Estonia

Types of trips: Cultural, Nature, Active and Outdoors, Relaxation, Shopping, Winter Events, Musical

Best known for: Snowy winters, Singing Revolution in the 1980's, Soviet Occupation, Naturally Beautiful Women, Sinking of MS Estonia, The Old Town of Tallinn

Why Go?: Estonia is remarkable in that it is full of culture and history while remaining free of the sometimes murky atmosphere of a big city; the northerly climate gives the country its renowned clean and fresh air. Its compact size means that you can see a lot in a short space of time, a perfect destination for a shorter trip.

Fact File

Population: 1,300,000

Capital: Tallinn

Language(s): Estonian

Ties to the UK?: Good political relationship, a gradually more popular travel destination

Landscape: Over 1,500 islands, Limestone coastal cliffs, Rivers, Forests, Over 1,400 lakes, Snowy in the South

Climate/Seasons: Winter in November-March can be very cold, with heavy snow a usual occurence, but the summer months are reasonably warm. Rainfall can occur all year round, and is heaviest in late summer.

When to Go: The period between April and September is probably the best time to visit - the winter days are very short and temperatures can drop very low, so the warmer and longer summer climate will give you the best experience in Estonia. The warmest months are July and August, but tend to be the wettest; late spring/early summer should be perfect.

Reasons to Visit: Estonia's proximity to Russia makes the history different to the more temperate countries of Southern Europe; it's a less traditional foreign destination but it is rich in things to do and natural landscape to admire, and a location many people will not have visited before on holiday.

How to Get There: Travelling by plane would be the quickest route; the airport in Tallinn links to most major cities in Europe. It's also possible to travel to Estonia via roads or the sea, but these journeys would be much more complex and time-consuming.

Places to Go: Tallinn, Tartu, Pirita, Lake Peipsi, and Laheema, Soomaa and Vilandsi National Parks

Famous People: Arvo Part, Kristina Smigun, Jaan Kross, Erki Nool, Mart Poom

Natural Wonders/Wildlife: Meteorite Craters, Wetlands used by Arctic migrating birds, Jagala Waterfall, High population of lynx, bear and wolf, the unspoiled forests and swamps of the National Parks 

History: Dating back to 6500 BC, part of the Bronze, Iron, Viking and the Middle Ages, WWII, Singing Revolution

Architecture: St. Nicholas' Church, Tallinn Town Hall, Raekoja Plats, Kadriorg Palace

Culture: Nature and Landscape, Festivals (especially music), Literature, The Arts

Sport: Athletics, Skiing, Weightlifting, Wrestling

Events: Musical and Folk Festivals

Watch Out For: Respect the culture and national heritage - locals are very proud

Medical Issues: No vaccinations actually required, but recommended to consult with GP to make sure you are up to date on basic immunisations

Watch this video about visiting Estonia!