Meet your new favourite European city: Tallinn.
Whether you love old cobbled streets or chic shopping plazas, you’ll find them both here in an Estonian city which blends old and new effortlessly, hosting a perfectly preserved Medieval Old Town alongside hip bars, restaurants and a business centre.
Tallinn is spectacularly beautiful, so treat yourself to a mini-break here with today’s Big Deal, which offers direct flights from Edinburgh and a three-night central hotel stay.
Book early enough and you can even bag a swish four-star hotel…
Estonia break
The Big Deal, exclusive to 5pm customers, flies you direct to Tallinn Airport from Edinburgh International and includes hand luggage.
You will be staying for three nights in room only accommodation based on two sharing a standard double or twin room at either the three-star Metropol Hotel or (if you’re quick) the four-star Hotel L’Ermitage.
The city breaks are for three nights, flying out from Edinburgh International with Ryanair on the following dates:
7th, 14th, 21st, 28th April 2019
5th, 12th, 19th, 26th May
16th June
28th July
18th August
1st, 15th, 29th September
6th, 20th October
8th, 22nd, 29th November
13th December
10th, 17th, 24th, 31st January 2020
7th, 14th, 21st, 28th February
Please note that trips are Sunday to Wednesday until October, then from November, you can enjoy a Friday to Monday weekend break.
Flight will depart from Edinburgh at 07:15, arriving in Tallinn at 12:00. They will depart from Tallinn at 12:40, arriving in Edinburgh at 13:25. Flight times can change and will be confirmed at the time of booking.
Early booking – modern four-star central hotel
Book early enough and you can snag a stay in the four-star Hotel L’Ermitage.
This modern getaway is based in the heart of Tallinn, close to the Town Hall (the oldest in all of Scandinavia and the Baltics), as well as the chocolate-box-pretty Toompea Castle.
All rooms are decorated in a slick, contemporary style with cheerful splashes of colour. They include a minibar, free WiFi, LCD TV with satellite channels and a modern bathroom with a hairdryer.
Breakfast isn’t included in this Big Deal, but you might want to tuck into the daily morning buffet served in the classically furnished hotel restaurant. Later on, it serves both Estonian and international dishes.
The hotel’s lobby bar has a fireplace and a wide range of drinks. Or if you prefer, you can unwind in the Finnish sauna, which has a small charge.
The 24-hour front desk staff can assist you with bicycle and car rental services.
Modern three-star central hotel
The three-star option will be the Metropol Hotel in the fascinating Rotermanni Quarter, not far from Kanuti Aed park and the Old Town area.
Each of the hotel’s elegantly decorated rooms have a minibar, under-floor heating and free WiFi, as well as satellite TV and a private bathroom with a shower and hairdryer.
The hotel’s Pizzanut restaurant serves breakfast each morning. There also is a beauty salon on-site with a hairdresser, barber and beautician, should you fancy a treatment or two before an evening out exploring Tallinn.
Metropol Hotel is connected to Metropol Spa Hotel by a corridor, meaning that you can check out the other hotel’s restaurants and bars as well.
Blending old and new
Tallinn is a city which really does have everything.
You could spend your three days there strolling the cobbled streets of its Medieval Old Town, taking in the castles, squares and city walls.
A business and technology centre, Tallinn has a modern side too with a vibrant restaurant scene, hip nightlife and chic shopping districts.
History buffs can visit the city’s plethora of museums and learn all about its fascinating past as a member state of the Soviet Union.
Tallinn has plenty of parks and even has beaches on the edge of the Baltic Sea which are well worth visiting for a stroll.
Plan for the Christmas markets
Christmas might be a while away yet but as you well know, it has a habit of creeping up on us all.
If you travel from the later November dates onwards, you will have the chance to enjoy a bit of a shop at Tallinn’s traditional Estonian Christmas markets, considered to be some of the best and most beautiful in Europe.
Expect strings of twinkling fairy lights; seasonal treats like mulled wine and gingerbread cookies, and the chance to pick up creations by local artisans such as crafts, knitwear and wooden decorations.
Happy guests
Here is a recent TripAdvisor guest review for Hotel L’Ermitage:
‘The best hotel I have stayed in in Tallinn. A very quiet and clean hotel, with a comfortable bed, a good shower, excellent breakfast and very friendly staff. If I ever visit Tallinn again, this would be the first place I would try. Thank you very much!’
And here is one for Metropol Hotel:
‘For a short visit to Tallinn the Hotel Metropol is a good choice. It is near the harbour and the old town. It is situated in the renovated old industrial area. Nice shops and cafes can be found in the area. The Viru Centre is just a few steps away. We had a basic double room, but it was clean and quiet, with a comfortable bed to sleep overnight. The breakfast was quite OK, also well cooked porridge was available. Pleasant staff at the reception.’
Ideal break
If you’re pondering a European city break, this Big Deal is perfect.
With flights and accommodation taken care of, all you need to think about is enjoying this fantastic city.
Whether you love Medieval city walls, hip bars or European history, you’ll love Estonia’s capital.
And remember to book early to bag that four-star hotel…