Page 362 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

360 TRA VELLERS ' NEEDS

era, drawing visitors from across
the former Soviet Union for relax-
ation or medi cal treatment. There
was a decline in the spa industry
after independence. However,
since then new spa hotels have
opened and older ones have been
renovated. Treatments are cheaper
than in Western Europe, and
there are special deals in winter.
There are several spa hotels
on the Estonian islands and
also establishments within, and
close to, the capital, such as the
Kalev Spa, a huge faci lity on
the edge of the Old Town, and
Meriton Spa at the Park
Latvian ice-hockey player in action in an IIHF World Championship match Inn hotel. The Estonian Spa
Association represents several
Spectator Sports
members of the Estonian Golf of the country’s spas.
The Baltic States are among the Association. The Estonian Golf The main spot for a spa break
few parts of Europe where & Country Club is seeking to be in Latvia is Jūrmala, a string
football is not the dominant a part of the PGA Tour. There are of seaside towns pro viding
spectator sport. The region’s most 18-hole courses in Otepää, everything from lively bars to
enthusiastic football fans are the Saaremaa and Tallinn, the last of secluded beaches. Another
Estonians, and their national which is well maintained. good choice is the Spa Hotel
team has improved in recent The premier course in Latvia is Ezeri (see p303).
years. However, in Estonia, the at the Ozo Golf Club on Rīga’s In Lithuania, the best spas
biggest of the stadium sports is outskirts, while the country’s can be found in Druskininkai
basketball and major fixtures can other 18-hole course is Saliena, (see p259), one of which is
be seen at the Kalev Stadium. located between Rīga and Spa Vilnius. Palanga is also a
In Latvia, the most popular Jūrmala. Golf clubs in Lithuania popular spa destination.
sport is ice hockey, parti cularly with 18-hole courses include
since the national team beat Sostinių and Europos Centro.
Russia in the 2000 Ice Hockey There are also plans to open a Brewery Tours
Championships. Many of the best golf complex near Klaipėda, Beer brewing has a celebrated
players are members of overseas featur ing an additional spa hotel. history in the Baltic States,
teams, making domestic games a and there are several brewery
little lacklustre, but support is tours available in the region.
enthusiastic for international Spa Breaks Try A Le Coq Brewery in
games at the Arena Rīga. Visitors There have been health resorts in Estonia or the Užavas or
to Daugavpils will find the city in the Baltic States since the 19th Valmiermuižas facilities in
the thrall of speedway racing. century, although there is evi- Latvia. Lithuania has the best
Enthusiasts should not miss a dence of mud and spring water choice of breweries open to
visit to the Lokomotive Stadium. being used in folk medicine the public, including Utenos,
The most popular spectator much earlier. The resorts were Švyturys, Volfas Engelman,
sport in Lithuania is basket ball. hugely popular during the Soviet Kalnapilis and Rinkuškiai.
The national team has won a
bronze medal at the Olympic
Games three times and was the
European cham pion in 2003.
Žalgiris Kaunas and Lietuvos
Rytas Vilnius are the leading
domestic teams. To watch
players practising, visit the
Siemens Arena.

Golf
Soviet Russians were not keen
on golf, so the sport is rela tively
new to the region and there are
few good courses. In Estonia, a
number of golf clubs are Entrance to the Spa Vilnius, one of the best spas in Druskininkai, Lithuania