TALLINN, ESTONIA

We leave the harbour and drive through the cultural centre of Tallinn, viewing some of the highlights of Estonian architecture.

We leave the harbour and drive through the cultural centre of Tallinn, viewing some of the highlights of Estonian architecture. Approaching the Old Town we will get fascinating views of the medieval city wall with its fairy tale turrets. We leave the coach near the Nun’s Gate to walk to the historic city centre. Here we can see the real highlights of Old Tallinn – medieval guild houses, the Gothic Town Hall and the 15th century Pharmacy (all viewed from the outside). We are treated to some refreshments and a folk show in one of the old guild houses. After this pleasant interval we continue our tour of the Lower Town. After some free time in St Catherine’s Arts and Crafts Centre we shall rejoin our coach and drive towards Kadriorg Park – originally founded by Peter the Great. We will pause for photos at the Song Festival Ground – a natural amphitheatre that is the venue for great national music festivals. From here, we will drive through one of the most beautiful residential areas of private homes and Pirita Marina – a former site of Olympic yachting. The 15th century St Birgit’s Convent is a wonderful example of local limestone architecture, and we will pay a visit here before returning to our ship. En route we pass the Estonian monument Russalka (Mermaid) – dedicated to the shipwreck in the Gulf of Finland in 1893.

This tour is not recommended for passengers with limited mobility. It involves a moderate amount of standing and walking. The walking tour of the Old Town lasts for approximately one hour in total and includes cobble stone streets. There is also walking at the Arts and Crafts Centre, at the photo stop outside the Song Festival Ground and approximately 100 metres (320 feet) to and from St Birgit’s Convent. Depending on where our ship berths, there may also be a walk of up to 200 metres (650 feet) to and from our tour coach. As well as the Estonian Kroon, the Euro and US Dollar are usually accepted when purchasing souvenirs. The itinerary may operate in a different order.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2008 SCANDINAVIA & BALTIC SEASON