ECB Newsletter April 2010 Twelve unusual things to do in Estonia Here's a sample of the exciting incentive and post-tour options available in Estonia. Whether you have a group of 10 or 1,000, you'll find plenty of choices to match your interests. And of course any of these can be combined with your seminar or conference. For a list of conference venues, please visit our website, www.ecb.ee. Tallinn City Tour by Tram Treasure Hunt in Tallinn's Old Town Interrogation in a Soviet Prison Tallinn´s Haunted Hauses Visiting the St. Catherine’s Guild Medieval Workshop A Royal Reception at the Tsar's Palace Sea and Island Adventure Art workshop with sculptor Tauno Kangro Olympic Sailing Regatta Beer Tasting at Saku Brewery Day Trip to Lahemaa National Park Tallinn City Tour by Tram Trams have been rumbling through Tallinn's streets since as far back as 1888 and they're still the best way to beat the rush-hour traffic. You won't be sharing this ride with commuters though – you'll be entertained in a specially outfitted tram-café! The route takes you past the Medieval Old Town and through the city's elegant, historic suburbs. Along the way guests are treated to snacks and beverages, as well as small surprises and even a few challenges. Treasure Hunt in Tallinn's Old Town For historic ambience and charm, there's absolutely nothing that beats Tallinn's Medieval Old Town. In this teambuilding experience, the area's one-of-a-kind locations like monasteries, guild houses, the Town Hall, the city wall and underground tunnels are the settings for fun, Medieval-style activities and competitions. Each team must fulfill certain traditional tasks and find the route to the next destination before time runs out. Medieval-costumed instructors lead the way, making sure the games are both informative and entertaining. Interrogation in a Soviet Prison The Soviet militia arrests your suspicious visitors in the hotel lobby and takes them away for interrogation in an old Soviet prison. They go through a medical examination and a photo and fingerprint session. The guilty tourists are then put into a cell and need to redeem themselves by answering tricky questions, doing a treasure hunt or bribing greedy Soviet bureaucrats with valuable Marlboro cigarettes. Finally Soviet patriotism breaks down and officials change their tone. On the way back, the militia sing a few Soviet songs and offer lots of Soviet vodka. Viva Friendship! Tallinn´s Haunted Hauses The black monk’s shadow glides across the floor. Ancient doors creak and moan. Ghosts howl near abandoned tombs. This haunted tour reveals the legends and mysteries of Old Town. A guide and troupe of actors (ghosts, some say) provide a unique adventure in the old city at night. Visiting the St. Catherine’s Guild Back in the Medieval days, all merchants and handicraft workers in Tallinn belonged to guilds, powerful organisations that protected them and their interests. Inspired by that tradition, 13 artists – all women – founded their own guild in 1995. They named it St. Catherine’s Guild after its location along a quaint, narrow passage adjacent St. Catherine’s Church. The guild is made up of seven different workshop/galleries specialising in millinery, patchwork, leather and book binding, textiles, ceramics, glass and jewellery. Curious visitors can watch the artists at work and even buy their creations on the spot. Medieval Workshop This is a unique, interactive performance where costumed craftsmen guide participants through a variety of time-honoured activities. Choices include coin minting, wood burning, soap cake making, candle making, tin casting, paper making, rope weaving, wood block printing and the ever-popular rune casting. Your guests will be entertained and amazed as they create unique and beautiful souvenirs to take home with them! The first conference bookings as well as the first international red carpet events for this new facility have already been made, with the European Film Academy Awards, the top event of European film industry, for example taking place in Solaris in 2010. A Royal Reception at the Tsar's Palace This journey starts with a ride to Pirita, an area of windswept pines along the shores of Tallinn Bay that's known for its unforgettable views of the city skyline and the beautiful, towering remnants of a 15th-century convent. The group then heads to the magnificent Kadriorg Palace, a Baroque masterpiece commissioned by none other than Russian Tsar Peter the Great himself! Built in 1718, the palace is now home to the Estonian Art Museum’s foreign art collection. Guests will be treated to a grand reception in the palace's decadent main hall and a recital by a Baroque ensemble. Sea and Island Adventure Estonia is rightfully called a 'land of a thousand islands' – there are as many as 1,500 of them in its territorial waters. This sea adventure takes you to three of its most beautiful: the small islands of Naissaar, Aegna and Prangli, all just off the coast of Tallinn. While here, you'll find out all about the unique nature and history of each island, but be warned, once you've visited you'll want to come back for more! The trip can be arranged by yacht or by speedboat. Art workshop with sculptor Tauno Kangro Guests get to experience the exciting world of art in an unconventional studio where every statue has its own story. This is the workplace of Estonia's most famous sculptor, Tauno Kangro. The event starts with a tour where the artist tells the story behind each of his sculptures and gives an overview of the technical process. Next the guests take part in an art workshop, nude model included, with the artist helping each participant create their own small statue. Olympic Sailing Regatta Did you know that the 1980 Summer Olympics yachting events were held in Tallinn? Thirty years later, the Pirita Olympic sailing Centre is still going strong and now it's a place where you can live out your very own Olympic sailing dream! After learning the basics, each team member is assigned a specific position in the boat. The referee pulls the trigger and competition begins! Beer Tasting at Saku Brewery Estonia's oldest brewery sits on the banks of the river Vääna in Saku, just a half-hour's drive from Tallinn. Its old brew house, which started operating back in 1909, is now home to a Museum of Beer where visitors can learn the history and traditions of brewing in Estonia. The 1.5-hour tour also covers the modern Saku brewery next door. Guests will spend time viewing the production process and, of course, tasting some excellent Estonian beer. Day Trip to Lahemaa National Park This tour gives visitors the opportunity to experience the wonders of rural Estonia, including its unique landscapes, nostalgic seaside villages and attractive old manor houses. One of the highlights is Palmse Manor, an 18th-century baronial property in the heart of the park. Partly a wetland, the park also offers an opportunity to for bog-walking – definitely a highlight for any urban West-European. Lunch can be served at a local tavern in a small fishing village or in one of the several manor houses in the area. For additional information and quotes, please contact the Estonian Convention Bureau at + 372 6 450 086, info@ecb.ee, or visit us at www.ecb.ee. The Estonian Convention Bureau is a non-profit organisation established jointly by public and private sector bodies in order to attract international conventions to Estonia. The ECB's 26 members include the cities of Tallinn and Tartu, the national carrier Estonian Air, and a number of DMCs, PCOs, conference hotels and conference venues. If you do not wish to get the newsletter in the future, please unsubscribe here by sending us an e-mail.