Leaving Sigulda we went back to Riga for a few hours, just long enough to enjoy a meal of dumplings, a final farewell to the old city, a look at the crowd of young people ready to the follies of the weekend, a look at our hostel and off to catch the bus that will lead us in Estonia. Departure at 23.40 arriving in Tallinn at 5.50, fortunately we stayed for the duration because the few times I opened my eyes I could see was fog in front of me and I have no idea how the driver was driving. Arrived, it was mounted on the first bus to Tartu at 6.45 am, where we stop for a day and return later in the capital of Estonia, the cost varies depending on the bus from 70 to 120 EEK, 90 EEK in this case (6 €) and at least in the station are posted all the time with their prices, travel time is 2.30 to 3 hours. We did not go directly to Tartu as there is a single connection flights at 19.00 and arrival at 23.20 we would have to stay an extra night and so for convenience and savings, even if not much, we opted for another solution ...
Tartu, Estonia's second city is a small place but very nice view of the rich cultural life due to the presence of the historic university. Walking through the streets of downtown, admiring the main square, the university, the nearby botanical garden with a pleasant ride in the garden, climb the hill of Toomemagi and treat yourself to a 'resting on the river spends. Among the many museums in the city consentitevi absolutely the visit of the Estonian National Museum (Kuperjanovi tanav 9) probably the most interesting of Estonia, which illustrates the history and cultural traditions, and also before the find a computer with internet connection that we used abundantly.
Overall we are very impressed by this town in the end, it was a bit 'disappointing perhaps because there were few people probably due to the fact that the university is closed in August.
In return we stayed in one of the best hostels in quality and comfort even if it was devoid of atmosphere, of my life, the Student Village or Hostel You Pepler (in Pepler Tanav 14) is a huge, modern 4-storey building located less than one km to the south-west of downtown, offers single / double 300/250 EEK ( 20/16, 50 €) per person. Frustrated and frightened by the excessive costs were tempted to leave but eventually tired and we decided to stay once they enter the room here is the surprise: huge bathroom with shower, kitchenette, TV, towels and soap is a little flat and I think digging much used by students. Another hostel to the Hostel Tartu, Soola Tanav 3, is located near of the bus but we have not verified cost and quality.
A place where you can eat on a budget is in the center and at the Old Student Coffee, Ulikooli Tanav 20, located in a part of the university, but be careful because the ground floor there is a satiating meal offering daily specials at reasonable prices affordable on the first floor coffee itself with a greater variety of dishes but also costs. At the intersection of two pedestrian streets and Kuuni Tanav Vanemuise Tanav found a shopping center with a well-stocked supermarket.
At this point it was decided to change our itinerary and so rather than bring us a couple of days in the national park we Laheema went straight to Tallinn and then we would hike in the park.
Tallinn needs no introduction, no doubt, among the three, is the capital best known and most fascinating, thanks to its proximity to Scandinavia and the beauty of its medieval old town so authentically, even if this alas due to a greater number of tourists and costs. We stayed 4 days, practically the last of our amazing holiday and then leave for Stockholm where we had the flight home.
Although not particularly large, the old town is beautiful and attractive, it is pleasant stroll through the cobblestone streets admiring the stunning medieval walls and towers among the best in the world, enjoy the view as the Toompea hill, breathing the atmosphere of medieval times that you feel at every turn. Then if you have time you might enjoy a walk in the park or along Kadriog Pirita Tee bordering the Bay of Tallinn to a couple of miles north-east of downtown, or visit the open-air museum of Rocca al Mare, 6 km west , where the oldest preserved wooden structures in Estonia. Avoid rather than go on the islands in front of Tallinn, is a great disappointment.
In August, the high number of visitors could cause problems in research a sleeper, but do not despair, there are many hostels in the city center. Of all the advice you Tallinn Backpackers ina Lai Tanav 10, friendly, youthful, kitchen and internet available, bed 225 EEK (15 €) but are also available for comfortable mattresses in the attic at 150 EEK. In Uus Tanav there are two others, the Old Town Hostel Uus 26 el'Hostel, sleeps between 250-300 EEK. Another good hostel is the Vana Tom in Väike-Karja 1 near the square, in a dormitory bed 250 EEK, in the same building of the strip club. In Nunne Tanav, near the square, the streets and Lai Pikk Eurohostel location, bed in a dormitory with 290 EEK, a little 'anonymous. These more or less of hostels center.
On the entertainment, the city abounds even more, practically every alleyway hides a beer, then turned to find the most suitable to you. Just to give some information: in Suur-Karja 4-5 Tanav find pubs with dance floor, are increasingly popular tourist and local, the largest are the Nijmegen and Nimet Baar, facing each other. While two more obscure and less local attractions where you can breathe a different atmosphere are the Von Krahl Bar (Rataskaevu 10/12) and Levi'st Valjas (Olevimagi 12) are both very pretty. For the most famous discos and Hollywood (Rooms-Sleeps 8) open Thursday Saturday entry fee, then there are the Venus Club all'incorcio between Viru and Tanav Mere Puiestee is trendy and the Café Amigo shopping center Viru Keskus Mantee in Narva, both at the eastern end of the old city.
Our last day in the land of Estonia we spent in the national park and luckily Laheema unlike the previous day was a sunny day. To achieve this there are two different possibilities: from the bus station in Tallinn, which is located a few miles south east of the center two buses depart daily (8:30 to 12:00 65 EEK) for Vosu, village coastline within the park and many buses to the southern end Viitna.
The Lahemaa is the largest park in Estonia and includes a stretch of coastline with peninsulas and bays, 480 km of wooded countryside with lakes, rivers and waterfalls. The many hiking trails that wind through it and allow to appreciate the flora and fauna.
The main problem remains that of being able to move inside, as there are no local means of transport and if you do not have a car you will be in big trouble. A good way to visit it can be cycling, but also do not rent here simple, or at most groped his luck at hitchhiking. So in the end we found ourselves to walk fifteen miles in the bush absolutely nothing, unfortunately, can not fully appreciate the beauty of the park with the sole means of locomotion, our legs, and I will never cease to thank that girl with the Its passage has probably avoided that we lost the bus.
If you want to stay there are campsites and hostels scattered here and there, find out beforehand or ask the tourist center of Palms.
The next morning we left Estonia with destination Helsinki several maritime links between the two cities 5-6 run by companies, the port is just north of downtown. Vessels are divided into two categories: the ferry takes 3 hours and a half but they cost less and hydrofoils 1 hour and a half, so you're spoiled for choice according to your needs. We opted for the 8:00 ferry for Viking Line which cost us € 13 with student discount, the full cost 18. There is also a direct connection between Tallinn and Stockholm operated by Tallink and lasts 13 hours, only cabins.
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