Estonia Kroon
Estonia uses the Estonian kroon. Each kroon is then sub-divided into 100 senti, the singular of which is sent, similar to the 'cents' used in dollar systems.
However, the kroon will not be around for a very long time, since it has pledged that it will be ready to adopt the euro in January 2010. It has actually produced its own euro coins, although these are not yet in circulation.
Until 2010, the kroon will continue to be used. It is issued by the Bank of Estonia and is in the form of both coins and notes. Coins are issued in the form of 5, 10, 20, 50 senti as well as 1 kroon and 5 krooni (but the 5 senti and 5 krooni coins are not seen in general circulation, although they remain legal tender). Notes are issued as 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 krooni, but the 1 and 50 krooni notes are not in wide circulation.
The currency is identified by the letters EEK which stands for Estonian kroon.
History of the Estonian Kroon
The Estonian kroon first came into circulation in the year 1928, when it was brought in to replace the mark, which had been the currency in use until that time.
The kroon was however, very short-lived. During the recession and depressions experienced worldwide in the 1930's, the currency suddenly became subject to inflation and ended up leaving the gold standard against which it had been valued. Then in 1940, the Soviets invaded Estonia and by 1942, the Russian ruble had replaced the kroon. This situation remained until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990-1991. Then in 1992, Estonia proudly unveiled its new kroon and launched it into circulation, as a clear sign that years of Russian subjugation had come to an end. And so the kroon made a bold entrance and yet it will soon be replaced by the euro as Estonia becomes further enveloped into Europe.
Getting Hold of Krooni
Estonia is a rapidly developing country and indeed the financial infrastructure that is required to ensure that money is freely available is already in place. This means that there are ATM machines to be found throughout the country, although in very rural areas it is a good idea to make sure that you have some hard cash with you just in case you cannot easily locate an ATM.
If you want to take cash with you to Estonia, make sure that you take euros and then change them once in the country, because otherwise you will get a much lower exchange rate for them.
You can use credit cards in Estonia, but again in the more rural areas, this is unlikely to be acceptable and even if it will be accepted, it will only be accepted for very large purchases, so once you leave the towns and cities, then it is best to have some ready cash available.
Traveller's cheques can also be taken into Estonia and for ease of exchange you should take them in euros. In addition, if you have traveller's cheques issued by either American Express or Thomas Cook, then you will find the transaction runs quite smoothly. The kroon is pegged to the euro at a standard rate. Banks tend to close at 4pm, so it is best to try and get to a bank early. But if you do miss a bank, then it is possible to exchange money at a bureau de change of which there are many in Estonia.
Staying Safe In Estonia
Estonia is not an unsafe destination, although it is not a crime free zone, by any means. However, there is no real risk of serious crime happening in most areas, but in Tallinn (the capital of Estonia) if you go into the Old Town, you should be aware that there can be a risk of having your purse/bag snatched or even of being mugged. (Note that the Central Market Area is particularly bad for this).
Credit card fraud can be a real problem in Estonia, so be careful not to let your card out of your sight. For example, after you have had a meal and perhaps a couple of drinks, do not simply place the card on the table and let the waiters take it away: make sure you can see it and carefully check the final bill before you sign it, just to check that nothing has been added which should not have been!
One thing to bear in mind is that if you are out and about after dark then you should aware a fluorescent reflector, so that you can easily be seen by both cars and cyclists. These reflectors are easily available in shops and/or supermarkets, so there is no excuse for not wearing one. The police may turn a blind eye if you don't wear one, but on the other hand, it really isn't worth the risk. Many police officers speak little or no English, although in Tallinn, they are often more practised than in other parts of the country, but wearing a reflector will simply make life a lot easier!
Using Krooni in Estonia
The cost of living in Estonia is low in comparison to most European countries, so it presents very good value for money. However, if you just stay in and visit a tourist area such as Tallinn's Old Town, then you will find that the cost of everything is much higher than in the rest of the country and comparable with some European countries.
But there are places, where it is possible to eat and drink for a relatively low sum and the food on offer tends to be quite hearty (some may say stodgy) so you are not likely to go hungry. However, this can be a real possibility if you are vegetarian, since the whole cuisine tends to be very much meat orientated, with vegetarian cooking still in its infancy. You can find some non-meat dishes, but they are relatively few and far between. But it is possible to eat pig, pig by-products, bear meat and deer, so meat lovers will be in paradise. Vegetarians may have to make do with a potato salad!
Accommodation varies greatly in price, with the tourist areas, as always being much more expensive. Yet there are still bargains to be had and if you venture into the countryside it is possible to find some good quality accommodation at a very reasonable price, mainly because former farm houses have been transformed into guest house style accommodation, with some wonderful views of the Estonian countryside as well as the chance to get to know real Estonians in a way that you simply can't in the cities.
There is a lot to see and do in Estonia and although it is quite a small country it is fiercely proud of its struggle for independence and the fact that it is now joining Europe, which it sees as a way of ensuring that it stays independent and not ruled by a force such as the Soviet Union.
Tallinn, the capital is truly beautiful and the fact that it lies some 43 miles or 70 km from Helsinki means that it shares quite a Scandinavian past, which makes it seem very Scandinavian and European as well.
The Old Town is actually designated as a World Heritage Site on the UNESCO list and it has a positively authentic medieval feel to it, whilst still having an air of being modern and truly up and coming.
Tartu is the second biggest city and it is some 1,000 years old and yet only has a population of 100,000 people. It is also a very beautiful city and the fact that it is home university gives it quite a cultured air. A real gem of a city, with some fantastic architecture to be seen as well as a 14th Century Church and some cathedral ruins which date back as far as the 13th Century.
But there is also a real feeling of loving nature in Estonia, with an amazing 5 wildlife parks to be visited in Estonia. One of the parks, the Soomaa National Park was actually formed some 11,000 years ago when peat bogs were created as the result of glaciers melting.
There are also over 1,500 Baltic islands that can be explored. For anyone who loves to get 'away from it all' these are the ideal opportunity to just step back and take time out. Here the wildlife and the seasons dictate the activities, not humans and it is a wonderful chance to see animals in their native habitats and see how humans can live with animals and both seem to respect each other. There is a deep rooted respect for nature in the Estonian psyche and this makes a trip to the countryside and islands, just that little bit more special.
Overview
Whilst the phrase 'something for everyone' is certainly much over-used, there is something about Estonia that gives the impression that whoever you are and whatever you are into, you will find it here. If you want classical architecture, medieval towns, archaeological sites, the hustle and bustle of a city or just sitting on an island that is sparsely populated, watching birds and the wildlife doing their thing, then you can find it all here.
Possibly the only type of holiday that Estonia doesn't provide is the kind of cheap and cheerful beach holiday. It is possible to go on a beach holiday, but they tend to be quieter and less focussed on entertainment etc than in other tourist destinations, but everyone else will find that there is something of interest and something that will interest them. And if you like more quiet and peaceful beach holidays then Estonia is certainly worth considering
It does tend to be a summer only destination, since the winters are quite long and relatively dark, so if you do plan to see Estonia at its best, it is better to visit during the summer.
For further information about Estonia, check out the website at www.tourism.ee to find out more about all the different types of activities and holidays on offer, from swamp walking to jeep safaris! Now there's something you don't immediately think of when you think of Estonia!