what was Tallinn like ?

[Nicerino]

for those who did some mooching around whilst there ?

cia

[Blue Dwr]

Re: what was Tallinn like ?

for those who did some mooching around whilst there ?

cia

Really nice old part of the city, dating from 1300's with lots of quaint buildings, castle etc. Prices are typical for most cities with beer at €5-€5.5/pint. Food similar. Ladies are very pretty...

[Ivortheengine]

Re: what was Tallinn like ?

Beautiful place. Been there on holiday, agree with the previous post. It’s also the main reason why all the Baltic cruise ships call there. Very clean place, very friendly people.

[WJ99mobile]

Re: what was Tallinn like ?

So it’s not actually that cheap then

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: what was Tallinn like ?

It's also possible to take a ferry to Helsinki from Tallinn. At 120/150 minutes each way you could even do it on a day trip.

[BlueArmy 86]

Re: what was Tallinn like ?

Really nice old part of the city, dating from 1300's with lots of quaint buildings, castle etc. Prices are typical for most cities with beer at €5-€5.5/pint. Food similar. Ladies are very pretty...

Why are the ladies so much prettier on the mainland

[JamesWales]

Re: what was Tallinn like ?

So it’s not actually that cheap then

This is a generalisation, but it's sad, and quite a big issue locally across Europe (and beyond) that many city centres have almost become preserves for tourists or the wealthy. We are lucky here in Cardiff really. Great swathes of any population cannot afford to eat or drink in many of their city centre bars, whereas that generally speaking isn't the case here.

I remember thinking this about Prague a few years back when you could get a beer outside the city centre for say 50p and inside for £4. The difference here is nothing like as stark.

[Feedback]

Re: what was Tallinn like ?

Why are the ladies so much prettier on the mainland

because they don't gorge on mcdonalds and live pretty healthy lfiestyles.

Estonia has some seriously top end scrunt.

[jon1959]

Re: what was Tallinn like ?

It's also possible to take a ferry to Helsinki from Tallinn. At 120/150 minutes each way you could even do it on a day trip.

We did it the other way around about 20 years ago. Were in Helsinki for 5 days and did the ferry day trip to Tallinn. Loved the place once you get clear of the port - red caviar and local Champaign in the main medieval square for the price of fish and chips with a pint in the UK.

My main memory is the hundreds of Finns who got on the ferry at 7 am with empty wheely suitcases, headed straight to the Carrefour supermarket above the port when we arrived, and then got the first ferry back to Helsinki with cases rattling with cheap bottles of spirits. The ultimate booze cruise.

I doubt any of them made it into the town!

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: what was Tallinn like ?

We did it the other way around about 20 years ago. Were in Helsinki for 5 days and did the ferry day trip to Tallinn. Loved the place once you get clear of the port - red caviar and local Champaign in the main medieval square for the price of fish and chips with a pint in the UK.

My main memory is the hundreds of Finns who got on the ferry at 7 am with empty wheely suitcases, headed straight to the Carrefour supermarket above the port when we arrived, and then got the first ferry back to Helsinki with cases rattling with cheap bottles of spirits. The ultimate booze cruise.

I doubt any of them made it into the town!

Boats departing Helsinki/Tallinn also offer a workaround if you want to see St Petersburg without a conventional visa, I understand. A conventional visa* is a pain in the rear end to obtain (or was when I did it) as you had to be in London for the morning (which meant staying overnight), having completed an application form that is almost a carbon copy of that required for the US and being processed by surly staff who take your electronic fingerprints and leave you at least £100 poorer.

*A cheaper version is available for this route and for a short stay.

[light up the darkness]

Re: what was Tallinn like ?

Boats departing Helsinki/Tallinn also offer a workaround if you want to see St Petersburg without a conventional visa, I understand. A conventional visa* is a pain in the rear end to obtain (or was when I did it) as you had to be in London for the morning (which meant staying overnight), having completed an application form that is almost a carbon copy of that required for the US and being processed by surly staff who take your electronic fingerprints and leave you at least £100 poorer.

*A cheaper version is available for this route and for a short stay.

If you want a visa for Russia it’s quicker , a lot cheaper and more fun to catch the Eurotrain to Brussels. Well actually in the end the cost is the same but you’ve had a nice couple of days away

[Des Parrot]

Re: what was Tallinn like ?

Planning to drive it next year (from Poland) Kaliningrad (if we can get visa) Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki (& back) something different!

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: what was Tallinn like ?

If you want a visa for Russia it’s quicker , a lot cheaper and more fun to catch the Eurotrain to Brussels. Well actually in the end the cost is the same but you’ve had a nice couple of days away

How does catching the train to Brussels provide a Russian visa?

[WJ99mobile]

Re: what was Tallinn like ?

This is a generalisation, but it's sad, and quite a big issue locally across Europe (and beyond) that many city centres have almost become preserves for tourists or the wealthy. We are lucky here in Cardiff really. Great swathes of any population cannot afford to eat or drink in many of their city centre bars, whereas that generally speaking isn't the case here.

I remember thinking this about Prague a few years back when you could get a beer outside the city centre for say 50p and inside for £4. The difference here is nothing like as stark.

Anyone recommend a cheaper place to head out to that's actually alright?

[CopenhagenBlue]

Re: what was Tallinn like ?

Anyone recommend a cheaper place to head out to that's actually alright?

Kiev. Fantastic place, beautiful, and also very cheap. I was there in the summer in 2019 and the river also has loads of beach bars which was an unexpected bonus. Can't wait to go back.