Why you should travel to Estonia?

It's a new destination
Been there? Done that? Why not impress your delegates with an exciting, new destination the likes of which they've never experienced? Medieval architecture, lush forests, relaxing beaches, sophisticated dining and shopping, and the edginess of a Soviet legacy – there's no other combination quite like the one Estonia offers. Whether they end up chasing ghosts through the cobblestone streets of Tallinn, learning KGB spy techniques or sailing a yacht on Pärnu bay, your delegates are bound to be raving about their Estonia trip for a long time to come!

A blend of old and new
Imagine Medieval walls and gates, Gothic churches, curious little lanes lit with old-fashioned lamps and a man in 16th-century merchant's garb selling his wares from a cart. This is no fairytale – this is Estonia. Each of the country's three conference cities, Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu, is famous for its cosy Old Town, a bustling neighbourhood where the past has been preserved, through architecture and tradition, to create an unforgettable experience for the first-time visitor. At the same time these cities are surprisingly modern, with trendy cafés and shops giving them a cosmopolitan air, and the latest high-tech conveniences always at hand. It's this combination of old and new, Medieval and modern, that gives Estonia its unique flavour.

Tallinn – European Capital of Culture in 2011
In 2011, Tallinn will be given the title of European Capital of Culture, an honour that's expected to thrust the city into the international spotlight as well as transform the local cultural scene for years to come. For conference-goers, it means not only the opportunity to see exhibitions and participate in events, but also to tie their visits to subject-related lectures and showings. ECOC organisers are taking a wide view of what they consider 'culture,' so projects related to history, architecture, sports, medicine and several other academic fields can be presented. That makes 2011 the perfect year to hold a conference on these and any other topics in Tallinn.

A boutique destination
Size matters, and when it comes to hosting events for large groups, smaller is definitely better. Distances in Estonia are conveniently short. After landing at international airport, delegates can be in the centre of Tallinn in ten just minutes, while a bus can get them to Tartu or Pärnu in as little as two hours. The cities themselves are built on a very human scale, with major hotels, event venues, sights, restaurants and shopping concentrated the same central area, all within easy walking distance. That means there's no need for delegates to waste time waiting for transfers, figuring out public transportation or sitting in traffic. Instead they can be spontaneous, relaxed and productive.

Unique event venues
For conferences, gala dinners and receptions, Estonia offers the kind of venues that aren't available in most places. Imagine holding your event in a spectacular, Renaissance-style guild hall, a Medieval manor house or in the mysterious ruins of a 15th-century monastery. Other choices include a 1950s-era airport, a cutting-edge art museum, an opera house, theatres, historic university buildings and libraries.

New facilities
Out with the old, in with the new! Thanks to Estonia's recent building and tourism boom, the number of brand new, high-standard conference hotels in the country has mushroomed, and nearly all older hotels have been completely revamped. Nowadays it's hard to find a guest room or conference room that's more than five years old. Tallinn now boasts nearly as many hotel rooms as Helsinki, and here most major hotels are concentrated in the same small downtown area, making it easy to accommodate larger groups.

A tech-savvy nation
When it comes to using technology, Estonia is way ahead of the curve. This is, after all, the country that invented Skype. It's also Europe's leader in free wireless internet access, with coverage available in pretty much all hotel rooms, conference halls, restaurants, cafés, public squares, parks, and at the airport. Not only will delegates have an easy time staying connected, conference organisers can rest assured that top quality online registration systems are in place and that essentials like AV and interpretation equipment are state-of-the-art.

Easy access
Getting to Estonia is easy. There are direct flights from all major European cities, and they're fairly quick. Tallinn is only 2 hours from Amsterdam, Brussels and Berlin, and 1 hour from Stockholm and Copenhagen. From the airport, downtown Tallinn is only 10 minutes away by bus or taxi, while Estonia's other two conference cities, Tartu and Pärnu, are an easy 2-hour journey further on.

Strong local support
When it comes to holding a successful event, the quality of local support can make all the difference. Estonia's PCOs and DMCs not only have a high degree of experience, the fact that they come from a proud, emerging nation means it's important to them to uphold the highest standards of service. Their staff are eager to show newcomers what this dynamic little country can do, so they're willing to put in all the time and effort it takes to make sure that your event is the best you've ever had.

Other pluses:
Open borders
Because Estonia is an EU member and part of the Schengen Zone, travellers from most other European nations don't have to undergo passport or customs checks when arriving. That means delegates can breeze through the airport after landing, and those arriving by road or ship won't be delayed by border controls.

English widely spoken
English-speaking visitors will have no trouble communicating in Estonia. As residents of one of the smallest EU nations, Estonians have embraced the international language and proficiency levels are quite high. The average waiter or shopkeeper is likely to be fluent, or at least understand you.

Credit/debit cards accepted
Thanks to the Estonians' love for high-tech conveniences, payment by card is extremely popular here. Visa and Mastercard accepted in all but a handful of shops and cafés.

Fixed euro rate
The Estonian kroon is pegged to the euro at the fixed rate of 15.65EEK/EUR. If you're working in euros, there's never a need to worry about currency fluctuation.