The area of Väinameri can be argued to be one the most beautiful and charming areas in northern Europe. With its varied and old, cultural landscapes, the area provides both unique natural experiences and a vibrant culture. Whereas most areas in western Europe have become over-developed and altered from their original character, the islands in Väinameri have been been left relatively untouched due largely to their isolation during the Soviet times. Here you can find plants and animals that are either very unusual or non-existent in many other areas of northern Europe.
In an aim to conserve the natural and cultural values found in Väinameri, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Estonian conservation teams have partnered with local tourism entrepreneurs as a way of showing the values for the protected areas system and the natural heritage of Estonia. After years of restriction, the doors to Väinameri are now open to you and welcome you to come and visit!
RESERVATIONS
You make all reservations on your own, and you travel essentially on your own.
You make contact the service providers directly in Estonia by e-mail. For the accommodations listed here, you will be asked to pay a deposit of 30 percent upon making the reservation. Overseas credit card withdrawals do not work well yet in Estonia, however once there credit cards are accepted in many places and will work without problems. In order to pay the deposit, we ask you transfer the deposit to the indicated bank account in Estonia provided to you by each property. The remaining cost may be paid upon arrival. All prices are provided in the Estonian kroon (EEK). 100 EEK equals approximately 15,6 EUR, but prices are similar in nominal terms.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
TRAVELLING TO ESTONIA
General information about Estonia can be found at www.visitestonia.com, which is the official website of the Estonian Tourism Board. There are flights to Tallinn (www.tallinn-airport.ee/e_index.html ) as well as ferries from Helsinki and Stockholm (www.tallink.se). The ferries trafficking between Stockholm and Tallinn are all overnight. Cabins are comfortable, and there are duty free goods for sale on-board, as well as bars, entertainment and restaurants. It is possible to bring you own car by ferry.
TRAVELLING WITHIN ESTONIA
You may rent a car from Avis either through their website (www.avis.ee) or at your nearest Avis agency. There is an Avis office at the Tallinn Ülemiste airport and a car can be delivered to the ferry terminal. In Estonia you drive on the right, and the speed limit is generally 90 km/h. Cars may be brought along on the ferries to both Hiiumaa and Vormsi. Estonia is small and it takes only four hours to drive across the whole country, from one end to the other. The Väinameri destinations and its ferries are not more than 2 hours drive from Tallinn.
There is also an efficient and frequent local bus system that connects the different corners of the country. Buses from Tallinn also go on the ferries, straight to Hiiumaa. On Vormsi Island there is a local bus that meets up each arriving ferry and then drives all around the road network on the island, stopping where you ask it to.
Information about the ferries to Hiiumaa and Vormsi is available at www.laevakompanii.ee
USEFUL LINKS
Comprehensive information about guesthouses, bungalows and farm holidays is available at the website of the Estonian Rural Tourism Association (www.maaturism.ee). These are located all over the country and are an economical alternative.
For the nature lover, the Estonian Ecotourism Association’s (ESTECAS) website (www.ecotourism.ee) provides a brief description of the flora and fauna as well as the protected areas system, and entrepreneurs that offer services around whole Estonia.
If you are interested in maps, consult www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/estonia.html ; www.ikaart.ee/ikaart.php3?Lang=eng ; maps.eomap.ee/hiiumaa/index.php
WHEN TO VISIT
During the summer months the cottages are usually fully booked, so you are advised to make early reservations during this period. The spring and autumn bird migrations, however, are in the low season and the most recommended time for travel for nature experiences. Orchids are in full bloom usually by the first week of June. The Riga Bay lift off of huge numbers of geese bound for the Arctic is during the end of April and early May, whereas many rare species will arrive during the latter half of May. Having said this, west Estonia is well worth a visit during any time of the year. Many of the properties have saunas – a dedicated love shared by Estonians and Finns. If you are interested in a real winter escape, there is little in northern Europe that can beat the unhurried life in Väinameri during this time. Please note that not all properties are open for the winter. Those that are, though, are usually available at bargain rates.
THE LOCAL NATURE
During Soviet times, the islands and all coastal zones were considered border areas, and access was restricted not only for foreigners, but also for Soviet citizens such as Estonians and Russians. Little coastal development took place, and the natural values of the coastal zones were left rather intact. We believe you are interested in this destination due to your keen interest in nature and local cultures. A fantastic site with foreign language names and localities for Estonian orchids is at: www.orhidee.ee.
The Estonian Fund For Nature (Eestimaa Looduse Fond; ELF) is the main Estonian NGO for nature conservation. There is some useful information at their website (www.elfond.ee) about Estonian nature and the impressive conservation work undertaken by ELF. It is also possible to visit Estonia and work as an eco-volunteer for conservation work directed by ELF.
Hiiumaa Protected Areas Administration - www.bka.hiiuloodus.ee/eng.html
General information about Hiiumaa - www.hiiumaa.ee/index.php?idc=1101044
