Narva CITY TOURISM CATALOGUE city of good energy Where is it? History Shopping Good buys Cuisine The weather Language Dear reader, I am glad that you have found time for Where to stay having a look at our city. Religion Due to its sad fate Narva, having been Political system the pearl of the Eastern Europe in earlier times, has managed Visas to preserve quite few of the architectural glamour it once had. The more we value what is left. Today’s Narva is not only the Getting there meeting place of two countries, but also of different cultures; Travel the new and the old join, the industry and the cultural legacy Currency exchange entwine here. Travel within Estonia We are waiting for you to come and discover what is special about Narva, you are now and always heartily welcome to Location and information on the region bring good energy to our city! History Symbols and statistics of the city of Narva Sincerely, Local government Tarmo Tammiste Enterprising Mayor of Narva Education TOURISM CATALOGUE OF NARVA CITY OF NARVA CATALOGUE TOURISM Information points Local transportation Special events Sights Active holiday Catering in Narva TOURISM CATALOGUE OF NARVA CITY OF NARVA CATALOGUE TOURISM Accomodation in Narva and Narva-Jõesuu 2 3 city of good energy Where is it? centuries of domination. Within several hundred years, Tallinn had been accepted into the Hanseatic League and become stonia lies in a sometimes forgotten and so all-the- one of the hubs of European trade. Estonia was presided more-fascinating corner of Europe, nestled between over, sometimes ruthlessly, by a German landed class, whose E Nordic countries to the west across the Baltic Sea and descendants retained their power and influence for 700 years. bordered by Russia to the east. It is at a crossroads of one of Amid the chaos of war and revolution that saw Czarist northern Europe's most captivating and alluring pieces of real Russia unravel, Estonia finally declared its independence estate, just 80 km across the Gulf of Finland from Helsinki, in 1918; after two years battling both German and Soviet an overnight ferry ride from Stockholm and a short train or Russian forces, it dramatically secured its freedom. The bus ride from St. Petersburg. To the south, within an easy country flowered into a modern European state during the drive, are Estonia's Baltic neighbors, Latvia and Lithuania. subsequent two decades. But Estonia's hardwon independence Geographically, Estonia is distinguished by thick forests that was cruelly snuffed out when Red Army forces occupied it cover an astonishing 40 percent of the country's territory, and at the outbreak of World War II. But in 1991 Estonians again by its winding coasts and dozens of inhabited islands; large reasserted themselves, and peacefully broke away from the tracts of magical, unspoiled Estonian wilderness are home to Soviet Union. Estonia has since gained the reputation as a rich variety of wildlife, including bear, wolf, elk, moose, one of the most dynamic and progressive countries to have wild cats and more. reemerged from behind the Iron Curtain. History Shopping stonians first arrived on this land 5,000 years ago, he shortagefilled days of the communist era are a distant CITY OF NARVA CATALOGUE TOURISM following glaciers that receded north. Native tribes memory. Shopping in Estonia today is a satisfying Elived off the land and later formed Vikinglike warrior T experience, full of adventures and surprisingly good parties that staged attacks against nearby Finland and Sweden. bargains. There are hundreds of new, Westernstandard stores, European powers began vying for control of Estonia around malls and specialty shops, as well as traditional outdoor markets. 1200 B.C., at a time when this was one of Europe's last pagan Craft shops also offer handmade wares, from ceramics, leather strongholds. After fierce resistance, crusading Danish and and hats to jewelry, glass, quilts and sweaters. While quality German knights finally subdued and converted the Estonians; of products here is high, prices remain highly favorable—still TOURISM CATALOGUE OF NARVA CITY OF NARVA CATALOGUE TOURISM castle fortresses built by the Crusaders still bear witness to their lower than in most of Western Europe. 4 5 city of good energy Good buys breezy and humid. Average temperature range from 20º in summer (usually July is the hottest month) to 8º in winter. here is a wide array of good buys in Estonia. Hand- made wares are especially popular, and wellpriced. Language T Ceramic replicas of old city buildings, often fitted with candleholders inside are much sought after souvenirs. owelladen Estonian is a Finno-Ugric language, Craftsmen here also make a variety of goods out of wood, closely related to Finnish and more distantly related from toy cars to dolls to toilet seats to flowers; there are V to Hungarian; it uses the Latin alphabet. English also trays and spoons made out of lovelysmelling juniper. is widely spoken here, to the point where there is almost Handknit sweaters, artistically designed glass or dolomi- always someone nearby who speaks it fluently; Russian is testone candleholders are also delightful, as are a range of also still widely spoken, though younger Estonians tend to goods made out of leather or wrought iron. Other favorites be far comfortable speaking English. German speakers are buys include Estonianmade Kalev chocolates, Vana Tallinn also fairly common. Hello in Estonian is tere; goodbye is liqueur or Saku beer. Local designers, like Ivo Nikkolo or the nägemist. Baltika manufacturer, also produce highfashion clothes that compare with the best in anywhere else in the West. Here, however, prices are usually better. Where to stay our choice of accommodations in Estonia is now Cuisine and the weather vast, ranging from fivestar hotels to a broad range of cheaper hotels or B&Bs. The quality of Estonian Y CITY OF NARVA CATALOGUE TOURISM raditional Estonian food has its roots firmly in the hotels compares with the best in the west. countryside, relying heavily on pork, potatoes T and garden variety vegetables. The main culinary influences were from Germans, who ruled over Estonia for Religion so many centuries. stonia is a predominantly Lutheran nation, though The climate in Estonia is temperate, characterized by what with a relatively large Russian Orthodox population. are usually warm summers and mild but snowfilled winters. Many churches in Tallinn now offer services in TOURISM CATALOGUE OF NARVA CITY OF NARVA CATALOGUE TOURISM E Because it's along the Baltic Sea, the weather is often English; schedules are usually posted on church doors. 6 7 city of good energy Political system the Estonian consulate or embassy for up to date visa rules. Additional information www.vm.ee stonia has a parliamentary system, with a prime minister who is responsible for the day-to-day E running of the country. A president handles many of Getting there the ceremonial duties, but also heads the armed forces and helps in the formation of governments. The parliament is stonia is now very much enmeshed in the world called the Riigikogu, and is made up of 101 legislators. transportation network, with its airline and ferry Estonia celebrates its independence day on February E sectors particularly well developed. Tallinn has the 24, the date in 1918 when it first declared independence. newest and most modern airport in the Baltic region; the city Estonians see the Soviet period as having been a military also has a large, hightech ferry port system. occupation, and don't consider that the Soviet collapse lead to their independence – just to its restoration. Travel Visas By air Estonian Air, Scandinavian Airlines, Finnair, Air Baltic, isitors entering the country must have valid passports. Lithuanian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, A visa is not required of citizens from: Andorra, Air Livonia, Aeroflot, Aero Airlines, Aerosvit Airlines and V Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, British Airways all have regular flights to rebuilt Tallinn Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, International Airport. Tallinn has direct flight connections France, Greece, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, with the following cities: London, Hamburg, Frankfurt, CITY OF NARVA CATALOGUE TOURISM Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Moscow, Vienna, Kiev, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Monaco, New Zea- Riga, Vilnius and Warsaw. Updated timetables and informa- land, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, tion on cargo and other services can be found on the Internet Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzer- at: www.tallinn-airport.ee land, United Kingdom, USA and Vatican City/ The Holy See. Tallinn Airport is located a mere four km from the city Citizens of all other countries need to obtain visas from an center. Taxis to the center cost on average less than $5. There Estonian consulate or embassy before travelling. Please note are also special airport coaches, lines number 2, which run TOURISM CATALOGUE OF NARVA CITY OF NARVA CATALOGUE TOURISM that visa regulations can change and we suggest you contact from the airport to the city center and bus station. 8 9 city of good energy By rail animals, leather or jewelry, it is advisable to choose the Estonia is still well connected to the rail system of the former red line at customs control. Soviet Union. Additional information www.evrekspress.ee Alcoholic beverages and beer: persons aged 18 years or over: 1 liter of strong (over 22%) and 2 litter of mild By bus or car (maximum 22%) alcohol and 2 l of wine. Bus connections are excellent between Tallinn and other major and tobacco products: Persons aged 18 years or over – 200 European cities. Eurolines offers comfortable, long haul buses cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 grams of for those who wish to enter Estonia using the Via Baltica tobacco.