GlobalTrash 2017 - London, Estonia, Slovenia and United States

[EestiTiger]

I popped down to Pärnu for a couple of days with friends. The weather wasn't the best, but we were staying at a spa resort allowing us to swim and relax in a managed climate. It is a great way to spend the time when the weather is no good. If you do find yourself in Pärnu the best restaurant in town is attached to the Estonia Resort Spa and is called Noot.

Pärnu old town.


Pärnu has a lot of parks and avenues of tree lined streets. It is very green and beautiful.


Tallinn, and indeed Estonia, promotes itself as a technology centre. One of the interesting things this Summer was a self-driving 'bus' they had running on the road whilst the usual tram was out of service. It was pretty cool but it travelled very slow!


I love my cycling so one day I hired a bike and did a 60km loop out into the countryside following Eurovelo 13. It was a paved cycleway all the way. I had it essentially to myself. It was good to stretch out the legs and being so flat it would be perfect for people of all abilities to go as little or as far as they like.



If only I had the legs to tow this beer trailer home with me...

 

[EestiTiger]

One of the highlights of my trip so far was the day a good mate and I went for lunch outside of the city centre with the plan to do a walk in the forest and ended up finding a random brewery. It was in a derelict ex-Soviet factory and not inviting at all on the outside. We were following google maps and it showed it on there so we thought we would check it out, naively thinking they'd have maybe a beer garden or at least a shop front.

Wow - talk about the strange things that happen. We walk straight in a open doorway into the actual brewery. The staff were a bit shocked to have a couple of Aussies just rock up but were just amazing. Were more than happy to give us an impromptu tour. You can't walk around on a tour without a beer so before we knew it we had beers in our hands as well. The best part though, was when we left they gave us a 6 pack to take on our forest walk Just a random unexpected experience

 

[craven morehead]

I am back... Sorry for the lack of updates on here. I have been having way too much fun and haven't found the time for sitting in front of my laptop

My London stint was short and before long I was winging my way to Helsinki. I have been to Helsinki many times and despite the prices it is one of my favourite cities. Helsinki certainly turned on the weather for me with a stunning Summer's day.

ozmatt : I will be in HEL for the first time next week for only 2.5 days on my way home. Staying at the Holiday Inn City Centre as per OZDUCK's suggestion that is was a nice easy train trip in from the airport. What in your experience are the " must do's " cheers CM

 

[EestiTiger]

ozmatt : I will be in HEL for the first time next week for only 2.5 days on my way home. Staying at the Holiday Inn City Centre as per OZDUCK's suggestion that is was a nice easy train trip in from the airport. What in your experience are the " must do's " cheers CM

Super easy hotel rail connection there if you are at the Holiday Inn

Must do's in my book are probably not what the tourism board suggests but for me...

Finnish sauna - especially if it is a cough day. I went to a lovely one down on the harbour last year here: Löyly If you can find my trip report on here from a year ago I put some details on it.

The Lutheran cathedral is a must see. You will recognise it from this clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6120QOlsfU I love the architecture of Helsinki. I can get lost just wandering the streets looking at buildings. Yes my friends think I am strange!

For your daily caffeine needs head to this place - https://www.kaffaroastery.fi/ It is on the way to the sauna place.

There are a few rooftop bars and restaurants which are good. Head to level 5 of Kamppi shopping centre for a nice view. It is a sort of up-market food-court with small restaurants.

I am not sure if it will still be open now that Summer is over, but there is a nice rooftop terrace close to your hotel here https://www.raflaamo.fi/en/helsinki/restaurant-loiste

Make sure you check out the markets down near the harbour and also the old market hall towards the LindaLine ferry terminal. There is also a nice park this way with views over the harbour.

Esplanade park is beautiful too. It is probably not as crowded now when compared to Summer. Cafe Esplanade is a great place to people watch on a nice day.

I guess the main thing I would do is just walk and explore. I found this gorgeous little cafe years ago when I went for a random run around a lake here http://cafetaideterassi.fi/

Talking of running, I need to run to a flight

 

[OZDUCK]

Ozmatt recommended the old market hall - we enjoyed a wander through. It is only open 0800 - 1800 Mon - Fri. There are lots of small shops selling all sorts of food. We had some lovely soup there with plenty of fresh bread - sitting on high benches with water supplied at [FONT=&amp]Soppakeittiö[/FONT] .Extra nice when the Temp. was under 10C. See https://familystyles.wordpress.com/...and-part-one-the-old-market-hall-in-helsinki/

 

[EestiTiger]

Oops - I haven't closed out my trip report! Will do some further updates now that I am home and have more time

 

[EestiTiger]

This year I also squeezed in a visit to Narva in the far Eastern corner of Estonia bordering Russia. Trains are cheap and fast 13 Euros first class and about 2.5 hrs. I love Estonian trains. They are all new thanks to the EU and I love the colour combination.




Narva was heavily bombed and all but destroyed in the war. It used to be more beautiful in Tallinn according to some of my knowledgeable Tallinn friends. One of the only buildings the Soviets bothered rebuilding was the town hall as pictured below.



Narva is very Russian with not much Estonian to be seen or heard. A lot of Russians were settled in these parts by Stalin to work in the heavy industries which used to be based here.

Narva was very wet while we were there. Our plan was to stay at one of the beach resorts out in the Narva beach area. It has a very nice beach which is very busy on nice summer days. We were staying at the newest and dare I say the best resort called Noorus Spa Hotel.

They really do a good job of Spa Resorts in Estonia. It doesn't matter what the weather outside is like there are spas, pools, saunas all making up a single resort complex. My friends and I spent the best part of the afternoon here relaxing. Of course there is a bar so it was an enjoyable way to spend a rainy day.

Below is a picture of Narva beach early evening and a beach cafe, late evening.

 

[EestiTiger]

Here are some more random photos in and around Tallinn.

Kadriorg Palace - A lovely part of Tallinn and easy to get to on foot or via a tram. It is part of a big park. A good place to go for a walk or run.



Pirita Convent - There are operas held here each Summer.



Pirita beach - usually packed in Summer but this day was very cool and windy.

 

[EestiTiger]

One of the getaways we had planned this Summer was an Adriatic roadtrip, landing in Croatia and flying out of Italy. Despite the title of the trip report, we spent most of our time in Croatia not Slovenia. We have spent a lot of time over the years in Croatia on a friend's boat but haven't been to the North part before.



We flew into Rijeka on Nordica. A lot of Estonians would probably stay in Rijeka but we decided to stay further North in Opatija (pictured below). After a very wet Summer in Estonia it was good be at the beach with nice weather. Truth be told, it was a bit too hot for the two Australians although our three Estonian companions did not agree.

 

[EestiTiger]

A lot of our time in Croatia was spent either in restaurants, bars or swimming in the sea.

 

[EestiTiger]

On our way to Italy we passed through a lot of small Croatian villages and towns. We stopped at a place called Buzet, to get some truffles after seeing all the signs. I feel guilty we didn't stay longer. It looks like a really nice area and I am a sucker for hilltop old towns and well, truffles



I am loving the new forum platform - finally posting pictures without having to edit them

 

[OZDUCK]

Your photos are encouraging me to explore the Baltic States outside of just Tallinn and Helsinki.

Croatia looks very nice and that "cold collation" looks fabulous.

 

[EestiTiger]

Out time in Slovenia was sadly very short. I have been to Slovenia before and had some incredible experiences.

We had a long lunch so could at least feel like we did something. The number one thing I wanted to do was get stuck back into some Slovenian ice-cream. I have said it since my first visit that Slovenia has the best ice-cream in the World and after this fleeting visit, I am sticking to my claim.

We stopped at Koper a seaside old town and it was sooooo hot. It wasn't very busy but I think that was due to the smart people either being at the beach or sitting inside in air-conditioning.

 

[EestiTiger]

Your photos are encouraging me to explore the Baltic States outside of just Tallinn and Helsinki.

It is very easy get around and out of Tallinn with buses and trains. The Lux Express buses are a great way to travel around Estonia, the other Baltic states and even to Warsaw and St Petersburg.

 

[EestiTiger]

The last night of our Adriatic roadtrip saw us in Trieste. I think I am probably the only person on this forum who has arrived in Italy for the first time in Trieste. Not exactly on the well worn tourist trail. We arrived late afternoon and once freshed up, out we went for some Italian fare. We stumbled across the Piazza Unita d'Italia on the way to a restaurant which was quite spectacular at night.



One of the bars we came across had swings - in the bar, at the bar... Not exactly practical!



The following morning I was up early for a run around the waterfront on a glorious day.

 

[OZDUCK]

"The last night of our Adriatic roadtrip saw us in Trieste. I think I am probably the only person on this forum who has arrived in Italy for the first time in Trieste"

Well, I am afraid you think wrong. This little black duck did that on our 3 month Euro Road Trip in 1976 - arriving from Yugoslavia - as was.

 

[EestiTiger]

Well, I am afraid you think wrong. This little black duck did that on our 3 month Euro Road Trip in 1976 - arriving from Yugoslavia - as was.

I don't feel so strange now Of course, only staying there for one night and not seeing any more of Italy on my first visit should be a sin!

 

[OZDUCK]

I don't feel so strange now Of course, only staying there for one night and not seeing any more of Italy on my first visit should be a sin!

We only really passed through Trieste on our way down to Venice - and then spent another 2 weeks or so in Italy. (Irritatingly smug emoji should be here.)

But, I must thank you for the tip about Lux Express bus line in the Baltic - and the tempting photos of Estonia etc.. We are now very close to booking, via the QATAR companion fare sale ex Sin, to fly to Helsinki and this time travel through the Baltic States with perhaps a ferry trip to St Petersburg. Lux looks very good, convenient and at a reasonable price.

 

[EestiTiger]

Sadly my Eurotrip this year was a lot shorter than usual on account of spending some time in the states on this trip too. Had one night in Porvoo with some friends before my AY flight to LHR and onwards to JFK the following day.

Helsinki Airport up the steps for private security screening and random self-serve Starbucks.



Finnair has the best glassware - Iittala glasses with an Aussie red. They had another Aussie red in the Finnair lounge.


Concorde Room at LHR. It was quiet when I was there so and had a lot of time to kill.


I have never been up the front of a 747 and really wanted to tick that off the list before I missed my chance. I had an amazing flight in a pretty empty cabin. It was everything I thought it would be and am glad I went to all the effort to find the seat.

 

[craven morehead]

Sadly my Eurotrip this year was a lot shorter than usual on account of spending some time in the states on this trip too. Had one night in Porvoo with some friends before my AY flight to LHR and onwards to JFK the following day.

Helsinki Airport up the steps for private security screening and random self-serve Starbucks.

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Finnair has the best glassware - Iittala glasses with an Aussie red. They had another Aussie red in the Finnair lounge.
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Concorde Room at LHR. It was quiet when I was there so and had a lot of time to kill.
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I have never been up the front of a 747 and really wanted to tick that off the list before I missed my chance. I had an amazing flight in a pretty empty cabin. It was everything I thought it would be and am glad I went to all the effort to find the seat.

View attachment 109039 View attachment 109040 View attachment 109041 View attachment 109042 View attachment 109043

I actually pre-ordered (20% discount) 2 sets of both these & the spirit glasses on the HEL-TXL leg of my trip and they were handed to me on my HEL-SIN flight a week or so later. FA came down with portable eftpos machine and bang transaction complete. I gave one set of each to friends I caught up with in SIN on the way home. Apparently originally designed by master glass blower to resemble melting ice.