Christmas in Estonia

Today we have travelled to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, to spend Christmas in this beautiful city. We flew in this afternoon across rural landscapes touched with snow, and a glowing setting sun. As our taxi pulled out of the airport, the sun began to dip below the horizon, and it was only three ‘clock in the afternoon!

The old town in Tallinn is World Heritage listed, and anyone we have asked who knows about it says the place is so beautiful, and it is true. We will post more details over the coming days as we explore, but thought we would make a first post tonight and include a photo we took in the town square this afternoon.

There is a Christmas market in the town square, and it is full of winter gifts like you would never see in Australia. There is a huge Christmas tree, and a number of gluhwein vendors. It is pretty cold, so we thought a gluhwein would warm us from the inside. Somehow we stumbled on Holland House, the stall specialising in Dutch delights in this Baltic city, and got hooked on their ‘Christmas Cocktail Special’. This involves a shot of Galliano, a shot of Gold Strike (a Dutch liqueur) and hot apple juice. It may sound bad in print, but it actually tastes great, and is very warming! We have never seen it in the Netherlands, but we enjoyed it as we stood sipping in the town square and soaking up a Christmas atmosphere so different to our usual experience.