A window into the USSR and closely connected to Russia, a visit to the stunning city of Tallinn combines Soviet history with one of Europe’s best preserved medieval towns.
Tallinn - History School Trip
- 4 days
- +2
- Estonia
- Approx. 2hrs
- The Old Town
- Hotel Viru & KGB Museum
- Museum of the Occupation
- Outdoor exhibition of Soviet monuments
- Kadriorg Palace
For the latest travel advice, including passport and visa information, visit the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website
Sample itinerary
This sample itinerary is offered as a guideline. The trip focus, length and itinerary/activities can be tailored to meet your learning objectives.
- Day
Day 1 - Tallinn Old Town
Arrive in Tallinn and transfer to your hotel in the city centre by coach. Meet your local guide and walk directly to the Old Town for a tour of the medieval city complete with its medieval walls dating back to the 13th century.
Students will start to get a feel for the Old Town which contains three of the oldest streets in the country: Aia street which gives a near untouched impression of the Middle Ages; Lühike Jalg which is considered the most haunted street where students can watch out for the monk and listen to slamming doors in the Maiden’s Tower and also take a trip up and down “Long Leg” and “Short Leg” streets to see why Tallinn is sometimes known as ‘the town that limps.’
A stop on Piiskopi street gives students a view of two central aspects of Estonian culture - Toompea Castle which houses the Estonian Parliament and St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Estonia’s main Russian Orthodox cathedral.
Day 2 - Language and Culture
Start the day with an immersive Russian language class*. The class will be tailored to your group's language skills and the relevant areas of interest. Students can then visit a Russian School to practise their new language skills with Russian speakers.
In the afternoon, students will develop their knowledge of Soviet Estonia and what it was like to live under the control of the USSR. A trip to the 23rd floor of the Viru Hotel transports students into the world of espionage. Now a museum, the hidden room here was once the KGB radio centre that allowed Soviet spies to listen to foreign visitors within sixty of the hotel rooms.
*language classes can be replaced with other activities if on a history trip
Day 3 - Soviet Tallinn
Continue your Russian language classes this morning.
In the afternoon students take a coach tour to uncover relics of the Soviet occupation. Once part of the Eastern Bloc, remnants of Soviet architecture, socialist-realist artwork and propagandistic statues remain woven into Tallinn’s landscape; the TV Tower, Freedom Square, a KGB prison and punishment cells and the controversial Bronze Soldier of Tallinn highlight the complex story of Russian control.
Finish the afternoon at Maarjamäe Palace, now the Estonian History Museum, where, hidden away around the back, huge statues of Soviet figures including Lenin and Stalin are on display in a fascinating discreet outdoor exhibition.
Try something different tonight at dinner - prepare your own pelmeni (dumplings) at a masterclass overseen by a Russian pelmeni expert. Enjoy your creations for dinner, along with borsch (traditional soup) and blini (pancakes).
Day 4 - Kadriorg and Flight Home
Today visit the House of Peter the Great, where Tsar Peter I and his wife lived on visits to Tallinn. Students can then walk through the marvellous Kadriorg Park and Palace, taking in its beautiful Baroque architecture and the Kadriorg modern Art Museum which exhibits Western European and Russian art.
After lunch, head to the airport for your flight home.
Sustainability at our Heart
It’s always been important to us that our business is having a positive impact on the planet. As such, we are committed to helping reduce the emissions that we generate to mitigate the impact on the global climate crisis, and to give back to young people and communities.
What’s included
Full TCBC support from the moment you book until you return home
Full itinerary flexibility to ensure the perfect tour for your students
We'll source the best available flights based on your school's location
You'll have all our necessary contact details to hand should the need arise
Knowledgeable TCBC guide ready to bring your walking tours to life
Detailed itinerary, with all entrance fees included, no hidden costs
Return flights, 1 piece of hold luggage per person, airport taxes and security charges and ATOL Protection Contribution
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure. We can also arrange your UK airport transfers if you wish
Experienced local TCBC guide in Tallinn for your included walking tours
3 nights' hotel accommodation, with twin/triple rooms for students and single rooms for teachers
Breakfasts and dinners daily at hotel, but we can arrange meals in local restaurants if preferred
Guided walking tour of Tallinn Old Town, Soviet Tallinn guided tour, tour of Occupations Museum , visits to the museums of your choice
There will be no hidden costs on tour, everything will be clearly explained before departure
24 hour emergency contact details of TCBC's office and your local guide's mobile number
The normal free staff place ratio is 1:10 but this is flexible and we'll work to whichever ratio you require
Please check at school to ensure you are covered by an adequate travel insurance policy which we will need to see a copy of. We can help you source cover if you need
We generally don't include lunches unless requested. We prefer to let the students explore the local options and choose for themselves
If you feel you have received excellent service, then our local guides and drivers will appreciate being tipped. Guidelines will be outlined in your quote
Event availability isn't usually known at the time of booking. We will inform you of options and ticket prices closer to departure
Local public transportation
Accommodation
We regularly use the same properties in Tallinn who are used to working with our school groups and meet our high standards.
Park Inn by Radisson Central Tallinn
Park Inn by Radisson Central in Tallinn is a cosy and modern hotel just a 5-minute walk from the well known Old Town.
Reasons to travel with us
We honestly believe we are the best in what we do. We'd love the opportunity to show you.
Safety & reliability
The safety of all our travellers is our number 1 priority. We have a robust Safety Management System in place to ensure that our tours are run to the high levels you expect.
Experience & expertise
We have years of experience in planning school tours. Our expertise lies in our organisational skills, attention to detail and an understanding of what you need to make your trip a success.
TCBC local guides
Our guides are our greatest assets and consistently lauded. Highly experienced, knowledgeable and trustworthy, most are hand-picked and have worked with us for years.
Complete peace of mind
Our accreditations (ATOL, ABTA, STF, LOtC) provide you with the reliability, assurance and financial security expected from a specialist tour operator.
Customer
service
Our dedicated team is on hand to offer help and advice at every stage. We are positive you will be impressed with the high level of service you receive from us.
Flexibility & customisation
We customise every trip to suit your needs and offer maximum flexibility in planning your itinerary. We won’t rest until we get it right!
The personal touch
Getting to know our clients is very important to us. It’s very likely therefore that you’ll meet one or several of us at some point, either at school before departure or on the tour itself.
Total transparency
We include as much as possible in our quotes and are very transparent about what is and what is not included. There will be no hidden or surprise costs.
Pre-departure support
We understand how much work goes into planning a school trip. You will be dealing with the same people throughout the pre-departure process allowing us to respond quickly and accurately.
Repeat business
99.9% of teachers are so happy with our tours and our service that there is no need to travel with anyone else. We are confident you will feel the same way.
Thank you very much for yet another brilliant and truly unforgettable trip for my pupils. No other company can materialise teachers' ideas in the way you can! It was a packed itinerary and the students managed to learn a lot about Estonia's turbulent history.
