ESTONIA INTRODUCTION

Everything that you see while travelling around in Estonia is inseparable from our history. Estonians belong to the oldest people in Europe and were already living on the coasts of the Baltic Sea at the time when the first pyramids were erected in Egypt. Since the 13th century they have been invaded and ruled by Germans, Danes, Swedes, Poles and Russians, but each one of them have left behind also something good.

The Republic of Estonia was declared on 24 February 1918, and for a couple of decades the people felt pride in their home country. The destructive occupation by the Soviet Union which lasted half a century interrupted the natural development and growth of Estonia, which until then had been keeping up well with its northern neighbour Finland.

In 1991 Estonians regained their independence in the course of the “Singing Revolution” and returned to their rightful place in Europe and the world

TALLINN INTRODUCTION

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is truly one of the gems of Northern Europe. The city lies on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, only 70 km (43 miles) south of Helsinki. At the historical heart of the city is the hill of Toompea, covered in cobbled streets and filled with medieval houses and alleyways. The lower town spreads out from the foot of the hill, still protected by the remnants of a city wall. Around the city wall is a series of well-maintained green parks, great for strolling.

While the old town has been astonishingly well preserved and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997, it is now in better shape than ever, with the bigger roads converted into fashionable shopping streets reminiscent of Zürich or Geneva, the new town sprawling all around is largely built in typical concrete Soviet style. The new center of town is Vabaduse Väljak (Freedom Square) at the edge of the old town, and nearby is the giant matchbox of Hotel Viru, the former Intourist flagship and notorious den of Cold War intrigue (every room was tapped and monitored by the KGB!).

Recently, Tallinn has received a boom in tourism, especially by day trippers which visit it from its sister city across the Baltic Sea, Helsinki.

Most tourists who visit Estonia arrive first in Tallinn. Since this medieval Hanseatic town, the capital, the business and cultural centre of Estonia deserves a guide book of its own.

Flights to Tallinn is easy to find and with Easyjet flying straight from London or Berlin into this beautiful city, how did you manage to stay away for so long? You may also find various options connecting from various main hubs in Europe using other low cost carriers. We have a rental apartment in Tallinn for short and long term rentals. Have a look at www.estonia-apartment.com

Tallinn is still a cheap and friendly city to visit... do not miss it out... it is a ctually on a day trip based from Helsinki!! Don't miss it!!!

The Old Town is beautiful for sight seeing and for going out. Check out Prive night club and don't bother with Hollywood as that's where all the stag parties go to.

If you need cheap alcohol to your parties, take a boat from Helsinki. I dont even know if it is that cheap there anymore.

Dont buy pirate records from there, it´s a crime.

Tallinn is the capital of Estonia and it has an old town center which is very beautiful and definitely a must see.

Beautyful and huge medival old town.

Tallinn is a great city...it's capital of Estonia. Sightseeing is fabulos, but don't exchange money there! Food is quite ok, shopping is also ok and they have trams! You also have to try hot chocolate, it's totally good! If you go there, you might wanna bring very warm clothes. I went there on the 15th of September and I had to wear a jacket that I usualy wear in Zagreb only during December, january and February...

Don't carry too much money on you.

The Old Town of Tallinn is probably the best I have seen, with a very medieval feel to it. Also great restaurants, clubs and opera house to be found here. The Nevski cathedral is worth a look. If you go out of peak season, take plenty of layers, as I found out when I visited at Christmas 2006!

Old Town is a must see... The origins of Tallinn date back to the 13th century, when a castle was built there by the crusading knights of the Teutonic Order. It developed as a major centre of the Hanseatic League, and its wealth is demonstrated by the opulence of the public buildings (the churches in particular) and the domestic architecture of the merchants' houses, which have survived to a remarkable degree despite the ravages of fire and war in the intervening centuries.