Tallinn, Estonia

[dfwguy62]

Originally Posted by drowelf

Is there a web site or other information available on the HOHO Bus? Things like cost, schedule and route?

We are going to be in Tallinn on the Eurodam in June.

Thanks

Google can be a very good friend. http://www.citysightseeing.ee/en/

[TLCOhio]

Lair Bear and Len have given you some wonderful visual previews for what you can enjoy in Tallinn. Here are a few more items and options to consider. This is a super great, highly charming city! It's not too big to do during a cruise port stop. It has a nice mix of architecture, history, shopping, etc., that can be done in a very enjoyable time period. Don't underestimate this "gem" of a Baltics capital. It doesn't have the "fame" of some other towns in Europe, but you will love it!!!

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio


Here are outside and inside views of Tallinn’s Alexander Nevsky Cathedral built in the Orthodox style 1894–1900. This church crowns the hill of Toompea. The church has been meticulously restored since Estonia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.:







At the top of Tallinn’s Toompea hill, this shows part of the Estonia Parliament building in the historic Pink Baroque Palace and the old Pikk Hermann watchtower with their flag on top:




Inside of Tallinn’s historic St. Mary's Cathedral Lutheran church with parts of the building dating back to the 12th Century. The main church was built in the 14th Century:




Tallinn’s rooftops in this charming Estonia Capital with docked cruise ships in the background:




Dancers marching in Tallinn’s festival parade near the stone towers of the famous Viru Gate:

[RachelG]

Great photos! You were lucky to have a sunny day when you were there. It was overcast, raining on and off when we were there. Totally changes the look and feel of the place. We had a great lunch downtown with dried deer jerky appetizer. I had the best ever mushroom soup, and my son had some hearty stew. Very good dark bread as well. (This was in his pre-vegetarian days.)

[TLCOhio]

Originally Posted by RachelG

Great photos! You were lucky to have a sunny day when you were there. It was overcast, raining on and off when we were there. Totally changes the look and feel of the place. We had a great lunch downtown with dried deer jerky appetizer. I had the best ever mushroom soup, and my son had some hearty stew. Very good dark bread as well. (This was in his pre-vegetarian days.)

THANKS, Rachel! Yes, being nice and sunny does help much for the pictures and enjoyment. We were very lucky on our summer 2008 cruise. Had super great weather. On the last night in Stockholm and while inside doing museums in Moscow, we had a little rain. BUT, other than that, it was near perfect and super nice. Hopefully, our good luck continues in early July 2010. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[magnet1640]

First of all, I thank everyone for their generous advice.

The trouble with a Baltic trip is that every stop involves a different currency.

Do the local shops and restaurants in Talinn accept Euros?

Thanks, Jeff

[Lair Bear]

Originally Posted by magnet1640

First of all, I thank everyone for their generous advice.

The trouble with a Baltic trip is that every stop involves a different currency.

Do the local shops and restaurants in Talinn accept Euros?

Thanks, Jeff

All the shops in Old Town Tallinn are geared towards the tourist trade and will except credit cards, euros and probably US dollars. There really is no reason to exchange money into the local currency unless you go outside the area or use public transportation.
In Sweden and Denmark we did get some local krona, but the rest of the time we were able to use euros or credit cards. In St. Petersburg our private guide helped us (subway and other attractions that she bought) and then we paid her back in US dollars.

[Pearl64]

I was hoping to have a former student show us around Tallin but she just emailed me today that they will be moving to Budapest this summer. I had her look over Lair Bear's walking tour. She said it was excellent and seemed to be user friendly. They even said that before they move they would like to take the tour just so they haven't missed something. So you see, Lair Bear, even those living in Tallin gave your tour a stamp of approval. Way to go. Can't wait to see Tallin.

Pearl

[Lair Bear]

Originally Posted by Pearl64

I was hoping to have a former student show us around Tallin but she just emailed me today that they will be moving to Budapest this summer. I had her look over Lair Bear's walking tour. She said it was excellent and seemed to be user friendly. They even said that before they move they would like to take the tour just so they haven't missed something. So you see, Lair Bear, even those living in Tallin gave your tour a stamp of approval. Way to go. Can't wait to see Tallin.

Pearl

Thank you. Even I was surprised how well it came together. Keep in mind that the Walking Tour was based on some website research. So when we actually did the walk, I knew where we wanted to go, but I also had a great time seeing it in person.
I must admit that our friends were also impressed when I talked and showed them all I had stored in these old brains. But I did get lost a few minutes when we tried to find the Old Hansa. The food made up for my mistake.

Pearl, have fun on this trip. You will love it all.

[RachelG]

Old Hansa--that is where we had lunch and had the great soup. Highly recommend.

[Salwein]

Originally Posted by Lair Bear

Thank you. Even I was surprised how well it came together. Keep in mind that the Walking Tour was based on some website research. So when we actually did the walk, I knew where we wanted to go, but I also had a great time seeing it in person.
I must admit that our friends were also impressed when I talked and showed them all I had stored in these old brains. But I did get lost a few minutes when we tried to find the Old Hansa. The food made up for my mistake.

Pearl, have fun on this trip. You will love it all.

Lair Bear,
We will be in Tallin in a couple of weeks. Our port time is very short - 7 to 1. How long would you say the walking tour should take? By the way, your web site is now in my favorites. Hopefully we will get to travel as much as you have.
Thanks in advance,
Sally

[Lair Bear]

Originally Posted by Salwein

Lair Bear,
We will be in Tallin in a couple of weeks. Our port time is very short - 7 to 1. How long would you say the walking tour should take? By the way, your web site is now in my favorites. Hopefully we will get to travel as much as you have.
Thanks in advance,
Sally

Sally, sorry for this late response.
Tallin is really fascinating and you will love the Old Town. The walk is only about two or three miles, as I recall. But it involves uphill and cobble stone streets.

If you are so limited time-wise, I would still take part of the 'walk' but skip going along the old city wall in the beginning and go straight up the main street, Pit. Then go throught the port in the grey house, up the hill and spent at least an hour there. Then go down the hill and adjust your time and likes accordingly. Skip lunch, but if you see the Olde Hansa, have a peek inside. It is worth a slight detour.
To walk from the main square back to the ship should not be more than 20 minutes unless you stop some more along the way.

[travelite]

Originally Posted by riororo

Has anyone been to this port of call and if so, any recommendations of shore excursions?? I'm looking for something other than what the ship is offering.

Thanks in advance!

Walk into historic old town from the pier.....about a 15 min. walk. Go the tourist info. center at the main square and pick up the free walking tour map.
Start the walking tour in reverse to avoid the crowds.
Shopping here will offer best prices in the Baltic region....many unique items.
Great port....enjoy.

[Majishun]

I'm so new to the site and I'm trying to access the links originally posted by Lair Bear for the walking tour, but they don't seem to work. Are these still valid?

[mrspaper]

I recommend you take a taxi to the church at the top of the city and walk down and back to the ship at the end
Do Not take the HoHo bus. It's expensive and takes a long trip to get to the top

[bazzaw]

Originally Posted by Majishun

I'm so new to the site and I'm trying to access the links originally posted by Lair Bear for the walking tour, but they don't seem to work. Are these still valid?

You will find the walking tour of Tallinn here

EDIT - that link didn't work either. Do a Google search - TALLINN WALKING TOUR -- the webpage for the walk will show in the top few results - website name starts with a B and ends with an S

Barry

[sippican]

Originally Posted by Majishun

I'm so new to the site and I'm trying to access the links originally posted by Lair Bear for the walking tour, but they don't seem to work. Are these still valid?

type in the three w's then brent jes dot com

[Majishun]

Thank you all, the help is appreciated!

[dbjbak]

We're going to be in Talinn on the NCL Sun in late June and I really appreciate all the tips. I just printed off the walking tour and it looks perfect. Thanks, all!

[Cornishpastyman1]

Originally Posted by dbjbak

We're going to be in Talinn on the NCL Sun in late June and I really appreciate all the tips. I just printed off the walking tour and it looks perfect. Thanks, all!

I did that and had a go at making a short video of it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAC8F_2qTTY Lair Bear is a genius at doing these walking tours and made it easy to have a great time in this charming city. All the best, Tony

[chipsy57]

Originally Posted by dbjbak

We're going to be in Talinn on the NCL Sun in late June and I really appreciate all the tips. I just printed off the walking tour and it looks perfect. Thanks, all!

funny, we'll do the Baltic cruise on the SUN in June too but 1 week before (June 18th to June 27th) - so I also printed out the Tallinn-walking tour

greetings from austria
chipsy57