Summer 2011 update 8/16: Nõmme Seikluspark @ Tallinn

One more update, and I believe the first half of my last summer stories is pretty much told. We've reached mid-July, wo-hoo.. :)

We took a day trip to Tallinn and headed to Nõmme Seikluspark to climb in some trees. :) I read afterwards that Flowpark in Turku should be pretty similar. It was a really nice experience, though I was quite exhausted as it takes a lot of physical fitness and endurance to manage all the tracks through. It may seem easy from the ground level.

On the way back to harbour I had a moment to check out the Ölletorn restaurant which I've wanted to see for quite some time. It was nice, but admitted, nothing that special. I confirmed, however, that they do have a large selection of Estonian beers. And waterpipes!

(Yes, there's also Suomenlinna one more time.. taken from aboard the Viking XPRS :)

Tallinn funtime

Oops, it's been a while without an update..

Well, it's always nice to visit Tallinn. This time it was a tour in the Old Town pubs and clubs. At first we enjoyed some tasty beef at Argentiina restaurant. Then it was time to head to the Valli Baar for a round of "Millimallikas" shots.

now that the traditional Christmas market is at the Raekoja plats, it's time to stop for some glühwein.

DM Baar has moved to a new, bigger and central location, but alas I must say that I feel it has lost some of the original touch. It seems more like a regular bar now, with just the limitation that Depeche Mode is still everywhere, of course.

Last bar for the visit was Hell Hunt ("The Gentle Wolf"). Their house brand beers were quite OK.

My tour was "a tourist cliché" the locals might sigh, but my first time in any of these places and I found them interesting.

Further, something interesting left store for a future visit could be "Hookah Café" as we don't have that kind of places in Finland. Also, Ölletorn with wide selection of Estonian beers might be interesting.

From the beginning of next year, Estonia will adopt the Euro currency. Let's see what happens to prices..

Vanalinna Päevad 2010

Perhaps because it was a rainy Friday, the event didn't get our full attention it probably would have deserved. Anyway, it was nice to visit Tallinn, as always. We also checked out the Eesti Meremuuseum.

(Just) plan B for a rainy day in Tallinn

Hmm, spring seems to be advancing slowly, and Weather forecast for Easter time is not looking very promising.. :( But just in case, I crafted somewhat of a plan for a rainy weekend in Tallinn for the whole family. It seems that focusing on Saturday would be the way to go.

First of all selecting the right hotel is essential part of the plan. Who cares if it's cold an raining outside, when there's hot saunas and pools inside? So I would choose between Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel, Kalev Spa and Meriton Grand Spa Hotel. Pirita Top Spa is the fourth choice, but during last visit we found the pool facilities a bit unsuitable for small kids..

But then again, it's not worth to travel to Tallinn just to spend the whole day inside. So.. what to do? Any sights, or museums - inside? The new Solaris shopping center seems interesting with a 3D movie theatre, but on a second look it might not be that much fun for a 2-years old just yet..

Estonian Maritime Museum would be open on Saturday during the Easter holidays. But eventually I'm not sure if my kid (or wife) would appreciate visiting it as much as I would..

Estonian Puppet and Youth Theater looks very interesting and would certainly be an experience for the kid (unless it's even too exciting).

A bit further from the centre, in Kadriorg park, would be Miia-Milla-Manda activity centre for 3-11 year old kids. Sounds good and it seems to be all inside. During Easter seems that it's also open only on Saturday. Perhaps I would then have a chance to visit KuMu (KUnstiMUuseum) myself if the kid is having a good time..

Hmm, I think these options would keep us busy for at least one rainy Saturday!

Better start checking if reasonably priced tickets are still available..

Just plans: low budget city break abroad

This is kind of an easy choice: when thinking of a short city break for the whole family abroad, on "zero budget", my default choice would be Tallinn. With a bit more money we might take a cruise to Stockholm, or ultimately travel to St. Petersburg - regarding the latter the main problem is that visa to Russia costs quite a lot of money, but otherwise it's a great city for a tourist to see.

There is a whole new world to see in Tallinn according to those two books I bought recently (see http://eimotee.blogspot.com/2009/12/few-new-books.html), though maybe they are not exactly intended for family travellers..

So, besides "Soviet style" suburbs, local bars and architecture, what might there be to see in Tallinn? During previous day trips or stay overs we've been to the Old town, Pirita area and Kadriorg park, Tallinn Zoo and Rocca Al Mare's Estonian Open Air Museum, just to name a few interesting sights.

There are at least the Patarei prison, Naissaar and Aegna islands on my list to see, but I'd better wait for summertime to check those out.

Here is one place that might be worth visiting (for the whole family; open even during winter time): Nõmme Seikluspark.

I'm really hoping for the spring to start soon.. :)

Round the Baltic coast(ers)

Here's a few beer coasters to show from the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania).

In more detail, one from the "Beer House" in Tallinn, and Pärnu ölu.. hmm.. now what makes this one interesting is that I've never been to Pärnu.. and I'm not even sure if I've ever tasted that beer. ;)

The third one is from "Avilys" brewery in Kaunas.. It was a really nice place, and that coaster is a post card on the other side (the brewery paid for the postage)!

Two new books

I can't wait to have a good chance to give these babies a test run in the streets of Tallinn! Free translation: "The hero traveller in soviet Tallinn" and "The hero traveller in Tallinn's trams and trolleybuses".. :)

Christmas market @ Tallinn

Had a brief stay in Tallinn. Still, as this my first trip abroad for quite a while, the break was long awaited and very nice.

Winners sports bar @ Pirita

This is new area in Tallinn for me, Pirita. Winners is a nice bar near the Pirita (St. Bridget's) cloister ruins.

Tallinn

Had a nice day cruise to sunny Tallinn with the family last weekend.

Our main sight to visit this time was open air museum at Rocca al Mare, on the "west side" coast. Also Tallinn Zoo was nice, that we saw on another sunny day already last year.

Next time it will be sights around Pirita area on the "east side" coast, maybe also the Patarei prison. And the old town is always nice.