Imagine a land covered with forests and wetlands, run by bogs and logging, and you’re in Estonia. More than 1,000 lakes and 7,000 rivers and streams make up Estonia’s landscape. Half of the country is covered with forests, welcoming serious outdoors enthusiasts booking flights to Estonia. Farmlands lay centered in Estonia’s rural areas and most of the country remains unpopulated by tourist attractions. Most flights to Estonia land in the capital city of Tallinn, where 14th and 15th century structures are explored by visitors. A flight to Estonia gives tourists the option of traveling to neighboring countries Finland and Denmark with ease.
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Estonia has a temperate climate, with warm summers and severe winters. Temperatures range from a summer average of 70F to an average in winter of 18F. Being 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, when the most visitors fly to Estonia or arrive by 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 Estonia cheap flights from low-cost airlines based in the UK and Germany.
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Domestic Estonia 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 roofs 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 book 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.
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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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U.S. citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days in a half year period.
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