Meal with a family in Tallin or other Baltic Port

Hi, First cruise in the Baltics this May on Norwegian Sun. Was wondering if anyone knew of a company or tour operators that arrange to have a meal with a local family. We were thinking about Tallin as it is a Sunday port and there would be the possibility that not everything would be opened. But am open to any suggestions in the other ports except St Petersburg & Germany as we already have booked tours in those ports. Has anybody had a meal with a local family in any of the Baltic ports and could give some insight. Cheers Karen

For Denmark there's Dine with the Danes.... Link. I've not tried it.

Thankyou Mountainhouse,

Have looked up the link and a dinner is equal to $72 Aussie dollars pax. We have a nights accommodation booked either side of our cruise so this could be a possibility. Hopefully some other cruisers might of had experience with doing this. Cheers Karen

After reading the reply and looking up dining with danes on the web, i went searching and found an Estonian tourism type board. I contacted them and they can arrange a meal for up to 10 of us at a family home for a reasonable price. Have attached a copy of their email to see what other cruisers thoughts are.

We found a young family who could welcome you at their home. They live in central Tallinn in a flat of four-storey smaller apartement house in historic surroundings, not far from the cruise port and Old Town. They could seat up to 10 people. The lunch would be indoors. One of them would meet you at Town Hall Square and escort you to their home through areas that are less visited by tourists but are very interesting. It takes about 15-20 minutes on foot.

I hope you like the idea that the host will make menu accordingly what can be purchased fresh on that day and you will not have fixed menu beforehand. Of course we should know if there are some things you don't eat. Price for three course menu (choise of appetizers, main course, dessert) would be 22 EUR per person. Wine or beer can be offered for extra charge 3 EUR/person.

I thought it sounded very reasonable and being that our port day is a Sunday would fill in the middle part of the day nicely and would give us some insight into how the Estonians live. Anyone who has been to Tallin before please let me know if this sounds OK. Thank you Karen

Sounds like a great idea, Karen. Nice way to really get some insight on the culture.

Just bringing this thread up to the top for those who are doing the Baltics this year. Yes indeed, we had lunch with a young family in Tallin. It was fantastic. We took two other cruisers with us and the young hostess picked us up at a meeting point in town. She then walked us through the streets of Tallin to her home in an apartment where her husband was home cooking. We had from memory 4 small appetisers, one main and dessert. The other cruisers also tried the local alcohol. This was the first time the young couple had attempted this and in one word 'FANTASTIC'. What an experience for us and them. We insisted they both sit and eat with us and at the end they didnt even want to take the money as it felt like they were our friends. In memory i think it was less than $30 each. So if the opportunity arises to have a meal with a local family. JUMP both feet and go for it.

I searched on the web Estonian tourist board and sent a message off to their cruise department and the ball went rolling from there. Happy 2012 cruising. Karen

Thanks for sharing how your experience went. What a lovely way to get to know the locals and what wonderful memories from a place not many people will probably visit again.

Just bringing this thread up to the top for those who are doing the Baltics this year. Yes indeed, we had lunch with a young family in Tallin. It was fantastic. We took two other cruisers with us and the young hostess picked us up at a meeting point in town. She then walked us through the streets of Tallin to her home in an apartment where her husband was home cooking. We had from memory 4 small appetisers, one main and dessert. The other cruisers also tried the local alcohol. This was the first time the young couple had attempted this and in one word 'FANTASTIC'. What an experience for us and them. We insisted they both sit and eat with us and at the end they didnt even want to take the money as it felt like they were our friends. In memory i think it was less than $30 each. So if the opportunity arises to have a meal with a local family. JUMP both feet and go for it.

I searched on the web Estonian tourist board and sent a message off to their cruise department and the ball went rolling from there. Happy 2012 cruising. Karen

You mentioned that you found this through a link at the tourism board. Can you please post the link or steer me to the website? (Assume I can query Estonia tourism board but always nice to be on the same page...)

Hi, Im glad others may be interested. I think below is where i initially made contact thru their cruise department. I did find a note to say we paid 22 euro for the lunch. Have fun on your cruise this year. im sure they will be able to point you in the right direction. Cheers Karen

http://www.tourism.tallinn.ee/eng/fpage

Fabulous--just what we like to do...thanks for the link.

I just found the contact email for our lunch. She is the actual girl who's house we had lunch at. They were a lovely young couple. Youre more than welcome to say you got the contact details from Karen in australia. Let me know if anyone goes and gives it a try. Definitely a highlight for us. Karen

Malia@holidays.ee