Norwegian Dream Cruise 2003 : Tallinn, Estonia

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After a somewhat disappointing excursion to Hamburg, Germany we were hoping that things would be better in Tallinn, Estonia. We were pleasantly surprised. The weather had also improved which was a bonus for our Historic Walking Tour of Tallinn. Tallinn is on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Until we booked this cruise I had forgotted that Estonia was even a country. I certainly hadn't heard anything about it. Turns out it has a very nice medieval town, most of which has been restored and hopping with tourists.

On the short bus ride into the city our tour guide gave us a little bit of history of Estonia's struggle for independence. They finally got their independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and have been rebuilding ever since. What was nice about this tour was that it was a "walking tour" of Tallinn. Our bus took us up to the top of the hill in the Old Town. The tour led us slowly down the hill taking in the sights along the way. Definitely beats long bus rides.

We were shown some old buildings which were restored and are now government buildings. We also saw some really cool churches, most of which do not allow photography inside, a common occurrence in Eastern Europe. Bummer.

Halfway through the tour we made a stop in some courtyard somewhere where we were treated to some Medieval Music. The musicians explained the music, showed off their period instruments, played a few nice pieces then as we left had their CDs available for purchase.

The end of the tour led us to the Old Town Square where we were left to spend some time exploring on our own. Lily at this point was very tired so all we did was go back to a toy store we saw during the tour and bought some Duplo blocks for our daughter to keep her occupied. Fortunately there was some sort of festival going on in the square. It was possibly related to the Tallinn Marathon which was being run while we were there.

That was a great ending to a nice excursion. Overall we found the center of Tallinn to be very quaint but we found the city itself to be a little over-done. Like the whole Old Town was cleaned up in a Disney-like way to make it pretty for tourists but that's about it.

Click on thumbnail for a full-size picture
Our first view of Tallinn from the ship. Viewed: 1 time.	Nicely restored Russian Culture Centre. Viewed: 1 time.	Our guide Mari about to start the tour.
One of the stones used to protect the new parliament from Soviet troops in 1991. Viewed: 1 time.	Part of the Toompea Castle.	Here you can see the Estonian Parliament building that's part of the Castle. Viewed: 1 time.
Another view from the Nevsky Cathedral. Viewed: 1 time.	The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built in the early 1900s. Viewed: 1 time.	This cool sculpture was hanging on a theatre school building. Viewed: 1 time.
Steeple of the Dome Church.	Inside the Dome Church showing the ornate noble shields. Viewed: 1 time.	A typical side street in Old Town. Viewed: 1 time.
Estonian government building.	Why is this sign in English? Viewed: 1 time.	Great view from the top of the hill. Viewed: 1 time.
Another angle.	I can see the harbor but that's not our ship. Viewed: 1 time.	Check out the cowboy boot shaped down spout.
Monument to the famous Estonian writer Eduard Vilde.	Courtyard of the medieval monastery of the Dominicans (burned in 1533) where we listened to Medieval music. Viewed: 1 time.	They showed off their period instruments. Viewed: 1 time.
Off in the distance you can see the tall Church of the Holy Ghost. Viewed: 1 time.	Church of the Holy Ghost, one of the oldest Lutheran churches in Tallinn.	Close-up of the cool clock on the side of the church. Viewed: 1 time.
This is the Art Museum of Estonia. Viewed: 1 time.	St. Nicholas' Museum and Concert Hall.	The less pristine side of Tallinn's Old Town.
There was some sort of festival in the town square. Viewed: 1 time.	Complete with vendors in medieval clothing.	..and belly dancers. Belly dancers?
The town hall dates back to 1402 and was our meeting place at the end of the day. Viewed: 1 time.	One of the coolest down spouts I've ever seen.	The tower looks vaguely middle eastern. Viewed: 1 time.
SIGH There had to be a McDonald's to ruin the atmosphere. Viewed: 1 time.	Tallinn Marathon today.	Caught some runners on the way back to the ship.

Click on thumbnail for a full-size picture

Our first view of Tallinn from the ship.
Viewed: 1 time.

Nicely restored Russian Culture Centre.
Viewed: 1 time.

Our guide Mari about to start the tour.

One of the stones used to protect the new parliament from Soviet troops in 1991.
Viewed: 1 time.

Part of the Toompea Castle.

Here you can see the Estonian Parliament building that's part of the Castle.
Viewed: 1 time.

Another view from the Nevsky Cathedral.
Viewed: 1 time.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built in the early 1900s.
Viewed: 1 time.

This cool sculpture was hanging on a theatre school building.
Viewed: 1 time.

Steeple of the Dome Church.

Inside the Dome Church showing the ornate noble shields.
Viewed: 1 time.

A typical side street in Old Town.
Viewed: 1 time.

Estonian government building.

Why is this sign in English?
Viewed: 1 time.

Great view from the top of the hill.
Viewed: 1 time.

Another angle.

I can see the harbor but that's not our ship.
Viewed: 1 time.

Check out the cowboy boot shaped down spout.

Monument to the famous Estonian writer Eduard Vilde.

Courtyard of the medieval monastery of the Dominicans (burned in 1533) where we listened to Medieval music.
Viewed: 1 time.

They showed off their period instruments.
Viewed: 1 time.

Off in the distance you can see the tall Church of the Holy Ghost.
Viewed: 1 time.

Church of the Holy Ghost, one of the oldest Lutheran churches in Tallinn.

Close-up of the cool clock on the side of the church.
Viewed: 1 time.

This is the Art Museum of Estonia.
Viewed: 1 time.

St. Nicholas' Museum and Concert Hall.

The less pristine side of Tallinn's Old Town.

There was some sort of festival in the town square.
Viewed: 1 time.

Complete with vendors in medieval clothing.

..and belly dancers. Belly dancers?

The town hall dates back to 1402 and was our meeting place at the end of the day.
Viewed: 1 time.

One of the coolest down spouts I've ever seen.

The tower looks vaguely middle eastern.
Viewed: 1 time.

*SIGH* There had to be a McDonald's to ruin the atmosphere.
Viewed: 1 time.

Tallinn Marathon today.

Caught some runners on the way back to the ship.

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