Estonia Recap
We just returned from an incredible June adventure to Estonia. The truth is, this journey tested us in ways we never anticipated. It pushed our logistical boundaries, stretched our leadership skills, and ultimately proved (1) we’ve gotten pretty good at this work, and (2) it rewarded us with one of the most profound travel experiences of our lives.
Estonia is a part of the world 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 to follow. No template to copy. We were truly starting from scratch.
For the better part of a year, we played detective. We tracked down leads, chatted with remote Estonian vendors, navigated language barriers and unfamiliar cultural norms, and leaned heavily into the kindness of strangers on the opposite side of the world. Through pure word-of-mouth and local knowledge sharing, we wound our way to two spectacular venues and a vibrant network of local contacts who we can now proudly call our 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 feels incredibly far away. It is relatively unknown to the average traveler. And if you peek at a map, its proximity to St. Petersburg, Russia, is unmistakable—a reality we knew might make some people uncomfortable. Yet, fueled by our signature On Point optimism, we carried on. 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 spending midsummer adventuring in the heart of the Baltic region. On June 19th, eleven of us touched down on the island of Saaremaa, off the coast of western Estonia—thrilled, a little jetlagged, and 100% ready for a bucket-list mindful adventure.
The Anatomy of a Mindful Adventure
Our days were deliberately structured to bridge the gap between inner reflection and outer exploration. 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 favorite parts of keeping our retreats small (usually 12 or fewer guests) is the ability to remain creative and nimble. 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. A small roster allowed us to customize the experience moment-to-moment, offering the perfect amount of healthy challenge for everyone during daily yoga and excursions.
Mindful Mornings: Through yoga, functional movement, deep meditation, and guided journaling, we grounded our bodies and minds. This conscious morning ritual ensured that, as the day progressed, we weren't just sightseeing—we were truly experiencing the sights, sounds, tastes, and sensations of this wild, multifaceted country.
Sensory 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’s 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: Pilguse Manor
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 alongside bald eagles, sweeping cranes, and the occasional band of cattle lumbering peacefully through the grass. A few times, 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.
We were blessed with flawless weather. 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.
From Island Escape to 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 the ferry back to the mainland.
While Tallinn boasts dozens of vibrant, trendy neighborhoods, the walled Old City was pure magic. Wrapped in time and flawlessly restored, the historic structures tell a vivid story of the Vikings, pagans, wealthy merchants, and ancient nobility who all left their indelible mark on the city's 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 also tales from his travels, including crazy stories about hitchhiking around America’s Pacific Northwest.
Our Biggest Takeaways from the Edge of the Baltics
We returned home deeply changed, carrying so many new core discoveries and realizations that we will harbor forever. There are too many nuggets to communicate here but we’ll share three:
The Smoke Sauna is Medical-Grade, first-rate HEALING: The traditional Estonian sauna ritual is a transformative physical and mental reset. The combination of heat, steam, scrubbing our skin with salt and painting it with honey, beating it with birch branches, and capping it off with an invigorating cold plunge probably sounds like a nightmare… but it was one of the best feelings we’ve ever experienced. We were left truly glowing both inside and out. Many of our participants are 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. Estonia offers pristine, untouched nature, deep-seated history, and world-class culture without the overwhelming crowds of Western Europe.
Resilience Breeds Beauty: The magic of the Estonian people lives in their national identity and pride. Because they have endured both Germany and Russia ruling the nation with an iron fist until the early 1990s, we listened to firsthand, emotional accounts of horrific persecution. But we were also privileged to hear equally powerful, empowering stories of singing protests, resistance, victory, and resilience.
Our experience in Estonia beautifully re-centered the "why" behind everything Lauren and I do at On Point Adventures. We travel not just to consume new landscapes, but to discover the planet as a gateway to deeper self-discovery.
As the legendary Anthony Bourdain so wisely 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."
