TALINN

BY Stephen Whitlock, executive summary by darmansjah

Estonia is one of the smallest countries in Europe, but 1.3 million people belong to the people the happiest. Last year, the State covering an area of ​​45.000 km2 is celebrating 20 years of independence from Russia, as well as replacing its currency to the euro from Kroon. Still in 2011, the capital of Estonia, Talinn, crowned by the European Union as the cultural capital of Europe. Unlike many countries in the Blue Continent, the unemployment rate here is low, and the economy thanks to the presence of optimism wrapped in big companies such Skype.

Medieval walls

Start browsing through the walls of the medieval old town bordering the region. Was built in 1310 at the commandment of the King of Denmark, the fort continued to be extended to finally penetrate the one kilometer in the 16th century. Of the 46 towers that rose in that period, only 26 still exist, and three of them can be visited from Suurkloostri Gate. Enough to pay U.S. $ 1.70, you can climb the 45 steps to the castle and tower. One to watch: very steep stairs connecting the castle, dark, and narrow. Those who bring children, suffer from claustrophobia, or the use of high heels should avoid this place.

Culinary and Fashion

Tired of exploring the castle, now the time to fill the stomach. Visit the trendiest restaurants in Talinn, Sfaar (Mere puiestee 6E, 03 732 56.9922 million; www.sfaar.ee) interior featuring white walls, stylish chair Denmark, and pottery made by finland-a combination that shows the influence of culture in the Nordic countries neighboring Estonia. Even so, for the affairs of the menu, Sfaar committed to the local taste. Two flagship is the wild boar meat pie (U.S. $ 15) and fried eggs with venison sausage (U.S. $ 4). Finished eating the main meal, do not skip dessert, particular variety of pastries with cheese curds (milk cows). The restaurant is open from eight to 23 also has a clothing store selling a variety of European labels, one of Sweden Acne.

Electro Pop

especially If you want a beer that is served medieval costumed girl with lute (a traditional European guitar )accompaniment of a variety of pastries with cheese curds, Tallinn is the right destination. But such places are usually crowded by tourists. For a different atmosphere, visit the Butterfly Lounge (Vana-Viru 13/Aia 4, 0372 56 903 703; kokteilibaar.ee). Bar, which opened in 2010 offers a martini cocktail (U.S. $ 6.50) are served by waiters dressed in pink, with background music electro pop era of the 1980s. Each mixed cocktails seriously, and a host of trophies from various mixology competition proves the dedication of this place in concocting drinks.

Resto Winter

Nehemiah (Lootsi 4, 0372 6022222; www.neh.ee) is one of the ideal excuse to wander at night. Restaurant occupies two floors are stone-walled house is only operated in the winter. Beyond that period, the staff fled to Padaste Manor, hostels lluks Muhu Island, about 160km southwest Talliin. And delicious menu  in Neh is ostrich with pine vodka sauce and quince fruit (like pears) with ice cream roses and gray grass. Meal for two without drinks around US$ 112.

Forbidden

Lift the Sokos Hotel Viru (Viru valjak 4, 0372 6 809 300; www.sokoshotels.fi) did not reach the top floor. The reason, in the roof of the hotel room once used as headquarters of the KGB. On January 2011, the room was reopened in the form of a small museum that offers tours in English (U.S. $ 9). Some amateurs impressed ornament KGB camouflage techniques from the perspective of the current password, for example, writing in Russian on the door which means 'Empty Space'. However sophisticated intelligence techniques. The agents can install listening devices in rooms, telephones, steam room, and even ashtrays. Jokes the guide of life in the Uni-Soviet sounds scary and ridiculous.

Onion domes

dining find Orthodox Cathedral of Estonia, St. Alexander Nevsky (Pikk 64-4, 0372 641 1301, www.orthodox.ee), housed within a dome-shaped building onion. For the route home, take the road through the park king of Denmark, the best location to watch the spectacular panorama of the old town.

Incisor

The name of the oldest cafes in Tallinn is still used today: maiasmokk (Pikk 16, 0372 64 64 079; www.kalev.ee), meaning 'the sweet-toothed', a fitting description for the majority of Estonia. Since 1864, this place is constantly invaded by fans of the traditional cake (US $ 5). There is a cafe right next to Kalev Marzipan Room Museum, the museum contains a variety of marzipan sculptures made of almonds in California and painted different colors. For a more modern sense, to cross the road to Anneli Viik (Pikk 30, 0372 644 4530; anneliviik.ee), cozy cafe that sells handmade chocolate truffles and hot chocolate (truffles U.S. $ 1; cokelatpanas US$ 4.60).

Music Independence

Although Tallinn is populated less than 500,000 souls, concert halls here presents a variation of music that could satisfy the millions of people. Almost every night, Estonia Concert Hall (0372 614 7760, www.concert.ee) and the Estonian National Opera (0372 683 1201, www.opera.ee) entertained generations of visitors. Both buildings are located in Estonia Ppuiestee 4, outside the old town. Before or after the show, sit for a moment in Wabadus (Vabaduse valjak 10, 0372 53 701 903, www.wabadus.ee), lounge whose name means' independence'-a stark contrast compared to the original name, Moskva (Moscow).

Eat in Heaven

Late for dinner? Visit the O (mere puiestee 6E, 0372 661 6150, http://www.restoran-o.ee) right next to Sfaar. Its name (pronounced uur) is a Swedish alphabet, which means island. Decorative thin fabric that hung from the ceiling and carved angel wings on light make dining at this place like paradise. Open for dinner serving with red beet or fruit soup boiled eel with apple wine. To avoid confusion with a choice of menu, buy the package containing six small meals US $ 85.

Mini Towel

Mayorits curb in Tallinn filled with shops and street vendors selling amber and linen fabrics. You may not like amber, but always interesting mini towel as a souvenir. Most linen adopt a traditional design, but at Zizi (Suur-Karja 2 and Vene 12, 0372 644 1155; www.zizihome.eu). You will find a striking pattern, bernai, too modern. Zizi sells various souvenirs, ranging from napkins and tablecloths to sheets and pillows - all made of linen typical Estonia and priced at an affordable price (US $ 6 mini towel).

Closing Tour

Before leaving, devote some time to visit the Bonaparte Deli (Pikk 47, 0373 024 6464; Bonaparte.ee), an international culinary outlets peddling, ranging from Japanese tea, wine New Zealand, until the bread round Ireland. Estonia typical pastries containing bacon and minced meat is an ideal snack after tracing cobbled streets in Tallinn. The name of this cake is quite difficult to pronounce, toorsuitsupeekonihakklihapirukas, but at least he was tasty and cheap US$ 1.33.

Getting There

Meanwhile, only KLM which flies from Jakarta to Tallinn (www.klm.com) Hotel that exudes the charm of the old town, The Three Sisters, shade 23 rooms in the building of the 14th century. Figures in a world of staying in his room, call it Inggir Queen and the Emperor of Japan (Pikk 71/Tolli 2, 0372 630 6300, threesistershotel.com, ranging from U.S. $ 330). Occupying the former old post office, hotel suite Telegraaf overshadow each of the past menggusung celebrity names, for example, Samuel Morse and Alexander Graham Bell (Vene 9, 0372 600 0600; telegraafhotel.com, ranging from $ 197