Practical information : Move & Laze around Estonia
Budget & Tips
Tip: in Lithuania, and particularly in Vilnius, why not rent a bike and then enjoy a free daily tour of the city?
In Vilnius: VELOTAKAS BIKE & TOURS (Stulginskio 5, +370 618 45727, www.velotakas.l - [email protected])
Open seasonally, see website. A local agency that rents bikes, organizes city bike tours, provides maps and information on cycling in the city.
In Rīga: BICYCLE RENTAL (Pils iela 14, +371 291 33 867, www.bicyclerental.lv - [email protected]) The entrance is on Rīdzenes iela. Open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays until 6 p.m. The largest and oldest bike and Segway rental in Old Rīga since 2009. Guided tours of Rīga. Rentals from €7 for two hours and €13 per day. Rent a bike to explore the city and its surroundings. Advice and route maps are provided free of charge. Guided bike tours lasting 2-3 hours are also available.
In Tallinn: CITY BIKE (33 Vene tn. +372 511 1819, www.citybike.ee - [email protected]) Open daily from 10am to 6pm. Bike hire: €8 for up to 3 hours, sliding scale for 6 hours or more. This young team of cycling enthusiasts will accompany you on a multi-day tour of the city's secrets and beyond.
What's very local
Cycling! Tallinn has some 85 km of cycle paths.
Kikking. This is a large swing where you stand upright. Whether you're alone or in a group, it's a great way to exercise your legs, and it's very, very typical! In fact, on the individual swings, the aim is to complete a full circle.
Your documents please
If you're a minor, you'll need a parent's permission to take part in the various activities, and in many cases you'll need to be accompanied by an adult.
To be booked
It's always best to book activities and excursions - especially to national parks - a few days in advance, especially in high season, even though there are generally few tourists once you leave the capital cities.
Main events
There are many events to choose from, and we can't list them all here, but here are just a few.
In February, it's off to Tartu for the ski marathon. In March, Tallinn hosts one of Eastern Europe's biggest music festivals, while in Vilnius, the weekend before March 4 is the St. Casimir's Fair, the city's patron saint. April is Jazz Month in Kaunas. Between July and August, Klaipėda celebrates the Sea Festival with concerts, parades and fireworks. August sees the re-enactment of the Battle of Narva.