Tallinn Calling

So, Estonia... What can i say? The country really speaks for it self. I actually had one of my greatest holidays in Estonia, Tallinn. I would do anything to get back there, it was so amazing! You can walk around the city all day without getting tired ´cause where ever you look there´s always something cool to see or to do. In the center you can shop more than you can afford ´cause there´s so many good stores with low prices. But the real beauty of the town is the old-town. Now that´s a place you gotta visit. It´s like going back in time and walking in a middle ages. You can smell the spirit of the town in the air, people are always in a good mood, polite and smiling. And the castle looking buildings really take your breathe away. Especially the two towers that really highlight this middle age -theme. So you gotta take your camera with you if you´re thinking about going for a visit in Tallinn. But the one thing that´s really gonna brighten up the day, is the interesting vehicles they have in there. They´re kind of like a tricycle with a roof and a little bigger than a normal cycle, and you can fit two people sitting in the back. They´re really fun to look at and you can get a nice tour around the town. But if you feel like sitting down, there´s a whole street filled with bars all around. Just take your pick, sit down and a smiling waiter will come to ask you what you want. While you waite you can enjoy a little music from the street musicians. So there really isn´t anything you can´t do in there, is there? I know i can´t think of anything... Im just waiting to get back in there soon as possible! One thing im missing the most, is the Olümpia hotel. The room was amazing, and the view from the 18th floor was just breathtaking. You can see right to the ocean and all the city lights shining in the night. Just beautiful... So if you´re taking a hotel room in Tallinn, go to the Olümpia Hotel and take the highest room, trust me. You will always remember the feeling when you look out of that window. But hey, you´re not gonna sit in your room the whole holiday are you? Because in Tallinn, there´s always something going on and the party never stops! Drinks are available around the clock and there´s always someone to party with. So why spent your holiday sitting in your balcony with a cup of tea, when you could go to Estonia where everything is possible? I say it´s something everyone should do atleast once in their lives. Those who haven´t, don´t know what their missing. Be sure to visit, i know i will!

• Tallinn
• Shopping
• Old town

So close and so far. Riga and Tallinn - like elder brother and younger sister - so much in common, so much differenses. I want to know you. Similar redhead houses in the Old town, but your streets are full with unknown secrets. I am to shy to ask you to tell it, I just want to discover it by my own, walking with tiny steps in your heard - Old Town, or be caught by crazy rhythm of modern Tallinn. Or maybe, you will show me your real face while we will sit together in small tavern full of candles eating traditional cousine from clay plates. We can sit in the warm "kohvik" heating our cold hands by hot coffee cups and watch buzy people running behind a window. It really doesnt matter what to do. The only important thing is to be together, to feel how our hearts are beating, to hear your breath around me. I want to know you. Just let me in.

• Tallinn
• Old town

Tallinn is one of the prettiest cities in Europe i've ever seen. When I go to visit Tallinn, ofcourse first of all I have to check what kind of events will there be this time in Tallinn. As for me, most of my favorite places located in Vana Tallinn (old Tallinn). On of the best it's cozy lovely caffee in central square - Kehrwieder with strong cofe and sweet marzipan, also everyone have to try sweet almonds from Olde Hansa. And enjoy the breathtaking fantastic view from tower on Baltic see. At the night neccesary to visit Clazz bar and listen the soft bossanova by Denise Fontoura band. This is unbelievable mix of Brazil Denise's voice and estonian musicians, you always can dance salsa there! If you want to relax, I recommend to visit Kadriorg. Just walk and enjoy of gardens, buildings, listening the whisper of sea waves. And in the end I recommend to everyone come to Linnahall. I don't know, but somehow it's the most attractive place in Tallinn. Graffity colored walls, Baltic sea, and feeling inside you, that it is the calmest place let you understand what is inside of you. Wish everyone the magic vacation in heart of hystorical Europe.

• Tallinn
• Old town
• Kadriorg

Although Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are three Baltic countries, the difference in culture is significant. From my personal experience I can talk more about the difference in culture between Latvia and Estonia, because I have spent my childhood in border-town Valka. Estonians are more like Scandinavians - calm, intelligent and creative. My willingness is to experience Estonian culture in Vihula Manor and to feel the romance of 16th century. I would like to spend there weekend break, enjoying the peaceful time in country manor, tasting delicious Vihula manor cuisine, trying golf course and local hunting activity. Even more - let the time bring us back in the past and imagine, how time was passing in 16th century. Later there could be possibility to compare the culture difference in Estonia in the 16th century and now, in the 21st century. Knowing, that in Vihula manor they try to prepare food from ingredients, that was grown in their own gardens, it makes me more willing to try the local cuisine, that also includes some original recipes from 16th century. I believe that this kind of experience in Lääne-Virumaa region would break some typical stereotypes about weekend-break in Estonia.

• West-Estonia
• Vihula manor
• Cuisine

Ohhh, My!!! My lovely Estonia and my deeply loved Tallinn! Best memories, best time, best feelings, best emotions, best days and best weekends - all is about Estonia. Spending my culture weekend in Estonia, that is my perfect weekend. I love the culture atmosphere, which I usually get in Estonia. So I would love to take part from some winter folk events and also enjoy any art performances. Feel the spirit of a holiday, feel the magic in the air of a Tallinn's lovely streets, go crazy with a happy people around you and remember it for a long time - that's is my dream for winter 2011! Let's share our positive attitude in the most gorgeous country in the Europe. Because anything may become special, when it comes from the heart...

• Tallinn
• Art
• Festivals

I would like to visit Estonia in Christmas time.. I will go to Christmas market in Tallinn Town Hall Square,taste the traditional Christmas dishes, experience the old city architecture. In winter, Tallinn is a specific-old air is filled with roasted almonds, mulled wine and roasting meat flavors. Than we will go on a tour in the castle of Rakvere. Interested parties will be able to shoot with bow and arrows, photo taken on a horse in medieval costume, walk along the "trail of death", to visit a medieval torture chamber. I think that there will be many concerts, because Tallinn is European Capital of Culture 2011! I know that the famous singer SADE is giving a concert this week..and very soon there will be Christmas Jazz Festival Jõulujazz. I hope to get there! And I wish it to everyone!

• Tallinn
• Christmas

Where is the best Christmas market in Europe, where you can make a wish and take a gift from the real Santa Claus? Where is a romantic appeal to strolling through the streets, where shop fronts are filled with Christmas decorations, and sipping on steaming mulled wine? Where can you make a handmade Christmas gift from marzipan for your friends? And you have not guessed it – well, I will tell you - it's fabulous TALLINN. What could be better than to wander through the lightly snow covered cobbled streets in Old Town of Tallinn, try your skills of skating and skiing, to go to wine aroma and taste a spicy sausage on the Town Hall Square, participate in the chocolate-making process in the factory “Kalev”, to enjoy the falling snowflakes by jazz rhythms… So, see you in the fairy tale! :)

• Tallinn
• Christmas

We wanted to fly to St.-Petersburg, then we are going to reach to Tallinn by train. But it was found out, that railway communication between Peter and Tallinn "hadn’t been recovered" yet… In general, we had traditional department from Moscow. Tallinn at the turn of January had a really nasty weather — the sleet was never let up, it was damp underfoot, and, moreover, it was accompanied by a wind from Baltic. And small wonder! Tallinn is the one of the five coldest capitals in the world! By oneself Tallinn is fine. In the first day of staing in Tallinn we walked on the Old city. The Russian speech was heard from everywhere. In the evening we saw performance at the Tallinn city theatre «I loved German». This theatre is completely located in the Old city in old historical buildings. It has some halls, including a hall is in a cellar (where we saw a performance), and also halls are in the old mill, which have been built at the time of “the Dutscher orden to Lyff land”. Next day we visited the Pühtitsa Dormition Convent – there we wished near the Honoured oak-tree. Certainly, we couldn't pass by Vene street – it is simply amazing! In Tallinn you can, that the culture lives not only in "cultural" buildings — theaters, palaces, museums. it lives everywhere, therefore you might go out of doors and be saturated with it.

• Tallinn
• Theatre
• Culture
• Old town

Well, two month ago my boyfriend finally got a job... in Tallinn. At first I was angry, sad, desperate- coctail of all kind emotions. But after some time I decided to go to Tallinn to get my "enemy" better to know. And it bacame best weekend of my life. I will never forget those dark autumnal sky over old town of Tallinn. And Estonian language... I was always thinking that Estonians speak a bit sharply (at least politicians). In fact this language sounded for me very soft and calm. Now I try to learn at least one word in Estonian every day. :) Maybe after some time magnificiant Tallinn- eternal capital of love, culture and friendship between countries - will let me to live in it and discover all her secrets.

• Tallinn
• Culture
• Autumn

Weekend in such a short time. How to freeze the moment and take the time to pick out and see the best of the best, “must see”- attractions? St Catherine's Passage with its various craftsmen workshops is wonderful, picturesque sight. While in master craftsmen’s courtyard, one must definitely taste Chocolaterie de Pierre’s Cafés’ chocolate truffles. Catherines Guild is a must-see. The Old Town bursts legends and ghost stories. From here one finds lovely design- and fashion boutiques, for example Eesti Disaini Maja. One day is not enough to ramble through them! Take time to visit Kumu, after all it’s the most comprehensive modern art museum in Northern countries. I’d like to dedicate one day to outdoor activities – for a cool country escape we would rent a car and head to Pärnu and Soomaa National Park. Tori city and its sandstone caves, Tori Põrgu are also worth visiting. Nõmme’s Adventure parks is closed during winter – what a pity! Well, shouldn’t try to cram everything into one visit. While in Tallinn, I want to try out Kristiine Sports Gyms climbing wall.

• Tallinn
• West-Estonia
• Handicraft
• Shopping
• Museum
• Nature
• Active holiday