Michael and Marilynn board a Viking cruise ship and tour the Baltic Sea in 2017

Tallinn, first mentioned in 1219, received city rights in 1248, but the earliest human settlements date back 5,000 years.  The initial claim over the land was laid by the Danes in 1219 after a successful raid of Lyndanisse led by Valdemar II of Denmark, followed by a period of alternating Scandinavian and German rule. Due to its strategic location, the city became a major trade hub, especially from the 14th to the 16th century, when it grew in importance as part of the Hanseatic League.

Tallinn's Old Town is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Tallinn is the major political, financial, cultural and educational center of Estonia. Often dubbed the Silicon Valley of Europe,  it has the highest number of startups per person in Europe and is a birthplace of many  international companies, including Skype.

The city will soon house the headquarters of the European Union's IT agency.  


Tallinn is already home to the NATO Cybersecurity Center of Excellence cementing its reputation in internet issues.  The super popular SKYPE was developed in Tallinn.

The old town of Talin from the harbor.
The old town of Talin from the harbor.
Nearby, the new, modern city of Talin.
Nearby, the new, modern city of Talin.
The Viking Sea from the dock.
The Viking Sea from the dock.
Interesting breakwater barrier.
Interesting breakwater barrier.
Annie, our wonderful guide.
Annie, our wonderful guide.
The Orthodox church of Talin with the city hall in the background.
The Orthodox church of Talin with the city hall in the background.
Vodemar lived inside the castle walls on the hill top.
Vodemar lived inside the castle walls on the hill top.
The steep starred walkway down from the walled center at the top of the hill.
The steep starred walkway down from the walled center at the top of the hill.
This was originally a dungeon and is now a watercloset below a jewelry store.
This was originally a dungeon and is now a watercloset below a jewelry store.
Panorama of town from castle wall on hill top.
Panorama of town from castle wall on hill top.
Youthfull Busker on hill top.
Youthfull Busker on hill top.
Housing inside castle walls.
Housing inside castle walls.
Street on way to old town.
Street on way to old town.
Tallinn is listed as one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe.
Tallinn is listed as one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe.
Talin has a very large number of beer parlors. Each makes their own micro brew. The Honey Beer dates from the Middle Ages and is GOOD!
Talin has a very large number of beer parlors. Each makes their own micro brew. The Honey Beer dates from the Middle Ages and is GOOD!
Interesting people, these Estonians.
Interesting people, these Estonians.
The old town main gate.
The old town main gate.
A small, beautiful park outside the main gate had this amazing piece of art.
A small, beautiful park outside the main gate had this amazing piece of art.
Where we ate the waitress' and waiter wore medieval clothing and called us "my lady" and "my lord". Food was terrific. Honey Beer was incredible!
Where we ate the waitress' and waiter wore medieval clothing and called us "my lady" and "my lord". Food was terrific. Honey Beer was incredible!
Main Square in Tallinn.
Main Square in Tallinn.