Estonia
Estonia is an exciting country offering new experiences whilst still in mainstream Europe. This is a trendy, Nordic-feeling nation of 1.4 million people. Having cast off communist rule more than ten years ago, Estonia has thrown her doors back open to the world and invited visitors to come sample her charms. The country's beautiful castles, old cities, manor houses, forests, beaches and islands speak for themselves.
Its spectacular progress since regaining its independence in 1991 is epitomized by its impressive Internet infrastructure, considered one of the most advanced anywhere in the world. Even in the depths of the countryside, you're almost as likely to see a villager surfing the Internet as milking a cow.
Estonia lies along the Baltic Sea, just below Finland. Tallinn, Estonia’s capital city is only about 40 miles south of Helsinki, across the Gulf of Finland. Sweden is Estonia's western neighbour across the Baltic. Russia is to the east, with St. Petersburg just across the north-eastern border. To the south is Latvia with its capital city Riga. It has over 1500 islands. Almost half of the country is forest and 22% is wetland, so it is rich in its wildlife – it’s on a major migration route for birds and is a twitcher’s paradise!
Climate
The climate in Estonia is temperate, characterised by warm summers and fairly severe winters. The weather is often breezy and humid due to the proximity of the Baltic Sea. Average temperatures range from 20.9° C in summer (usually July is the hottest month) to - 8°C in winter. Although occasionally the temperature can rise to 30°C and above in summer or drop below - 23°C in winter.
Money
The national currency of Estonia is called the Kroon. The Kroon is abbreviated as EEK. The smaller unit is called the Sent, 1 kroon = 100 sents. The kroon is pegged to the EURO at 1 EUR = appr. 15.65 EEK. Foreign currencies can be easily exchanged in banks and exchange offices.
Credit cards
The usual credit cards are widely accepted in most of the major hotels, restaurants and shops, but ask first. Most banks will give cash advances on credit cards supported by a valid passport.
Traveller’s Cheques
The most widely accepted traveller’s cheques in Estonia are Amex, Thomas Cook and Eurocheque.
Banking Hours
Banks are open from Monday to Friday between 9.00 and 16.00. Most banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Currency exchange offices are open from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 18.00 hours; on Saturdays from 09.00 to 15.00 hours. Some are also open on Sundays.
Electric
The electricity supply in Estonia is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. European-style 2-pin plugs are in use.
Telephone Services
Calls to Estonia: the country code for Estonia is +372. Dial +372, then the area code and the subscriber's number.
Calls from Estonia: Calls from Estonia: Dial 00 + the country code + area code + the subscriber's number.
Local calls: Pay phones accept phone cards. If you wish to make a call within Estonia, first dial the area code and the number. Phone cards may be purchased from hotel reception desks, tourist information offices, post offices, kiosks and some shops.
Food
Traditional Estonian food has its roots firmly in the countryside, relying heavily on pork, potatoes and garden variety vegetables, but a wide variety of restaurants are to be found in the major cities in Estonia.
Tipping hasn't yet developed into an exact science here in Estonia, so many visitors end up following the tipping custom of their home country.
If you've read this far, you're obviously very interested in this amazing country.
You should get out and see this totally unspoilt part of Europe for yourself!
|
