what was Tallinn like ?

[WJ99mobile]

So it’s not actually that cheap then

[Taunton Blue Genie]

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.

[JamesWales]

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.

[WJ99mobile]

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]

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.

[Des Parrot]

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.

My Polish friends strongly recommend Lviv as the pick of Ukrainian cities.

[JamesWales]

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

Secondary cities would be more so, or perhaps places like Bucharest, Belgrade, Kiev?

Brussels is surprisingly affordable and attractive. I love German cities too.

I think it's just a tourist trap thing, but whereas for us it may put 10-50% on a pint for the city centre, in some cities in Europe it adds 200-300%. I would hate that, for your own city centre to be off limits

[Taunton Blue Genie]

My last Eastern European trip took in Moldova, Transnistria, Odessa and Kiev (both The Ukraine), Belarus and Lithuania. Odessa had a Parisian feel about it and Minsk was surprisingly very sophisticated. The prize goes to Transnistria (aka Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic) though. It's a rogue beakaway state state(from Moldova) run by the Russians and gangs and which doesn't cuturally dovetail into countries to the west. Cards don't work in their ATM systems, using foreign currency in shops wasn't allowed and currency could only be exchanged officially in banks that open during office hours. Oh, and I believe that the flag is the only one still around that includes a hammer and sickle. It's not an attractive place for tourists (and you can't fly in there direct) but it's wonderfully spooky and off the beaten track.

[Des Parrot]

My last Eastern European trip took in Moldova, Transnistria, Odessa and Kiev (both The Ukraine), Belarus and Lithuania. Odessa had a Parisian feel about it and Minsk was surprisingly very sophisticated. The prize goes to Transnistria (aka Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic) though. It's a rogue beakaway state state(from Moldova) run by the Russians and gangs and which doesn't cuturally dovetail into countries to the west. Cards don't work in their ATM systems, using foreign currency in shops wasn't allowed and currency could only be exchanged officially in banks that open during office hours. Oh, and I believe that the flag is the only one still around that includes a hammer and sickle. It's not an attractive place for tourists (and you can't fly in there direct) but it's wonderfully spooky and off the beaten track.

& no phone connections