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Tallinn
is the capital city of Estonia in which over a third (circa
370,000) of the countries
total inhabitants live
- which means the rest of this pine covered country has
the
least
number
of people per square kilometre in Europe!
So
that gives an idea that Tallinn is an attractive place
- and so it is, having one of the most unspoilt mediaeval
cities in Europe with much of the original 15th century
city's walls, turrets and gate houses. Most of it would
be intact had it not been for Soviet air raid on the city
in 1944 which killed over half the Old City's inhabitants.
In fact this poor country has only been truly independant for less than 50
years since the 12th century and 10 of those years have been since 1994....
.Just a few facts to give you good reason to make a trip here. Then, there
are the
quite beautiful young ladies who would turn any man's head - tall blondes with
striking good looks and quite how they manage to retain their slender figures
with the heavy diets of dumplings, pork and duck specialties of the region
is a mystery! However they do keep themselves aloof from the gaping looks from
overseas tourists who we have to admit get rather inebriated from the local
taverns that abound in the many cobbled streets.
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| Outdoor
market |
Old Town Square |
Old
Town Walls & Turrets |
There are good quality restaurants in the old town such
as Kuldse Volsa
Korts which can be recognised by the Cartoon Pig they use as a trade
mark in Dunkri street just off from the Old Town Square. Very presentable
and clean with lots
of original decoration from the 16th century but with out overkill and waitress
and waiters are in 18th century dress but without being touristy.It has lots
of Estonian dishes such as beetroot soup with smoked meats and roast lamb
dishes - not cheap at around £30 for two with drinks.
However,
be aware of some other less reputable ones like the facing
property in the same street - the Beer House on the face
of it looks entertaining as it produces its own beer from
vast copper vats in a typical German Beer Hall complete
with "oompah "music. However, what is produced
is called "live" beer as it is not filtered or
cleared and comes full strength from the vat still fermenting!
This could have a problem for some people with yeast allergies
they did not know of until they taste this Pilsner beer
which looks like mud and frankly tastes like it!
We
had a hard time refusing to pay for this awful beverage
and were charged an outlandish price for the two wines
we ordered instead - our argument with the manager was
overseen by a bouncer - however we got our reduction -
but this left a bad taste even more than the beer!! So
be warned and ask at your hotel reception about the places
to avoid. On the subject of beer - most pubs bars and restaurants
seem to charge much the same - our recollection is about
40 krones a half litre, around £1.80/3 US dollars.
Outside the old town we are told is much cheaper - the
reason is because the Finns have spoilt the local population.
For Finnish people the cost of drinking in Estonia is half
that of Helsinki and during summer up to 20 ferries a day
plough across the bay connecting the two countries where
the Finns drink to excess and purchase huge amounts of
Vodka to take home - the local joke is" which is the
cheaper fuel for your car - petrol or Vodka!"
So from this point of view, Tallinn is a little commercial and spoilt in contrast
to Riga and Vilnius which are not too touristy or overpriced in relation to
local costs. Instead Tallinn is rather unique for its Old Town and well worth
a visit for a few nights, but whilst it has a cultural scene in Spring and
Autumn and winter with a very impressive Opera House and other theatres it
does not compare with Prague for classical music Opera and Ballet.
But
it is a change of scene and well worth being added to the "must
see " cities of Eastern Europe.
Radisson | Hotel
Grand | Scandic Palace | Old
Town Maestro's
Central
Hotel | Hotel Metropole | Hotel
Olumpia | Hotel Domina City | Hotel
St Barbara | Hotel Express
RADISSON ****
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The
Radisson brand name stands for quality and
so it is for the Radisson Tallin which opened
last year and became, with 24 stories, the
tallest building in the city. It’s city
centre location is ideal: a short walk to almost
anywhere in the capital. It has stunning views
of the old town and sea.
There
is a health club, sauna, restaurant, piano
bar and pub. All the rooms are en suite and
are equipped with air-conditioning, pay TV,
direct-dial telephones, data port, in-room
safe, mini-bar, trouser press, iron and ironing
board, hairdryer and coffee & tea making
facilities. Non smoking rooms are available.
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The Radisson, Tallinn
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Prices in GB £ Sterling
per room, per night
including Buffet Breakfast
HANSA
|
2006 |
| 01/11/05 - 31/03/06 |
01/04 - 30/09 |
| Single |
Double
/Twin |
Single |
Double
/Twin |
| Hotel Radisson |
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| Two NIGHT package including Flights : Gatwick from £304; and Manchester from £310 |
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HOTEL GRAND MERITON ****
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This
centrally located hotel, originally built is
1963 and completely renovated in 1998 is a
short walk from the Parliament building and
the old medieval town – there is a magnificent
view over the historical town wall. There are
two restaurants, gift shop, several bars, internet
facilities and a health center which offers
a gym, massage, solarium and sauna facilities.
There are 160 odd double rooms all of which
have air conditioning, sound proofed windows,
a mini bar, safety deposit box, satellite TV
and pay movies. Each room has an en suite bathroom
with fitted hair dryer. The 3rd floor has all
non-smoking rooms.
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Hotel Grand Meriton, Tallinn
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Prices in GB £ Sterling
per room, per night
including Buffet Breakfast
HANSA |
2006 |
| 01/11/05 - 31/03/06 |
01/04 - 30/04
01/10 - 30/12 |
01/05 - 30/09 |
| Single |
Double
/Twin |
Single |
Double
/Twin |
Single |
Double
/Twin |
| Hotel Grand Meriton (Standard Rooms) |
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| Two NIGHT package including Flights : Gatwick from £269; and Manchester from £276 |
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