Page 295 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

WHERE T O ST A Y  293

Baltic States that many of these
guesthouses are booked out
all through the summer. It is
advisable to make a reservation
well in advance.

Hostels
The first accommodation choice
for young travellers on a tight
budget, hostels were once few
and far between in the Baltic
States. With the growth in
tourism, even at the budget
end, back packers and other
travellers looking for sociable
Pädaste Manor, housed in a 16th-century farmhouse on Muhu Island, Estonia (see p297) and afford able accommodation
are now well served throughout
Apartments and modelled on rustic-style timber the three countries.
Private Homes
buildings and have become an Most hostels are of a decent
Apartment rental is an excellent integral part of the Baltic coun- standard and have beds in
accommodation option that is tryside. They invariably offer a communal dormitories for
comparatively under-used in the range of activities for guests, reasonable rates, as well as a
Baltic States. Several agencies such as swimming, sports and small selection of private rooms,
in the capital cities offer this saunas, and the owners can offered for consi derably less
service – Erel Apartments & sometimes arrange guided than the average hotel rate.
Residences and Goodson tours of local sights. Meals are Hostels also offer a range of
& Red Apartments in Tallinn, usually optional, but a hearty, amenities, including at least
Lilija Plus Real Estate Agency home-made breakfast or dinner Internet access, kitchen facilities
in Rīga and Barbacan costs less than similar fare and a common room, and
Apartments and Eugenijus in a local restaurant. extending to licensed bars,
Apartments in Vilnius. Also The choice of rural guest- sightseeing tours and, in the
available in some other major houses is enormous throughout case of the Red Emperor in
cities, apartments can be opulent the Baltic States and their Tallinn (see p296), live music
or spartan, but in general most availability extends to the most and a skateboard ramp.
are of a high stan dard. Most remote areas of each country. Many hostels are privately run
agency-managed apartments Bookings can be made through and you'll find some of these
are in central locations. Rates are their websites or via the rural listed on pages 296–307. Others
usually very competitive and the tourism association – Estonian are affiliated with the worldwide
apartments often provide better Rural Tourism in Estonia, Baltic network of youth hostel
facilities than those offered at a Country Holidays in Latvia associations, Hostelling
hotel in the same price range. and Countryside Tourism International. Membership is
Numerous properties are also Association in Lithuania. required to stay at one of these
listed on vacation rental sites Rural tourism has become hostels, but joining is cheap and
such as Airbnb. such a popular sector in the can be done while booking.
Guesthouses
In major cities, guesthouses are
small, moderately priced hotels,
sometimes family-run, of eight
to twenty rooms. They can be
convenient places to stay, with
many right in the old centres,
and often in older buildings
with a little character.
In rural areas, guesthouses
can be the best form of lodging,
offering cosy, clean accommo-
dation at very reasonable rates.
Most rural guesthouses tend to
be built close to a family home,
so a personal touch is assured.
Aesthetically, they are loosely Understated suite in Rīga‘s stylish Neiburgs Hotel (see p301)

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