Estonia

4.000 km coastline with 50 marinas

For boaters, Estonia has 2,222 islands, some 4,000 km of coastline and 50 marinas on offer. Moreover, in 2016 Estonia celebrates the "Year of the Baltic Culture". The slogan "Face to the sea" particularly puts a focus on marinas and boating tourism. An extensive marine infrastructure provides marinas accessible for yachts in close proximity to each other. The next marina is never more than 30 nm away. Perfect for relaxed day trips. Even in the middle of the sailing season, there is no risk not to get a free berth when sailing in Estoniam waters. Moorings are always available, as are deserted beaches, even in the holidays. After mooring your boat, visitors should consider an excursion into the towns as there are countless events on during summer.

Viru Folk Music festival
In mid July each year, the Maritime Days are celebrated in Tallinn. The Maritime Days are a three-day event organized in the various ports of Tallinn. In 2016 the Vikings were the focus of events. In mid August, Käsmu, the oldest captain's village in northern Estonia ccelebrates the Viru Folk music festival. Music from various European islands is presented at this festival. In 2016 musicans came from Iceland, the Faroe Islands, the Shetland Islands and the Åland Islands, from Gotland as well as the Estonian islands. Each festival visitor should also see Kuradisaare Island a bit further upstream of Käsmu.

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Coastal expeditions throughout the summer
From April to September visitors are invited to attend the so-called 'coastal expeditions', guided excursions to the North Estonian Baltic villages. In these villages, the residents come together to prepare fish dishes, sell regional handicrafts, make music and present the traditional trades and crafts of the area.

Tallin Songfestival - - Foto: © www.visitestonia.com/de / Sven Zacek

Sailing highlight - the „Muhu Väina“-Race
The "Muhu Väina" ocean race held in mid-July, which is the oldest sailing regatta in Estonia, is already known to a wide audience. The 59th edition of the regatta in 2016 also saw the Estonian Offshore Sailing Championships in the folk boat class as part of the event. Every year, the event draws participants on more than 100 yachts from Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia and other countries. The number of sailors is between 700 and 800. Kalev Vapper, President of Estonia's largest yacht clubs ("ESS Kalev") and European as well as World Champion in ORC offshore sailing, characterizes Estonian sailing as follows: "Estonia is a land by the sea and sailing has been known here for centuries. The first amateur sailin club which can be described as a Yacht Club was founded at the mouth of the Pirita River in the year 1820th. Today outstanding yacht clubs are active in Tallinn, Pärnu, Kuressaare, Haapsalu and Kärdla." The Yacht Club of Haapsalu celebrated its 128th birthday in 2016. The Estonian Yacht Club Association, founded in 1928, includes twelve active clubs.

Estonian Cruising Guide
For sailing in Estonian waters you should acquire the "Estonian Cruising Guide" first published in 2016. "This book is indispensable for route planning for all amateur sailors and boating tourists who are traveling in the Estonian coastal waters. You do not have to explain the usefullness of a Cruising Guide to a yachtsman, but also canoists, surfers and anglers will be surprised about the useful information it contains," says the editor of the book, Jaano Martin Ots.

Source & further Informationen: www.visitestonia.com/de

Fotos: © Urmas Haljaste & Sven Zacek

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