Practical Information

Submitted by admin on Tue, 13/05/2008 - 12:46.
in
Getting to Estonia
There are several direct flights from various cities in Europe to Tallinn, capital of Estonia and international airport. You might have to check different companies for the best price. <a href="http://www.tallinn-airport.ee/index.php?page=187&PHPSESSID=aab6f2c66b4d8ad096a43a806f727b97">Tallinn Airport</a> has a listing of companies flying to Tallinn.

Arrival
You will land in Tallinn Airport where you can take a bus (No 2 to
Tallinn Bus station cost 20 EEK) or you can take a taxi (cost approx
100 EEK). When taking a taxi, make sure you will ask for signed receipt as
only then you can have some certainty that you won't be tricked (and I
can refund your travel where possible). Read carefully the instructions
at the beginning of the taxi stand on the yellow plate.
Buses to Tartu depart every 30 min and more detailed schedule is
available at www.bussireisid.ee (take ENG from upper-right corner).
Once in Tartu you can either walk to the accommocation places (~20-40 min as it varies slightly in direction) or you can take a taxi. The charge should be between 45-70 EEK, again, ask for signed recipt. Taxis are available at the bus station or across
the street in front of the station.

Location
Events will take place in two building in the University of Tartu, both located in the city centre. Main lecture hall will be Ülikooli street 16 room number 212. Students will be divided in three
groups or flows. One flow will be also in Ülikooli str 16-212 (Yellow), two will be Lossi 3 rooms 112 (Blue) and 141B (Green). Your room number and position will be notified with the full programme. Those two buildings are within 150m from each other.

Tartu is small and walkable city - most of the walking will be
between accommocation places and the location of the summer school and should take
about 15-25 min, depending on your speed of walking. Take more time when coming first day, so that you will not be late.

Lunches and coffebreaks will be within walking distance.

Accommodation

There are several places where summer school students and lecturers will be accommocated. Breakfast is always included and you should clarify the exact location for it when you arrive at the hostel. Accommodation is arranged in twin rooms and your room mate most likely
is not the person who is from your university. We will inform you by late June your exact room and room-mate. Changes are permitted only when absolutely necessary.

In Tallinn, we will be accommocated in <a href="http://www.oldhouse.ee/eng_index.php">Hostel Old House</a> where there will be rooms for 2, 3 or 4
people. The central location will hopefully compensate the lack of
privacy and I hope you'll have good time in Tallinn.

Currency
Estonia Krooni (EEK), exchange rate is approximately EEK 12 to USD, or EEK 15.64 to EUR
ATMs enable you to withdraw cash with most credit and debit cards with
small fee to your own bank. Don't exchange money in the airport as the
exchange rates are not very favorable! You will need cash for the bus
and taxi, most other places accept cards.

Tipping
Not necessary, but most people "round up", especially in the dinner time.

Climate
The average maximum temperature in July and August is between around 16C.
The temperature ranges between 5-30 degrees Celsius. The longest summer day is 19 hours on 21 June. Current whether can be checked from www.ilm.ee/tartu

Tourism information: Raekoja Sq 14, p: +372 744 2111, open: Mo-Fr 9-18, Sa-Su 10-15
Electricity: The electricity supply in Estonia is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. European-style 2-pin plugs are in use

Useful Tartu telephone numbers
Emergency calls: 112
General practitioners information number: 1220
General information number: 1182, 1188
Taxis: (+372) 742 2222, 734 3333, 742 0420, 733 3666
Bus station information: 733 1277,
http://www.bussireisid.ee/index.html?MENU=&KEEL=en (or select
English at the upper-right corner) Cost of bus-trip is 115-140 Estonian
Kroons. If you can, bring International Student Identity Cars (ISIC) as
those will give you significant discount on the buses.

Internet access
WIFI area is available WIFI areas are many and in most eating places.
Public WIFI is also in the Town Hall square and behind the Town Hall in
the greenery area. WIFI is also
available in most hostels and in the main lecture room.

Internet cafe is at Kaubmaja: Riia 1. http://kaubamaja.ee/?id=12369

Stores
Pharmacy (Apteek): Town-Hall Square, open 24h
Department store: Kaubamaja, Riia 1, http://www.tartukaubamaja.ee/, open: Mo-Fr 09-22, Sa-Su 09-20
Grocery store: Kaubamaja department store, ground floor, open: 09:00-22:00
You can cook your own dinners at the hostel, should you like to.

Sights

  • Town Hall Square (Raekoja Plats), Town Hall (1782-1789)
  • Old Town, between Riia and Lai, traditional Estonian buildings and Scandinavian influences
  • St John Church (Jaani kirik), probably built early 14th century, has unique terracotta sculptures
  • Toome Hill, the Historical Cathedral on the hill has viewing platforms, open: Mo-Su 10:00-19:00
  • Foucault Pendulum, Tähe 4 (in Physics Department building), ph: 737 5520
  • Botanical Garden, University of Tartu, Lai 40, p: 737 6180, open: Mo-Su 10:00-17:00

    Museums

  • Museum of the 19th Century Citizen of Tartu: Jaani 16, p: 736 1545, open: We-Su 11:00-18:00
  • Tartu Brewery Museum: Tähtvere 56/62, p: 744 9711, needs to be booked in advance.
  • St Antony's Court (art and handicraft with show): Lutsu 5, p: 742 3823, open: Tu-Sa 11:00-17:00
  • Estonian Postal Museum and Sports Museum: Rüütli 15, p: 730 0775, open: We-Su 11:00-18:00
  • Estonian National Museum (folk/food culture): Kuperjanovi 9, p: 742 1311, open: We-Su 11:00-18:00
  • KGB Cells Museum (history of Soviet occupation and war, original KGB cells): Riia 15b, p: 746 1717, open: Tu-Sa 11:00-16:00
  • Tartu Art Museum: Raekoja plats 18, p: 744 1080, open: We-Su 11:00-18:00
  • Tartu City Museum (life/history of city): Narva 23, p: 746 1911, open: Tu-Su 11:00-18:00
  • Tartu Toy Museum: Lutsu 8, p: 746 1777
  • Museum of Tartu University History: Lossi 25, p: 737 5677, open: We-Su 11:00-17:00
  • Art Museum of Tartu University (main building): Ülikooli 18, p: 737 5384, open: Mo-Fr 11:00-17:00

    Places to Eat

    $, $$, $$$ indicates average price range for a main
    course.
    $: 20-50 EEK; $$: 50-100 EEK; $$$: over 100 EEK

    Atlantis, Narva mnt 2, p: 738 5485, open: Fr 12:00-01:00, Sa 12:00-01:00, Su-Th 12:00-00:00
    $$$ great food, nice atmosphere, classy, $$ - food outdoors

    Big Ben Pub, Riia 4, p 730 2662, open: Mo 07:00-00:00, Tu-Th 07:00-01:00, Fr 07:00-03:00, Sa 08:00-03:00
    $$ English pub, football

    Cafe& Bistro Dedi, Riia 1, p: 731 4800, open: Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00, Su 09:00-18:00
    $$ 3rd floor, Kaubamaja shopping centre, has good food, nice view and terrace

    Café Shakespeare, Vanemuise 6, p: 744 0140, open: Su-Th 10:00-24:00, Fr-Sa 10:00-02:00
    $$$ theatre café, has some music on terrace concerts

    Café Truffe, Raekoja plats 16, p: 742 8840, open: Mo-Th 10:00-23:00, Fr-Sa 10:00-01:00, Su 10:00-22:00
    $$ very nice food, café style

    Catwalk, Rüütli 12, p: 7 405 465, open: Mo-Su 10:00-00:00
    $$ café style, good food, serves food outdoors

    Taj Mahal, Raekoja plats 3, p: 744 1295, open: Fr-Sa 11:30-2:00, Su-Th 11:30-23:00
    $$ ordinary Chinese, nothing very special

    Crepp, Rüütli 16, p: 742 2133, open: Mo-Su 11:00-24:00
    $$ French style crepes and salads, good food, serves food outdoors

    Dzhässiklubi Illegaard, Ülikooli 5, p: 742 3743, open: Mo-Fr 17:00-2:00, Sa 19:00-02:00
    $$ jazz and blues events on weekends, almost no food!

    Eesti Restoran , Ülikooli 8, p: 744 7103, open: Fr-Sa 12:00-0:00, Su-Th 12:00-22:00 $$$ top range hotel restaurant

    Entri, Rüütli 9, p: 740 9223, open: Mo-Th 07:00-23:00, Fr 07:00-01:00, Sa 08:00-01:00, Su 08:00-21:00
    $$ nice hotel restaurant, summer school caterer

    Gruusia Saatkond, Rüütli 8, p: 744 1386, open: Mo-Su 12:00-0:00
    $$ authentic Georgian food and wines

    Hansa Tall, Aleksandri 46, p: 737 1802, open: Mo-Th 09:00-0:00, Fr-Sa 09:00-01:00, Su 09:00-22:00
    $$ about 25-30 mins walk from city centre, nice Estonian food, might have live music

    Itaalia köök, Gildi 7, p: 742 3747, open: Fr-Sa 12:00-00:00, Su-Th 12:00-23:00
    $$ tiny, Italian food in average quality (pasta mostly, no pizzas)

    Kapriis, Raekoja plats 9,
    $$ nice food Summer School farewell dinner

    Krooks, Jakobi 34, p: 7441506, open: Mo-Su 12:00-04:30
    $$ pub, not recommend for eating, but recommended for really late night drinks

    Kotka Kelder, Pepleri 14, open: Mo-Sat 11-21, Sun closed
    $$ pub, average food, located below hostel, breakfast is served here.

    Kuum tass, Raekoja plats 8, p: 740 2202, open: Th-Sa 08:00-02:00, Su-We 08:00-00:00
    $$ wok and grill food

    La Dolce Vita, Kompanii 10, p: 740 7545, open: Mo-Su 11:30-22:00
    $$ very near Itaalia köök, has pizzas cooked by Italians, serves food outdoors

    Maailm, Rüütli 12, p: 742 9099, open: Mo-Sa 12:00-01:00, Su 12:00-22:00
    $$ nice food, trendy, serves food outdoors

    Maksuamet and Suudlevad tudengid (Town Hall
    square), Raekoja plats 10, p: 730 1893, open: Su-Mo 10:00- 24:00, Tu-Th 10:00-01:00,
    Fr-Sa 10:00-03:00
    $$ pub style, average food, serves food outdoors, two places with same menu, has whisky and cigar room

    Õlle Tare, Aleksandri 42, p: 734 4766, open: Mo-Th 12:00-02:00, Fr-Sa 12:00-03:00, Su 12:00-23:00
    $$ pub style, Estonian food and beer (30 minutes walk from city centre)

    Place of Beer Colors, Küüni 2, p: 744 1438, open: Mo-Th 11:00-24:00, Sa 11:00-01:00, Su 12:00-22:00
    $$ beer and food, fancy button-pressing system for orders.

    Café Pierre Raekoja plats 12, On Town hall square.
    $$ nice truffles, serves food outside

    Pizza Opera, Vanemuise 26, p: 742 0795, open: Mo-Th 11:00-21:00, Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00, Su 11:00-21:00
    $$ pizza and fast food, one block from Pepleri hostel

    Pool Kuus & Arriba, Rüütli 1, p: 744 1175, open: Mo-Tu 12:00-04:00, We-Su 12:00-05:30
    $$ pub offering average Estonian and Mexican food

    Püssirohu Veinikelder, Lossi 28, p: 730 3556, open: Tu-Sa 14:00-01:00
    $$$ wine cellar with wide selection of wines and good food

    Püssirohukelder, Lossi 28, p: 730 3555, open: Mo-Th 12:00-02:00, Fr-Sa 12:00-03:00, Su 12:00-24:00
    $$ good pub food, very noisy, sometimes karaoke or live dance music with local bands

    Ristiisa pubi, Küüni 7, p: 730 3970, open: Su-Mo 11:00-24:00, Tu-Th 11:00-01:00, Fr-Sa 11:00-03:00
    $$ pub style, good selection of beers, football

    Ruunipizza/Pannkoogikohvik Komm Morjen Wiider, Rüütli 2, p:
    743 3575, open: Mo-We 09:00-22:00, Th 08:15-00:00, Fr-Sa 08:15-04:00, Su 10:15-20:00
    $ fast food - pizzas and pancakes

    Taverna, Raekoja plats 20, p: 742 3001. open: Mo-Th 11:30-24:00, Fr-Sa 11:30-01:00, Su 11:30-23:00
    $$ pizza and European food, average quality

    Trahter Rasputin, Ülikooli 10, p: 730 5996 open: Fr-Sa 11:00-03:00, Su-Th 11:00-01:00
    $$ authentic Russian cuisine, serves food outside

    Tsink Plekk Pang, Küütri 6, p: 730 3415, open: Tu-Sa 12:00-23:00, Su-Mo 12:00-22:00
    $$-$$$ Chinese, Indian, Sushi bar, popular with young
    people, live DJs, outdoor terrace 3rd floor - Summer School Welcome dinner

    Ülikooli Kohvik (Historic University café), Ülikooli
    20, p: 737 5402, open: Mo-Th 11:00-23:00, Mo-Fr 07:30-19:00, Fr-Sa 11:00-01:00,
    Sa-Su 10:00-16:00, Su 11:00-22:00
    $$ fast food downstairs and restaurant, nice food, roof terrace and
    cigar room - Summer School Welcome Reception and registration on Sunday
    evening!

    Werner Café-Lounge, Ülikooli 11, p:
    742 6377, open: Mo-Th 7:30-23:00, Fr-Sa 08:00-01:00, Su 09:00-21:00
    $$ café and restaurant, nice food, serves food outside, good truffles

    Wilde Irish Pub, Vallikraavi 4, p: 730 9764, open: Mo 12:00-00:00, Tu-Th 12:00-01:00, Fr-Sa 12:00-02:00, Su 13:00-00:00
    $$ cafeteria and vinotheq downstairs, nice place, quick sandwich and cakes
    $$ bar level: average, sometimes good European food and Irish pub food, nice terrace

    Žen Žen, Näituse 7, p: 7 421 648, open: Mo-Th 11:00-21:00, Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00, Su 12:00-21:00
    $$ tiny, authentic good Chinese food