Destination (TLL): After 50 years of Soviet suppression, the capital of Estonia is enjoying the good life,
both keen new member of the EU and entertainment hot spot. Jonathan Hart reports. Be warned or be cool. Everyone brings back a tale from Tallinn and frequently it's on the saucy side, gossip for the office that's heavy on the innuendo. The capital of Estonia is, after all, also known as the capital of Baltic permissiveness. Where you enjoy or endure, depending on your viewpoint, weekending hordes of lads and ladettes in search of a liaison. Come winter, summer and as regularly as day follows night. Talk about northern exposure. Okay, so you're going strictly for business, which is booming, along with tourism, in this tiny Baltic state. Either way, Tallinn takes it all in easy stride, neither openly encouraging nor discouraging the knowing nudge nudge, wink wink factor. There are worse reputations to have and, besides, it's nothing but good for the service sector almost two years in from Estonia’s accession to the EU. Estonia is used to far more hostile invasions over the centuries, first Swedes, then Danes, Germans and, latterly, Russians. And how Tallinn still dislikes the Soviets, despite the fact that up to 40% of the state's 1.5million population remains steadfastly Russian, failing to pass the language test that comes with new Estonian citizenship. Fifteen years on from the Singing Revolution, so called for its focus around the national annual Song Festival, talk of independence from nearly 50 years under the Soviet yoke appears as current as any chat-up line amid the old town taprooms and hip bars of the city. You're as likely to be directed to the Museum of Occupations and a lesson in suffering as you are towards a racy club. The hundreds of suitcases lining the museum are a chilling reminder of those deported to Siberia and an instant antidote to ardour. You can also cool your heels with a stroll through a compact and remarkably beautiful city centre, the ancient architecture of the Old Town justifiably earning its designation as a World Heritage site. Few would argue that this is one of Europe’s most attractive capitals. Get your bearings from Tall Hermann and Fat Margaret, not denizens of the nightlife but two perfectly formed medieval towers marking the location of Toompea Castle, dominated by two cathedrals. Then stroll along St. Catherine's Passage for a glimpse of Old Hanseatic craftsmanship or embrace the romantic seaside area of Kadriorg, with its mix of grand Tsarist period villas and humble Estonian shacks. Here, you’ll find the Song Grounds, synonymous with the freedom, refreshing honesty and anti-corrupt ideals that warrant Tallinn a reputation for more than just spurious or salacious office innuendo.
Currency: Estonian kroon €1=EEK15.65
Tipping: restaurant and taxi bills
generally include the tip
Time: GMT+2
Electricity: 220 volts (standard European-style two-pin plugs)
Public holidays 2006: February 24; April 14, 16; May 1, 29; June 23, 24; August 20; December 25, 26
Climate: temperate, but with considerable variations in temperature. Summer is warm with relatively mild weather in spring and autumn; winter (November to mid-March) can be very cold. Rainfall is yearround, but heaviest in August. It is advisable to carry an umbrella at all times
Airport: 4km (2.5 miles) south east of Tallinn city centre. Buses leave every 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the time of day, with a duration of 10-15 minutes to the Sokos Hotel Viru, and a fare of EEK15 (€1); taxis take around 10 minutes and cost EEK70 (€4.50)
Hotels: Barons, Best Western Tallink, Domina City, Domina Ilmarine, Imperial, Merchant's House, Meriton Grand, Old Town Maestro's, Olevi Residents, Radisson SAS, Reval Olümpia, Reval Park, Scandic Palace, Schlössle, Sokos Viru, St. Petersbourg, Taanilinna Hotel, The Three Sisters
Business hours: 09.00-17.00 Monday-Friday (government offices tend to close earlier)
International dialling code: 373
In emergency: 110 (police), 112 (fire and ambulance) Business do’s and don’ts: - Do be prepared for a fairly formal approach to business
- Do be punctual
- Do allow plenty of time between meetings
- Do be prepared for some exceptionally cold weather during the winter and go with sufficient warm clothing
- Do take sensible precautions against petty crime
- Don't be confused by toilet door symbols – an M (mees) or an inverted pyramid is for men and an N, or pyramid, is for women (naine)
- Don't expect the traffic to stop for you at designated pedestrian crossings – it probably won’t
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