Medieval Tallinn
 

Just a two hour ferry ride from Helsinki and I am in Tallinn, Estonia. Surprisingly it is much colder here than in Helsinki although I have journeyed about 80 miles south.

By the time I settle into My City Hotel it is late in the evening but a perfect time for me to bundle up and explore this walled in city by foot.

Down narrow streets that are softly light with amber lighting, I eventually make my way to a delicious serving of “Mojito Chicken Tango”.

At midnight I am having some of the best wings I have ever tasted at Clazz Restaurant as I enjoy some musical tunes with an Estonian flavor.

I was in Helsinki and Tallinn in early October 2004 and loved both cities. The old walled city of Tallinn was like out of a fairy-tale book. I would love to go back. How is your hotel? How did you find it? I stayed with friends of my Russian relatives in Tallinn (which is its own kind of trip report :-0 ) because there wasn't so much info 10 years ago on finding hotels.

Did you take the hydro high-speed ferry from Helsinki? It was recommended to me to take the bigger, slower ferry because the high-speed one was frequently canceled due to winds -- and that boat was another adventure.

Looking forward to more of your report -- I bet the tourism aspect of Tallinn has really picked up in 10 years.

Photos please!

hikrchick,

Hotel "My City" was very nice and the staff was great. Found by using "booking.com".

Took Tallinn-Link ferry not hydro high speed which I was told does not run everyday depending on the weather. I was surprised by how smooth and fast the trip was on Tallinn Link.

I am sure a lot has changed since you visited 10 years ago. I found Tallinn to be a very cool city that was fun to visit :)

adrienne,

Hope some short videos will do ...

The Dance Of Death

For a glimpse of Tallinn's history, I take a walk to St Nicholas church which began construction in the early 13th century.

The church itself has it's own unique history including being bombed by the Soviets in World War II.

Housed here is some of the country's most famous art works and artifacts among which are beautiful gold and silver chalices and platters.

Danse Macabre, “The Dance Of Death” probably Tallinn's most famous medieval painting, at least a part of it, is also found here.

This painting that was the topic of many sermons reminds us that no matter what your status is in life, death unites us all.


Video:http://youtu.be/QAwWSMccin4

I was in Tallinn in early October and LOVED it. After 10 days in Copenhagen and Helsinki, I found it quite cheap to eat there. Had a 3 course meal for 13 Euros, and it was delicious ! I imagine under a bit of snow, the old town must be so magical.

Enjoy your stay!! I'm jealous!

(we stayed outside the old town, at Swissotel Tallinn.... we got the business room and had access to the executive lounge which served a nice lunch and dinner... including free booze!)

We really enjoyed Tallinn. It felt like a quaint little fairy tale town. We loved roaming the streets after dark with just the dim street lights lighting the cobblestones. We found some wonderful little antique stores to poke around in, and had a great dinner by candlelight in a restaurant in the main square. Great memories of a unique place.

There are two famous lookout places in"Upper " Town Tallin".

This is where all those aerial pictures are taken from.

Walk up Pikk Street till you get to the top...now turn RIGHT quickly and folow the street.

I know when you walk up Pikk Street and reach the top ,and you see that lovely Alexander Nevesky Church ...you just want to head straight for it ..but leave it for later...turn RIGHT and walk about 2 block... ask anyone for the lookout points.

Ruby99,

No snow just cold.. but would love to visit again and experience the beauty of winter here.

Agree with you sentiments about Copenhagen and Helsinki which are both cool cities but Tallinn was definitely a bargain :)

A Wooden Submarine, A Wooden Submarine

Besides just enjoying this beautiful walled-in and fairytale city, I head over to Lennusadam to view a bit of Estonia's maritime and military history.

At Seaplane Harbor about a twenty minute walk from Old Town I experience some very cool exhibits including a submarine built in1854. It is not a yellow submarine but more interestingly it is a wooden one.

Other neat ships here, Estonia's first combat vessel, “The Griff” built in 1976 for the former Soviet KGB.

Also anchored here, Estonia's Flagship an almost 100 year old ice-breaker that is powered by steam. This is definitely one of a kind.


Video:http://youtu.be/sNAVL1R4qtg

Very interesting. Enjoyed this.

Loved visiting Tallinn. The KGB Museum at the Hotel Viru is not to be missed. Short walk from the Old Town. Fascinating, yet short tour. Google for info on times. Highly recommended.

We loved Tallinn. Lovely, lovely town. Spent two days there which I think is a good amount of time if only visiting the city and not the countryside. Will definitely return one day.

Would love to find out what sort of souvenirs are popular in this land. Did you buy anything?
I always like to find out about souvenirs even though I dont buy much myself, but enjoy reading about them.
Looks like it is a beautiful place and you came back with special memories.

ileen,

Not much of a souvenir shopper. I basically just buy "flat" magnets.. easy to pack and ship to friends..

I do take lots of pictures to savor the memories :)

In Tallinn, I saw a lot of knitted stuff (mittens, scarves), lots of amber jewelry, and the typical touristy stuff with Tallinn/Estonia written on them. I got a very cute leather coin purse and some cute mittens, and a bit of chocolate...

DMBTraveler, we are considering a cruise next summer that stops in Tallinn. Do you remember where you ate the "Mojito Chicken Tango"? It sounds delicious!

longhorn55

Clazz was the restaurant near main square... here's web address: www.clazz.ee/‎

I went during late fall so the area was not as busy as it probably would be during summer but I think you will enjoy it all the same :)

I got some of the best 'souvenirs' in Tallin. We popped into the little antique shops and picked up some wonderful little finds: an antique doorknocker, pewter candlesticks and a tiny wine keg. We will incorporate all of these into the decor in our tasting room.

We visit thrift and antique/junk stores in every city we visit. Instead of the usual souvenirs we purchase everyday things we can decorate with. We always have the memories to go along with them.

Thanks to all for your posts and comments. I'm hoping to go to the Baltics and don't know exactly where to go or what to see.

How much time do you have and when do you want to go?

Peg--are you planning to go to Tallinn?
I was there in July and really liked it.
We only went to Tallinn from Amsterdam and enjoyed it thoroughly as we were able to see the song and dance festival which is held every 5 years. So, for us that was the highlight of the trip.
If you have some specific questions, maybe I can try to answer. It is a lovely fairy tale story book like town. I think you can see everything there in 2-3 days at the most.