THE LAPLAND SERIES, DAY 3
HELSINKI – TALLINN – HELSINKI
Day trip to magical Tallinn. After a day and a half in Helsinki I think we have seen all there is to see, so we decided to make the same (reverse) trip I did 6 years ago and jump on the ferry to Estonia.
WELCOME BACK TO COUNTRY NUMBER 112
This was too good an opportunity to get my parents into another country, I think they are into their 40s which is some going considering they only visit new countries with me! Let’s hope I can get them to their half century in the next few years!
WHERE IS TALLINN?
Tallinn
THE FERRY
What surprised me more than I expected was the facilites in the ferry, it was incredible. It had everything from several restaurants (inc a Burger King), a number of cafes, a bar with live music, two business class lounges, duty free shopping, games room and a sauna…of course! It’s not expensive either, for 30EUR you can get yourself a trip to Tallinn.
Day trip to magical Tallinn
DAILY INFO….
- HOTEL – Lapland Hotel Bulevardi, 8/10
- RESTOS – Restaurant Ratashaevu 16
- MILES COVERED – 107.6 miles
- STEPS – 14,000
A WALK AROUND TALLINN
We knew for most of the day we would probably end up at the market square christmas market drinking glühwein and eating an assortment of sweets and chocolate. So to delay this as much as possible we had a mooch around. I tried to reminisce as much as possible but I couldn’t remember much from my previous trip.
This included St Olaf’s Church which was used as a surveillance point for the KGB, Aleksander Nevski Cathedral and jumping backwards into the snow like a pair of 6 year olds!
Day trip to magical Tallinn
FLAG….
- BLUE – Represents the reflection of the sky in the sea and lakes, symbolising endurance – “until the skies last.”
- BLACK – Stands for the black greatcoat of an Estonian man or for the earth that feeds its people.
- WHITE – Marks an aspiration towards light and purity.
RESTAURANT RATASHAEVU 16
If yesterday’s restaurant was anything to go by, we withdrew any expectations here as we knew it had a lot to live up to. I had a idea it would be good (research and how far in advance I had to book told me this) but never thought it would be as good as it was. Everything from the amazing waiter, food and huge basement chamber below the toilet made this resto extra special.
Day trip to magical Tallinn
RELATED READ: ICE CAVING IN ICELAND
MARKET SQUARE
There are no better Christmas Markets than Eastern Europe Christmas Markets, afterall that’s where they originated and we knew as soon as we were let loose there would be no stopping us until it was time for the boat. However it’s not only where the markets originated but word has it that it is the first place a Christmas Tree was erected… how about that!
Day trip to magical Tallinn
ESTONIA:
- It is where Skype was founded. Even though Skype is now owned by Microsoft, it still has offices around Tallinn.
- Like Finland, Saunas are a way of life!
- Estonia has a 5th season called Flood season.
SUMMED UP….
- MVP – The waiter at the resto
- HIGHLIGHT – The market square and the resto in Tallinn
FINAL THOUGHTS
Admittingly I can’t remember much of Estonia from my first trip but now I will never forget its charm.
NEXT UP
The biggest disappointment of the trip!! Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
158/229
This post was part of The Lapland Series. To view my Instagram highlights click here.
If you would rather read the rest of the series from the blog just click here.
