Page 14 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

12 INTRODUCING EST ONIA

largest island. Sparsely populated
14 Days in Estonia
Hiiumaa (pp94–5) is a delight
for nature lovers with its pine
• Airports Arrive and depart
forests and deserted beaches.
from Tallinn Airport. The small town of Kärdla makes
• Transport This tour can be a good base from which to
made using Estonia’s bus explore the island. Be sure to
and rail network, but head to Kõpu, where you can
hiring a car would allow visit one of the world’s oldest
more flexibility. functioning lighthouses.
To extend your trip…
Day 1 Tallinn Spend an extra day on
Morning The best starting Hiiumaa Island visiting
point for a first visit to Tallinn is Suuremõisa Manor and
the picturesque Old Town the tiny island of Kassari
where a visit to the Tallinn City (pp94–5).
Museum (p67) provides a
fascinating overview of the Viru Gate, marking the entrance to Tallinn’s
city’s history. Wander down Old Town Day 5 Saaremaa Island
bustling Viru Street, past the The picturesque Saaremaa
colourful façades of historic northeast of Tallinn to see the Island (pp96–9) can be reached
buildings towards the impressive lovely Botanical Gardens (p84). by a short ferry trip from Sõru
Gothic Town Hall (p64). Take a lift up to the TV Tower’s on the southern tip of Hiiumaa
Niguliste Church (p66), another viewing platform (p84) for Island. Visit the iconic five
Gothic masterpiece, is nearby. unbeatable city views. wooden windmills of Angla
(p98) close to the port of Leisi,
Afternoon The fortified walls of Day 3 Haapsalu and stop by the tiny Karja
Toompea (pp72–3) enclose a Dominated by the imposing Church (p99) to admire its
warren of intriguing buildings ruins of its 13th-century castle, elaborate stone carvings, then
dating back to the 13th century. Haapsalu (p92) is a pleasant travel west along the coast to
Pay a visit to Toompea Castle seaside resort. Worthwhile the unspoiled Vilsandi
(p74), now home to Estonia’s attractions include the Castle National Park (p99).
Parliament, and the impressive Museum in the ruins’
Russian Orthodox Alexander watchtower, the attached Day 6 Kuressaare on
Nevsky Cathedral (p74). Don’t Dome Cathedral and the Saaremaa Island
miss the splendid views over Estonian Railway Museum Spend a pleasant day in and
the Old Town and out to the where the town’s grand 216 m around Kuressaare (p98),
harbour from Patkuli Viewing (708 ft) railway platform, built to Saaremaa’s attractive main
Platform (p73). receive Tsar Nicholas II in 1904, town. The spectacular Bishop’s
has been preserved. Castle, dating back to the
Day 2 Tallinn 14th century, is a must-see as is
Morning Enjoy a stroll through Day 4 Hiiumaa Island the main street of delightful old
Kadriorg Park (pp78–9), Tallinn’s From the port of Rohuküla, 9 km buildings. For an afternoon
most popular green space. The (6 miles) east of Haapsalu, take excursion, either travel down
park was originally laid out for the ferry to Estonia’s second the Sõrve Peninsula (p96) to
Peter the Great with his grand
summer residence, Kadriorg
Palace (p80), at its heart. Pop
into Peter the Great House
Museum (p81), a tiny cottage
where the Tsar lived while the
palace was being built, and allow
time for a visit to the Estonian
Art Museum’s main collection,
housed within the futuristic
Kumu Art Museum (p80).
Afternoon Choose to either
visit the Estonian Open-Air
Museum (p85) with its
remarkable collection of
historic rural buildings from
all over Estonia, or head to the The well-preserved medieval Bishop’s Castle in Kuressaare on Saaremaa Island
For practical information on travelling around Estonia, see pp376–81