Estonia & Russia

Bordering the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea, Estonia is set in beautiful Northern Europe. Its magnificent landscape boasts a vast rocky coastline, countless lakes, biodiverse wetlands, ancient forests, and 2000 islands dotting its rugged shores. It is scattered with endless castles,19th-century lighthouses, old windmills, churches, and hilltop fortresses. Enjoy excellent birdwatching; explore the Gothic architecture of the historic capital of Tallinn, said to be the best-preserved medieval city in Northern Europe; and sample traditional Estonian cuisine at an array of excellent restaurants. The cuisine pays homage to the country’s Baltic and Nordic heritage, with local dishes including herring and rye bread. Other attractions include: the medieval Kuressaare Castle on Saaremaa Island; and in Tallin, the popular Parnu Beach and the Estonian Open-Air Museum where visitors can try their hand at weaving, blacksmithing, or try traditional cooking.

Currency

The currency of Estonia is the  Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.  Estonia joined the eurozone on 1 January 2011, with the Euro replacing the Kroon, which was removed from circulation on 14 January 2011.

Banking

Banking hours: Monday-Friday 09hh00-1600; hours may vary. Although banks are usually closed on Saturdays, bureaux de change are open 09h00-15h00, and some are open on Sundays.

Credit cards are widely accepted. Most banks will give cash advances on credit cards with a passport. There are ATMs in nearly all towns. Traveller's cheques are no longer popular or widely used.

Domestic flights within Estonia are not common. Avies operates flights between Tallinn and Kardla on the island of Hiiumaa. Flyest runs domestic private charter flights.

Driving is an excellent way to see Estonia as the country is relatively small and has a good network of roads. Roads are generally of good quality with routes usually adequately signposted.Car hire is simple and well catered for, with all the international operators and plenty of local companies offering rental.Private taxis must display the name of the company and their number on the roof. Fares should be agreed upon beforehand and most taxis have prices for various journeys marked. Uber, Taxify, Taxigo, Taxofon and Yandex.taxi are popular apps to order a taxi or share a ride.

Cycling is a great way to see Estonia. The terrain is flat and there's a low volume of traffic to contend with, plus marked cycle paths and trails around the country make touring a perfectly viable option. Domestic trains run by ELRON link Tallinn with many destinations within Estonia, including Pärnu, Viljandi, Valga, Narva, Tapa and Tartu.

Traditional Estonian food has meat and potatoes dominating the table, alongside rye bread, smoked fish and pickled vegetables. Jellied meat and fish are also popular. In Tallinn, Asian restaurants are sprouting up in recent years. Specialities include: Sult, a terrine or meat jelly made with meat from the head of a calf or pig; Taidetud vasikarind, a roasted stuffed shoulder of veal; Rosolje, a potato salad; Leib, rye bread; Mulgipuder, a grain and potato porridge; Verivorst, blood sausage; and Pirukad, which are pastries filled with meat or vegetables.

Tap water is safe to drink but due to its high mineral content, some may dislike the taste. Bottled water is widely available. There are no safety risks pertaining to Estonian food but it pays off to use common sense and pay attention to the hygiene and cleanliness of any establishment where you may be considering dining.

Tips are recommended with 10% being the standard at restaurants, although sometimes it will be added automatically, so check your receipt before adding anything extra.

Located in the northern part of the temperate climate zone and influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea, Estonia has four distinct seasons with July being the warmest month and February the coldest. Rainfall is moderately low throughout the year, but falling frequently in summer and autumn.

Spring (March to May) sees water levels rise due to extensive snow melts, flooding low-lying lands and giving keen canoers access to places that are otherwise accessible by foot. In Tallinn, the average temperatures rise gradually from -1°C (30°F) in March to 11°C (52°F) in May. Summer (June to August) is the best time to visit Estonia as visitors can enjoy warm days and a string of festivals. However, do bring a raincoat as summer can be wet with frequent showers. In some coastal areas, visitors get to enjoy 19 hours of daylight in June. Autumn (September to November) sees many gloomy days and frequent rainfall. September is still a good time to visit Estonia but by November, the weather turns cold and wet with temperatures averaging just 1°C (34°F). Winter (December to February) is cold and snowy, particularly in the southwest where the warm sea current does not quite reach. Despite cold, Tallinn is most atmospheric with the Christmas Market sparkles in the charming Old Town.

Lighter clothes are worn during the summer months, although a jacket is advisable in the evening. Wrap up warmly if you're visiting during the winter months. Check the climate of the specific area you intend to travel to as winter temperatures vary greatly between the coast and inland.

The internet is key to Estonia's economic success and you can get excellent coverage via your cellphone even in the more rural regions. Free wireless zones can be found all over the country too.

Electrical sockets in Estonia are one of the two European standard electrical socket types: the Type C (CEE 7/16 Europlug) and Type F (CEE 7/4 Schuko). If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into.

Electrical sockets in Estonia usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 220-240 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.

Winston Churchill once famously described Russia as 'a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma'. This monumental nation remains as elusive today as it ever was. With its vast landscapes as varied and mysterious as its history, visitors will be treated to towering volcanic peaks, frozen Siberian wastelands and some extraordinarily extravagant cities. While the majority of travellers beeline for the west to marvel at the cultural delights of Moscow and St Petersburg, there is plenty to be seen beyond these two central hubs. The Golden Ring is dotted with enchanting historical towns brimming with ancient architecture; the glorious River Volga will transport you south towards the beautiful Caspian Sea where you will witness Russia at its most traditional and authentic; and the famed Trans-Siberian Railway will take you through a land of sublime natural beauty. Whether you are seeking historic cities, idyllic countryside, artistic riches, or vodka-fuelled debauchery, Russia won’t leave you disappointed.

Currency

Rouble (RUB; symbol руб) = 100 kopeks. Notes are in denominations of 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 10, 5 and 1 kopeks.

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is limited to the equivalent of $10,000, but sums greater than the equivalent of $3,000 must be declared. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount imported.

Banking

Banking hours: Monday - Friday 09h30-17h30.

Major European and international credit and debit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, are accepted in the larger hotels and at foreign currency shops and restaurants, but cash (in Roubles) is more reliable. American Express cards are rarely accepted outside Moscow and St Petersburg.

ATMs are widely available throughout Russia, although if you’re venturing into rural areas, they may be less widespread so carry a reserve amount of cash. Most ATMs will offer English as well as Cryllic translations.

Cash is preferred. If carrying traveller's cheques, major currencies are accepted in big cities, but US Dollars and Euros are preferred elsewhere.

Foreign currency should only be exchanged at official bureaux and authorised banks. You will usually need your passport to change money. It is wise to retain all exchange receipts. Bureaux de change are numerous and easy to locate. Large shops and hotels offer their own exchange facilities. All major currencies can be converted in big cities. Outside the main cities, travellers are advised to carry US Dollars or Euros. It is illegal to settle accounts in hard currency and to change money unofficially, although in practice both sometimes happen and are not risky. However, in general everyone will want to be paid in Roubles.

The internal flight network radiates from Moscow's three major airports: Domodedovo, Vnukovo Airport, and Sheremetyevo Airport. There are over 100 regional airlines in Russia, most of which run services from Moscow to their region. These include Aeroflot (www.aeroflot.ru) and Rossiya Russian Airlines (www.rossiya-airlines.com).

The network of roads across Russia are certainly improving – however not fast enough to make then a relaxing option for travelling inside the country, and the frustrations still outweigh the benefits. Furthermore, distances in Russia should not be underestimated, as Russia is a vast country and travel by road takes considerably more time than by train or aeroplane.

The European part of Russia depends heavily on its road network. Generally, the few roads in Siberia and further east are impassable during the winter. It is not recommended to drive in Russia as harassment from traffic police is endless.

If you do decide to drive, it is advisable to pre-plan the itinerary and accommodation requirements. On the majority of tourist routes, signposts are also written in the Latin alphabet. Vehicles are driven on the right hand side of the road. Motorists should avoid driving at night if possible.

Car hire is available from local and international firms. Chauffeured cars are available in major cities. An International Driving Permit and a national licence with authorised translations are necessary. Visitors travelling in their own cars must also possess the following documents at all times: passport and visa; car registration number and full details of itinerary; form provided by customs on arrival guaranteeing that the car will be taken out of Russia on departure; and insurance cover documents.

Cycling is something of an extreme pastime in Russia. However, if you’ve got the stamina it’s a great way to see the country during the summer months.

Coaches can be a slightly cheaper way to travel around the country. However they are much slower, with none of the romance or comfort of the train. If budgets allow, taking a train is usually the better option. Eurolines (www.eurolines.com) operates in the west of the country.

Public transport in the cities is comprehensive and cheap. Many services are electric transport (metro, tramway, trolleybus). Stations on the Moscow and St Petersburg metros are always elegant and often palatial.

Taxis are available in most larger cities; they can be hailed in the street, hired at a rank or booked by telephone. It is safer but far more expensive to use officially marked taxis; they are yellow with chequered signs on the doors, although in practice it is totally safe to flag down any car, agree a destination and price and get in. However, always use common sense. For a small fee, just about any car driver will gladly become a taxi.

In general, Russia does not pose any serious health risks when it comes to food. Use common sense and caution when deciding what might be safe to eat. Tap water is drinkable, although those with sensitive stomachs may want to stick to bottled water. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Be wary of eating smoked fish from street vendors around Lake Baikal. Some travellers have reported cases of food poisoning.

Russia’s reputation for poor food is now, like so much else in the country, a thing of the past. In the cities it is possible to feast on anything that can be found in Western Europe, restaurants and cafes catering for all tastes and all pockets. With a vast array of international produce and dining experience, from fast food to high end, the visitor is left with an overwhelming selection. Move into the countryside and choice and quality are less guaranteed, but there’s certainly no need to go hungry. It is worth noting that away from the big cities it is harder to find menus in English – so a splattering of Russian vocabulary is useful.

Hotels in Moscow and other large cities include a 10 to 15% service charge. Otherwise 10% is customary.

As you’d expect Russia’s climate is hugely dependent on where in the country you find yourself. With temperatures known to hit a tarmac-melting 37°C (99°F) in the cities and fall to -30°C (-22°F) and lower during the Siberian winter, there’s no point generalising about Russia’s weather except to say, be prepared.

The most favourable temperatures are found along the Baltic coast, where many Muscovites decamp for balmy summer holidays, whilst the site of the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sochi, also doubles as a beach resort, due to its tropical climate, earning it the epithet ‘Florida of Russia’.

While the notion of visiting a snow-blanketed Moscow or St Petersburg has a definite romance, most tourists prefer to come calling in the warm summer months of June, July and August. This means the shoulder seasons of April, May, September and October are good options for visitors keen to avoid the peak crowds – prices are generally lower from September to May, and tourist sites almost invariably less crowded.

Spring is often characterised by slushy roads. And if your heart’s set on that winter wonderland, December’s the best bet. Seasonal climates apply elsewhere in Russia – Siberia can have devastatingly cold winters, while its summers are generally fairly pleasant, if a little rainy. The region of Russia near the Black Sea has mild winters, but again attracts a fair amount of rain.

Those visiting over summer should pack a mixture of lightweight and mediumweight clothing – natural fibres such as cotton and linen are best. For the winter visitor, meanwhile – layers, layers, layers. Wools and cashmeres are great material for keeping in the warmth. Sturdy shoes are always a good idea, no matter what time of year.

Wi-Fi is available within most establishments in larger cities (although they may charge) and at internet cafes. Although Russia does not ostensibly censor the internet, there is an internet blacklist of sites which you will not be able to visit from inside Russia, which includes some independent news sites.

Electrical sockets in Russia are one of the two European standard electrical socket types: The "Type C" Europlug and the "Type E" and "Type F" Schuko. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in.

Electrical sockets in Russia usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need.  If your appliances are not compatible with 220-240 volt electrical output, a voltage converter will be necessary