Tallinn tempts me to its shores on a vibrant European summer day, following a packed work week in Finland.
Sailing on a cruise from Helsinki, across the kaleidoscopic Baltic waters, I am already in a mood for exploration. The scent of the sea drifts through the air, blending into the soft murmur of voices on-board.
The cruise is quite full, with multiple nationalities—both tourists, and locals. I step out from the cabin on the deck, entranced by the surrounding vastness and the sight of distant shorelines. I am in company of a dear friend and colleague from South Africa, both on our maiden voyage to Tallinn.
The couple of hours on the cruise pass quickly as we feast on the view, engage in conversations, and savour snacks purchased on board.
Tallinn’s enchanting coastline appears kissed by the light of an unsetting sun. It is past 8 PM, yet the Nordic sky shines in soft pearlescent hues.
A fantasy grips me. "Beyond what looks like towering walls, is Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘Little Mermaid’ singing to sailors in the dark?"
I quickly return to the present.
We ditch the idea of taking a taxi and choose to walk instead. My friend leads the way with her deft command of Google Maps, while I trail with my trolley. Consider us modern-day travellers on the road to a very old world.
The Old Town brimming with Friday evening revelry beckons—a cobblestone haven alive with music and laughter; the streets an intricate tapestry woven from centuries past. The warm glow of lanterns dances along the paths, and as we approach, the architecture whispers of another time. Picture a medieval splendor untouched by modernity.
Upon reaching the hotel, a moment of confusion overtakes us. The heavy ornate door is locked! “Have we stumbled upon some mystery and are about to unlock the secret door of Enid Blyton?”
We spot a telephone on the door. My friend picks up the receiver. The voice from the other end gives us instructions to take the adjacent lane and navigate to the other side of the hotel. Lo behold! We arrive at an artistic porch leading to a beautiful lobby.
We set out for a stroll to soak in the atmosphere of a Friday night in Old Town. At the square, the cafes are adorned with delicate lanterns. The servers are wearing traditional costume and accessories; their attire gracefully woven into the landscape. We linger, savouring a moment that feels stolen from the pages of a story book.
The following morning, Tallinn is transformed. Gone is the pulse of revelry; instead, a quiet dawn light bathed the streets in an ethereal glow. The buildings stand tall, their grey stone walls softened by morning rain, shimmering as though painted by the hand of a gentle master. This looks surreal. I feel the pull of history and beauty all around. I see a horse-drawn carriage rumbling around the narrow cobalt street. “Will Cinderella step out from this carriage?” wonders the romantic in me.
Every shopfront is a window into a story, an artifact of a memory long preserved. We stop at a small, exquisite shop where a young woman speaks of her wares with quite pride. She tells me about the artisans and their crafts, her voice as tender as the treasures she holds. I select an aquamarine scarf.
Wandering through the labyrinth of the ancient streets, I wonder if there might be a "Sleeping Beauty" waiting to be woken up by her prince in any of these beautiful houses.
I marvel at the magnificent architecture. One finds a blend of architectural styles—Hanseatic, medieval Europe, Nordic. and Russian. In 14th and 15th century, Tallinn thrived as a port city attracting merchants and craftsmen from across Europe, shaping its unique mix of Gothic spires, Nordic wooden buildings, and medieval structures. Today, the Old Town Tallinn is recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Old Town stands unfazed by the passage of time. I am particularly charmed by its fairytale appeal. The narrow lanes lined by quaint shops, cosy cafes, and pastel houses make my imagination run wild. “Is that a ‘Goldilocks’ I see looking out of that window?”
I come out of my reverie “There is lot of ground to cover still...” First on the list, the Town Hall Pharmacy, among the most ancient medicine retail outlets in the world.
“The kind of place Rapunzel might visit for a magic potion to grow her hair.”
There I go again!
I find it hard to come out of the spell that the Old Town has cast on me. Throughout the tour, I constantly slip into the fairy tales, somewhat forgotten to me. I feel a bewilderment within, which is so precious, yet rare in a world that has drifted away from fairy tales.
On the cruise back to Helsinki I reflect upon this wonderful personal discovery. It fills me with gratitude. Thank you, Tallinn.
