Best of Tallinn - BEST SELLER
This delightful tour allows you to explore both levels of the medieval city of Tallinn and the surrounding areas too.
This delightful tour allows you to explore both levels of the medieval city of Tallinn and the surrounding areas too.
Begin your tour with a drive to the Song Festival Ground for a photo stop. Then, leave your coach at Tall Hermann Tower for a walking tour of Tallinn’s Upper Town from Toompea Hill to the baroque Toompea Castle. Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Cathedral dominates Palace Square and you’ll have a chance to step inside and view its numerous golden icons and mosaics.
Continue on foot along the medieval cobbled streets to visit the gothic Dome Church, the city’s oldest church. From a scenic viewpoint you’ll look down over the Lower Town rooftops, before descending Short Leg Street to the Lower Town itself. Stop in Town Hall Square for some free time before relaxing over lunch in one of Tallinn's typical old town restaurants.
A visit to the Great Guild building will include a concert of medieval music. In Catherine’s Passage there will be a short time for shopping at the craft workshops, where glass, leather and ceramic wares can be seen in production.
Scenic Tallinn
This mainly scenic tour shows you the outskirts of the medieval city of Tallinn, with a short stop at Toompea Hill.
This mainly scenic tour shows you the outskirts of the medieval city of Tallinn, with a short stop at Toompea Hill.
Toompea Hill is where you’ll disembark your coach for a short walk to Palace Square to visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Afterwards, rejoin your coach for a panoramic drive away from the Old Town.
View the vast Song Festival Ground, which can accommodate 30,000 singers on its huge stage and is home to Tallinn’s Song Festival, an Estonian tradition since 1869. The next festival is due to take place in July 2009.
Designed by the great Estonian artist, Amandus Adamson, the Russalka Monument commemorates the Russian sailors lost on the battleship, Russalka, which sank in the Gulf of Finland in 1893.
Travelling along the seashore, you’ll pass Pirita, site of the 1980 Olympic Regatta, before passing the ruins of the 15th century St Bridget’s Convent. Old Tallinn is closed to coaches and so you’ll drive outside the old city’s medieval walls, gates and watchtowers before continuing to the modern city, passing the Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Concert Hall.
Footsteps in Tallinn
A perfect way to explore the medieval city’s cobbled streets, well-preserved architecture, city walls and watchtowers.
A perfect way to explore the medieval city’s cobbled streets, well-preserved architecture, city walls and watchtowers.
Walk up Toompea Hill to the wide Palace Square where, at the top, stands Toompea Castle, a baroque structure used by the Estonian parliament.
Step into the amazing Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, whose glorious mosaics and icons will impress and inspire you. The massive Cathedral dominates the entire skyline of the Upper Town. The Dome Church is your next destination, where, after wandering along narrow cobblestone streets, you’ll see more than 60 coats of arms on display. For a true orientation overview of the town, look out over the rooftops of the Lower Town from a scenic viewpoint.
Head down Short Leg Street to the Town Hall Square and enjoy some free time to see the Gothic Town Hall. A visit to the Great Guild building will include a concert of medieval music before you walk back to your coach in central Tallinn.
Home and Country - SOMETHING DIFFERENT
A unique chance to see how the people of Estonia live, both in the country and in the city of Tallinn.
A unique chance to see how the people of Estonia live, both in the country and in the city of Tallinn.
Your tour begins in Tallinn’s Upper Town. Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the 15th century Dome Church and the nearby viewpoint, where you can enjoy a wide perspective over Lower Town with its church spires, medieval houses and red rooftops.
Continue through the western part of Tallinn and out to Esko Farm. The Farm was established with only 8 cows following the independence of Estonia in 1991. It is owned and managed by one family, aided by a small staff of workers. The Farm produces cheese and curds from cow’s milk, with the products being sold to bakers’ shops and a special cheese restaurant in Tallinn. You’ll be invited to taste their products and wander the small garden. In 2003 the family were awarded a medal for the high quality of their dairy produce and were visited by the President of Estonia.
Back in Tallinn, you’ll visit a typical, small private home. The owners will show you around their house before inviting you to join them for a cup of coffee and a homemade cake.
Romantic Tallinn
Experience the charm of the narrow streets of the Old Town; then relax and enjoy refreshments as jazz musicians play for you.
Experience the charm of the narrow streets of the Old Town; then relax and enjoy refreshments as jazz musicians play for you.
Visit Tallinn’s Lower Town, where romantic narrow streets, little shops and cafés are typically found. Some of the old merchants’ houses have developed new uses for serving the busy citizens of Tallinn, whilst retaining their medieval atmosphere.
After a walking tour of the area you’ll visit one such house, situated near Town Hall Square. At Clazz Restaurant, enjoy cake and a glass of wine while jazz musicians play for you.
After your relaxing stop, your guide will introduce to you some of the best little souvenir shops located in Catherine`s Passage in the Old Town, selling only authentic Estonian handicrafts. This is one of the most romantic places in Tallinn and has been used in films as a backdrop for both medieval London and Paris during the Musketeers’ era.
Helina Tilk Experience - SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Meet the Estonian porcelain artist, Mrs Helina Tilk, and create your own piece to take home and treasure.
Meet the Estonian porcelain artist, Mrs Helina Tilk, and create your own piece to take home and treasure.
Helina Tilk has become famous for porcelain painting and you can find table-wear painted by her on sale in designer shops around the world. In Helina’s workshop you’ll have an exclusive opportunity to express your emotions by painting porcelain under Helina’s guidance before relaxing over a cup of coffee or tea and a slice of cake.
After this experience you’ll return to Tallinn’s centre for a walk through the narrow streets of the Lower Town. Admire St Nicholas Church, view the merchants’ houses of the Hanseatic League and in Pikk Street see the House of Great Guild.
There will be a short stop in Town Hall Square for shopping before returning to the ship.
Soviet Memories
Explore the less traditional aspects of Tallinn and visit sights which, whilst related to its history, especially recall its Soviet past.
Explore the less traditional aspects of Tallinn and visit sights which, whilst related to its history, especially recall its Soviet past.
This tour gives you the exclusive opportunity to visit a submarine which served in the Soviet forces during World War II, become familiar with the fight for freedom of the Estonian Republic, and to see the former KGB house which was witness to the tragic past of many Estonians.
At the seaplane harbour, you’ll visit the submarine, Lembit, the oldest submarine still afloat, as well as the ice breaker, Suur Tõll, dating back to 1914.
In the Old Town, you’ll have a photo stop of the KGB House where the memorial tablet on the wall still evokes the tragedies which began here. In eastern Tallinn is the Forest Cemetery where you’ll see the grave of the first president of Estonia, Konstantin Päts, a victim himself of the Soviet repression. Next to the cemetery soars the TV tower and, on your return journey, you’ll pass by the vast Soviet apartment district of Lasnamäe.
Visit the Estonian Museum of Occupation where articles from the everyday lives of Soviet people are displayed, and where you’ll meet someone who was repressed by the KGB and learn of their life.
Seafaring Estonia
A treat for history buffs, old sea hands and landlubbers alike.
A treat for history buffs, old sea hands and landlubbers alike.
This special interest excursion combines the main sites of the history of sea-faring in Estonia. Alight your coach for a walk along the Lower Town cobbled streets, en route to Town Hall Square. In Pikk Street you’ll see former merchant houses characteristic of Hanseatic cities and several merchants’ guilds which have been preserved here, the most imposing of which is the House of the Blackheads.
Next it’s on to the seaplane harbour where you’ll visit the submarine, Lembit which was launched in 1938. The Lembit is a fascinating pre-war relic and the oldest submarine in the world which is still afloat. You can also see the ice breaker, Suur Tõll, dating back to 1914, Europe’s oldest steam-powered ice breaker.
Tram to Kadriorg Park - NEW
Travel by public tram and explore the popular gardens of Kadriorg Park.
Travel by public tram and explore the popular gardens of Kadriorg Park.
Take a bus ride to the central tram station in Tallinn and embark a local tram for a short trundle along the track to beautiful Kadriorg Park.
Founded by Peter the Great in honour of his empress wife Catherine I, magnificent Kadriorg Palace is enhanced by the tiered gardens surrounding it. The Swan Pond, with its picturesque island, and the grottoes of the upper garden are both a visual delight. Walk along the park avenue to KUMU, the Estonian Art Museum built under the direction of the Finnish architect Pekka Vapaavuori in 2006. Every Estonian is proud of this modern museum, considered to be a new pearl of architecture in Tallinn. Pass the home of the Estonian President and Kadriorg Palace, one the best preserved baroque palaces in the northern countries. You’ll transfer back to quayside by coach.
Toomas and Panorama - NEW
Travel by ‘Toomas’ through the lower part of medieval Tallinn and enjoy a scenic drive of the highlights in the surrounding area.
Travel by ‘Toomas’ through the lower part of medieval Tallinn and enjoy a scenic drive of the highlights in the surrounding area.
Travel out to the beautiful Kadriorg Park where you’ll find the Song Festival Ground, a natural amphitheatre which can seat 300,000 music lovers. See the Olympic Yachting Complex in Pirita, the beachside location for sailing events in the 1980 Olympics and close by are the 16th century ruins of St Bridget's Convent.
Tallinn’s Old Town is full of ancient walls and tower gates and this is where your mini-train trip will begin. The ‘Toomas’ will take you on a 20-minute journey along the cobbled streets of the medieval Lower Town past the historic House of the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, the Church of Holy Spirit and the Town Hall.
Afterwards, there will be the opportunity to shop for local handicrafts in Catherine’s Passage.