Baltic States Tourist Travel Guide - Tallinn Riga Vilnius Estonia Latvia Lithuania

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City Guides & Country Profiles For Estonia Latvia Lithunania

Preview of the Baltic States City Guides and Country Profiles

the webs most informative holiday and city travel guide for tourists & business travellers going on holiday to the Baltic States & Eastern Europe This guide covers Tallinn Estonia, Riga Latvia & Vilnius Lithuania. Guides include country profiles and essential tourist info and overview of the cities.

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Consular & Visa Information & Travel Advice For Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

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National & International Rail Information for Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

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Business Tourist Travel Information Guiide For Estonia - Tallinn

Overview of Estonia National Profile & Tallinn City Information:

The earliest record of Tallinn is dated 1154AD. Since then It has always been a inportant trading port resulting in it being ruled by Russia, Sweden and Germany. Between WW1 & WW2 it was briefly an independent country state before being occupied by during WW2 first by German and then in 1944 by Russia until the the fall of communism. In 1991 Estonia regained its independence after the 'Singing Revolution' and ever since it's economy has been one of Europes great success stories. Its membership of the European Union has had many benefits with the country's tourist industry being one of the main benefactors.

Tallinn is a very popular tourist destination for a short or weekend breaks. The sightseeing and attractions of Tallinn are very diverse Tallinn tallest building is the 500 year old St Olav's Church which is has been struck by lightening several times as well as suffered at least tjree serious fires.

The Kadriorg Palace built in 1718 commonly known as The Kadriorg Art Museum has a collection of 900 paintings and 3,500 prints made between the 16th & 20th century. In the old Town, The Alexandar Nevski Catherdral and The Dome Church - are worth a visit though the latter is not always open.

Restaurants in Tallinn are plentiful and offer very cosmopltioan fares. Tallinn has a rapidly expanding night life and clubbing scene - and is a opular place for stag weekends. Though Tallin is generally a safe city, petty crime has increased in the last few years and tourists. Accommodation standards in Tallinn are good and prices are generally fair.

Public transport in and around Tallinn is cheap and reliable. Detailed information on public transport and Iinformation on Tallinn's Airport in given in the Tallinn Airport Guide

Genral Iinformation on the Tallinn & Estonia T information is in the main country index.

More detailed Info on the Tallinn including it's weather is given in Tallinn Tourist Guide.

Business Tourist Travel Information Guiide For Latvia - Riga

Overview of Latvia National Profile & Riga City Information:

Riga's origins date back to the 13th century. when it was founded as part of a Christian crusade. During the 17th century Riga and Latvia was ruled by the Poland and Sweden before becoming part of the Russian Empire in 1710. By the 19th century it was flourishing as a international trade centre. After WW1 it became an independent state until WW2 when it was invaded by Russia andn Germany. At the end of WW2 it was it was occupied by Russia. In 1991 Latvia declared its independence. Since the early 1990s economic reform in Latvia has been intermittent.

Attractions in Riga include The Freedom Monument s built in 1935 to commerate Latvia's then recent Independence from Russia, St Saviour's Church is a Church of England church built by English merchants in the 18th century and st St Peter's Church is aesthetically one of the most outstanding features of the skyline in Riga's Old Town inspite of a few close alls with fate. The Lido Recreation Centre offers many child oriented activities including an enormous skating ring. whilst The Central Market at Pregas lela is an indoor market housed in former zepplin hangers. The Riga Ghetto at Maskavas is the a very sobering epitaph to the evil of the Nazis

The best restaurants In Riga are mostly found in the Old Town. One local custom to note is some self-service restaurants in Riga you are charged according to the total weight of your selection. - the Kirbis a good vegataran is one such example. Incidentally the Lido Recreation Centre offers good salads and rice dishes plus youghurt and fruit. Healthy eating for those with children! One well worth noting is the Marrutku Maizites has a good choice of Eastern European fare and a equally wide range of Vodka!

Riga Nightlife has reputation for a vibrancy and the city is a major centre for stag weekends In recent years young British tourists have fained a reputation for bad behaviour alinating some locals. .Accommodation in Riga is has becoming more expensive in recent years though short letm rental apartments are fairly cheap compared with hotels.

Public transport in the city is excellent with over 70 bus tram and trolley routes. Cheap flat rate fares apply. Tourist cardS are also available.. Detailed information on public transport and Iinformation on Riga's Airport in given in the Riga Airport Guide

More detailed Info on the Riga including it's weather is given in the Riga Tourist Guide.

Business Tourist Travel Information Guiide For Lithuania - Vilnius

Overview of Lithuania National Profile & Vilnius City Information:

Vilnius'S historic precise origins are uncertain but it's history goes back to at least 1323 when records show that Germans and Jews moved there. The city's walls where built early 16th century and in the latter half of the same century its population grew significantly. In the 17th century the city was invaded by Russians who murdered most of it citzens and then set it alight. After being rebuilt in 1795 it was again over run by Russia. It was briefly occupied by Napoleon in 1812 but it remained under Russian control until WW1. In 1920 under the Treaty of Warsaw it was designated a Polish terrority. During WW2 it was invaded by Germany. In 1944 when it was occupied by Russia who stayed there until 1991.

Sightseeing in Vilnius can take time as the 'Old Town' is a complicated maze of cobblestone streets whicj host a matrix of architecture from Scandinavia Germany and Russia. Most notable is the Gothic style Bernadine Church first built in the 15th century before being rebuilt twice in the 16rh century following fires. Also noted is the Holocaust Museum describes the history of Jewish life in Lithuania and the Jewish experiences of WW2. Another thought provoking attraction is the KGB Museum - a former KGB prison which for the most part has been preserved in it's original state. It includes a very chilling water torture cell and a former execution room complete with which includes the remains of victims. The Presidential Palace is a impressive example of 14th century architecture

There are numerous many international restaurants in the city and some are y exceptional. Possibly the best restaurant in Vilnius is the Ukrainos Vakarai offering authentic Ukrainian of the highest standard. whilst The Polonezas (a traditional Polish resaurant) serves an exceptional bigos which includes a variety of meats and stewed cabbage.

Vilnius Nightlife is reasonable with the Prospecto Club Intro and Club Pabo Latino.reportedly the better clubs but in clubbing terms this city may not appeal to hard core clubbers. Accommodation is the city is plentiful and not expensive,

Public transport in the city is excellent with nearly 80 bus & tram routes. Services are cheap and dependable. The transport authority also provide a good website in English. Detailed information on public transport and Iinformation on Riga's Airport in given in the The Vilnius Airport Guide

More detailed Info on the Vilnius including it's weather is given the Vilnius City Guide.