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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 |
Prices in GB £ Sterling
per room, per night
including Buffet Breakfast
HANSA |
2008 |
| 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 |
Prices in GB £ Sterling
per room, per night
including Buffet Breakfast
HANSA |
2008 |
| 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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SCANDIC PALACE ****
Situated
in the heart of the city on Tallinn´s main
square, next to the Old Town; also easy access
to cabs, trams and buses. Part of the prestigious
international Hilton hotel chain. You cannot get
much nearer to the old town than this four star
hotel –it is located in the city’s
main square next door to the old towns cobbled
streets.
The
rooms have tea and coffee makers, satellite TV
and in house pay movies, mini bar, room safe,
trouser press and even an iron & ironing
board and hairdryer in superb en suite bathrooms.
Downstairs:
superb restaurant, shops, several bars and lounges
and a health club with gym and sauna.
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Scandic Palace,
Tallinn
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Prices in GB £ Sterling
per room, per night
including Buffet Breakfast
HANSA |
2008 |
| 01/11/05 - 30/04/06 |
01/05 - 30/12 |
| Single |
Double
/Twin |
Single |
Double
/Twin |
| Hotel Scandic Palace |
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| Two NIGHT package including Flights : Gatwick from £288; and Manchester from £294 |
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CENTRAL HOTEL ***
Good
location being just four minutes walk from the
Old Town gates and yet within the bustle of
the new town area with lots of local shops and
a shopping Mall within two minutes walk. It is
also not far from the cities largest night club.
A
modern hotel built in the fifties but last
year had a total refit.On the main street of
Narve Mnt it has ideal access to both ancient
and modern
attractions of this unique city.
On
six floors with some 200 bedrooms all of which
offer en
suite bathrooms,TV mini bar and telephone.
This three star hotel offers a 24 hour reception,
a
bar and a cafe plus a restaurant which serves a full buffet breakfast which
is included into our room rates. The Hotel has
a sauna room and also a children's play area. |
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The Central Hotel,
Tallinn |
Prices in GB £ Sterling
per room, per night
including Buffet Breakfast
HANSA |
2008 |
| 01/11/05 - 30/12/06 |
| Single |
Double
/Twin |
| Central Hotel |
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| Two NIGHT package including Flights : Gatwick from £248; and Manchester from £260 |
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HOTEL METROPOLE ***
City
centre location, being around 5 minutes walk
from the old town. This modern 3 star hotel was
constructed in 1999, and has two lifts to its
eight floors.
On
the eighth floor is a nightclub, plus a restaurant
with live dance music after 9.00 pm. The hotel
has two saunas and a beauty parlour, and guests
are offered a free morning sauna. There's also
a public bar.
All
rooms have bathroom with hairdryer. Each room
has satellite TV, minibar and direct dial telephone.
Good
quality at reasonable rates. |
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The Metropole Hotel,
Tallinn |
Prices in GB £ Sterling
per room, per night
including Buffet Breakfast
LT |
2008 |
| 01/11/05 - 30/12/06 |
| Single |
Double
/Twin |
| Central Hotel |
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| Two NIGHT package including Flights : Gatwick from £249; and Manchester from £259 |
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HOTEL OLÜMPIA ****
A
central location for this four star hotel constructed
in the 1980's which was renovated last year.
Facilities include a fitness centre, complete
with swimming pool, sauna, solarium and massage
rooms.
Just
15 minutes walk from the old town, the hotel
offers excellent facilities including a souvenir
shop, a café, a brasserie, a nightclub
and several theme bars.
There
are some 400 rooms and 5 lifts serve the 26 floors.
All rooms have direct dial telephone, satellite
TV and mini bar. Bathrooms all have bath and
WC.
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Hotel Olümpia,
Tallinn |
Prices in GB £ Sterling
per room, per night
including Buffet Breakfast
LT |
2008 |
| 01/11/05 - 31/03/06 |
01/04 - 30/12 |
| Single |
Double
/Twin |
Single |
Double
/Twin |
| Hotel Olümpia |
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| Two NIGHT package including Flights : Gatwick from £290; and Manchester from £310 |
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HOTEL DOMINA CITY ****
Loads
of elegance and classic style this newly opened
hotel in the centre of the town and old town area
is surrounded by bars restaurants and some very
fashionable shops all within easy walking distance.
The
hotel has over 60 rooms and suites. Each room contains
a mini bar, Satellite TV, telephone and a safe.
All of the en suite bathrooms also contain a hairdryer.
Downstairs
is the "City Cafe" where a buffet breakfast
is served and also offers an a la carte menu during
the day
and evening. Room service, sauna, laundry, dry-cleaning service
and a 24 hour reception service complete the attractions.
Really
attractive old style hotel which has recently opened
in best part of town.
Please
Note: Superior Room supplement £10 per room. |
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Hotel Domina City, Tallinn

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Prices in GB £ Sterling
per room, per night
including Buffet Breakfast
HANSA |
2008 |
| 01/11/05 - 31/03/06 |
01/04 - 30/12 |
| Single |
Double
/Twin |
Single |
Double
/Twin |
| Hotel Domina City - Standard Room |
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| Two NIGHT package including Flights : Gatwick from £280; and Manchester from £288 |
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HOTEL EXPRESS **+
Yes, a budget hotel but it has its attractions
which is located down towards the harbour area of
Tallinn but is only three minute walk from the Medieval
towers and town gates of Pikk Street which leads
directly to the old Town Square and its myriad of
cobbled
streets full of
bars and pubs.
The bedrooms are good with each one
having en suite bathroom with boxed shower WC and
each room has Satellite TV and a mini bar. Apart
from Saturday football
matches the property is in a quiet location being near to the cities Stadium.
Downstairs
is a large reception and opening up to a separate
canteen type restaurant which
serves the cheapest Vodka and orange in Town as we can justify at £1
a glass!
A breakfast buffet is included into the room rates |
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The Hotel Express,Tallinn |
Prices in GB £ Sterling
per room, per night
including Buffet Breakfast
LT |
2008 |
| 01/11/05 - 31/03/06 |
01/04 - 30/12 |
| Single |
Double
/Twin |
Single |
Double
/Twin |
| Hotel Express |
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| Two NIGHT package including Flights : Gatwick from £240; and Manchester from £249 |
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HOTEL ST BARBARA ***
From
the outside this rather austere stone build property
looks rather un-appealing. However, it does have
its merits.
Built
back in the early 1900s the hotel us owned by SAS
Airlines and is located in a quiet
street backing onto a park. Being less than two
minutes walk from
the old town walls and its selections of bars pubs and clubs it is connected
to the Old Town by a subway (under the busy main road of Estonia Pst) which
also contains some small shops selling beer and
wines as well as sandwiches and other
snacks.
As for the Hotel itself this three star hotel has some very comfortable rooms-
large with two easy chairs,desk and mini-bar with down to earth prices - Satellite
TV of course with a wide range of programmes included English language. The
en suite
bathrooms
each have a shower stall washbasin and WC
Downstairs
- a reception, bar and a constant supply of coffee
- also a breakfast room which offers buffet style
breakfast
and as always included into our room
rates. |
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Hotel St Barbara,
Tallinn |
Prices in GB £ Sterling
per room, per night
including Buffet Breakfast
HANSA |
2008 |
| 01/11/05 - 31/03/06 |
01/04 - 30/12 |
| Single |
Double
/Twin |
Triple |
Single |
Double
/Twin |
Triple |
| Hotel St Barbara |
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| Two NIGHT package including Flights : Gatwick from £239; and Manchester from £249 |
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