General Tour Information and Traveling Tips

 

Itinerary and Scheduling Flexibility and Expected Time Management

While we have included everything possible on our pre-trip itinerary, there will be scheduling needs – such as rehearsals! – and small changes that will occur. Some logistics are up to our hosts and concert venues and we must be ready to be flexible. Please use the buddy system and let at least two people be able to reach you, even on stretches when the schedule says that a block of time is “on your own.”

 

IMPORTANT: Be prompt for all group gatherings, which means 5-15 minutes early! Check-in with your assigned coordinator so that we know when everyone is there and ready to head out. Also, plan to enjoy the after-concert socializing with our host groups. They are not optional. These groups have done a lot to facilitate our tour and to help welcome us to their country.

 

Not all of us are morning people; and not all of us are late-night people. We may have times on tour where we are tired or cranky or ready to go home… please remember that tours can be very exciting and fun, but draining too… pace yourself, eat healthy food, drink enough water, maintain a positive attitude and be gentle with one another. We are a team! Be ready to help out when asked and be thinking of what you can do to make the trip more enjoyable for the group as a whole.

 

Late Night. You must be in your hotel rooms between 1 and 2 am every night. It would be ideal to be sleeping even more (going to bed earlier) because your body is your instrument, and you will be susceptible to vocal fatigue if you are not rested. As a courtesy, if you know you will be out later than 1 am, please let the Late Night Captains and your roommates know where you are. If anyone in your room has not returned by 2 am, call Jennifer Rodgers (301-785-2221) and let her know immediately. For safety reasons, never go anywhere alone on tour. Invite a friend to join you. This is especially important at night.

 

You are ambassadors in an important time.As a member of this tour, you represent both the University of Washington and the United States of America. All school regulations and policies are in effect while you are with the tour, and, more than that, this is a sensitive time in American history. We are guests in these countries and at the Song Celebration, one of very few international choirs invited to participate. Govern what you do by the credit it reflects on yourself, the choir, the university, and the kind of American citizen we want the world to know. Loud, brash, and fast/impatient are the kind of behaviors we want to actively counter. Be extremely respectful of the all spaces we visit and perform in. Be kind and polite – to the bus driver, our hosts, fellow choirs, retail and service employees – everyone! Be curious and invested in the experiences we are having all the way through the days of the Song Celebration and realize how meaningful this event is for each participant.

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Other Choir Tour Guidelines & Traveling Tips

• The two T's of tour are "on time and togetherness.”

• Attitude is everything. Complaining doesn't help anything. It just drags down the spirit. A healthy attitude is very important. Be careful of sarcastic remarks.

• Be socially gracious. Look for those who don’t have companions and ask them to join you. Start conversations with tour travelers you don’t know well. 

• It can be physically and mentally exhausting to travel when you are not accustomed to it. Get appropriate rest.

• When you enter a church, act respectfully. No horseplay, sitting on the altar, putting things on the altar, lying in pews, yelling, laughing, playing the piano or organ, joking, etc. The sanctuary (for many people) is a place where they come to meet God.

• When someone is sleeping on the bus or in your room, please be respectful. Perhaps his/her personal performance will be affected by lack of rest. Each person's needs are different. Be sensitive.

• Take responsibility for your personal belongings. This includes your music!

• Please keep bus clean at all times.

• Please don’t wear cologne and perfume on the risers. Please wear nice jeans, shorts, or dress slacks into the churches and nice shirts (NO WORN OUT OR QUESTIONABLE T-SHIRTS!). All hats must be removed in sanctuaries.

• Be judicious and conservative with novelty, patriotic, or any other apparel that makes a statement. If it could offend ANYONE for ANY REASON, don’t bring or wear it.

• Keep your passport with you AT ALL TIMES! This will be especially crucial during traveling and getting into special venues.

 

Time Zone. 

Estonia and Latvia will be in Daylight Savings during our visit and 3 hours ahead of GMT. That means 10 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. 

 

Cell Phones, WiFi, and Technology on Tour

Cell phones will be a very handy way to be in touch with each other on tour. Before we leave, we will set up a group forum to be in touch – through the WhatsApp, Remind and/or GroupMe app or similar. Not all cell phone plan ss will work over in Europe, and if they do it may be expensive. The best course of action is to contact your cell phone provider to ask for option. Using WhatsApp, Skype, email, and other communication platforms may save you considerable cost, but only you will know what calling and data plans will work the best. We will have a list of emergency cell phone numbers on the group itinerary and other documents.

 

WiFi can be found in the majority of restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels throughout Estonia and is likely to be both fast and reliable. 

 

Standard voltage is 230 volts, AC 50Hz. Primary sockets generally require European plugs (two round-pins). A universal travel adaptor/voltage converter is recommended for US appliances.  

 

What to Pack

CRITICAL: Passport/visas, IDs, Concert attire (B&W, purple accessory, comfortable black walking shoes), gold tour t-shirt, tour music, Laulupidu song book, black folder, money belt/neck wallet, multiple forms of money, medications and medical documentation.

 

RECOMMENDED: Layers and rain/sun appropriate clothing/accessories, extra black & whites, small laundry soap, neutral casual attire (nice and non-novelty).

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Weather

Prepare for rain and sun, hot and cool! The weather can be unpredictable and travelers have encountered both uncomfortably hot temperatures (particularly in the crowds of Song Celebration) as well as cool evenings. You may want both rain gear and sun protection

 

Old Towns and Comfortable Shoes

In the Old Towns of Tallinn and Riga as well as in other cities, the central area is made of cobblestones. Your footwear needs to be comfortable for walking on this and a variety of surfaces as well as enduring the long parade, rehearsals, and performances at the Song Celebration.

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Financial Information and Tips

 

Currency and Conversion: 

All of the countries we will be traveling in use the EURO. Currently, the exchange rate has been very favorable with one dollar equally approximately .88 EUR, but that will adjust daily. 

 

It is highly recommended that you have both a debit/ATM card to access your checking account and a credit card. Contact both your bank and your credit card company before you leave the UW to let them know you will be traveling overseas. Travelers checks are NOT recommended as they can be difficult to exchange and incur large fees.

 

While you will want to carry at least a small amount of Euro currency with you, exchanging money in the US before you leave is generally more expensive. You can get the best rate of exchange using your debit card at an ATM machine at one of the airports we’ll be flying through or once in Riga. NOTE: we will need to purchase a public transit fare to get from the Riga airport to our hotel. Having money on hand to do that will be handy.

 

Security

After obtaining local currency, you should keep out just enough for what you will need for the day. A small coin purse is useful for this purpose. It is highly recommended that you have a money belt, neck wallet, or other concealed carrier for the rest of the local currency you have, your debit/ATM card, credit card, and passport. This carrier should not be visible and should be directly connected to your physical person, not in a separate bag or purse. 

 

Meals

Your pre-paid tour will cover a welcome dinner in Riga, breakfast each morning at the hotel, and a farewell dinner in Tallinn. During our trip you will be responsible for about 8 lunches and 7 dinners and your own drinks and snacks. A couple moderate-cost restaurants have been pre-selected for stops on our itinerary and in other locations you will have a full range of inexpensive fare to fancy dining, so the cost per person will vary greatly. A good, filling meal can be had for less than USD $10. Slightly more upmarket restaurants will often cost around USD $15-20 for a meal and a drink.

 

Other Expenses

Your pre-paid tour will cover the entrance fees to the Turaida Castle, the Cimze Museum, Estonian National Museum, the Arvo Pärt Centre, and, of course your access to the Estonian Song Celebration (either a badge for singers or concert tickets for non-singers). We will also pay the expected tip for our bus driver from group funds. You will need to cover any other entrance fees, service tips, taxis and public transit options, and all souvenirs. Taxis will usually take you anywhere in the city for USD $10-15.

 

Tipping

Tipping in Estonia operates on a very casual basis so you are unlikely to cause offence by not tipping enough or at all. However, if you have been satisfied with the service you received in a restaurant, it is customary to tip around 10% on top of the bill. Hotel staff won’t usually expect a tip but leaving USD 2-3 per day for housekeeping and USD $1 per bag for bellboys is a nice gesture. Taxis usually have set fares so tipping is not necessary, however, rounding up the total bill or leaving some loose change is generally appreciated. Please note that the tip of 1 EUR/day per traveler to the bus driver is a part of your pre-paid tour package. 

 

Shopping in Estonia and Latvia

Estonia has a rich design and handicraft tradition and is a great place to pick up unique souvenirs. You'll also find a number of glitzy shopping centres and boutique stores in the larger cities. Knitting, crocheting and embroidery have a long history in Estonia and you can pick up beautiful slippers, scarves, table cloths and curtains. Many designers are putting these ancient traditions to modern use with designer clothing featuring ethnic Estonian elements. 

 

Valued for its long-lasting and pleasant aroma, juniper is used for all manner of items from toys to beer mugs, dolls to kitchen utensils and Estonia is an excellent place to pick up such items whether as souvenirs or for practical use. You might also want to grab a bag of almonds while you’re there – they are sold all over the Old Town Tallinn and come in a variety of flavours.

 

In Latvia, look for amber and linen goods, particularly during our free time in Riga.

 

Is bargaining acceptable in Estonia?

Generally, bargaining is not accepted in Estonia. Shops and markets invariably have clearly marked price tags on items and these are very rarely open for negotiation. Shoppers buying multiple items might be able to get some sort of discount but do not count on it. 

 

Estonian and Latvian Information and Traveling Tips

 

Baltic Cultural Tips:

• People say that many Estonians and Latvians are generally quiet and modest. Don’t take this reserve personally, it is a part of the culture. Also, in contrast, be aware of your own volume.

• “Hi! How are you?” is not a rhetorical greeting, but one where people expect to give and get an answer. Only greet someone this way if you are truly asking and want to know! 

• Strangers talking to strangers is less common than it is in USA and you may not encounter as much smiling. Again, nothing personal, just a part of the culture. 

• Another Lens of Respect -Be cautious and sensitive to the history of Estonia and Latvia in regards to the former Soviet Union. Praise for the Soviet regime won’t be understood or appreciated including remarks about beautiful buildings or features that you don’t know the origin of. Mentioning linguistic, ethnic, or citizenship issues involving Russia could be controversial. Also, respecting the beauty and cleanliness of the spaces we will occupy conveys respect. From our bus to a public square, help to take care of common space. Littering is not just bad manners but carries a fine. 

• Theft and scamming  - as with travels in any foreign country, you will be more obvious as a tourist, and therefore a more obvious target for pickpockets, bag-grabbers, and scammers. Remember to secure your valuable at all times and keep your travel documents and money/financial documents in a money belt or neck wallet on your person. Some tourist scams aren't dangerous, but very unpleasant – like a bar scam running up expensive drinks on a tourist’s tab.

 

Food and Drink

• Water and ice - There is almost never ice in your drink and most certainly not in your juice or soda. You would have to request that specifically. The tap water is generally considered safe to drink, but most often mineral water will be served (for a cost). Bottled mineral waters is recommended as a precaution against stomach upsets. It is readily available from shops, hotels, and restaurants. 

• Foods in general tend to be less sweet and more salty/savory compared to American foods. Even the sweets are not so sweet. If you have a chance to visit some bakery, you should do that. They have a lot of different things. However, some pastries are with cabbage, carrots, meat, egg and frankfurters/hot dogs.

• Bread – Estonians and Latvians are serious about their bread with three different names for it and black rye bread is served alongside practically every savory dish. The variety of breads is quite astounding! 

• Estonian cuisine once consisted of little more than meat and potatoes but under various influences, the range of dishes has been greatly diversified. Rye bread, pork, potatoes and dairy products continue to play an important role but now visitors will find versions of popular international dishes. 

• Traditionally the first course of any Estonian meal would be a cold dish of meat and sausage, potato salad and herring. Soup may be served between the starter and main course though usually features as the main dish with thick, hearty soups and stews made with different meat, potatoes and often blended with sour cream. Even sweet soups exist in Estonia, specifically leivasupp which consists of black bread & apples seasoned with cinnamon & sugar.

• Typical Estonian desserts include kissel, sweetened juice thickened with starch, and sweetened curd cut into bite size pieces. 

• Locally brewed beer is a favored beverage and will often accompany a meal. Wine is also popular, as well as Kvass (Latvian)/Kali (Estonian), a traditional, non-alcoholic fermented beverage commonly made from black or regular rye bread, honey, fruits, and yeast. Balzam is a bitter, black and thick alcohol made from cognac, orange peel, and ginger.

• In Latvia, it’s great to know about the LIDO cafeterias. These self-service eating establishments, plus other smaller, independent cafeterias, are an institution and a common lunch or dinner spot for many locals. They are a great budget option where travelers can get a full meal including veggies, drink, and dessert for about 7 EUR.

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Helpful Maps and Transportation Information

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Click here for a page of maps!

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Riga Transportation

Airport to Hotel:Bus No. 22 travels between the Riga Airport and close to the hotel. 13 stops to 
Lidosta Rīga (about 30 minutes), then .4 mile walk to Konventa Sēta Hotel. Bus leaves every 15 minutes and costs 2 EUR. Taxis also available (see below).

 

Public Transport(from In Your Pocket Riga Guide):

Riga has 8 tram lines, 17 trolleybus routes and 56 bus routes that operate from as early as 05:00 to as late as 01:00, depending on the route. You can buy €1.15 tickets at designated Riga Transport (Rīgas Satiksme) ticket offices, at public transport ticket machines, or at Narvesen newsstands, post offices and Rimi supermarkets. You can also buy a ticket from the driver (on old trams) but it will cost you €2. New trams offer ticket machines on board. Passengers have a wide variety of ticket options including tickets for one (€1.15), two (€2.30), four (€4.60), five (€5.75), rides or tickets good for one (€5), or three (€10) days of travel. The tickets are valid for trams, trolleybuses and city buses. Press the ticket against the electronic ticket readers on the bus or tram as soon as you board the vehicle. The green light will flash and the display will show you how many more rides are left on the card. 

 

There are various passenger vans (mikroautbuss or mikriņš) that list their destinations and route numbers on their windscreens. Not recommended.

 

In the summer a so-called retro tram is also available on weekends and holidays. The open-air tram supposedly looks like the first trams that began zipping up and down Riga's streets over a hundred years ago. Pay the driver €2 to travel from anywhere between the Ausekļa iela stop and Mežaparks. Read more about routes and exact departure times in English at www.rigassatiksme.lv.

 

Taxi, etc. (from In Your Pocket Riga Guide): All licensed cabs have special yellow number plates. Insist on the meter being turned on. For shorter journeys around the centre of town try not to pay more than €6, but to avoid being swindled order a taxi by phone. Unfortunately, any taxi can now make pick-ups at the airport, including the dodgy ones, but we recommend the cab companies listed below. In fact, the taxi situation at the airport has become problematic and fares of €40 and more for a mere 10km-ride to the centre have now become insanely common (it should cost between €10 - 15). 

 

While authorities scramble to find a legal way to prohibit the dodgy cabs, we have come up with a few suggestions that can save you loads of cash. Order one of the green BalticTaxi cabs at their stand in the main Arrivals hall of the airport. Alternatively, skip the first queue of unreliable cabs and choose one of the green BalticTaxi or red and white Red Cab taxis on the other side of the street. The best of all possible options is to download the Bolt (bolt.eu) ride sharing app and to order a car for a fraction of the price of a taxi with your mobile phone. The only catch is that you have to wait for your car on the second level departures area. They will not enter the Arrivals area to contend with the cab drivers, who have become more aggressive and, quite frankly, a little unhinged.

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Tallinn Transportation

Airport to Hotel: Both buses (no. 2 and Trams (no.4) go from airport to city centre. Our hotel seems to either require a bus transfer or a 1.65 km walk from the Estonia stop of the 244 (unclear if that is a bus or tram). A taxi stand can be found just outside the arrivals hall. The fare from the airport to the city centre is about €5 to €10. Be careful to use only partner taxis - Tulika Takso, Tallink Takso, Airport Taxi.

 

Public Transportation(from VisitTallinn.ee):Tallinn’s public transportation system is a fairly straightforward network of buses, trolley-buses and trams, all of which use the same ticketing-system. Trams provide the simplest way to get around downtown areas. Fida a route planner at https://tallinn.pilet.ee/buy and detailed route maps also posted at many stops and stations.

The same tickets/cards are good on all three systems. 

• Paper Ticket, 2€, valid for a single ride, in the vehicle where you purchased it. Buy from the driver when entering the vehicle. Keep the ticket at hand until the end of the ride.

• Tallinn Card entitles you to free public transport in the buses, trolleys and trams of Tallinn. You are allowed to unlimited free transport for the period your Tallinn Card is active (24h, 36h or 72h). Validate your Tallinn Card each time you board a vehicle.

• Smartcard is a green card, onto which you can load credit or e-tickets. You can buy a Smartcard at any R-Kiosk, post office or Service Bureau of Tallinn City Office. Pay a 2€ deposit (€2) and the price of the e-ticket or the amount of credit you wish. Rates: 1-hour ticket (€1.10 – use for up to 6 riders),  24-hr (€3), 72-hr (€5). 

 

Taxi/Uber/Bolt (from VisitTallinn.ee): Uber is the most common taxi app used worldwide. You can use it in Tallinn to catch a ride. Local residents use also Bolt  - similar to Uber, but can also order regular official taxis. Rates:

All official taxis have the rates presented in Estonian and English on a yellow sticker on the car rear window. There are no unified taxi rates in Tallinn. There's a lot of competition among taxi companies in Tallinn and usually the rates are significantly lower than the allowed maximum rates. The maximum rates in Tallinn are 5,50€ (Starting fare), 1,10€ (per-kilometer from 6a-11p)

 

To/from Song Festival Grounds: From our hotel to the SF grounds is app. 5 km or a 1 hr. walk. Public transit is easy. Take bus 40 or Tram 1 to the Viru Keskus stop in the city centre. Then either bus 35 or 51 to the SF grounds. Bus 60 also goes to/from the grounds from a stop very near Viru Keskus – the Hobujaama stop. 

 

Hotel to Viking Line Ferry Terminal:This is a 30 minute trip whether walking 2.5km or taking the 40 bus partway from the A. Adamsoni stop close to the hotel to the A. Laikmaa stop. 

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Useful Phrases in Estonia, Latvia, and Helsinki