Estonia isn’t so popular travel destination, compare to its neighbors like Sweden and Finland, but this small Baltic country has plenty to offer. This Northern Europe country borders the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. The more than 1,500 islands, lakes, old forests, and rocky beaches offer to its visitors a unique chance to experience a dynamic little country. Formerly part of the Soviet Union, it’s dotted with castles, churches and hilltop fortresses. Estonia has been rated by Lonely Planet as The best value destination in the world in 2016.
What Not to Do in Estonia
If you are planning to travel to this Baltic country, the following guide will help you to have a more pleasant experience. Here I’ll share a few things you need to know not to do if you travel to Estonia.
1. Avoid Speaking About USSR
It’s preferred not to speak about their history with the Soviet Union or USSR because of their bad memories about the time being part of it. Estonians are not very comfortable with being referred to as Eastern-Europeans.
2. Keep Your Voice Down
Do not raise your voice in a conversation. It is not nice.
3. You Can Get Harassed
Don’t be surprised if you get harassed. People traveling to Estonia have been warning that they may be a target of harassment. People who look or appear to be from a foreign country have been known to be targeted to be harassed for racial reasons.
4. Don’t Keep Your Shoes On
When you are entering a home in Estonian, don’t forget to take off your shoes when you step inside.
5. Don’t Expect a Salesman to Approach You in The Stores
One of the major social rights in Estonia is your freedom to choose and decide on your own. And because of that when you go in the stores, most of the time you have to ask what you are looking for and not to expect that the salesman will start a conversation with you or try to sell you something as in some other countries.
6. Don’t Ask Them if They Speak Russian
The absolutely worst thing is to ask Estonians that is Russian your language or speak Russian to them. Estonians are proud of their own language – Estonian.
However, most Estonians prefer to speak English.
7. Bicycling Is Not so Popular
Bicycles are not so used in Tallinn. There aren’t many roads for bicycles except in Pirita, you have to be careful if you are biking!
8. Don’t Forget to Wear Reflectors
If you decide to rent a bike and go for a ride after dark, don’t forget to wear small reflectors, especially during winter. The fine can range from $50 to $500 USD.
9. Don’t Drink Alcohol Outside
It is not allowed to drink alcohol outside, only at the bar area or at home. The age limit for alcohol and smoking is 18 years old. Usually, the rule, when shops can sell alcohol is from 9.00 to 22.00.
10. Don’t Expect Help When Traveling With Kids
If you are traveling on the streets and in public transport with children in pushchairs. The streets of old cities are cobbled making it difficult to push strollers or the public transportation stroller, buses have high stairs and this may make it difficult for you and don’t expect that people will help you.
Iceland consists of an unforgiving landscape void of trees, whipped by wind and dotted with gushing geysers and bubbling hot springs.
Only 2% of the population is unemployed, the country has no army, they are pioneers in the use of geothermal energy for space heating. The nation has some of the globe’s lowest crime and highest life expectancy rates, and a long history of being named one of the happiest countries on the annual “World Happiness Report.”
Iceland is the Safest and Most Peaceful Country in the World
Are you thinking about going to Iceland? Here are some things about Iceland that you may have heard.
Iceland is one of only two parts of the planet where the mosquitoes never set up, the other is being Antarctica. In places like New Caledonia, Seychelles and French Polynesia mosquitos exist, but the insects cannot carry the virus as it requires the blood of land-based mammals, which are absent in these places.
Photo credit: Tony Calvert / Flickr
The Northern Lights
The Aurora Borealis is one of the main reasons travelers from all around the world venture themselves in the dark and cold nights of Iceland. But the reward of facing the extreme temperatures and strong winds is the possibility to appr
You can watch this natural spectacle on the outskirts of Reykjavík, but towards the north the lights can get more intense. the country becomes the best spot to view the full wonder of the Northern Lights. They are usually seen on the Jokulsarlon lagoon located in South Iceland. They are largely seen over the period from September to April.
Photo credit: Fabrice TRINITE / Flickr
The Blue Lagoon
This is the most famous attraction in Iceland. There are several hot pools in Iceland and its use of geothermal power, but this one is the total winner. The water is geothermal heated and it is warm all year round and definitely needs to be in your checklist.
The ancient glaciers of Iceland cover more than 10% of the country and include the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull. The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is one of the best sights in Iceland, where you see a chaotic ensemble of glacier chunks slowly floating their way out to sea. Photo credit: Andri Elfarsson / Flickr
Volcanoes
There are about 130 volcanic mountains, some active and some extinct. You can take an Icelandic super jeep or helicopter and tour the volcanic landscape of Iceland. A trip to see these landscapes is a trip into natural art. One of the highlights is Thrihnukagigur volcano – the last eruption occurred thousands of years ago. This is usually a journey 128 meters deep and allows you to explore the volcano inside of the cavern is stained with russet red scars and flashes of blackened indigo. You can check the tour prices operated by Inside the Volcano.
You can dive between continents
In Iceland and you will witness the North American and the Eurasian tectonic plates living together in perfect harmony. You can dive between the North American and Eurasian continental tectonic plates! Photo credit: Guitar photographer / shutterstock
Waterfalls
The iconic Gullfoss waterfall is famed for its scale and beauty. The water stream is fed by the Langjökull glacier, second largest glacier in Iceland, and the power of water is breathtaking. Another of the major ones and a prominent tourist attraction is the Svartifoss waterfall. Make sure you also visit their tallest waterfalls, Glymur, and Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss. Photo credit: Giuseppe Milo / Flickr
Ice Caves
Iceland’s ice caves are among the most extraordinary and mesmerizing wonders of nature and can certainly be counted among the most breath-taking sights the world has to offer. Ice caves are natural phenomena that are formed in glaciers during winter. Most often they are formed by water running through or under the glacier and new caves are formed every year. Every cave is different and you never really know what you’ll get to see before you go in. There are knowledgeable guides that will take you on this epic journey under the blue ice.
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park is a UNESCO Heritage site and it’s very important to the locals because of its historical and cultural background. The park sits in a rift valley caused by the separation of 2 tectonic plates, with rocky cliffs and fissures like the huge Almannagjá fault. Thingvellir is a favourite stop among travellers along the Golden Circle route. t is the visible site of the mid-Atlantic Ridge where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
Everybody is Equal
Based on Global Gender Gap Report, Iceland tops the list for being the country with the most gender equality in the world for the seventh straight year in a row. Iceland is often referred to as the most feminist place in the world.
Everyone Speaks English
If you are worried about travelling to a foreign country and not being able to speak to anyone, don’t you worry! In Iceland, almost everybody speaks English. All children are required to learn both English and Danish in elementary schools.
Experience Iceland’s Unique Cuisine
Iceland is known for its unique cuisine. In Iceland you can go to a restaurant and get amazingly fresh seafood that was caught earlier that day. Icelandic ingredients are known for being fresh, healthy and sustainable. Seafood and lamb stand out as mouthwatering entree items on many menus. They also have options that will cater to specialized diets. Here are suggestions for vegan restaurants in Reykjavik. Photo credit: imgur.com
Iceland’s Capital City
Reykjavik is Amazing. But Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavik is a place that will lure you in with Viking-age history, world-class museums, a geothermal beach, inviting pubs and plenty of adventures for the entire family to enjoy. Reykjavik is also a great place for some live music and entertainment. The whole city of Reykjavík is made up of colourful houses, not just in one area, but all over the place!
Iceland is one of the Happiest Countries in the World
According the World Happiness Report, Iceland ranks third in the world for happiness. If you travel to Iceland, you will surely find some happy and friendly locals to talk to. The local Icelandic swimming pools are a great place to meet new people where you can have fun and interesting conversations with the locals.
Adventure Trails
Iceland is the perfect destination for adventure-loving travelers. The Laugavegur Hiking Trail is Iceland’s most famous hiking trail and truly one of the world’s most beautiful treks. The trail connects the Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk Nature Reserves and offers a variety of different landscapes along the way. Every day has different views with beautiful scenery of pristine nature with volcanic mountains, lava fields, glaciers, natural hot springs, black arctic deserts and lush forrested valleys.
When to travel to Iceland?
The pick season in Iceland is during summertime [May to September], with mild temperatures and fully booked hotels. During that time, the days are longer and you can enjoy beautiful moments in nature and outside. Iceland is a small country, to get around you can rent car and go explore it by yourself. Or you can book a tour and visit the waterfalls, geysers, volcanoes and glaciers. This country has some of the most spectacular sights in the world, with active volcanoes, breathtaking mountain scenery and calming geothermal springs.
Berlin, the German capital, has been cut its CO2 emissions by one-third since 1990 and the goal is to be climate neutral by 2050.
With a population of over 3.5m, Berlin is Germany’s biggest city. The city average growth is around 40-50,000 people a year. As a growing metropolis, the city has to respond to the environmental, social and economic challenges, the demands for housing, urban infrastructure, mobility, waste disposal as well as the use of resources to grow continuously.
The German’s capital is known for people who are great at imagining and repairing broken systems, making significant contributions to creating a more environmentally safe city. To ensure a sustainable and solidarity life, the German capital offers creative solutions by responding to the diverse challenges of the future in an environmentally and citizen-friendly way. There is a strong collaboration between the city, businesses and the scientific community.
The city has been working for a long time to cut the CO2 emissions by one-third by implementing hundreds of cycle lanes and recycling incentives, creating over 2,500 green spaces, parks and gardens, committed to change. Over 30% of the city area is green spaces and woodland. The huge green space of Tiergarten can be traced back to 1527. Berlin is one of the greenest cities in Europe.
Public transport in Berlin is becoming more sustainable with implementing electric buses through the city, and some buses using hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines. Trams run on specially built tracks to reduce both air and noise pollution.
Companies like SunCat, Solarpolis, and Solar Water World are offering eco-friendly tours and rentals with solar-powered boats.
Berlin is the leading city in Germany for alternative forms of transport and has more than 400 electric car-charging stations and four hydrogen refueling stations. The city collaborates with companies like eMo for innovative solutions for future mobility support economic development, create jobs and improve the quality of life and the environment.
With fLotte Berlin the city offers the free rental of cargo bikes in some districts. Projects like this are supported by encouraging more Berliners to switch to this environmentally friendly way.
It is important that these people travel using environmentally sustainable transport, that is compatible with the city — on foot, by bicycle or with public transport.
– says Burkhard Horn, director of the city government’s transport department
The Berlin-based enterprise WindNODE with the help of the federal Smart Energy Showcase program, focuses on a future in which the electricity needs are covered by renewable sources.
Berlin has created the House of Food foundation, its goal is to significantly increase the share of organic products in day-nurseries, schools, canteens, cafeterias and catering in public institutions by 2021. Copenhagen was the first city to integrate such a program in 2007.
Consumers, retailers, and manufacturers are embracing sustainability as a social and business cause.
People are encouraged to recycle by using the refund system, in which consumers can get back €0.25 for every plastic bottle recycled.
After WWII there were also a lot of unused spaces, which were taken over by locals and turned inot urban gardens. The city was bankrupt so people were allowed to take over these spaces because the government had no money to do anything else with them. By the end of World War II, Berlin’s largest artificial park was converted into allotments and agricultural zones.
Berlin is one of the greenest cities in the world and by 2020 aims to be the greenest city in the world.
With so many vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Germany’s capital, there is no surprise that in late 2015, American magazine Saveur ranked Berlin as the new vegetarian capital.
Want to find more sustainable destinations? Check our other posts.
Photo credit: Tony Calvert / Flickr
Photo credit: Fabrice TRINITE / Flickr
Photo credit: N Blom / Flickr
Photo credit: Andri Elfarsson / Flickr
Photo credit: Guitar photographer / shutterstock
Photo credit: Giuseppe Milo / Flickr
Photo credit: imgur.com
