pathway to independence. It’s not something the Estonian people take for granted, and it encouraged me to consider my own freedoms through fresh eyes.
Our experience in Estonia beautifully re-centered the "why" behind everything Lauren and I do at On Point Adventures. We travel not to consume experiences and landscapes. We discover the planet as a gateway to deeper understanding of ourselves.
As the legendary Anthony Bourdain shared:
"The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, your consciousness, your heart, and your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind."
