Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Tallin Stop from Helsinki---Need advice!



We will be traveling to Tallin for a short stop before heading to Stockholm from Helsinki.



We are a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids aged 8 %26amp; 6).





1) We will have some luggages with us. Where can we secure our luggages as we%26#39;re getting off the ship from Helsinki to visit old town for a couple of hours? Any recommended and affordable storage places by the port?



Walking around with our luggages definitely not the best option.



Ship arrives in Tallin at 10:30am and leaves at 1800 (6pm) to Stockholm.





2) With about 7 hours in Tallin and without a car, what must we see and do in terms of tourist sights and activities by foot?





3) Any suggestions on good, affordable, kids-friendly places to have lunch in Tallin while we%26#39;re there during our very short stay?





Thanks much!




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There are lockers in at least some of the terminals. Check your ferry operator%26#39;s website.



Head for the Old Town, which you can see from the ferry port. That will keep you busy for your entire 7 hours. Read previous posts for specific sights, or get a bunch of free tourist material from the city information office in the Old Town.



There are many restaurants in the Old Town for every pocket and taste. Enjoy wandering the cobbled lanes till you find one you all like the look of.




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Great.



Here is our plan:



Upon arrival, go to Kadriog Castle and park areas, then head to Toompea Hill for platforms and churches: St Olaf, St Nicolas, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Niguliste Church and then, end up at Old Town before leaving to Stockholm at 6pm.





Would this be the right order to do this with such a limited time?





Thanks.




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That%26#39;s workable, as Toompea and the Old Town are essentially the same area.




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You don%26#39;t have much time considering you have to be back at what I guess is Terminal D by 16.30pm. As Old Town is closer to the port than Kadriorg, you are probably right to leave that til last. If you feel like a nice walk (probably 20 -30 mins from the port) you can walk to Kadriorg/Pirita from the port along Narva Mnt, turn right on Weizenburgi and explore Kadriorg from there. You%26#39;ll find some nice places to eat there too, and although not super cheap, still not as bad as old town prices, especially if you are exploring on foot. This a lovely area for kids, fountains, ducks, swans etc and ice-cream vendors. There%26#39;s good museums also should you be interested. After some time there,



you can catch a tram or bus back into the centre - tram no.1, or more frequent buses back to Hobujaama stop (or smewhere you recognise around Viru centre) as this is right by the entrance to Old Town. Buses you can catch: 1, 19, 29, 34, and also variations of these (like a%26#39;s and b%26#39;s) From this end, you can walk through Old Town at your leisure and exit at Pikk Street at Paks Margarita tower, where you will be close to the port.



This is a lot to do though in one day for kids, so I would count on leaving another hour of relaxation time in Old Town, stopping for refreshments etc. At the moment they is target practice fun at the top of Lühike Jalg (street going up to Toompea from Niguliste church) that kids would like.




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how much is the Tram from the port to Kadriog Palace area?



Where do we take it from Terminal D?



We will have our 2 kids aged 8 %26amp; 6.





Thanks much for all info.




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Walking your small kids to Kadriorg is a bad idea in my opinion, as you%26#39;ll need to do a fair bit of legwork in the Old Town. You can get tram tickets at a kiosk before boarding. They don%26#39;t cost much.




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Excellent, John the Finn.



We%26#39;ll catch the Tram # 1 or 3 to Kadriog.





Would you suggest a hop-on/hop-off city tour bus or walk Old Town and Poompea Hill for sights?



If so, which is a reliable/reputable city tour bus?





Thanks.




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Don%26#39;t bother with the HOHO bus at all. Much of the Old Town is off-limits to motor vehicles so the bus tour concentrates on secondary sights outside the city walls. I wouldn%26#39;t try to cram too much into a short visit.

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