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r s of e b m e For m a nseatic a H a i V

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THE STORY OF VIA HANSEATICA This document has been produced with the financial assistance of Estonia-Latvia-Russia Cross Border Cooperation Programme within European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument 2007-2013. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the Valga County Development Agency and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the Programme or of the countries participating in the Programme, alongside with the European Union.

What is Via Hanseatica?

VIA HANSEATICA is the name attributed to the trans-European transport corridor from L端beck to St.Petersburg that crosses prestigious and interesting European cities such as Gdansk, Kaliningrad, Siauliai, Riga, Tartu, Narva and St. Petersburg.

Today it is known as 580 km long international tourism route between the cities of Riga and St. Petersburg that includes cultural and natural tourist attractions in Latvia, Estonia and Russia, highlighting the uniqueness of each country, thus creating particularly attractive tourism destination.

For visitors Via Hanseatica means history, knowledge, culture, good food, friendly people, valuable experience and many other things that make their trip special and unforgettable.

For Via Hanseatica network members it means good relations between Estonia, Latvia and Russia, good friends and cooperative partners from neighbouring countries.

Via Hanseatica travel book This is a modern love and travel story about a young businessman Mark, his wife Nadia and their two children. They are heading from St. Petersburg to Lübeck and find themselves on a trip that changes their lives forever…

Altogether with useful information about travelling on Via Hanseatica, story offers you to rush in to experience of the muted nature, abundant culture and welcoming community.

READ THE BOOK in EN, GE, RU, EE, LV: www.issuu.com/viahanseatica.

The author of the Via Hanseatica travel book is a popular young writer from Estonia— Sass Henno.

“I wish lots of great visitors for Via Hanseatica. Host them as well as you hosted Mark and Nadia. For readers I recommend to travel a lot and wherever you stop - don´t look at the clock, because when the rush is over and plane is gone - real adventures are about to begin.”.

Yours, Sass Henno

Via Hanseatica thematic routes Regardless of whether you travel with a family, are a nature lover, adventurer or interested in culture – there is a special Via Hanseatica route created for each. Behind each route there is a set of attractions to feel, taste and smell.

‘Culture to greet and people to meet’ takes you to different cultural areas to meet the locals. During the trip you’ll visit old castles, beautiful manor houses, exciting museums, lovely villages and romantic towns. There will be traditional cultural events to visit, local food to taste and smell and unique stories to enjoy.

‘Adventure in nature’ gives you the opportunity to get away from the urban environment and enjoy the beautiful hills and valleys, sandy beaches and picturesque woods of nature reserves. You can rest, recuperate and recharge your batteries or try your hand at a range of outdoor activities.

‘Family Fun!’ makes the Via Hanseatica especially memorable for families with children. During the trip you can climb in adventure parks, solve puzzles in museums, take sun, go to swim, listen to fairy-tales, try the local ice-cream and drink tea from a traditional samovar. Plus you’re almost certain to meet a mammoth from the Ice Age!

Via Hanseatica travel planner

Via Hanseatica travel portal www.viahanseatica.info gives you a possibility to plan, save and print the holiday route, info about selected objects, eating and overnight places and the timeline of the trip to ensure that all the plans fit into the holiday time. You can choose between ready-made routes wit different length or design your own trip. Database is full of interesting objects and services and you can add also your grandma´s house to your time-table!

Via Hanseatica mobile application Via Hanseatica application includes several features ranging from Via Hanseatica tourism map and information about tourism objects to popular phrases in local language and access to predefined Via Hanseatica tourism routes based on individual interests of traveller.

What is specially worth to be mentioned – it is possible to enter the code generated in travel.viahanseatica.info to follow up the individual route viewing all the necessary information already on the way. Mobile application works both online and offline mode to save travellers costs.

Download Via Hanseatica mobile application from Google Play and App Store!

Interesting facts about Russia 

Russia is the largest country in the world. It’s total area is 17,075,400 km2.

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The capital and largest city is Moscow.

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The currency used in Russia is the rouble.

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Russian’s will never shake hands over a doorway. It is believed to be a bad omen and most Russians are convinced the action will lead to an argument.

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A dozen roses? No thanks! In Russia, men never give an even amount of flowers to a women. It is considered bad luck and is associated with funerals.

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Hospitality plays a significant role in the Russian mentality and the Russian character, so once you make friends with Russian people you will surely value this amazing and unique feature of the socalled "Wide Russian soul".

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS: Hello

Здравствуйте

Good bye

До свидания

Please

Пожалуйста

Thank you

Спасибо

Excuse me

Извинте

What´s your name?

Как вас зовут?

Best attractions in Russia Maryino Manor is the most outstanding national monument of architectural and land-

scape art of the 19th century. Excellent cuisine, unforgettable entertainment!

Gatchina Palace and Estate Museum. The palace and park

date back to the time of Empress Catherine II. In 1765 the Empress honoured her favorite, Count G. Orlov, with a lavish gift – the Gatchina Estate.

Rozhdestveno Memorial Manor preserves the memory of the

famous writer Vladimir Nabokov where he spent his peaceful childhood and youth.

“The Stationmaster´s House Museum” was the first museum

dedicated to a Russian hero of literature. The environment recreated is typical for the post stations of the time of Pushkin.

The House of Aleander Pushkin´s nanny is a museum in the house where the nanny

Arina Rodionovna lived. The house displays the traditional interior of a peasant's house.

Ivangorod Fortress is a Russian medieval castle that was built

by Ivan III in 1492 and since then, expanded into the town of Ivangorod. The permanent exhibitions are devoted to the Northern and Livonian wars.

Interesting facts about Estonia 

Estonia is small, both by area and population, but it has more than a hundred historical parishes, each one with its own traditional clothing.

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The capital and largest city is Tallinn.

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Estonian people are pretty quick when it comes to understanding computers. Internet connection is absolutely essential.

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The Estonian sense of humour is dark and very self -ironic reminiscent of English and Finnish humour.

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Estonians respect the sauna to such an extent, that they have built them into buses, rafts and even into a cistern of an old fire-engine. This is a good way to survive cold winters.

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Estonian wooded meadows are among the richest biomes in the world – one square metre has more than 70 species. This figure at times exceeds the diversity in the tropics.

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS: Hello

Tere

Good bye

Nägemist

Please

Palun

Thank you

Aitäh

Excuse me

Vabandust

What´s your name?

Mis su nimi on?

Best attractions in Estonia Narva-Jõesuu and SPA-s. Narva-Jõesuu, a small resort town is famous for its assem-

blage of peculiar timber architecture, numerous spas and 13 km long sandy beach.

Avinurme Woodwork Centre. Avinurme has strong woodcraft

and business traditions, which are based on knowledge passed on from generation to generation.

Peispi Lake and old-believers´ villages. Russian Old Believers´

intriguing community is recognised as hard-working and skilful fishermen but especially as the best onion cultivators.

Ice Age Centre is a unique and original tourist attraction – a na-

ture study and visiting centre that combines popular scientific approach to ice age with entertainment.

Science Centre AHHAA in Tartu popularises science in a "hands-on" style together with additional opportunities, such as the planetarium, the school laboratory pilot programs, science theatre shows etc.

Sangaste Castle and Sangaste Rye Village. The castle with

beautiful halls and nice park is an unforgettable place. Local entrepreneurs has formed small network Sangaste Rye Village to host the guests, produce and offer rye products.

Interesting facts about Latvia 

The capital and largest city is Riga.

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Latvia does have a famous drink, and it will either throw you under the table or grow some extra hair on your chest. Riga Black Balsam is not for the faint of heart. The locals usually use it as a flavoring ingredient or in teas in the winter.

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The famous Latvian Lielvarde belts (now typically worn with folk costumes) had an important role.

You received the belt as a child and wore it to special occasions or festivals. They’re very symbolic.

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Ever wonder who inspired Crocodile Dundee? A Latvian. Arvīds Blūmentāls, from Dundaga, Latvia, allegedly killed 10,000 crocodiles.

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You know those rivets on your jeans? You’ve got a Latvian to thank for it. Jacob Davis partnered with Levi Strauss to bring his invention to the denimclad masses.

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS: Hello

Labdien

Good bye

Uz redzéšanos

Please

Lúdzu

Thank you

Paldies

Excuse me

Atvainojiet

What´s your name?

Ká jús sauc?

Best attractions in Latvia Seda Marsh. Reed and bulrush have spread over huge parts of the flooded former peat

extraction places, however, also maintaining rather big water fields that makes it excellent for birds.

Valmiermuiža brewery. In the truly hospitable manner of the

old Valmiermuiža, the owners of the brewery invite everyone to explore how the beer is made and of course to te some.

Dikli Manor. A four-star hotel has 26 rooms and 3 suites. The late 19th century and early

20th century antique furniture, ornate fireplaces and stoves, beautiful drapes, and satin sheets will make your stay an unforgettable experience.

Cesis Castle.

From the attic of the tower a spectacular view

opens to the other side of the 800 years old castle, park, and the whole city of Cesis.

Ligatne papermill Village. In old valley of Gauja River and Gauja

National Park on there is Ligatne historical complex of paper industry with a unique “Historical center of Ligatne Paper Mill village”.

Aerodium in Sigulda. Are you willing to fulfil a lifelong

dream of all humankind – to soar like a bird in the air without any assistance? Go to “Aerodium” then!

Introduce Via Hanseatica In addition to great travel book, amazing travel planner and mobile application Via Hanseatica has launched several other marketing and visibility materials that help you to introduce Via Hanseatica:

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Via Hanseatica maps,

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Via Hanseatica flyers,

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Via Hanseatica table covers,

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Via Hanseatica banners,

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Via Hanseatica souvenirs and visibility items.

All those give information about Via Hanseatica, thematic routes, destinations, main attractions, travel planner, mobile application or just remind the idea of Via Hanseatica.

Members and destinations can use VH logo in their materials, work out their own Via Hanseatica products, visibility items and souvenirs. Also work out their special “VH products” or offers.

What is your special Via Hanseatica product?