• Russia,  Tip for a trip,  Tips

    Tallinn, Helsinki and Petersburg without visa – budget travel

    We weren’t planning the trip to Tallinn, Helsinki and Petersburg. Actually everything started from LOT special offer for the flights: Warsaw – Tallinn and Helsinki – Warsaw. From Tallinn to Helsinki we traveled by Tallink ferry, but it’s possible to go with other companies such as Viking Line or Eckero Line. You need to check in at least 30 minutes before the departure of the ferry. Check-in desk is located at the Terminal D. Tallink shuttles 6 times a day and the voyage takes around 2 hours and definitely it isn’t boring (you can read about it here). The ferry arrives at the West Harbor. To the city center you can go…

  • Estonia,  Europe

    Tallinn – gloomy Patarei prison

    Tallinn connotes mainly with a magical atmosphere of medieval town, surrounded by fortified towers and beautiful pastel townhouses. However our connotation of this city differs significantly from this picture. Our memories refer predominantly to barbed wires, dark corridors and hair – raising operating theatres/rooms of gloomy Patarei prison. This place hides nearly 200 years of Estonian history. It was built in 19th century as a fortress to protect harbor in Tallinn. In 1920 it was changed for a prison. During WWII, POWs were incarcerated here. After war it was used by KGB. It’s estimated that in peak time, more than 1000 prisoners were held in this prison. According to the…

  • Denmark

    Christiania – utopia, social experiment or tourist attraction?

    Copenhagen, the capital of the one of the richest EU countries is famous for beautiful architecture, picturesque canals and upmarket restaurants. On the other hand, there’s also Christiania – something like a “country within a country”. In the Christianshavn district, close to picturesque canals, there’s an inconspicuous gate which leads to another reality of self – proclaimed, independent city – Christiania. It was created in 1971 when first hippies seized the previous military base area. New inhabitants settled in abandoned military barracks and created city infrastructure such as nurseries schools, schools and cultural/artistic institutions. Christiana was a symbol of liberty and revolt against imposed social norms. At its peak it was inhabited…

  • Denmark,  Sweden,  Tip for a trip,  Tips

    How much does 6-day trip to Denmark and Sweden cost?

    Is it possible to organize 6- day trip to Denmark and Sweden on budget? In a fact the cost is a relative concept, what’s  cheap for some for others is beyond reach. During our trip to these countries we tried to reduce the costs of transport and accommodation maximally. On the other hand it doesn’t mean that we lived there as hermits. We  stayed in an apartment located in the city center, visited everything what had been planned, used public transport and tasted very good food.  Was it cheap or expensive? Take a look and assess 🙂 Our trip was a little bit complicated because we wanted to visit Denmark…

  • Sweden

    Jakriborg – medieval ghost town

    Halfway between Malmo and Lund, somewhere in the middle of Sweden fields, there’s a sleepy town surrounded by a red rampart. After passing the gate which is the element of fortifications, one can see another, medieval reality. Pastel townhouses with soaring roofs, decorated with colorful windows and doors, winding along cobblestoned lanes, look fabulous. The town seems to be abandoned. There’s no residents or playing children, let alone tourists. In front of the house are bikes, on playgrounds you can see barbecues or even toys so someone must live here. There’s an absolute silence, you cannot hear even fast trains passing through nearby Hjärup station. Walk along the old town…

  • Denmark

    Copenhagen – fabulous canals

    The main tourist attraction in Copenhagen are picturesque canals. One of the most beautiful is  Nyhavn.  In Danish language Nyhavn means New Harbor but in a fact it’s one of the oldest places in Copenhagen. It was built more than 300 years ago for trade purposes. It contributed to fast development of this part of the city. A lot of taverns and “red lit” clubs entertained sailors. Rich city residents were building beautiful townhouses which are Copenhagen flagship to this day. Nowadays, Nyhavn is one of the most popular and picturesque places in Danish capital. Colorful townhouses, numerous restaurants and cafes and moored, wooden sailboats take one back to the…

  • Dublin
    Ireland

    Dublin – city in the green island, flowing black Guiness…

    Dublin like the whole Ireland, surprises by its diversity. There are certainly more Polish people than citizens speaking in native Gaelic language. In this city we can experience every possible atmospheric phenomena in one hour. Dublin isn’t only a city of economic wonders but it’s also  the place where tradition merges with modernity. Dublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral are the oldest buildings in Dublin. But the most famous building is the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.  The most surprising is the fact that St. Patrick who is mainly associated with dancing and beer didn’t like this alcohol and to make matters worse he wasn’t even Irish. He had been held captive…

  • Finland

    Hobbits’ stronghold in Helsinki neighborhood

    Suomenlinna stronghold, located in 6 islands, is a very important point in Helsinki touristic map. It was built in the half XVIII century by the Swedish in order to defense against Russians. In that times it was the biggest building in the kingdom and the second – largest city in Finland. After a long siege it was finally conquered by Russians in 1808. In view of its strategic location, Russians decided to move the capital of Finland from Turku to Helsinki in 1812.  Fortress remained under Russians rule till 1917, when Finland regained independence. These days it doesn’t have military significance but it’s a very interesting historic monument. The most…

  • Finland

    Helsinki

    We stopped off in Helsinki during our journey from Tallinn to Sankt Petersburg. This city, well known for its leafy surroundings and interesting architecture merging Finnish minimalism with Russian grandeur, is actually an archipelago of more than 300 islands. The city is famous of white nights in June and July and intensive nightlife. Gathering information about Helsinki before our trip, I was surprised that regardless the highest alcohol prices, there’s the biggest sobering chamber in Europe! This riddle was solved during our ferry trip form Tallinn. The Finnish – Estonian border is very busy. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a lot of passengers trailing carts filled to the…

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