The name Estonia evokes images of Viking ships sailing along the Baltic Sea or Teutonic Knights protecting their castles. While this may have been daily life a few centuries ago, it’s still very much a preserved country with remnants of its fascinating past embedded in every stone of its ancient walls and every blade of grass in its primeval forests.
After declaring independence in 1991, soon after the fall of the Soviet Union, Estonia slowly began opening its doors to tourists. Today this Baltic state has become a firm favourite among travellers looking for a European destination that’s not overrun by tourists. Tallinn, the capital city, is usually the first stop for travellers on flights to Estonia. Wonderful examples of feudal architecture line the cobbled streets of Tallinn’s Old Town. And those in search of a more laid-back town should take a trip to Pärnu where the sandy beaches provide an escape for city-dwellers as well as visitors from Scandinavian and Finland. Nature lovers coming off Estonia flights should make the Hiiumaa Islets Landscape Reserve their first stop. Here hundreds of bird species, swans, geese and more than 600 plant species all live.
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Estonia has a temperate climate, with warm summers and severe winters. Temperatures range from a summer average of 30 degrees Celsius to an average in winter of minus eight degrees Celsius. As it is on the Baltic Sea, the country is subjected to sea breezes and humidity, and its northern latitude means long summer daylight hours (the longest summer day stretches to 19 hours), and dark winters when daylight lasts sometimes only six hours. The cold winter does not necessarily mean constant snow; in fact snowfalls are few and far between. When it falls it stays though, and there tends to be a layer of snow on the ground constantly between December and March. Summertime brings unexpected rain showers, so an umbrella and light raincoat are recommended.
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Peak Season:
The summer months comprise the peak season for flights to Estonia, when the most visitors arrive by plane, train or by ferry from Scandinavia. Estonia is often visited as part of an Eastern Europe tour. Because of its location near the north, many visitors start here in early summer and work their way down through Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and so on…
Off Season:
The winter months are the low season, when weather can be miserable. Tallinn, however, is increasingly becoming a year-round short break destination thanks to the introduction of flights here from low-cost airlines based in the UK and Germany.
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Domestic flights are available which connect Tallinn to a few other major cities. These are generally cheap. Avies Airlines flies to Kardla and Kuressaare.
Train service is good, though somewhat slow. The bus network is more extensive than the railway. Most long-distance services start or end in Tallinn.
Hiring a car is the best option if you want to visit the more remote parts of the country.
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- Most tourism in Estonia is focused on its capital, the port town of Tallinn. For a view of the town, talk a walk on Toompea Hill, in the middle of the old town. In wintertime, especially, when the rooves are covered in snow, this gives one of the most romantic views of the city.
- The town of Parnu on the southern coast is a popular spa and health resort. Many Estonians and Finns take their holidays here. The elegant seaside town has many attractions to entertain tourists, but most popular is the Parnu Mud Baths, situated on the promenade. The neo-classical building houses a selection of mud baths, with treatments for all ailments you could imagine. The baths can be booked up days or weeks in advance, so call ahead and make a booking before you arrive.
- Estonia’s largest island is Saaremaa; its capital Kuressaare. The main attraction here is the spectacular 15th-century stone castle set in an incredibly large moat. Today, it houses the Saaremaa regional museum. Spend a few hours wandering the castle grounds and interior, as well as exploring the museum. The permanent exhibition is about the history and natural history of the island. Temporary expositions are also shown here.
- In the west of the country, Tartu is Estonia’s second largest city and home to its oldest museum. Because of the large student population, this is the best town for nightlife. The Gunpowder Cellar is a popular club, its vault-like environment reflecting its original use.
- For all the insider information on the country, as well as listings, pick up an In Your Pocket Guide, available from most tourist offices or hotels. This series of travel guides is just for Eastern Europe and the information is as up-to-date, witty and informative as you could possibly want from a travel guide.
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Visitors must have sufficient funds for the duration of their stay; the minimum required is 320 EEK per day. The original V5 (Vehicle Registration Document) is required if driving into Estonia. All visitors are requested to have proof of medical insurance. Visitors who require a visa should have a passport that is valid for three months after the period of intended stay, while passports of those not requiring a visa need only be valid for the period of intended stay.
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UK citizens must have a valid passport. If holding a passport endorsed British Citizen, a visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days in a half year period. In all other cases, a visa is required.
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