EuroTrash 2016 - Estonia, Salzburg and Odessa

[EestiTiger]

We flew home to Tallinn via Avies who I have not flown with before. Estonian Air used to fly here before they went bust last year, such a shame as I loved that airline Being an aviation based forum, here are some token aviation pics.

Aircraft was a tiny little BaE Jetstream turbo prop with an exposed coughpit.

 

[EestiTiger]

For those of you heading this way soon, I have added a couple of brief restaurant review in another thread here http://www.australianfrequentflyer....inn-restaurant-guide-75948-2.html#post1488512

 

[RooFlyer]

Terrific experience on the islands - thanks.

Sigh. Add it to the list.

 

[LadyC]

Thanks for the report so far - I am heading to Tallinn for a wedding next year so good to very some tips. It looks like there is plenty to see and do.

 

[njba]

View attachment 76097

Hats off to anyone who can pull off white pants!

 

[EestiTiger]

In order to offset some of the excesses, I like to get out and go for a morning run or long walk as much as I can. Yesterday I headed over to the old abandoned 'Linnahall' located near the port. It is a MASSIVE concrete structure built in time for the 1980 Olympics. The Sailing regatta was actually held in Tallinn, and locals will proudly tell you that makes Tallinn an Olympic city.

It is an imposing structure and there are no restrictions on people climbing over it. All of the entrances are boarded up so you won't be able to get inside. I really enjoy discovering structures like this. It is not beautiful by any stretch - but it is nice in its own unique way.

You can read more about it here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linnahall

 

[EestiTiger]

 

[mark4217]

Along for the TR ride. Love it.

 

[kermatu]

Fantastic stuff so far. Very jealous.

 

[Cossie]

Linnahall is where the Linda Line cats leave from, (the cats are made in Australia by Austral).

 

[EestiTiger]

Today I went for a run out towards the Sea Plane Harbour. If you strike a rainy day in Tallinn and are after something to do, or if you are travelling with children, slot this into your itinerary. I haven't been inside for a couple of years but it had some very interesting exhibits and I remember I spent many hours in there. Outside there is a flotilla of old ships to explore.

It is located a comfortable 20 min walk from the port and the walking track is nice and wide and you have hardly any roads to cross the whole way out.

More information is here: https://www.visitestonia.com/en/seaplane-harbour-estonian-maritime-museum

I love the actual old seaplane hanger that the museum is housed in. It is an incredibly large space and very unique. Pictures below are of the hanger and a wooden submarine which was powered by two men.

 

[EestiTiger]

As mentioned I only have a couple of short sidetrips planned this summer with one of them being to Austria. Austria is another favourite little country and this year I am spending 3 nights at Salzburg.

I flew down on Air Baltic a low cost carrier from TLL to VIE. I had one night in Vienna and stayed at the Hotel Prinz Eugen. The main reason I stayed here was the location for the early morning train to Salzburg. The hotel was more than comfortable for the price and I would stay here again no worries. In saying that... There was a very funky hotel just down the road that I walked past called Vienna with a boat on the roof as per pictures...



I didn't really plan to do any tourist things in Vienna, but my hotel was basically next to the Belvedere, so I thought I would pop in for a quick instragram photo or two. It is free to walk around the gardens.

 

[burmans]

For my next "big trip" one of the options I am considering is the Baltics States and possibly the Caucusus states as well (Georgia/Armenia). Would appreciate a view on how long I should allocate to the Baltics for a reasonable tour, don't need to see everything but would like to see key sites and also leave some time so we don't feel rushed, to allow time to just relax and do some unstructured tourism (i.e. just walking around soaking in local experiences and sites).

This is because I suspect trying to combine Baltics/Caucusus may be pushing it and we would lose that chance to relax.

 

[EestiTiger]

For my next "big trip" one of the options I am considering is the Baltics States and possibly the Caucusus states as well (Georgia/Armenia). Would appreciate a view on how long I should allocate to the Baltics for a reasonable tour, don't need to see everything but would like to see key sites and also leave some time so we don't feel rushed, to allow time to just relax and do some unstructured tourism (i.e. just walking around soaking in local experiences and sites).

This is because I suspect trying to combine Baltics/Caucusus may be pushing it and we would lose that chance to relax.

Hi Burmans - sorry for the relay replying, have been a bit busy in Salzburg!

I can't really comment on the Caucusus as I have never been. It is close to top of the list so maybe next year it will get a slot. For the Baltics... I would say 2 weeks will give you enough time to factor in some touristy stuff coupled with time to simply relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the three capitals.

If you are in Vilnius I would plan to head out to Trakai and Kaunas as well. This might mean you spend a little more time in Lithuania. All three capitals have a lot of cafes and restaurants that you can simply relax and people watch in. Indeed, one of my favourite pastimes...

I'll post next week some details on the buses you should consider if travelling between the cities. I have a bus on Saturday from Tallinn to Tartu and they are such a great way to travel in these parts.

 

[burmans]

Thanks for that, that was about what I thought. Most 3rd party tours seem to be 1-2 weeks, 2 seems a much more relaxed pace to me!

 

[EestiTiger]

Many years ago when I first found myself in Salzburg I had a backpack strapped to my back and it was part of a 3 month tour of Europe. My interest in Salzburg was due to my dubious love of 'the sound of music'. In those days Couchsurfing was a great way to keep down costs, meet some locals and have a much better travel experience. Sadly couchsurfing is no longer the travel network it was so I rarely use it anymore. The best thing from those days is I have made some fantastic friends and I enjoy nothing more than visiting old friends.
Arriving into Salzburg railway station one of my good friends met me on the platform and rushed me straight off to some mountains she wanted to show me. As it turns out it was the absolutely spectacular Grossglockner High Alpine Road. I have not really seen anything like it. I love watching le tour de France each year and this was classic high mountain scenery straight from le tour! I would not have been brave enough to drive myself and try to take in the scene. Having a local drive you so you could just stare out the window was just brilliant.

 

[EestiTiger]

A few more...

 

[EestiTiger]

I am currently on a train with free wifi, so apologies for the rush of posts...

I must also apologise in advance for the following photos if anyone has sensitive eyes. I really love a funny sign and I couldn't resist making my way to see this rather unfortunately named place...

 

[EestiTiger]

The weather wasn't too flash on a couple of my days in Salzburg which forced us indoors. A place I hadn't even considered when heading this way was Hanger 7. The Red Bull founder displays a lot of Red Bull hardware here. It is a real 'boys toys' sort of place.


A beautiful old F4U-4 Corsair.

Alpha Jet.


P-38 Lightning.

 

[EestiTiger]

One last one from Hanger 7 - cross between a F1 car and the Batmobile...