Tallinn

The old town is, hmmm, kitschy – it’s so renovated that it looks like a film scene. And there are absolutely no Estonian people there. Don’t take me wrong: it’s pretty but you just get an eerie feeling there. As soon as we headed more towards the new town it started to look more interesting – shame that we hadn’t time to go and check the soviet time suburbs – I find the suburb architecture interesting.

This country, to me, was a throw in on a trip I went on to Russia. When I got there, I was really surprised. I really liked it. It has quite a bit of charm, and I’d say they have successfully shed the lifestyle the Soviets forced upon them. Much of what I saw was quite modern. The historic old town was really nice, very quaint. Being here made me feel like I was in Scandinavia. I recommend eating at the medieval restaurant (old Hansa?)in the historical section – quite an experience, and good food in a fun atmosphere.

The place is literally buzzing with energy – people are building everywhere and there is just a sense of action and things happening. And if you go, I recommend a visit to the restaurant Ö – an amazing place.

I liked the mixture of russian and hanseatic influences a lot: the former KGB headquarters next to old guildhouses. This city has something dark and mysterious, and in ‘Cafe-Chocolaterie’ in Vene tänav 6 I had the best hot chocoloate of my life…

The old city of Tallin is simply amazing. Overcrowded with tourists, but if you manage to overlook that, it`s really like a place taken out of a fairy tale, the medieval towers and houses, all incredibly well preserved. And lots of lovely arts and craft stores (hidden inbetween about a million souvernir shops, but still quite easy to find.)
We went to a SPA hotell for two days, which was great. Lots of really good SPA treatments at a fraction of what it would cost in Norway.
I was really fascinated by the combination of modernity and signs of an ex-communist country. For instance, there are wireless internet points at the most unlikely places, you can get online anywhere really (if you happen to have a laptop, which I don`t.) They`re building tall, modern buildings right next to the medieval towers. (not sure if I loved that though). And the cars in Tallin makes the general cars you see on Norwegian roads look ridiculously old and cheap. Seriously, not one of the cars there looked more than 3 years old, and most looked really expensive.
But then there are all the things that makes it clear this is an old communist country. Like the really ugly, large, grey appartment builidings everywhere. Most of the streets outside the old town seem polluted, worn down and crossing them as a pedestrian feels quite risky. Finding a place to eat outside the old city was really difficult, there were lots of places but most of them didn`t seem very nice and had a feeling of eating in the middle of a bussy, polluted intersections. But then, after walking on these not very nice streets for a while, you can get to a wonderful, well preserved tsar-palace. Or a very nice park.
It really was worth visiting. And, they are doing a lot of work on the city, there are new buildings being built absolutely everywhere (expet for the old city). It would be interresting to go back in 10 years and see what`s happening to the city.

We visited Tallin, still under the grip of winter in March. It may have been cold outside but there is nothing cold about the people who live there. Maybe it’s the great Vodka?

My friends would say, “Why are you going there?” as they were heading for Cancun or the beaches of Hawaii.

“Because I want to see the archtiecture and explore the culture before the cruise ships arrive!” I replied. It is one of the most intact walled Medieval cities in all of Europe since the rest were bombed during world war 11 or earlier. But Tallin survived the madness because of its Northern location and it’s distance from invaders capitals.

*Best Pub? The Hell Hunt—great soup and Russian beer
*Best Chocolate? Chocolnterie Cafe—cozy pastry place decorated
like it’s 1930,including old records playing background music.
*Best Russian food and show?-Troika- on the platz!
*Best Suishi-Silk!- very nice new age place with techno music
and the best food
*Best Medieval food experience?—Old Hansa
*Best shopping?—A-Galerii artist gallery. Wonderful antiques from ww2, but be carefull you don’t buy older things because you need a permit. There’s also a great crystal shop on Pikk.

I loved the golden light from the flickering torches that line the street at night and I even love the way local girls walk around in 6” high heels across cobblestone and snow filled streets. Now that is STYLE!

I spent about 3 days here. I guess during the summer most of the Estonians head for their dachas, I found it quiet at night, except for noisy Brits or drunken Finns.

Hostel Vana Tom was great and central, the old town is pretty damn cool and there is good food to be had on the square.

That being said, 2 days is pretty much enough here, then go to St.Petersburg to burn all the energy you saved in Tallinn!

I’ve been in Tallinn for the first time (cause I hope I can go back there) between 15 and 26th February 2006.
I liked it very much.
Sauna is nice :)

I went to Tallinn the day before I left Finland after living there for five months. The trip was amazing as I went in a ferry with lots of old people who were completely drunk in the way back. I enjoyed it so much, the trip and the walks along the streets of this city, medieval city with beautiful streets, houses, churches and views. Cheap city as well if you have lived in Helsinki before.

I enjoyed it so much as i went with my boyfriend, what i didnt know at that time is that it was like a goodbye trip, it was the last thing i did with my now exboyfriend as he left me a while after it.
Kind of “sweet and bitter” memory because of that.

The first time I visited Tallinn was a couple of days in 2001!
After that I went there summer 2004 (10 days), summer 2005 (7 days), March 2006 (about 5 days) and I’m also going there this summer (2006) for about 9-10 days! Do I need to tell how I feel about this town?
I love the charming old town with its old buildings and narrow streets… For example I can’t explain the feeling sitting by a window at Kehrwieder (café at the Town Hall square), enjoying the view of the Town Hall! Kehrwieder is just one of many wonderful cafés with fantastic cakes, chocolate and coffee (I can’t mention them all here)! I love the cute, small shops and the shopping centres! And the food… Mmmm, My favorite is Olde Hansa (Try Himalayan Lamb, it’s a piece of heaven!) and the Estonian restaurants! I’m even so privileged that I know someone who lives in Tallinn (lucky me)! After visiting Tallinn four times, I know quite a lot… But still, if theres any experts out there: You’re welcome to give me information etc. Because I love to learn more about “my all time favorite city in the world”! For example: I still haven’t visited Vaneema Juures (an Estonian restaurant)... Has someone here visited this restaurant? I would be really grateful for price examples, what’s on the menu and recommended dishes!
Greetings astapasta (who is counting the days for her next visit)