Last week’s post covered the logistics and point usage of our trip so this week I’ll focus on the sites, etc. As a lot of ground was covered, today will highlight my personal “Top 3” in each locale. Apologies for the poor photo quality – the main SD card was corrupted and is still out for repair so the majority of photos shown here are from the cell phone camera.
Stockholm, Sweden
- Vasa Museum – This warship was built in the early 1600’s and sank shortly into her maiden voyage. Rediscovered in the late 50’s, a group salvaged this behemoth ship and made it into what is now the Vasa Museum. One of the best museums I’ve ever been too!
- Stockholm Archipelago – From well developed islands to tiny spots of land with just a tent, a sail through the archipelago on a nice day is not to be missed. We viewed from our cruise ship but plenty of day trips from Stockholm are available.
- Traditional Swedish Meatballs at Bakfickan – While available many places, I enjoyed a dinner of Swedish Meatballs served in the traditional manner (with fresh lingonberries and pickles) at Bakfickan – a restaurant next to the Opera with a lovely outdoor patio.
Tallinn, Estonia
- The Old Town Walls and Towers – Fat Margaret and Tall Herman are the two most legendary of Tallinn’s towers but the wall in general is just fun to explore!
- Raekoja Plats/Town Hall Square – Lined with restaurants this square is one of the hubs of life in the Old Town. Grab a beer and some pelmeni (Russian dumplings) and savor the day.
- Fun Fact – While not an attraction, I was fascinated to learn that Tallinn is a world leader in the technology field. That’s right! Estonians invented Skype and Kaaza and Tallinn is considered the Silicon Valley of Europe.
St. Petersburg, Russia
- Eliseyev Emporium/Kupetz Eliseevs Food Hall – Right off Nevsky Prospekt this food hall was constructed in the early 1900’s and is an Art Nouveau gem both outside and in. Stop for tea and a cake or to pick up some high quality edible souvenirs.
- The Peterhof Fountains – While the weather was being difficult this day, the grounds and fountains of the Peterhof still adequately impressed.
- The Hermitage – Enormous beyond words! Personally, I was just as entranced with the elaborate interiors as with the artwork displayed. So easy to imagine Tsarist life in these grand buildings.
Moscow, Russia
- Standing in Red Square in front of St. Basil’s Cathedral – How many years I’ve dreamt of this moment! Thank you weather for cooperating.
- GUM Department Store/Upper Trading Rows – The beauty of this store surpassed my expectations! With glass ceilings, elaborate flower arrangements and fountains throughout, it truly is breath-taking. More a mall than department store in US lingo, GUM showcases most high-end, international brands. Below a friend of Natty Gal is enjoying one of the famous 50 ruble GUM ice cream cones. (about 80 cents)
- The Armory Museum, Kremlin – As if the ten Faberge eggs weren’t enough, the Armory Museum also boasts one of the largest collections of carriages in the world, including three that belonged to Catherine the Great.
Russian Honorable Mention:
The subway systems in both St. Petersburg and Moscow live up to the hype and are not to be missed. Some of the deepest and most beautiful in the world!
Helsinki, Finland
- Temppeliaukio/The Church in the Rock – This church, completed in 1969, was built directly into solid rock. The dome is comprised of coiled copper.
- Eating in Market Square – The many fish/food stalls within Market Square provide a great, low-priced meal in an unbeatable location. Soak up the sun at a picnic table and enjoy watching the harbor activity and tourists and Finns alike as they shop the various stalls.
- Local artwork and handcrafts – Of our stops, I was most impressed with the artwork and crafts in Helsinki. While the usual tchotchkes were available, they had some fabulously unique pottery, glass wear, jewelry and woolen pieces. Plenty of reindeer pelts for sale too, if you’re in the market for one of those.
Riga, Latvia
- Art Nouveau District – Riga is home to one of the richest collections of Art Nouveau architecture in the world. The small but lovely art nouveau museum has a beautiful interior restoration.
- The Entire Old Town – Just loved Riga and could see myself living here!
- These Tennis Shoes – Spotted in a shop as I was walking around in the old town!
Klaipeda, Lithuania
- Sculpture Hunting in the Old Town – These sculptures are hidden in parks, on doorsteps, etc. throughout the small but charming town center of Klaipeda
- The Hill of Witches – The Hill of Witches is located on the UNESCO World Heritage site Curonian Spit. Founded in 1989, the hill now boasts more than 80 sculptures.
- The Fishing Town of Nida – This town is in the southern most location on the Lithuanian side of the Curonian Spit. Next stop on the Spit…Kaliningrad, Russsia. Some of the town’s iconic weathervanes are pictured below.
Warnemunde, Germany (day trip to Berlin)
- The East Side Gallery/Berlin Wall – This is Berlin’s longest remaining section of wall as well as the longest open air art gallery in the world!
- Brandenburg Gate – Like St. Basil’s, it’s just one of those photo ops you can’t pass up!
- Ampelmann/East German Crosswalk Man – This charming crosswalk signal mascot has his own store full of souvenirs featuring the beloved fellow.
Copenhagen, Denmark
- Tivoli Gardens – This has easily got to be one of the most innocent places on earth. With rides for the kids and lovely beer gardens, restaurants and concert venues for adults, it’s damn near perfect. Go on the Hans Christian Anderson ride to rediscover what it’s like to be three.
- Nyhavn – Photogenic and active; Nyhavn is one place almost everyone stops while in Copenhagen. Great for a beer, meal or post-dinner ice cream and some fabulous people watching!
- Freetown Christiania – A squatter’s commune composed of about 850 residents. No photos on “pusher street” where dealers wear face masks to keep identities hidden.
