Cruising into the port at Tallinn, Estonia the Old Town is still visible from the sea through the modern city of Tallinn today. Decades ago that would have been a beautiful sight, the town city up on the hill, visible to all at sea and probably welcome to those at sea. Tallinn Estonia for location purposes is across the Gulf of Finland from Helsinki. Massive Ferries travel the route on a regular basis. In fact St Petersburg and the cities and towns of Scandinavia seem well connected to an active ferry system.
If you can walk 20 minutes from the port, and can walk up and down some slopes and stairs for another 3 or 4 hours that is all it will take you to see Old Town and the treasures of this Estonian city. If you’re up to that, you’re going to see most of what there is to see.
I could identify all that is worth visiting but quite frankly the entire area offers an opportunity to go in and out with ease. It helps if you land there on a weekday. Lots of parks are available close at hand and there is an interesting outdoor market for local products right across from the Metro Tower just before you go into Old Town at Viru street.
For the first time on the cruise, I quit running from building to building, church to church, stone wall to stone wall and put my camera and notepad down and sat in the square, threw back a latte, had a piece of apple pie and just watched the people go by for two hours. That turned those 3 hours I was talking about into 5.
Old Town has all the shops you will need to fill your stateroom. Everything you will want to see is open, from the castles to the churches. Most importantly, sit outside in the town square.
This morning when we arrived, we were greeted by—yes, sunshine. We have had our share of cool weather and even though it’s 15, the bright skies are welcome.
We’re at sea tomorrow and then it’s Copenhagen for two days.
See you then.
Phil