Baltic Ferry connections

Ferry connections in the Baltic

Travel in an around the Baltic is mainly done by Ferry Boats. These are large ocean going vessels that carry not just passengers but also cars, trucks and buses. In fact, the Norwegian Civitan delegation is coming to Tallinn in several large buses by an overnight ferry boat from Stockholm, Sweden. When booking your flight to Tallinn, consider using one of a number of Scandinavian, German or even the Polish port of Gadansk. Helsinki, Finland is just 40 miles and about 2 hours by ferry boat to Tallinn. For example you might book your flight into Stockholm from North America, take the overnight ferry to Tallinn and then book your flight home from Helsinki. On the overnight ferries you can book a cabin or simply sit in the lounge and watch the midnight sun set for a few hours before rising again at about 2 am in early July. Here is the link for schedules and prices.

Tallink Silja

Religion in Estonia

A richness in religious diversity is evident in Tallinn. Russian Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches are found throughout this northern Baltic country. Hundreds of years of many invaders and occupiers have left their mark of religious tolerance as these three main Christian denominations together with their churches dot the old city. The Christmas and New Years celebration is a particularly important period of time in Tallinn as the Eastern Orthodox church, introduced in the 1700's by Czar Peter the Great has a different advent period. Christmas day is celebrated but the first 10 days of the new year are the major celebration with daily gift giving. Pictured is an Eastern Orthodox Church. Convention visitors next summer can worship at Catholic or evangelical churches or even experience the richness of the Russian Orthodox church once part of the the Church of Rome prior an east/west split in 1054.

Christmas in Tallinn

Christmas in Tallinn with the old town under a blanket of snow. Its cold now but in July will be just perfect. The Euro continues to weaken meaning your travel costs including airfare and hotel will be cheaper in relation to the US and Canadian dollar. Access hotel and convention links at www.Civitan.org/convention

European unrest not necessarily a bad thing

The news would have us believe that the Europe Union (EU) is on the brink of unraveling. I don't share that opinion of the dire outcome facing the 17 member union (of which Estonia is a member). The adults in Europe will figure it out. Over the past 2 months, Greece, Italy and Spain each have new conservative prime ministers who have all managed to get their austerity budgets passed and will work with their northern European partners to solve the problem of a currency union without a political union. Everyone involved has a stake in a successful resolution of structured debt, a stronger European Central Bank and even issuing of Europe Bonds.
The benefit to North Americans traveling there next summer will likely be a cheaper Euro and by extension cheaper air fares and local costs. We'll continue to monitor this but watch the Euro now at $1.34 per dollar.

Eastern Europe is very affordable

Pictured is one of the many roof tops of the old town along the city wall in Tallinn, Estonia. This medieval Baltic city is by some accounts the best preserved walled city of northern Europe.

Eastern Europe is still very affordable. The Sokos Hotel, bigger of the two convention properties for the July 2012 convention is 73 Euros per night. At today's US rate it will be $97 per night including full buffet breakfasts for 2 and no additional taxes at check out. WOW...

Future posts here will include travel tips such as economic ways to fly to Estonia, ideas for bucket list visits to other European destinations and when to start booking flighs. (tip: not before next spring).

Baltic Blast

Fun and Fellowship in Eastern Europe

The Civitan International convention next summer will be held in the Estonian City of Tallinn, July 3-6. Two hotels have been selected for the delegates, the Sokos and the Nordic Forum. The negotiated single or double rate for these convention hotels is 73 and 75 Euros respectively. Based on the current Euro exchange rates that is about $99 and $101 respectively and includes a buffet breakfast for 2.

Follow convention developments at http://www.civitan.com/template.php?t=sr&id=274 and make plans to join us for a Blast in the Baltic. Stay tuned for more on this weekly.