Good memories of Tallinn
In early August, my girlfriend and I made a trip (not around the world, of course, but still) on board the 10-deck cruise ferry "Princess Anastasia" on the route: St. Petersburg - Helsinki-Stockholm-Tallinn-St. Petersburg.
I can say it's great! You are immediately surrounded by an incredible amount of air and water ...It's wonderful, going out on the upper deck, to admire the sea, the bright sun, clouds, running through the shores, islands.
Being a big travel lover, I finally decided to discover Scandinavia for myself. It should have been earlier, but somehow it didn't happen...Of the capitals that we were to visit, only Tallinn is familiar. Beloved Tallinn...I immediately remembered how I visited it for the first time at the age of 13. It was the same warm summer, July. We spent a couple of nights at the luxurious Viru Hotel, which today is one of the hallmarks of Tallinn.
And from the open terrace of the hotel offers a stunning view of the city. I remember how we bought a small tender bouquet of sweet peas in front of the Virus Gates of the Old City. It really was a real sweet pea with its breathtaking smell...
Time for Tallinn this time was not enough. While VIPs got off the ship, then organized tourists who bought excursions, it was our turn. It was already after 11 am. After saying hello in Estonian and holding out my passport, I met a charming smile of a girl representing the border service, who immediately asked me: “Did you study with us? ". “No, ” I answered, “But I love Tallinn very much. ” Everything happened again this time - sweet peas at the gates of the Old City were in my hand!
Even on the ferry, we decided to “check in” in Tallinn by visiting the Goodvin steakhouse. I liked the real steak from real meat very much. Do not pass by - I recommend.
Back on the ferry, we sat by the window at the Seven Seas bar. It was time for dinner. As we sailed, we admired the view of the Old Town from the sea harbor. As they say, a picture. Five medieval spiers soar into the sky, on the left you can see the skyscrapers of the Tallinn City, Viru Hotel. But among them stands out the Gothic spire of Oleviste Church, which has long served as a guide for merchant ships arriving in Tallinn. And a stunning sunset. For dinner on the ship, a choice of a glass of vodka or a glass of champagne was served. We raised our glasses to Tallinn!
Finland. Bought a walking tour of Helsinki. In general, I really like to explore unfamiliar places on foot. Everything matched here. The weather is amazing again. The tour started at 9 o'clock and lasted more than two hours. Then we walked around the city on our own and returned to the ferry on the same tram. The tour guide is very smart and knowledgeable.
Of course, Helsinki is a completely modern city, as it has been rebuilt three times, but beautiful enough. First, we took tram number 9 from the port to the city center, passed through the most interesting places in Helsinki and saw the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe - the Assumption Cathedral and Senate Square, Torgovaya Square, quarters of the historical center, the Central Railway Station, the Ateneum Art Museum, the building Finnish Parliament, Church in the rock. Impressions are good, but there are many interesting things that I would like to visit. I think it was even possible to go to Porvoo within the allotted time.
Yes, I completely missed something that needs to be said.
You can admire the whole panorama of the city of Helsinki and drink a glass of champagne for your courage from the height of a 12-storey building, namely, a high-rise construction crane, standing in the city center near the railway station, raises a platform with a table at which thrill-seekers sit at this height. .
Sweden. Stockholm. We took a 3.5-hour bus tour, the program of which included a trip to the islands of Stockholm, to about. Djurgå rden, located in the central part of Stockholm. We stopped at observation platforms, from where a magnificent panorama of the city opens from a height of 30 meters. We got acquainted with the modern part of the city, saw the Town Hall. A wonderful tour ended with an interesting, knowledgeable guide in the very center of the Old Town.
And already during a walking tour of the Old Town, we got acquainted with the history of the Royal Palace - one of the largest in Europe, which is the current official residence of the King of Sweden.
The impressions of Stockholm are amazing: an incredibly clean, green, ancient city located on 14 islands. We saw the guards at the Royal Palace, the Town Hall. We went inside a very beautiful Protestant (Lutheran) church. We saw the Cathedral, Kungholmen - the Swedish Academy - the Nobel Museum, the Northern Museum, Lake Meloren. We visited the islands - Ostermalm, Vasastan, Gamlastan.
Departing from Stockholm, we stood on the upper deck for a long, long time and admired the views of countless islands scattered around.
There is something to dream about and what to wish for yourself.
For example, to come to Stockholm for Christmas. Or in the spring, when lilacs bloom, or in summer.
But be sure to come back someday and stay there longer.