Baltic Beauty: Riga and Tallinn

Two places we had never even heard of before became favourites on this trip so far.   Unfortunately it started to pour down after we got off our buses at Riga, but there were many lovely places to visit, and our experienced tour guides were able to keep us under shelter for at least part of the time. 

The Art Nouveau architecture in Riga, Latvia, is quite unexpected and amazingly preserved, considering how much this part of the world and its heritage suffered under Soviet occupation. 

There are a number of fascinating buildings, many with animal ornaments on their rooftops, some quite humorous. 

We were on two different tours in Riga.  Gail went for a panoramic drive around the city, then walking in the old town where there is a domed cathedral under reconstruction, in which there is a magnificent pipe organ with over 5, 000 pipes.  It was built in Germany in 1884 and is still in operation.  A highlight of this tour was a concert on the fabulous organ.

John  first went on a tour of Jumanga, a resort town on the Baltic coast with fancy resort homes for very rich Russians who still maintain a presence in the area. Apparently Putin has a summer home in the area.  After Jumanga, we went off to Riga in the rain.

Watch tower at Riga

Cat on an old tin roof

Riga in the rain

Gail with a very large rooster in an old church

 

Tallinn, Estonia is the largest Baltic center of industry and culture.  A modern, bustling city, it is enjoying a higher standard of living than most neighbouring communities.  The gem of Tallinn for tourists such as we are, is the old town which lies behind a fortress wall and is accessed through picturesque tower gates dating back to the thirteenth century.  There are no cars on the cobbled streets that take us back in time, while maintaining a unique northern character.  We were fortunate to have the sun for our visit, as the day started with looming clouds and threats of rain.  The air is cool in these northern cities on the water, making it very pleasant for exploring the many fascinating little streets.  There were numerous vendors of local crafts and souvenirs, all made in Estonia, of very high quality.  Gail had to buy a linen hat because the sun became too bright!

It was fun to take a leisurely stroll around this beautiful place together, without having to worry about a tour group today.  We enjoyed a lunch of local fare – lots of fish and vegetables washed down with Estonian beer – all good.  Of the Baltic cities we have visited so far, Tallinn is by far our favourite.

Old city gates of Tallinn

A dragon gargoyle on a church in Tallinn

Old and not so old (McDonalds in medieval town)

 

 

We enjoyed an Estonian lunch washed down with wonderful local beer.

  Tallinn is actually a very large, bustling modern city with a thriving economy.  The Medieval part has been preserved as an outstanding tourist attraction.  What fun!

Modern Tallinn