#Tallinn best places

[chloristoflora]

Just started reading Best Served Cold and when I see the word 'Talins' I can't help but think about Tallinn (the Estonian capital) all the time

[niuniente]

Hello! I am visiting Finland in a few months, and I always love seeing you talk about it and the culture there. I'm definitely excited to experience Finnish sauna. Also, ice cream! I want to try as many flavors as I can before I leave! I was wondering if you had any advice for someone visiting for the first time? How to not be rude, or foods and such to definitely try? Or just anything that comes to mind.

(Also, I love Death-Head's Deal. Alrick is the best, and every update makes me so happy. The characters are all so interesting and make me want to know more about them. I think my favorite is Grimm, especially when he's with Pearl.)

I hope you'll have a wonderful trip in Finland! The country is very safe so you can be at ease in public places. If you lose something, Finns will try to deliver it back to you.

I always say that if you are familiar how to travel in Japan in a way that you are polite, the same rules apply to Finland. This country is often called the Japan of Nordics. The mentality and what is considered polite and what rude is very same between these two nations.

POLITE WAYS TO TRAVEL IN FINLAND

Leave people mind their own businesses. Don't be overly familiar. Finns are friendly but a bit reserved and need a lot of personal space around them.

If you need help, ask anyone, they will help and not be bothered.

In Helsinki, always stand on the escalator on the right hand side.

Don't be noisy in public places, including public transport.

Expressing emotions openly is considered rude, especially in public places.

Silence is polite and not a sign of boredom or someone wanting to get rid of you.

Be honest. When you ask from a Finn "How is it going?" they will honesty tell you how it is going and expect the same from you.

If you want to politely ask for something like in a cafe, use a word kiitos (thank you). We don¨t have a word for please. (Like "One coffee, kiitos" or "a ticket to airport, kiitos"). Kiitos is not necessary, Finns don't usually use it either but we just ask what's needed.

SHOES OFF INDOORS!!

In public transport and in public transport spots, leave space around other people when waiting for the transit and being in the transit. Sit next to someone only if there are no empty seats.

(Finns waiting for a bus and giving personal space for each other)

In Helsinki, you can buy public transport tickets, including 1-13 day tickets, from R-kioski kiosks alongside the ticket machines. You'll find one from the airport, too. Note that some ticket machines do not accept cash - in that case, go to R-kioski kiosk. There's one near to every train station in Helsinki if you don't know where to look.

To get to central Helsinki from the airport, you will need an ABC ticket. If you have to go only to Tikkurila to change a train, you will need a BC ticket. Remember to validate it by showing it to the card reader in the train/bus. If you travel around a one zone, you will still need a two zone ticket because singular zone tickets don't exist. Like in the central zone A you will still need to buy a AB ticket, in the B zone you will need a AB or a BC ticket etc. More ticket information at hsl.fi

If you arrive to Helsinki but are going to go somewhere else in Finland, buy your train tickets in advance. Otherwise, the tickets can be 3 times more expensive. Buy your long train tickets from vr.fi For short distances like 1-2 hours, you might also want to try Onnibussi, which is really cheap, starting from 2€/journey. You can travel long distances with Onnibussi, too.

From the airport, both train tracks go to central Helsinki. From the central railway station, trains P and I both go to airport. If you want to use taxi, order Uber, Yango or Bolt as those are the cheapest ones to use. Note that they are still rather expensive.

If you have time and you are in Helsinki, consider popping at Estonia! There's a daily big ferry running between Helsinki and Tallinn with 20-25€. Buy your tickets to Tallinn from Eckerö Line or from Tallink Silja Line

If you are in Turku, you can make a day trip to Stockholm, Sweden! Viking Line and Tallink Silja Line operate between Turku and Stockholm.

Pretty much everyone speaks English so you'll be okay!

It's safe to drink tap water. If you want to buy water from the store, hiilihapoton is still water and hiilihapotettu is sparkling water.

In grocery stores, all allergens are listed on the price labels. L = lactose free with 0% lactose, VL = low in lactose (lactose content 1-4)%, M = dairy free, G = gluten free, V = vegan (can contain egg).

You can get anything you can imagine lactose free and there's a great selection of gluten free and vegan food, too, including in restaurants.

Here are some tips where to visit if you come to Helsinki! Mind you that central Burger King is closed.

Ask if you need/want to know something else :3

[dedeinthewild]

paul aron x reader, no labels

- “I’m carrying my body weight in presents, so shut it"

The magic of Christmas was something special—something that could mend relationships, make adults feel like children again, and bring together those who had drifted apart.

Colorful ornaments adorned towering Christmas trees, hiding the gifts underneath just a little. And if Christmas was spent with family, it became even more beautiful.

The girl Paul was closest to had caught the last flight to Tallinn before heavy snow temporarily slowed down the flow of passengers at the Estonian airport. She had settled into the beautiful villa where the boys lived. She loved Christmas, the preparations that came with it, the wonderful smiles of children, and all the little things that brought her joy.

She was the kind of person who was content with very little, always smiling beneath the glasses she wore to avoid straining her eyes—the same eyes Paul never got tired of looking into.

They hated putting labels on themselves or talking about their relationship. Between them, everything was so simple that trying to define it felt like an unnecessary complication for something so pure and clean. They had met by chance and continued to see each other between video calls, with the occasional late-night message when one of them had fallen asleep and the other needed to talk.

And so, an extra place was added at the table that year. Despite her mind telling her to spend the holidays with her family, as she always had, her heart needed to enter that home and experience something new. Everything was new for her there, except for a few people who had grown accustomed to discovering new parts of her—and adoring every one of them.

Perhaps some would call it a bold move to invite her to something as important as Christmas with the family, but as everyone thought, there was nothing more transparent than the affection she had for the Estonian driver, his family, and their traditions—not to mention the huge smile that lit up her face when she saw the children. They were so blonde they looked like a little team of angels.

“I really, really want to help,” said the girl as she sliced bread on a wooden cutting board, ready to set it on the table. Margit, who wanted her to enjoy the evening without lifting a finger, tried to dissuade her.

“If I were you, I’d let her,” Paul chimed in, stealing a breadstick from the container as he walked behind the women of the house and Ralf, who was checking whether the evening’s first dish was cooking properly.

She turned, giving him an amused look, her hair tied back in a messy bun with strands of her bangs slipping loose onto her forehead.

“Don’t look at me like that,” the Estonian said, crossing his arms and leaning his lower back against the kitchen counter.

“I’m not violent or anything, I swear,” she said, raising her hands in mock innocence toward the driver’s mother, who responded with a sweet, elegant laugh.

“I have something to say about that,” Paul teased.

“Have you decided you’re a pain in the ass?” Anna shot back, trying to chase her brother out of the kitchen by pushing and holding him by the arm.

“Everybody hates me. I’m done,” he declared, stealing another breadstick behind his back as he disappeared through the door to lift one of his nephews into the air. The child had been loudly calling for Uncle Paul.

The atmosphere was beautiful. From the kitchen island, Margit, Anna, and the family’s new addition could see the entire living room, where an explosion of joy brought color to an otherwise minimalist home.

All the children were seated around the tree, with one of the more distant uncles dressed as Santa Claus telling stories, while the Aron cousins worked on drawings that the kids would later sign.

Ralf had connected his phone to one of the speakers scattered throughout the house and started playing a Christmas playlist, making the girl wrinkle her nose.

But the best part was sitting down to eat together. The children sat at their own table, engrossed in a conversation about the latest cartoon to watch, while the adults discussed various topics.

One of the evening’s focal points was the girl herself. Sitting next to Paul, she answered an endless stream of questions from everyone. She was having fun, watching how Paul’s grandmother got emotional at every one of her answers while gently stroking her husband’s hand with her thumb.

“You’d make a perfect couple,” the elderly woman blurted out, pushing her glasses up her nose to get a better look at them. Both smiled, a hint of shyness softening their carefree expressions.

Paul passed her the dishes, asked if she’d like something to drink, and, when speaking with relatives in Estonian, would place a hand on her shoulder and whisper a translation before resting his chin on her head.

At Christmas, Paul changed a little. Amid the noisy table, he withdrew into himself, speaking only when spoken to, his gaze often fixed on the children’s table where they played. But that year, she had managed to make him an integral part of the group, encouraging him to open up and join the conversations with that radiant smile of hers.

“How are you feeling?” he asked while Anna had already whisked away the dishes to prepare for one of their family’s beloved traditions.

“Good,” she replied with a smile, looking into his eyes.

He ran one of his large hands through her hair, letting it slide to her shoulders, and smiled back. The way she looked at him—it was what anyone would call “the look of love.”

After a few rounds of the family game, everyone got up and moved to the large living room, ready to open the first gifts with the children, all of them returning to a childlike state themselves.

The girl had ended up in an armchair near the tree, with one of Paul’s older brother’s sons on her lap, giving her a perfect view of the whole group.

The girls tore through wrapping paper, revealing dolls and dresses with tulle, smothering their relatives in kisses and tying ribbons around their wrists, pretending they were at a ball.

On the other side, the boys, more focused on messing with Paul and Ralf’s hair, patiently awaited their turn to do the same, while the boys’ father tried to figure out where Margit had hidden the gifts.

“Go and set the table for Santa,” Margit said with a smile, gesturing for the kids to grab the milk and cookies from the kitchen island.

“Come with us!” A dozen excited, slightly sleepy children grabbed the girl’s hands, making her wrinkle her nose in amusement as they led her to the kitchen island, where the older kids grabbed the bowls.

Paul, sitting on the couch with Anna resting her head on his chest, watched her from a distance.

Just as he always did.

He observed the way she moved, telling stories to the children, lifting them up to set the table where they couldn’t reach, giving them high-fives that made their tiny hands disappear in hers.

She was full of nostalgia—that was something he had learned.

And seeing her like this made him so happy that he couldn’t even express it, warmth spreading through his chest and his lips curving into a soft smile.

“Why do I feel like if I ever brought a girl home, you wouldn’t love her as much as you love her?” joked Ralf, placing his hands on their mother’s shoulders.

“We love everyone the same,” she said, stroking one of her son’s hands.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you enjoy someone’s company as much as hers,” Ralf continued.

“She’s a good girl, she is,” nodded the father of the Arons, making them smile as she returned to the room with a child in her arms and the others following behind.

She looked at everyone, letting them know the table was ready for Santa Claus, and then softly rubbed the back of one of Paul’s little cousins, who was just moments away from falling asleep.

The mothers took their children to bed, changing them into pajamas with little reindeer on them and making sure they were sound asleep before returning.

“Who’s in charge of Santa tonight?” asked Anna, stretching her arms as she got up from the couch.

“Paul,” said Margit, patting his shoulder as he stood.

“Yes!” whispered the Estonian.

Christmas Eve was the one night, besides the kids, where he had no desire to sleep at all, and staying up late to put Santa’s presents under the tree and do something special made him genuinely happy.

“Goodnight then, and Merry Christmas,” said the middle Aron sibling, giving everyone a kiss on the cheek.

“You’re staying up with me, you know,” Paul said to the girl as he approached her, a grin on his face, arms crossed as he looked down from his height of six feet.

“Why did I already know that?” she laughed, tying her hair back again as the rest headed to their respective bedrooms, leaving only Alpine’s reserve driver to follow her into her room.

They changed into pajamas and crawled under the covers, finally bringing out the gifts they had hidden in plain sight.

In the chaos of earlier gift-giving, no one had noticed that the two of them hadn’t exchanged anything, so now they found themselves doing so in the intimacy of her dimly lit room.

“Do we open them now or later?”

“We’ve got hours before we have to set the gifts, so now works,” Paul shrugged, trying to hide how excited he was to give her his present. He couldn’t bear to wait any longer.

The driver handed her the box he held in his hands, scratching the back of his neck with the other as he watched her begin to unwrap it.

Behind him, one of the house’s large windows opened onto the illuminated porch and gave a small glimpse of the darkness that usually gave way to the forest.

The Christmas lights, a warm white, framed the window and cast a soft glow inside the room, highlighting her silhouette.

He, too, was opening his gift, wearing a loose white shirt with the Grinch on it, his curls lightly tickling his forehead as he pressed his lips together and carefully untied the bow.

“You didn’t have to get me anything,” she said.

“I thought we were well past that kind of politeness.”

“Oh, I hate you,” she laughed, adjusting her glasses on her face.

And then she saw it. A certificate.

“I can’t read anything,” she said, turning her back to him to catch the light from the lamp on his side of the bed.

Paul took the opportunity to wrap his hands around her waist, pulling her to sit between his legs.

“The star with the following coordinates was renamed on 12/08 by Paul with the name ____.”

She read the inscription beneath the photo of a stunning star against a deep blue background, running her fingers over the thick paper of the certificate.

He had named a star after her.

And that was the most beautiful gift, the most heartfelt declaration anyone could have given her.

“I knew you’d make me cry,” she said, turning to face him.

“Don’t, or Santa won’t stop by,” he teased, wiping her eyes with his thumbs before pressing a playful kiss to her nose.

She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close to her chest as though he weren’t twice her size.

And he loved it when she hugged him like that, making him feel so warm and protected—something no one but his family had ever managed to do.

Maybe that’s exactly why she was there that night, celebrating with them, closer to him than people he’d known since he was a child.

“And, by the way, your gifts are beautiful too,” he said, running his hands gently along her spine.

They talked about presents again hours later, lying on the mattress and chatting about anything and everything, just like they always did, trying not to laugh too loudly at the silly memes on their phones.

Their hair sprawled across the pillows, the blankets keeping them warm, the scent of the room was one they both associated with rest days, holidays, and happiness.

It was that soft, cozy smell—a mix of fabric softener, love, affection, and genuine feelings.

Whenever a video was especially funny, he’d wrap his arms around her, trapping her between his biceps to muffle her laughter while trying not to burst out laughing himself.

And before they knew it, the hour of Santa Claus arrived. While he scoured the house for the gifts his mom had hidden somewhere, muttering in Estonian, she grabbed some powdered sugar and made boot prints on the parquet floor.

“There’s one for you and me, too,” said the Estonian, balancing five or six boxes stacked in his arms as he walked without looking where he stepped.

“Watch your feet, idiot,” she laughed, fixing one of the Santa footprints he’d accidentally smudged.

“I’m carrying my body weight in presents, so shut it,” he replied, starting to arrange the gifts neatly under the glowing tree so the kids could easily find them in the morning before breakfast.

“Footsteps done.”

“Santa has to eat the cookies.”

“There’s a ton of them!” she complained.

“You should’ve taught the kids better,” he shrugged, stacking the gifts carefully.

A little while later, Paul joined her at the kitchen counter, biting into the carrot meant for the reindeer.

“Oh, I forgot you’re the healthy one.”

“As if you don’t like the fit version of me.”

“Yeah, but—”

“Ah! Got you. You said yes,” Paul grinned, winking as he washed down the carrot with some milk.

“Shut up, you’ll wake the kids!” she laughed, smacking his chest as she nibbled on a cookie.

“I could get used to this,” he murmured.

And after finishing the feast the kids had prepared for Santa, they walked past the Christmas tree, smiles on their faces and exhaustion finally setting in.

“You’re ruining all the footsteps,” she scolded, noticing that with every step, the driver’s foot came dangerously close to her creations.

He looked down, realizing how close he was, and in his attempt to avoid them, he lost his balance.

But she was there, placing her hands on his hips and helping steady him, even as she herself wobbled uncertainly.

And they laughed.

They laughed.

They laughed.

With powdered sugar on the floor, the taste of cookies still on their lips, and Christmas officially arrived, he cupped her face in his hands, brushing her cheeks gently.

And in the window, they were now reflected too.

Looking at each other with the eyes of love, as the lights illuminated them.

And outside, snow had begun to fall.

~ been working on this one for a few days and if I might say so, it's really worth it. I'm kinda feeding myself my paul obsession, but hey, I didn't find him under my tree so I might as well gift him to you💫

[battleofbojeremoments]

Battle of bojere moments 2024 Round 1 results ⁉️

With great happiness, I’m here to announce that the 16 contenders that have made it through Round 1 of Battle of bojere moments 2024 include 🗣️🗣️🗣️

sugar daddy, perfect date, Bojan’s ”I will most cherish the moment” interview, puppy Bojan in Jere’s childhood home, Kultsa backstage hearteyes bfs, Bojan wearing his comfort clothes, Bojan simping Jere in Ruisrock audience, Jere’s ljubav bracelet, the best thing that ever happened to me, fire heart, Bojan filming S=M promo, minun ukkelini & meidän rakas huone, Bojan tucking Jere into bed, Jere’s dilated pupils, Bojan’s Jerč bracelet, beautiful symbiosis, the moment we found out about Cyprus bojere, Jere with cream on his face, lol ur not käärijä shirt, VKV hug repost, my fire and water, Bojan on Jere’s setlist, meaning of life, I wanna love you and treat you right, Bojan following Jere to Finland, Bojan wishing Jere HB, ”with Jerč we’re constantly in touch”, Is Bojan here?🥺, jealous Bojan in Ruisrock, colder months, my Bojan/my love/baby, and VKV hug 💚❤️

But, unfortunately, in this battle great happiness never comes without agonizing sacrifices. With a heavy heart, I must inform you that we suffered the following losses:

Bojan’s obsession with Jere’s frozen eye lashes, Bojan’s Ruoska promo, Bojan wearing a Käärijä shirt for UMK, bowling in March, Heavensinki, jealous Bojan and bojere play fighting in Tallinn, Jere’s interview with Petra, the king has arrived, independent Finnish project, Jere talking about Bojan in S=M IG live, very beauty face, no singing only boxer, Is there some naked things or something?, bojere painting, my love Stephanie promo, Bluza release in Cyprus, ”As soon as we woke up the next day”, doggy style, are you -story, snus proposal hearteyes, my broski, greetings to Jere, Bojan’s Suomi mention reaction, Bojan finishing the songs in Helsinki, London IG live, bojere with the boxer boy, Käärijä mural, Tallinn CCC, Bojan promoting Jere’s Euro tour, model man arrrre you??!?, and Bojan promoting Jere’s album/Autiomaa 💔

*plays Bluza*

May your spirits live on in every breath we take, in every move we make here in this ditch that sad bojere bitches seem to permanently call their home 😔✊

——————————

‼️ ATTENTION ‼️

ROUND 2 of Battle of bojere moments will take place TOMORROW, starting again approx. at 12 pm (EET). The opponents for these 16 polls have already been drawn and I’m afraid you must prepare yourselves. Put on your best battle gear.

You’re not gonna like it.

[jokeroutsubs]

Joker Out, who rose to popularity from the Eurovision Song Contest, starts off their European tour in Finland. A unique friendship was also born during the contest with Käärijä

Original article 

Caption: On their last visit to Finland, Joker Out surprised everyone by playing Cha Cha Cha. During the song, Käärijä also appeared on stage. Photographer Niina Mäenpää.

The Nordic gigs may also feature a tourist, Käärijä.

Original text and interview: Niina Mäenpää

A gold record from Finland, fans camped outside the venues from the early hours of the morning, the new song Everybody's Waiting streaming at a fast pace. Slovenian indie rock band Joker Out are going strong. The band, who emerged from last year's Eurovision Song Contest, have been super-popular in their home country for a long time, but it was the Eurovision Song Contest that blew them up.  

The European tour, which kicks off at the House of Culture this weekend, will run well into April. The band, who won a gold record  in Finland for their Eurovision song, Carpe Diem, will be coming to Helsinki for the second time. 

"We feel at home in Finland, and last time it was very cosy for us. Finns and Slovenians have a lot in common", says singer Bojan Cvjetićanin in a remote interview. 

Liverpool's Eurovision Song Contest not only left them with Europe-wide popularity, but also something else unique - a friendship with Jere Pöyhönen, aka Käärijä.

"Buddies for life. In all the Eurovision hype and chaos, we managed to find a very close friendship, and that is something truly unique", says Bojan.

After the weekend in Helsinki, the tour continues to Tallinn, Estonia. Käärijä will jump on board. 

"Jere will be joining us as tourists because he has some time off. We are definitely going to spend a lot of time together during those days", Bojan says. 

"Hopefully I'll get to the sauna in Finland too! I'm really looking forward to the gigs, and as Jere says, it's crazy, it's party."

See embed video on the original article: watch Joker Out reminisce about their experiences in Finland and Bojan imitating Käärijä.

Joker Out was seen at this year's UMK as Slovenia's point presenter, and the Nokia Arena went wild as Bojan, bassist Nace Jordan and drummer Jure Maček took the screen to present the points - Bojan wearing a green Käärijä shirt.

How did it feel to make an arena full of Finns scream remotely?

"We just hoped that our internet connection would last", drummer Jure laughs. 

The Nokia Arena was a special place for us, as the last time we saw the arena was when we drove past it during our gig in Tampere. Jere joked that, one day we'll make this arena, Bojan imitates his friend's rally English. 

So maybe a joint tour?

"Maybe we do, maybe we do, we’re gonna plan it now..." Bojan grins.

What is Joker Out?

Slovenian indie band, which describes their music as shagadelic rock ‘n’ roll

A Slovenian indie band, who describe their music as shagadelic rock and roll

Members: singer Bojan Cvjetićanin, guitar players Kris Guštin and Jan Peteh, bass player Nace Jordan and drummer Jure Maček.

Best known for Eurovision 2023, where the band jumped to popularity with their song Carpe Diem.

The new single ‘Everybody's Waiting’ tries a new musical direction and tells the story of the downsides of life in the crossfire of demands. The music video was directed by Bojan Cvjetićanin.

At the House of Culture Joker Out will play on Saturday 2nd and Sunday  3rd of March 2024. Saturday's concert is sold out, but there are still some tickets available for Sunday's extra show. Tickets on Lippu.fi.

Translated by @niini5 @drugsforaddicts @saallotar Proofread by IG Gboleyn123

[dreaminofu]

What will our tour wife do all day, waiting for his husband to get back from the war?

Will he get him some surprises to unwind? Will he be his buddy’s shadow? Is he finally gonna learn another JO song? Will he practice pronouncing Nace’s actual name after Bojan spent the whole night before teaching him? (He had watched the way Bojan’s lip moved so well)

Tell me, what do you think he will be doing in the downtime?

Thank you for the ask! In this essay I will…

Oh, Jere will definitely be the bestest tour wife there ever was. Needless to say, he watches all the concerts backstage and each day picks a new song to try to sing along to, discreetly glancing at the writing in his hand so as not to make it too obvious that he’s still learning. But the writing is smudged and he’s still practicing pronunciation, so he sings ”Usa car vem, in car sam, je ta napoli”. But that’s okay, because he’s trying his best <3

When the gig is over, (and the routine hugs and kisses and ”you were amazing babe” done), he runs back to the tour bus, while the guys shower, to finish the preparations he started earlier. He makes sure to fluff Bojan’s pillow and sprays it with some calming lavender oli because he knows it will help Bojan sleep better (besides sleeping in his arms ofc) <3

He places Bojan’s favourite bear slippers next to the bunk (dusted and aired) and, after wearing it for a while, he folds the hockey wife jersey on the bed, having sensed from Bojan’s mood earlier (and listening to him sing Everybody’s waiting) that it’s one of those days and Bojan needs some extra comfort <3

Then he looks up last-minute tips online how to give the perfect shoulder/back/feet/hand/THIGH massage (he LOVES massaging Bojan’s thighs, but he’ll do whatever massage his man wants). Earlier in the day, he spent a few hours shopping for a few essentials, like a dozen different massage oils, because he wants to make sure that his Bojan has all the options he could ever want <3

But Jere also spends some time in each city to find the perfect silly little trinket he can gift to Bojan, and that Bojan finds on his pillow after every concert <3

From Tallinn, Jere got Bojan a key chain with two hearts intertwined. From Krakow and Malmö, he got magnets, the first with a donut on it, saying ”Donut forget that I love you”, and the second with two tomatoes holding hands, saying ”I love you from my head tomatoes”. And a few days ago in Hamburg, he bought Bojan and himself matching half heart necklaces. (”Because you come here to record and then you go back Ljubljana, but I have work and I not see you then, but I want you remember that I’m always here”) <3

Lastly, he makes sure that all of Bojan’s favourite snacks are waiting for him, neatly in different bowls. And if he still has time, Jere continues learning the lyrics to Vse kar vem (and this time he gets them right!) <3

When the boys arrive:

Kris: ”Oh thanks Jere, these are my favourite!” *reaches for the bowl containing TV Mix sour candies*

Jere: *slaps his fingers* ”This only for the Bojan, get your own!”

This happens every night with one of the boys, but Jere always gives up in about 15 seconds, because he loves the others too and then gives them all the treats <3

[eurovision-revisited]

Eurovision 2003: Welcome to Riga!

Hello from Riga where they're not only celebrating autumnal colours but also the joys of stop-motion animation and the still frame. The venue is the Skonto Hall in Riga, capacity 6,500. Given everyone is seated, it's probably a little bit less than that - Riga, like Tallinn is staying on the smaller side of things.

Like last year, there were concerns about financing, but like last year, these proved to be unfounded. In fact, it looks like a lot of money has been spent - nearly all the elements look like some thought has been given as to how best to make the most of what money they had and interesting artistic and design choices have been made.

The whole stage feels bigger - the entire thing looks about three times larger than last year with a swathe of stage space to fill and a good view for the whole audience. There's a suspiciously soft blue curtained backdrop which I'm sure will come in to play later on.

The EBU have relegated Switzerland and Finland again - the yo-yo nations of Eurovision in this relegation era. Missing alongside them are Lithuania, Denmark and FYROM. There are slightly fewer relegatees this year because Eurovision has become in bigger in one important way. 2003 sees the competition increase in size to 26 entries for the first time, allowing more countries to take part, relegating fewer and finally achieving Eurovision's ideal size.

One other major new welcome is to Ukraine! It's their debut this year. How are they going to settle in to this new Eurovision setting? Maybe they will become another first time winner like Estonia and Latvia in the two proceeding years.

After last year dubious voting breakdown, the contest is back to the "100% televote" era. That means there are still three counties using juries, but there's no 50/50 jury/televote countries and 23 of the 26 are on pure televoting - the most there's ever been.

The introduction doesn't (initially) take us on a tour around Riga. Instead we dive straight in to this year's chief stylistic decision. Plasticine or modelling clay stop-motion animation with a large number of clay flowers blooming all over the place in lurid colour. Models move to meet, embrace and kiss spreading the message of the love.

After meeting the hosts, we discover the second major choice which is the montage/collage of still photographs used to take us on journeys. The two hosts take us on personal tours of their Riga and their childhoods. This is at once a good idea, showing us a personal love of a city that they can put on screen keeping the tourist boards happy as well demonstrating a deeper connection to the host country than we usually get. However those still image montages are going to get tiresome very quickly...

We also go on another tour of Europe (and space) with Elton John greeting us from Vienna, Lys Assia returns to Eurovision to say hello and a live link-up with the International Space Station says hello from orbit. This competition is really going places!

Our hosts are last year's winner Marie N, and Renārs Kaupers lead singer of Brainstorm, Latvia's 2000 entrants. He becomes the only person (I know of) to have both hosted Eurovision and performed at the Glastonbury Festival. They make the usual awkward hosting couple but also are possibly the best looking and best dressed hosts ever. That mustard suit - wow.

[estonian-is-horrible]

eesti dashcon'23 pt.1

let's say we organize a dashcon in Tallinn. details to be ironed out by a series of polls, anon asks, and DMs to @deactivated-662bce (since this blog doesn't have DMs anymore). I will do my best to rent a ball pit (urine free), but realistically it would be just a hangover hangout in a pub, or a pancake party at my place, if there's <35 attendees.

probably some evening late march or april.

remember - i cannot see who voted, only the count.

[hildegardladyofbones]

hi! im an American who desperately despises living here while paying taxes that fund wars n thinking abt emigrating to estonia; any thoughts? :)

Heya!!

I'm very glad you want to move here because I think Estonia can be a great place to live, but it depends very much on the circumstances.

For instance, the prices in estonia are quite high (though they seem to be getting lower again? It's hard to tell), but in more rural areas they're lower. The problem with rural areas tho, is that they're less likely to be speak English and more likely to be racist if you happen to be a poc. I also recommend getting out of Tallinn if you can, or at the very least keep away from Lasnamägi and Mustamäe. They're the parts of the city where russians are the majority and you'd have to learn russian as well to live there.

I do heavily recommend you do your best to learn Estonian because trust me, Estonians will immediately like you way more, even if its awful at first.

If you're planning to go to university, I would obviously recommend the university of tartu, which on top of being in my hometown is also free. I recommend Tartu just in general because you won't even need a car if you were to live there. Everything is in walking or biking distance and you have everything you need right there.

I also have to warn you that Estonians may appear rude or cold at first. I've been told by tourists that we appear apathetic. It's a cultural thing and I wouldn't take it personally, but some people use that as an excuse to be racist and xenophobic and those things can never be excused, so, yknow, keep that in mind. That said, it's not like it'll take years for you to be accepted or sth, it's very possible to make friends here (speaking from experience lol)

Also compared to places like Chicago, the police force us actually kind of trustworthy and the military's budget isn't very over inflated as well, so that's also a bonus of you're coming from the us.

Can't come up with anything else that needs to be mentioned, but if you have any questions then ask! I'll do my best to answer

[dekiyajao]

Estonia Travel Guide: Tips, Best Places & Vlog Adventure

Hey there, fellow wanderers! 🌍✨ Are you ready for an unforgettable journey through the stunning landscapes and captivating culture of Estonia? Today, I bring you an exciting travel guide that will help you make the most of your trip to this Baltic gem. From insightful tips to must-visit places, this adventure-packed vlog will have you itching to explore Estonia's hidden treasures. So grab your backpacks, and let's dive into this unforgettable experience together! 🎒💫

📍 Tallinn: The Fairytale Capital Our first stop is the enchanting city of Tallinn, where medieval charm meets modern delights. Lose yourself in the cobblestone streets of the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, adorned with colorful buildings and breathtaking views from Toompea Hill. Indulge in the local cuisine, explore the vibrant markets, and immerse yourself in the captivating history of this magical city. #Tallinn #MedievalMagic

📍 Lahemaa National Park: Nature's Playground Embark on a nature-filled adventure in Lahemaa National Park, where Estonia's untouched beauty takes center stage. Wander through ancient forests, discover hidden waterfalls, and breathe in the fresh, crisp air as you explore this captivating wilderness. Don't forget to visit the stunning Jagala Waterfall, known as the "Niagara of Estonia," for a truly awe-inspiring experience. #Lahemaa #NatureLovers

📍 Saaremaa: A Tranquil Retreat Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life on the picturesque island of Saaremaa. Immerse yourself in the peaceful ambiance, stroll along pristine beaches, and explore the charming towns that dot the island. Make sure to visit the historic Kuressaare Castle, where the past comes alive amidst scenic surroundings. Saaremaa is a true haven for relaxation and rejuvenation. #Saaremaa #IslandEscape

📍 Parnu: The Summer Capital Looking for a sun-soaked getaway? Look no further than Parnu, Estonia's beloved summer capital. With its golden sandy beaches, vibrant beach clubs, and lively atmosphere, Parnu is the perfect destination to soak up the sun and enjoy a refreshing swim in the Baltic Sea. Be sure to take a leisurely stroll along the famous Ranna Promenade, lined with beautiful Art Nouveau-style villas. #Parnu #BeachVibes

Now, it's time to pack your bags, embark on this incredible journey, and create memories that will last a lifetime. I guarantee you won't be disappointed! Check out my vlog adventure at https://youtu.be/1P8D_nQ2oOg for a visual feast of Estonia's wonders. Trust me, you won't be able to resist the allure of this charming country. Let's make our travel dreams come true! ✈️💙

#EstoniaTravelGuide #UnforgettableAdventure #TravelInspiration

[the-plural-of-cris-is-crises]

Strange New Worlds Spoilers

So how far in the future were the Romulans from in this episode? Is it from Picard era? Is this another Romulan time travel thing blaming Starfleet for the Supernova like what created the Kelvin Timeline? (Nero specifically blamed Spock though)

Are they from the Temporal Cold Wars explored in Enterprise? Which was definitely farther in the future than Picard but not as far as Disco S3+. The thing she used to kill herself reminded me of the thing the Tal Shiar/Zhat Vash officers did in S1 of Picard except not quite so weapon-y. I know this isn't Zhat Vash I'm just saying it reminds me of Romulan tech from around the supernova and beyond that period of time which could lead back to Nero and the supernova (plus I mean they covered Khan in the Kelvin timeline although clearly differently than they do in this episode).

They mentioned Temporal Investigations which we know existed by DS9 era, although I got the impression they were much less getting-involved-y. Less "protect the timeline by actively preventing changes" and more "investigate time travel incidents of Starfleet officers to make sure they upheld the Temporal Prime Directive to the best of their ability" at least from how they were in Trials and Tribble-ations. Much less Crewman Daniels Time Agent-y where he goes around trying to preserve one specific timeline. Which means the Department of Temporal Investigations could later shift into the people fighting the Temporal Cold War stuff seen in Enterprise and this is an in-between state kind of?

Are the Romulans who the Future!Federation (what the Federation evolves into at least) at Daniels' time the main or one of the main enemies to Daniels' people during the Temporal Cold War? Does it have any connection to the Romulan drama going on in Picard era? We know from Disco that the Romulans and Vulcans reunify in the future after the Temporal Cold War(s). It seemed implausible that they were the main antagonists during that war to me. And the fact that Kirk was born in space like Kelvin!Kirk (but obviously not the same as AOS) and the Romulan thing kind of points to another Nero-like thing? Maybe?

How does this connect with like, Tallinn's people from Picard S2 that is implied to be the same time travel people as Gary Seven from TOS? Also I know Prodigy is canceled and probably won't have anything to do with this but I wouldn't mind seeing the Prodigy time travel mystery tie into this

Also, when did this take place in the past? Obviously early 21st century but like did they ever say a year?

Wasn't there an episode of TNG I think where there was some kind of time travel organization but it turned out the guy they encountered was lying about being a part of it and he stole the equipment from someone from the future but he was from the past? I don't remember that episode clearly enough to remember if the people he got it from could have been tied into this thing or not. I am way too tired to remember so many details about Star Trek's time travel stuff across all series.

[ask-computer-nerd-estonia]

✨ technology.

⚽ see the movement in streets, reeding, being with Alvar and do my things in the computer.

🧠 tinkering with and repairing computers and electronics in general.

🏆 1. Estonia invented SkypeThis is something that probably every Estonian says when they’ll meet somebody from outside of Estonia.In 2003, Skype was a small startup company in Estonia. Today this company has grown to a global business with over 300 million users. Even though if Skype is now owned by Microsoft, it still has offices around Tallinn.

2. Estonia has one of the world’s best internet connectionsCould you imagine having an internet connection while you are hiking in the forest? Well, in Estonia it’s possible. And not only that, you could even get 4g in the forest. Estonia has one of the world’s fastest internet speeds and you’re never far from free public WiFi.

3. Estonia is the world’s most advanced digital society!Today, Estonia is recognized as the world’s most advanced digital society. Every citizen gets an ID card, which you can also use for digital signatures. Imagine having a vacation in Bali and you suddenly need to sign a document and send it to your business partner? Should you fly back or just plug your ID card into your computer? The second choice seems a lot better.Whether we’re filing tax returns, booking train tickets, or choosing our leaders, our ID cards are secure and easy to use. This secure system also explains why Estonia was the first country in the world to hold its elections online. Find out more at e-estonia.com.

💀 sometimes the internet can suffer from being used by lots of people using it at the same time.

☀️ the world could be a best place for everyone.

🔥 wars and between us Mr. Russia.

💥 Being friends with Russia

💗 Never had lovers only friends or allies

💚 Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Hungary, Russia?...

⚔️ can I consider the last nation of the last question?

👑 Myself.

Oh I am just tired of continue answering that questions! Bye bye

Make my muse talk about one of their...

✨ Deep interests ⚽ Hobbies 🧠 Expertise 🏆 Achievements 💀 Failures ☀️ Hopes / wishes 🔥 Fears / worries 💥 Regrets 💗 Relationships / lovers 💚 Friends / family members ⚔️ Enemies / rivals 👑 Role models / mentors ✔️ Merits ❌ Flaws ❗ Defining life events

[joemuggs]

Fucking Hell, 2024, Fucking Hell

Well it really has been a fucking year hasn’t it.

Even leaving aside the background of Fascism, genocide, climate ruination, idiot oligarchs and enshittification, personally it’s been a tough one. Put it this way: having three bereavements fall within a couple of weeks of me turning 50 was intense, but it didn’t feel out of place for 2024. It was the sort of year when getting my (emphatic) ADHD diagnosis felt like something to celebrate. Life has pretty much continued dropping anvils on me week-in-week out, and so I’ve stumbled from disaster to disaster more or less in a state of concussion, with next to zero chance to take stock or even take a breath and look around. 

Which is why I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated the Christmas break more, and why I’m doing this. I don’t normally do end of year recollection things – I’d usually rather eat a box of pins than interrupt my holiday time, in fact – but I’m abnormally introspective right now, and also, bizarrely given the chaotic year it’s been, abnormally proud of what I’ve done and what I have coming up. Even more bizarrely there seems to have been some coherence to it all. But maybe it’s not so bizarre, maybe it’s because in between all the demands of capital-L LIFE I’ve had to knuckle down, make hard decisions and commit to doing stuff that keeps me sane / engaged / motivated / with eyes on the prize etc… Chasing that dopamine, but also old enough and ugly enough to know what’s irrelevant.

First up, I have kind of become the DJ I wanted to be. I’ve been getting better year by year, but since buying the Midlife Crisis Soundsystem PA rig a couple of years ago, I’ve got to the point where I feel properly confident in my abilities, regardless of the setting… I feel professional, even. I’ve had some really great moments playing far out or very groovy stuff: one weekend in Bristol in particular was gorgeous – an evening in the sweltering basement of Cafe Kino playing deep drones and cosmic vistas to warm up for the live performers at Tudor Acid’s Electro Cafe, followed by next afternoon out on the canalside terrace of Motion playing all sorts of grooves “B2B” with Charlie Stoic for a Balearic Burger party - recorded here. 

Getting to play a dinnertime ambient dub set at Tallinn’s incredible HALL was something else too… but easily the peak moment of the year behind the decks was at We Out Here festival. I kicked off with Sinead O’Connor, went into Monolake, Coltrane (both), Dvořák, Sade, Tunng and eventually dropped Gilli Smyth’s entirely tripped-out radiophonic folk tale “Taleisin”. At which point, two young women appeared at the tent door, nodded appreciatively, did a very good and committed interpretive dance routine for the whole nine-minute duration, bowed flamboyantly to enthusiastic applause from the tent and skipped off into the night while I rubbed my eyes and went “what the fuck?”. From there on in, the dreaminess only intensified, and the rest of the set passed in a sate of slightly hysterical bliss. You can get a hint of the vibe from my ROVR radio shows which have been another point of happy focus this year.

But it’s not just been about the weird and quote-unquote credible gigs. Far from it. Ever since getting the PA rig, I’ve tried to make the money back by doing commercial sets locally out here in the New Forest, and that’s been at worst an education and at best a blast. It’s now picking up to the point I’ve got four gigs over the Xmas holidays, of the three so far only the first was a bit boring and the other two – teenagers giving it loads to Calvin Harris / Chase & Status / Chapel Roan / “Firework” / “I Predict a Riot”, and a cocktail bar very much enjoying Prince, The Meters, Blondie and so on on Christmas eve – have got me very much looking forwards to New Year’s Eve at a hotel down the road. 

And though Christmas discos for hire in a shires town and 4am at We Out Here are definitely a long way apart, they’re not completely separate worlds. There’ve been lots of zones in between the two. Big shouts must go out to my friends Keith and Fiona who’ve been getting their L8R 90s dance parties going locally: their tastes might veer a little further into the reach-for-the-lasers euphoria than mine, but we really found a sweet spot where I can either warm up with my house records (see this set recorded live in a village hall!) or speed them up while Keith slows his trance and hard house down to meet in the middle for a B2B as with the outdoor afternoon party we did in Christchurch in the summer which went OFF. I’ve also got out to do more in Bournemouth, warming up for Justin Robertson at Aural Agenda, and doing a lovely set of lovers’ rock, Depth Charge and suchlike with my friend Patrick for the fantastic Bad Hand Coffee / Eats’n’Beats Christmas market, which – like the primary school food fair where I found the exact sweet spot between Balearic aesthetics and Radio 2 – was the epitome of something I wrote about here back in 2022… 

In my day job, there were a ton of big things. The fabric book coming out this month dominated everything of course – it both buoyed me up during a time of total exhaustion and kept me too busy to think right to the end of the working year. Some other big highlights, though, came courtesy of Disco Pogo – I’ve got two hefty essays in their immense Aphex Twin anthology which came out just a week after the fabric book, and also I did their Sade cover feature earlier in the year, which came out as one of the most satisfying things I’ve written in a while, joining a whole lot of historical dots and even getting the warm approval of members of Sade (though I’m yet to find out of Sade herself has read it). This guide to psychedelic rave for The SHFL was a wonderful rabbit hole to go down too, and I even tied my DJing in by doing this live mix inspired by the writing of it. This profile of PENG Records and Andy Compton was a joy to do too – one of the most under-appreciated musicians in the UK deserves a big showcase like this, and there’s so much incredible music in it.

Yes, it’s notable that those are all pretty much historical / retrospective pieces, but I managed to stay vaguely away from pigeonholing as a “rave boomer” (© Eamonn Forde) with the normal week-in-week out work of reviewing lots and lots of new records for Bandcamp Daily and theartsdesk (and PLEASE NOTE we are trying to keep theartsdesk afloat, it's a hard grind, but if you can help then do), and doing interviews and playlist features for Sound of Life (it kept me talking to interesting people like Juls, and this essay about the Grammys was a fun diversion especially). And somehow, somewhere in among all this, I did indeed manage to find some coherence. Through all the writing and the DJing – and even through the harsh life events of the year – I managed to find connecting threads that were all in some way or another related to community. Whether it’s family funerals or DJing at a 16th birthday party, tracing the spiritual jazz connections of We Out Here festival or observing my own kids’ fandoms around gaming and EDM, reviewing new records or tracing grand narratives, everything kept coming back to the little things that hold us together, and which matter all the more in the face of chaos, darkness and forces that would have us splintered and atomised. These little things aren’t just clicking “like” on the same records or poltical slogans, they’re who we are with and how we interact with them over years.

A lot of things helped to throw this into relief. Doing three lectures for music and music industry students at BIMM Bristol forced me to clarify my thinking on the nature of subculture, the purpose of writing and commentary, the structures of our social networks and suchlike. The long interviews for Bass, Mids, Tops and the Rest have always been about how micro life details accumulate into bigger cultural shapes – Brian’s incredible photographic portraits bringing you closer to the real people involved – and the conversations I had this year all helped, especially with our old mucker Jude Rogers. Re-reading Jude’s The Sound of Being Human then having our conversation about provincial towns and indie clubs was galvanising, as was constant inspiration from the works and social media presence of Elijah Butterz, Emma Warren, Jamz Supernova, Colleen and Adam from The London Loft, Errol & Alex from Touching Bass and John Bawcombe and friends from the Balearic Burger community. 

A huge shout, too, to Craig Hamilton – whose Harkive project recording what people actually listen to and how has long been an inspiration – for listening to me ramble about some ideas on this topic, and by the end of a 20 minute phonecall perfectly condensing it into “OK so you want to do _______, and this will be of value to ______, ______, ______ and ______” – and to Sara Kenny and Ben Bashford who have likewise been constant sounding boards. (Thanks, too, to Craig and his band for the best Wet Leg cover version you will ever hear). Also once, just once, I tried using an AI chat service as a sounding board too, and stone me if it didn’t condense something neat too: when I asked it about my work it said a lot of stuff I knew well because it had harvested from my own self-PR over the years, but it also said this, which is beautifully put and captures a thing that matters.

So yeah, not to self-aggrandise but I did a lot, and best of all, more than ever I feel kind of purposeful going into 2025. It’s a weird position to be in being more uncertain and anxious than ever before, but also feeling like I know what I have to do, both to keep making a living and to face that uncertainty and anxiety head on (hopefully including some new meds!). It’s going to involve more teaching gigs for sure, some fun projects I can’t talk about yet, more opportunities to amplify the people who are doing the work on the ground, a whole lot of spreadsheets, minimal recourse to AI, some decent DJ gigs, and – hopes and prayers for Joe, please – a little bit more rest than in 2024. Because honestly, I am very fucking tired, and doubly so just looking at all this written down. I have no big conclusion or moral to the tale, except to say that even in the darkest of times there can be moments of respite and those little tokens of communal belonging… and when you find them grab them with both hands and don’t let them go.

[joeledsouza-12]

Top 7 tourist attractions and places to visit in Estonia

Estonia, a fascinating country in the North of Europe, invites people to discover its long history, beautiful nature and dynamic culture. Having joined the European Union, Estonia has attracted more and more tourists from different corners of the world. And to discover this gorgeous Baltic country, applying for an Estonia visa is the first thing many travelers need to do. Regardless of whether you are planning on leisurely walking around the old town of Tallinn, sunbathing on the white sandy beaches in Pärnu, or getting acquainted with the peculiarities of Estonian culture all over the country, having detailed information on the visa issue will help to start your journey to Estonia with no problems.

Getting an Estonia visa not only gives a person a visa to the country but also to the rest of the Schengen which provides for easy travel between many European countries. The application process is quite simple and, in some cases, you do not require a visa for your stay in the Schengen area if you are a national of the following countries. When you have your visa ready, it’s time to explore what Estonia has to offer; from the island of Saaremaa to the fantastic natural scenery of Lahemaa National Park. Booking your trip now and prepare yourself for the best vacation to Estonia!

Here is the list of seven most popular tourist attractions as well as places to visit in this magical Baltic country.

1. Tallinn's Old Town

Tallinn’s Old Town is one of the most beautiful examples of medieval architecture and has been included into the UNESCO list. Wander around the picturesque block houses, gawk at the beautiful architecture of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and take a look at the Town Hall Square. Do not miss the chance to get up to the viewing platforms to have the views of the city and the sea in the Baltic area.

2. Lahemaa National Park

Lahemaa National Park is located just a short drive from Tallinn and provides a dream country for any lover of nature. Stretching over 725 sq km it is rich in forest, bog and coastal environments. One can embark on hiking through the spectacular trails, tour through the ancient manor houses, bird watching or just relax.

3. Tartu

Tartu is referred to as Estonia’s intellectual capital and it is home to one of Northern Europe’s oldest universities. The city has many cultural attractions including museums, theaters and galleries. You should not leave Estonia without visiting the Estonian National Museum which gives you an understanding of the Estonian people’s past and present. For tourists the Town Hall Square is especially worth seeing as well as the area by the river where one can take a pleasant stroll.

4. Pärnu

Pärnu is officially known as the summer capital of Estonia and it is also one of the most popular places for the fans of the beach. Pärnu is a beautiful resort town with sandy coastline, numerous spa resorts, and an animated promenade. Rent a bike and ride around the park or go to Pärnu Beach and swim in the sea or try the numerous spas in the city. The film lovers should also know that Pärnu has its own annual Film Festival.

5. Saaremaa Island

Saaremaa is the largest island of Estonia which is famous for natural sights and culture and traditions. Get to know the atmosphere of Kuressaare with its medieval castle and picturesque parks. Travel to the Kaali Meteorite Crater to see the historical site and take the best photos of the sea. Saaremaa is also known for its windmills and typical farmsteads and thus – for the view of rural Estonia.

6. Narva

Narva is the city on the border of Russia and it has a rich history on its background. The Narva Castle – a wonderfully located castle that stands on the bank of the Narva River – gives a good glimpse of the history of the place. Take a walk to the near by Hermann Castle and for a river side walk where you can get the overlooking view of another Russian city, Ivangorod. Due to a diversity of cultures, Narva is an interesting place.

7. Kadriorg Palace and Park

Kadriorg Palace, built for Tsar Peter the Great in the 18th century is considered one of the best pieces of Baroque architecture in Estonia. It is located on a beautifully designed ground containing sculptures, fountains and nice walking paths within a palace. Inside one can find the Kadriorg Art Museum where an exhibition of works of foreign art is presented. Also, it would be a shame not to visit the Kumu Art Museum, which is Estonia’s largest art museum.

Conclusion:

Estonia is still an undiscovered territory which is full of history and traditions, as well as beautiful landscapes. Starting from the historical and romantic Old Town of Tallinn to the natural beauty of Lahemaa National Park, every site has its own beauty that wins the heart of any traveler. An Estonia visa means more than just an opportunity to visit this wonderful country, but the chance to explore the Schengen Area and have a truly amazing time. Whether one is walking the boulevards of Tartu, lounging on the shores of Pärnu, or excavating the history of Narva, Estonia has much to offer in terms of the unexpected and awe inspiring. Begin making your visit plans now and see all that this Baltic gem has to offer.

[europeposts]

Old Town Square Estonia

Tallinn, Estonia - ‎12 ‎April ‎2020. Corner of the town hall square in the old town, where the oldest pharmacy in Europe is located. The most picturesque places in the city. Medieval architecture.

Why you need to visit Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn may once have been famed as a cheap go-to destination for rowdy stag parties, but there is so much more to this beautiful city than that. Filled with pastel coloured houses and pretty squares, Tallinn is a photographer’s dream. Tallinn’s old town is incredibly well-preserved and absolutely beautiful, with some of the best examples of medieval architecture in northern Europe. Read on for what to see in this charming Baltic town:

Wander Around the Old Town Square

The best thing about Tallinn’s old town is that is all doable on foot, so you can relax and wander around pretty cobbled side streets in peace. Everything centers on the Raekoja plats (old town square), where you’ll find bars and restaurants aplenty, surrounded by the distinctive tall merchants’ houses on all sides. Visit in winter and you’ll find the town Christmas tree and a vibrant Christmas market.

Walk the Town Walls

Tallinn is a city best enjoyed from above, and what better way to see it than to climb up winding spiral stairs to the top of the city walls? From here you’ll be able to look out over the distinctive red rooftops that make the Estonian capital so charming.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

This stunning Russian Orthodox cathedral was built in 1900, when Tallinn was still part of the Russian empire. It was almost destroyed at one point as some Estonians see it as a symbol of oppression, however the beautiful cathedral has now been restored.

Kohtuotsa Viewpoint

The perfect place to get your bearings, the Kohtuotsa viewpoint affords stunning views over the pretty red rooftops of Tallinn’s old town. Only a short walk from the main square, you can’t miss it.

The view from the Kohtuotsa Viewpoint

Kadriorg Palace

A short tram ride from the city centre will take you out to Kadriorg Palace, an impressive 18th century estate complete with colourful facade and exquisite gardens. Built for Peter the Great in 1718, the Russian Tsar used to use the palace as one of his summer residences (although rumour has it that the Tsar didn’t actually stay in the palace, preferring more modest accommodation!).

Coffee and Pastries

Tallinn is a cafe-lover’s heaven, with cute little coffee shops hidden away all over the city. I can highly recommend RØST (they do the most divine pastries) and also the Kalamaja area, where you’ll find the Telliskivi creative city, a former industrial area that now houses Tallinn’s coolest bars, cafes and restaurants.

How to integrate Tallinn into a longer trip

But, did you know that Helsinki is only a 1.5 hour ferry trip away from Tallinn? And that from there you can continue on to St Petersburg, where you can get a special short-term easy Russian visa as a ferry passenger? Or, head in the other direction and hop on a bus to Riga – it’s only 5 hours and the journey goes quickly if you have some good series on Netflix pre-downloaded.

If you’re thinking about visiting Tallinn then why not get a copy of the Estonia Lonely Planet here. Please note that I receive a small kick-back if you purchase a book through this affiliate link (the price of the book remains the same). This allows me to continue providing travel advice for free!

Why you need to visit Tallinn, Estonia - Call of the World

doeeme

[msforbes500]

20 Best places to go for Christmas 🌲🖤

🇺🇸 New York City, USA - Iconic Rockefeller Center tree and festive window displays

🇫🇮 Lapland, Finland - Magical Santa's Village and snowy landscapes

🇦🇹 Vienna, Austria - Enchanting Christmas markets with crafts and treats

🇩🇪 Nuremberg, Germany - Famous Christkindlesmarkt for holiday cheer

🇨🇦 Quebec City, Canada - Winter wonderland with charming European flair

🇫🇮 Rovaniemi, Finland - Visit Santa Claus and see the Northern Lights

🇯🇵 Tokyo, Japan - Stunning illuminations and unique celebrations

🇵🇸 Bethlehem, Palestine - Rich in history as the birthplace of Jesus

🇫🇷 Strasbourg, France - The "Capital of Christmas" with magical markets

🇬🇧 London, UK - Festive lights, markets, and ice skating rinks

🇩🇰 Copenhagen, Denmark - Cozy atmosphere at Tivoli Gardens

🇺🇸 Chicago, USA - Christmas markets and festive ambiance

🇲🇽 San Miguel de Allende, Mexico - Traditional posadas and vibrant celebrations

🏴‍☠️ Edinburgh, Scotland - Beautiful lights and historic Christmas market

🇨🇿 Prague, Czech Republic - Magical markets in a fairy-tale setting

🇲🇹 Malta - Unique traditions and festive lights in a Mediterranean paradise

🇭🇺 Budapest, Hungary - Stunning markets and beautiful architecture

🇪🇪 Tallinn, Estonia - Charming medieval town with cozy Christmas market

🇨🇭 Zurich, Switzerland - Known for its winter wonderland and magical lights

🇦🇹 Vienna, Austria - Festive atmosphere with concerts and holiday treats