Updated September 25, 2009   Check this page regularly for updates

NEW!! Walking tour of Tartu Thursday October 8th.   Walking tour of Tartu. If you have never been in Tartu or would like to understand more about the this strategic ancient city, you may be interested in the Walking Tour of Tartu that we offer. It will be on Thursday afternoon starting at 2:30 PM from Kissing Students Statue fountain on the main square.  The rour will last one and a half hours.

 

What to do NOW

• Be sure to call your credit card company in your country and let them know that you will be using your credit card(s) in Estonia.  If you don’t do this, it is  possible that they could decline your credit card purchases. Please be aware that Estonia has many cash machines and many places take credit cards.
• We recommend that you use credit cards for all your purchases. It limits the necessary cash requirements, and you will always get the best exchange rates. Visa and Master Card are accepted most places; American Express and most other cards ARE NOT WIDELY ACCEPTED!!
• Bring your song book with you
• Bring a small foldable umbrella....you probably will use it one of the days at at the Feast!
• When talking to people at the Feast site, they often ask about your family and where you are from.  I always find it a good idea to bring some photos, or have them available on your phone or media player.  Bring postcards of where you are from -- some that you can give away.  People always appreciate and enjoy this. 
• Make sure to pack a swim suit as we will be staying in a Spa Hotel on Saaremaa.
• If going by bus from Tallinn to Kuressaare check out the bus schedule for your bus at http://www.bussireisid.ee/index.html. Since the Tallinn – Kuressaare is one of the top busiest routes (lines), you can easily see all the busses going there by clicking in the lower right hand part of the window under Tallinn – Kuressaare.  As you see, there are plenty of buses going out to the Island.
• If there are any more questions about music please contact Karen Allwine kga117@icehouse.net.  We want to make sure that no one feels left out or overlooked.
• OPTIONAL:  Watch movie The Singing Revolution.  It is about Estonia's gaining Independence from the USSR in 1991.  A moving account of a bloodless revolution that took place in Estonia and other USSR republics.  Available right away from Netflix (www.netflix.com)

What to do after arriving in Tallinn

Passport Control and Customs

Upon arrival, there should not be any problem going through customs.  You simply pick up your bags from the turnstile and walk out of the security area. You will see an area "Things to Declare" or words to that effect. It is doubtful that anyone will be bringing anything in to Estonia except personal possessions, so you will not have anything to declare. Just walk on by this area. In most cases, you will have gone through "Passport Control" in some other EU city before arriving in Estonia, so in this case, you will not go through Passport Control in Estonia. This is a change, since Estonia is now part of the EU.

Changing Money

There are ATM cash money machines in the lobby of the airport. If you have an appropriate card, you can get money there. Be sure to get some small change, since taxi drivers may not have change for 500 EEK notes, and they will not like you if you don't have some 100  EEK notes. By using machines for cask, you always get the official exchange rate.

If you are are going by bus: getting to the Bus Station in Tallinn

• After exchanging your money, go to the curb and ask for a taxi to take you to the bus station.  That is about a ten minute taxi ride and will cost about $8-$10.  Some taxis will take credit cards.
• We recommend that you have your destination written down and printed out on a paper to show the driver. Many drivers speak only a  few words of English, but some do not. And mostly they do not understand my pronunciation of Estonian even though I may know the correct words in their language. The Estonian word for "Buss Station" is Bussijam (Buss-I-yam as in sweet potato). I still recommend for Americans coming for the first time that you have your destination printed out.
• We recommend you purchase your bus ticket with a credit card at the ticket window at the bus station.  If  you buy the ticket on the bus, you have to pay cash.  The cost of the bus ticket is about 225 EEK.  The current exchange rate is 11.05 EEK to the US dollar.  
• The bus ride to Kuressaare, Saaremaa is about four hours including the passage on the ferry.  You will get out of the bus to enter into the ferry proper.  BE SURE TO BE BACK ON THE BUS BEFORE THE FERRY REACHES ITS DESTINATION.  THE BUS DRIVER WILL LEAVE IMMEDIATELY UPON ARRIVAL WITH OR WITHOUT YOU. 

After getting to the Bus Station on Saaremaa

• At your destination, don't forget you will need a taxi from the "Bussijam" to the GO Spa. Be prepared to negotiate that with a taxi driver and pay for the ride which will also be around 100 EEK. 
• There is no need to rent a car at either of Festival  sites.  Most every place you want to go is within walking distance or easily and economically accessed by taxi.

If you have flight reservations for Kuressaare from Tallinn, you will leave from this airport

You will need to follow the procedure above  (Passport Control and Customs) for going through customs.  You will need to pick your luggage here and recheck for the flight to Kuressaare, Saaremaa. After you arrive in Kuressaare, don't forget you will need a taxi from the airport to  the GO Spa. Be prepared to negotiate that with a taxi driver and pay for the ride which will also be around 100 EEK.

Scheduling Massages at the GoSpa
It would be a good idea to schedule your massage before you go. Write directly to Keidi Hoogand who has been arranging the Feast arrangements for us.  Her email is keidi.hoogand@gospa.ee.  She'll be glad to arrange the times for you.  By now we know what our schedule is for services, meals and others activities.

WiFi

In Estonia you can connect via WIFI almost anywhere for free. We have always appreciated this benefit.  The entire country has the same Outgoing Mail Server setting which is mail.neti.ee.

Tipping

Tipping has become more customary in Estonia. Eating at a restaurant, 10% is considered a good tip. I always give the taxi driver a tip also if I am carrying luggage which he will help with -- maybe 10 EEK. 

Events of the Feast 

• The first service is Friday evening at 7:30 PM.  We plan to have a musical introduction, a welcome message and a champagne reception following.
• Sabbath Service October 3rd will be at 11:00 AM with a group buffet dinner between 1:30 and 3:30 PM.
• Services each day will be at 11:00 AM with a group buffet dinner to follow.
• We depart the island on Wednesday, October 7th at 9:00 AM and travel to Tartu for the remainder of the Festival.
• On the Last Great Day, October 10th there will be two services with a buffet lunch in between services

Walking tour of Tartu Thursday October 8th.  

Walking tour of Tartu. If you have never been in Tartu or would like to understand more about the this strategic ancient city, you may be interested in the Walking Tour of Tartu that we offer. It will be on Thursday afternoon starting at 2:30 PM from Kissing Students Statue fountain on the main square. The tour will last one and a half hours.

Returning Home

Return to Tallinn from Tartu is on your own.  There are hourly buses that can take you directly to the airport.  The trip to the airport is 2 hours and 15 minutes.  Going on to the Tallinn bus station takes a total time of 2 hours and 30 minutes.

                                                                                                                                      Victor Kubik and Johnnie Lambert