Blogs from Estonia, Europe

To Tallinn. Our 4th country so far unless you include transit stops then 6th country. Tallinn is the capital of Estonia. It is just a stones throw from St Petersburg (in Russia). Again, close but not interested in crossing the border. We got to the ferry terminal to see masses of people leaving the ship. They turn them around very quickly. Tickets done and into the waiting area with lots and lots of others. Suitcases, dogs, kids etc. Our turn and on we get. Where to go. No idea. End up at the pointy end 1 level down from the bridge. Can see the skipper getting ready to go and right on time we slip away from the dock. Giant u turn then head out through the many little islands towards Tallinn. Breeze picks up - ... read more

This wasn't in the original plan, but it was a relatively easy ferry ride from Helsinki so it wasn't hard to talk Jacqueline into a day trip (she's a planner). I'm so glad we did, and one day simply isn't enough. We did our best to see as much as the "old town" as we could in 1 day ... I think we did a pretty good job. Some history: After centuries of successive rule by the Teutonic Order, Denmark, Sweden, and the Russian Empire, a distinct Estonian national identity began to emerge in the mid-19th century. This culminated in the February 24th 1918 Estonian Declaration of Independence from the warring Russian and German Empires. Estonia declared neutrality at the outbreak of World War II, but the country was repeatedly invaded and occupied, first by the ... read more

Aamupalan jälkeen menin bussilla satamaan. Halusin selvittää seuraavan aamun reitin rauhassa ilman matkatavaroita ja aikataulupaineita. Kävelin takaisin keskustaan. Tapasin tuttuni. Käytiin kävelyllä Toompealla. Lounaaksi söin kanaa. Lisukkeeksi tuli jotain pyttipannun kaltaista. En katsonut ruokalistaa niin tarkkaan.... read more

The Estonian parliament building, Tallinn old town and Telliskivi In March 2020 we took the ferry from Stockholm to Tallinn in Estonia. We went on a so called cruise, meaning that we spent two nights in the ferry and one day in Tallinn. Little did we then know that we wouldn't travel abroad for almost two years. Now let’s fast-forward to March 2022. Now we once again found ourselves on a cruise to Tallinn. Even though we have travelled quite a bit in Sweden these last two years, we have to say that it feels very good to finally be able to travel to foreign countries again. Tallinn historical city centre The main attraction in the Estonian capital is the World Heritage listed historical city centre. The old town with its city wall is an unusually ... read more

or Trans-Siberian Adventure – Prelude 2: Estonia (and a bit of Finland) If you were to plan a trip to the Baltic Countries, I would suggest Estonia. It has jumped to the top of our favourite Baltic countries list and from it you could always visit the others anyway. We arrived in Tallinn on an overnight bus from Lithuania and were consequently knackered on arrival at an ungodly 06:55 – even the bus station café was not yet open. Bags went into lockers and we commenced zombie-like wandering. Even through bleary eyes, under grey skies and with transit vans everywhere supplying the shops and restaurants before most tourists wake up, we could see that Tallinn was lovely. Strolling through pretty cobbled streets and squares, past numerous churches, alongside the medieval city walls, can easily ... read more