Additional features:
• Further cultural tours where the nights are hot,
even when its snowing.
TALLINN - the medieval capital of the north.
The capital of the Republic of Estonia and home to almost a third
of Estonias population, is a multi-lingual town where nearly ever
thing is translated into German, English, and Russian.
Tallinn is a safe, comfortable city with exciting opportunities
for the visitors: Well-preserved medieval towers and city walls,
Florentinesque squres and Hanseatic high streets boasting
countless beerhouses and restaurants whether your
tastes are for something traditional to the area,
something oriental, corden-bleu or pizza big enough for 4.
The draw for most however, during the busy summer period is the
Old Town, with its long city wall, cobblestone streets, church spires
and numerous medieval houses lending a mysterious sense of the
atmosphere of the old days.
The Old Town is physically divided into two sections -- the inner
Toompea and the outer Lower Town (but for practical discussion
there is a distinction between the northern and southern halves
of the Lower Town). Each of these has its own wall and gates.
The Toompea is built on high ground and contains most of the
government buildings while providing the best observation points
in the town.
As one of the best retained medieval European towns, Tallinn
wonderfully mixes old and new of many cultures, The cobble stone
streets buzz with people from all over the world mingling throught
the throngs of traditional Estonian merchant stalls - selling
handmade garb and hardware outside rows of modernized and
refurbished storefronts offering the latest brands from Western
Europe and America. The centre boasts a number of stylish
bars including one owned by Depech Mode and many Internet
cafes and kiosks, lending itself to the country’s rapidly growing
reputation as “e-Stonia.”
Also notable is Tallinn’s tremendous shopping, American-style strip
malls sprouting outside of the city center along a major strip west
of town towards the Saku Suurhall [concert hall], which recently
hosted the EuroVision Song Contest.
As of May 2002, Estonia has made tremendous strides to shed
its post-Communist cloak and build itself as a nation worthy of
entry into NATO and the European Union erected a number of
monuments celebrating Estonia’s newfound independence in
contribution to the many other statues and monuments from eras
past.
OPTION 2
Additional features:
• Country sauna, home cooked national food.
• Walking Tour and free time in a quiter more
cosmopolitan city.
• A night at the Pattaya Club.
TARTU - the city of good thoughts.
Considered the intellectual and cultural centre of Estonia, Tartu was
built along the banks of the Emajõgi river, which connects the two
largest lakes of Estonia and adds colour to the city and tranquility
to the riverside park. In contrast to the political and financial capital
Tallinn - the Estonian Prime Minister often takes state guests to
Tartu including Prince Charles, the presidents of Hungary and the
Republic of Ireland as well as religious leaders like the Dalai Lama
and the head of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople, Patriarch
Bartholomew I.
Tartu’s large student population means that it has a comparatively
thriving nightlife, with bars in which you can find hard interlectuals
playing chess amongst designer interiors and funky house music.
There is a wide variaty of good restaurants and astounding nightclubs
such as the Pattaya Club.
The Pattaya Club is not a night-club in its common sense - It is an
entertainment centre inspired by the resort Pattaya in Thailand
- its ethic closely follows the words of the world-famous Indian
philosopher and poet Jiddu Krishnamurti:
“In one way or another, we are all hunting for pleasure
- looking for reasonable, sensual or cultural enjoyment.”
All of these characters can be offered by Pattaya Club.
Archaeological evidence of first permanent settlement on the
site of modern Tartu dates to as early as the 5th century AD.
The architecture and city planning of historical Tartu mainly go
back to the pre-independence period. Tartu’s historical centre is a
complex mix of both old and new Architecture.
Amongst the most notable historical structures are the old Lutheran
St. John’s Church (Johanneskirche or Jaani Kirik), the 18th-century
town hall, the university building, the remainders of the 13th-century
cathedral, the botanical gardens, the main shopping street, and
many buildings around the town hall square - stretch some
bizarre and modern buildings of the “steel, concrete and glass”
type. Amongst the suburbs you will find some classic examples of
Soviet neighbourhoods - blocks of high-rise flats which were built
during the period between the Second World War and restoration
of Estonian independence in 1991.
OPTION 3
[Only available during periods of snow]
Additional features:
• Snow boarding or skiing.
[recomended for beginners and intermediate levels only.]
• Sauna with lake plunge !!
• Shopping visit to Tartu’s centre.
OTEPÄÄ - the winter capital.
Nestled amongst a landscape of rolling hills, winding village roads
and small rivers, in the hilly region less than an hour’s ride south
of Tartu, lays the southern town of Otepää. highly appreciated holiday
commune, popularly known as the “winter capital” of Estonia
and is the most well-known region for winter sports in the Baltics.
The commune of Otepaa took its name (“bear’s head”) from a
peculiarly shaped hill which overlooks the region, onto which
was built the first known stone castle in Estonia in 1224.
The village it’s self rests on the shores of the most beautiful
lake in Estonia: Lake Puhajarv (Holy Lake), setting a romantic
scene featured in many artists’ paintings - opening out
across the dramatic Mt. Kuutse magi (217m).
The lake is now ringed by ski resorts that cater to both downhill
and cross-country passions, there’s enough snowboarding, ice
skating, snowtubing and other winter sports to keep even the
most avid snow freaks happy. Though the hills here are a far cry
from Alpine magnitude, there are well lit slopes equipped with
elevators and the site plays host to the annual Cross-country
skiing World Cup event.
Skiing and snowboarding
For those interested in mountain skiing and snowboarding,
Otepää offers 7 track:. The lengths of the tracks vary from 214
meters to 514 meters. The sharpest one is Porikraavi (15°) and
the most gentle one Teppani (13°).
Bellnors private Snowbord coach is young, friendly, speeks English
fluently and is native to Otepää.
