1936 On the Continent

Orthodox churches and is surrounded by Russian villages. The foreign tourist can easily drive from Narva to the Russian frontier and have a peep over the barbed wire fences at the Communist paradise.
    If you are interested in Russian national characteristics, or in the romanticism of the mystical monasteries of the Greek Orthodox Church, you are advised to visit Petseri, which lies in the south-west, near the Russian border, and contains one of the largest monasteries of the former Russian Empire. This district is inhabited by Estonians and Russians professing the Greek Orthodox faiths and the ancient traditions of that faith, with its brilliant processions and the worship of ikons, are still observed in their entirety, so that Petseri is to-day the only place where the religious life of Tsarist Russia has survived.
Seaside Resorts
    The Estonian seaside resorts are very popular with tourists, particularly those who have already visited them once or twice. The temperature of the sea in summer rises as high as 25 degrees (centigrade), and as, in addition, the weather is comparatively windless and cloudless, the extensive sandy beaches of the Estonian seaside resorts attract a large number of foreign visitors each year. Under the Russian regime these resorts were very expensive, so that none but the Russian aristocracy of birth and wealth could afford them. Members of the Tsarist court and the Tsars themselves used to come here for the summer, and ordinary mortals naturally kept away. To-day, however, the position is very different, and the cost of living at the Estonian seaside resorts—though their former high standard has been maintained—is as cheap as in other parts of the country.
    The more notable seaside resorts are Narva-Joesuu, Parnu—in the Bay of Riga—Haapsalu and, on the Island of Saaremaa, Kuressaare. At all these places therapeutic mud baths are available for all sorts of complaints. The mud in the sea itself possesses very valuable therapeutic properties and was originally responsible for the establishment of many of the seaside resorts.
    Boating, fishing and other aquatic sports can be indulged in ad lib., while Estonian rivers are rich in trout and salmon. Many foreigners visit Estonia in the autumn especially for the salmon fishing.
    Needless to say, all the seaside resorts are being developed year by year, so that in addition to healthy and picturesque surroundings the visitor is provided with every modern facility for his comfort and recreation.
For the Motorist
    Estonia is visited by a large number of motorists, who arrive either from Finland in the north or from Latvia in the south. Motoring in Estonia is sheer joy on account of its close network of well-kept roads. But you need not own or drive a motor-car in order to become acquainted with the interior of Estonia, for there is an excellent omnibus service covering practically every town and village in the country.
    Estonia, in the main, is an agricultural country, and this is expressed not only in the general aspect of the countryside but also in the picturesque costume of the peasantry.
    The main industrial centres are Tallinn and the places in the vicinity of Estonia’s many waterfalls, with the aid of which timber is transported to various destinations. An important industrial centre is Virumaa, whose extensive shale quarries supply material for the production of petrol, asphalt, bitumen and oil.
    Northern Estonia is flat, while Southern Estonia is covered with hills, but when you visit Estonia you will realise that this text-book phrase is only employed by the author because he dare not attempt to describe the exquisite loveliness of the forests, lakes and the general landscape of Estonia.
    If you have any doubts as to the language in which you can make yourself understood in Estonia, pray be reassured.You speak the language in question quite fluently and with a perfect accent, that is, if you are English or American. For Estonians are great linguists and the foreign language they love and cultivate most is English. In proof of this we may mention here that you are bound to meet a fair number of resident English men and women in Estonia, particularly in Tallinn, where the education authorities run regular English courses. However, linguistic ability is not confined to the better educated classes, and even in the smaller places you are bound to find someone who will understand you.
    In conclusion, we would impress upon you once more