If you are tired of the traditional feast in front of the TV on New Year's Eve, and you want to experience new sensations from the most fun holiday of the year, we suggest you take a fascinating journey through the Baltic states. More precisely, go to Estonia, in its magnificent capital - ancient Tallinn.
This is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It was founded in 1154, and many unique buildings of those times have survived to the present day. New Year in Tallinn is a huge number of decorated Christmas trees, flickering garlands and candles burning in every window.
Weather in Tallinn for New Year
With the approaching winter holidays, the city is being transformed beyond recognition. Estonians love holidays. If you are going to celebrate the New Year in Tallinn, then, of course, you are interested in the weather in the city at this time.
The daylight in December is about six hours, and the weather is pretty warm. Rarely does the temperature drop below two degrees of frost. In the afternoon, it is held at +2 degrees. The good news is that rains this month are a very rare occurrence. The weather is clear. And on New Year's Eve, snow may fall, which will turn the city into a fairy tale.
You will be greeted by orange tiled roofs with carved weathercocks, old streets with lanterns and centuries-old buildings softly wrapped in snow. The air flavors of marzipan, cinnamon and pine needles, mixing with the multilingual voice of many visitors. Tours to Tallinn for the New Year today are purchased not only by Russians, but also by Europeans.
If you stay in Estonia until mid-January, you may need an umbrella. This month, the average temperature is slightly below zero. It is much warmer during the day, cooler at night, but not lower than -5 degrees. Snow rarely falls in January, but it can rain. At this time, the streets of the city are covered with a thin crust of ice.
New Year in Tallinn - places of rest and traditions
It should be noted that Estonians borrowed many New Year’s customs from the Scandinavian peoples. Popular hats (wreaths) - belong to pagan traditions. And the streets of the city are decorated according to European customs. Cute, like gingerbread houses, dress up with straw crafts.
On the tables you can find such celebratory food as jellied meat, roast, stewed cabbage, beer, homemade cakes. At the end of the feast, the housewives are in no hurry to remove the treats from the table - they are left for disembodied guests, who can stop by guests this night.
Things to do?
No one will be bored here, but you will have the opportunity to walk a lot (the weather in Tallinn has it), admire the local architecture, learn the interesting centuries-old history of the city, enjoy unusual dishes in restaurants and cafes, and learn ancient legends.
Numerous temples hold Christmas and New Year concerts and services. For example, in the Dome Cathedral you can get to the evening of organ music, and on the Town Hall Square to enjoy the performance of musicians and dancers.
What to see?
Tallinn is divided into two parts - Vyshgorod, which is called chivalrous, and Lower Old Town. In the old days, it was a shopping district. From Virus Gate, the Old Town begins. Previously, there were shops and workshops of artisans of the Dominican monastery.
Since 1441, the most important Christmas tree in Estonia has been decorated on Town Hall Square. Here every year a grandiose New Year and Christmas fair unfolds. There is also the oldest pharmacy, which appeared in the city in 1422, and in which today you can buy wine with various spices prepared according to an ancient recipe, as well as various sweets and marzipan. This pharmacy has a small museum.
From the Town Hall Square, where the Historical Museum is located in the Great Guild building, along the old cobbled street Pikk you can go to the Pühawaimu church. Here you can see the most ancient clockwork, stained glass windows and city clocks of the XVII century. This street ends with the Tolstaya Margarita tower and the Sea Gate.
On the parallel Lai street there is an amazing building that belongs to the Middle Ages - "Three Sisters". Today it houses the luxurious Tallinn hotel. On the unusual street-stairs Luhike Jalg, you can approach the Niguliste Church, which houses the world-famous painting by B. Notke "Dance of Death".
If you like a more active holiday, visit the Singing Field. In winter, great slopes for snowboarders and skiers work here. By the way, many residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg come to Tallinn for the weekend and have a great time here.
Where to go with the kids?
Surely children and teenagers will be captivated by the numerous castles and museums in Tallinn. They will also like the zoo, which contains 350 species of animals.
In Tallinn, the Miia-Mila-Manda Museum for Children is dedicated to the nature of Estonia. It is designed for children up to 12 years old. For parents with very young children, the Wemb Tembumaa amusement park is suitable. You can watch a spectacular performance at the city Puppet Theater. Go to the Marzipan Alley, where children will be taught how to make funny figures, which you can then take with you.
New year's night
This fabulous and mysterious night can be spent as standard - at the hotel, where a gala dinner and entertainment program will be organized. But it’s probably more interesting to come up with your New Year’s story.
New Year's Eve in Tallinn can be met in the atmosphere of the amazing restaurant Olde Hansa, which offers guests to plunge into the era of the XIV-XV centuries. The special interior, candles, historical costumes of the staff and, of course, the unusual cuisine will leave a lasting impression.
Treats are prepared according to old and very rare recipes. To prepare these dishes, products that are not very familiar to a modern person are used. There are no potato dishes on the menu that were not yet in the era of the knights, but you will be offered original dishes from lentils, pearl barley, rutabaga.
Where to stay?
It is more convenient to rent housing in the city center, since the main festive events are held here. For example, the famous Christmas market takes place on the Town Hall Square, which is located in the center of Tallinn.
Many hotels offer New Year programs. They include a gala dinner, gifts to all guests, a concert. If you want the New Year to be remembered for a long time, then pay attention to the following hotels:
- Meriton Garden Hotel 4 * is a hotel that offers comfortable double and triple rooms, from whose windows a picturesque view of Tallinn opens. In just a few minutes you will reach the city center.
- Hotel Ecoland Hotel 3 * is located in a quiet area of the capital of Estonia. It can be a great vacation spot for families with children during the holidays.
- Sokos Hotel Viru 4 * is a cozy and modern hotel that offers a wide selection of services ensuring an ideal vacation.
When booking a hotel or apartment, keep in mind that New Year's tours to Tallinn are very popular, so you need to take care of finding accommodation in advance. During the New Year holidays, many tourists arrive in the city. Early booking will allow you to "kill two birds with one stone" - you will have time to choose the most convenient room for you and save on payment, since by December the cost of housing will increase significantly.
Tallinn for the New Year: reviews
According to people who celebrated the New Year 2016 in Tallinn (and who have been here before), such a trip resembled a romantic trip. On New Year's holidays , a special atmosphere of fairy tales, miracles and mystery reigns in the capital of Estonia. Many people say that Tallinn is great for relaxing with children during the holidays in winter.