Baltic Cruise, Part 2: Helsinki and Tallinn!

Our cruise itinerary was really ambitious in its twelve days, landing on a port almost every day! I was excited to visit the two cities of Helsinki (Finland) and Tallinn (Estonia) which are both in new countries for me (#69 and 70!).

In Helsinki, a lovely modern capital, we took trams and then a ferry to Suomenlinna Island, which holds the very large 18th century sea fortress (and another UNESCO World Heritage site).

Fortress walls and sea paths are fun for kids!

Iver, along with some brave Finns, took the plunge into the chilly Baltic Sea!

Oodi Library was a really neat central library with book-returning robots and 3D printers, along with other borrowable machines for crafting!

Helsinki Cathedral is a lovely neoclassical building in Senate Square.

We explored and got some food at Market Square (Kauppatori), which even included some northern delicacies as well as Vietnamese food (reindeer banh mi,  anyone?). 

We ended our day at Allas Sea Pool, which included some outside pools (one was advertised as heated but it was freezing), and a really nice traditional Finnish wooden sauna, which we really enjoyed!  Apparently, Finland has 5 million people and 15 million saunas!

The next day's port was nearby Tallinn, Estonia, another UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Tallinn has a cute (and relatively small) 13th century Old Town (Vanalinn), with medieval gates (Fat Margaret Gate here). 

Viru Gate

The Alexander Nevsky church atop Toompea hill was built during the time when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire (1710-1918).

Panoramic Parliament

We enjoyed the city's many viewing platforms and squares.

My parents went at their own pace but also wandered around the city and visited another Museum.

Before departing the Old Town, we visited the KGB prison cells, which detailed some of the crimes during the Soviet Occupation (1945-1991 until Estonia, like the other Baltic States, again became independent).

Next: the other Baltics!