Hi everyone! This is episode ten of my Baltics plus Finland series in which I travel to Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland. In this episode, I explore more of the Old Town of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.

The vlogs starts with me taking in a view of the city from one of the viewing platforms on Toompea Hill, the limestone hill in the central part of the city. From here, I walk towards the Alexander Nevsky cathedral and the Riigikogu, the Estonian Parliament. Along the way I talk more about the history of Estonia, in particular the meaning behind the words Reval (the former German name of Tallinn) and Tallinn itself.

At the Riigikogu, I talk more about Estonian politics and the key events of 2005 and 2021. I also explain the legend of the heroine called Linda and her role in the construction of Toompea Hill.

Next we walk down to the town centre and along the way I give more information about Estonia during the Second World War as well as the Soviet period. At ground level, I also talk more about the Estonian language, in particular the National Awakening and the struggle to promote Estonian in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

A student working for a delivery company stop me in the street and asks my channel name so that he can follow me. He is from Pakistan and we end up talking about cricket! Two cricket lovers from faraway countries talking about Cricket World Cups in Estonia - what are the chances!

I briefly head to the town centre to take in some of the Christmas spirit again and also browse the windows and outside merchandise of a few souvenir and clothing shops. I notice more magnificent architecture next to the town square, including the Holy Spirit Church and the Great Guild Hall building on Pikk street.

Lunchtime arrives and I feel a bit peckish, so I set off in search of something to eat. I stumble across a pancake restaurant called the Kompressor, and decide to fill my stomach.

After lunch it is time for more exploring, and I return to Pikk street where I walk the length of the street towards the city gate at the end. Along the way I pass various arts & crafts shops and visit a local Estonian souvenir shop where I buy a fridge magnet. I also pass the former KGB Prison Cells and the iconic St. Olaf's Church.

In the final stages of the vlog, I walk towards the port to see where my ferry to Helsinki will be departing from, before returning to my hotel, where the vlog ends.

I hope you enjoy this video about Tallinn, Estonia in winter! I also hope it inspires you to visit this magnificent city - not just in winter, but at any point. It is a truly magical experience and I already mentioned in a previous vlog that it is my favourite city in the world. I can't wait to return for a fourth time sometime!

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Happy exploring!

Willie

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