In addition to the world's various metropolises and major archaeological sites, Europe is also known to the rest of the planet as a continent rich in fortified medieval villages virtually untouched for millennia that sometimes still serve as the capitals of the nations in which they arise.
This is precisely the case with Tallinn, the Estonian capital distinguished by an architectural style that has its roots in eras far removed from our own but which nonetheless extrudes a not bad power of attraction thanks to its historical and cultural beauties.
Not only that, the airport serving the city allows wealthier travelers to charter a private jet to get there, a travel solution that can put them at ease both in the airport and on board the aircraft: comfort, flexibility and privacy, in fact, are guaranteed for each and every passenger.
City Hall Square, St. Catherine's Passage, the Orthodox Cathedral, and the city's most important shopping streets are just some of the most iconic attractions in one of northern Europe's most picturesque capitals.
Historical and geographical background on Tallinn
Tallinn is located on the country's north coast, facing the icy Baltic Sea that bathes it completely and divided by about 80 km as the crow flies with from Helsinki, Finland's capital. The city area that administers the agglomeration also includes a large number of lakes including Ulemiste, one of the most important bodies of water since it is the very first source on which the city's water supply depends; also worth mentioning is Harku, the second largest lake and a very large basin. Tallinn is also dominated by Toompea, a small hill that towers more than 20 meters and covers an area of more than 400 m², representing in fact the highest point in the city. The earliest traces of Tallinn date as far back as 2000 B.C., when tribes of Finnic origin settled the area in which the Estonian capital now stands by settling in it due to its morphological and geographical features. In about 1050 the first military building was built, which was used by the people as a fortress to defend the newly created small settlement. As the centuries passed, Tallinn also began to make a name for itself because of its strategic port that established several trade routes with ports in Finland, until it was first mentioned on a world map in the early 1100s. In the thirteenth century, the Estonian city was conquered by Valdemaro II, King of Denmark, which established a long Danish rule that made Tallinn play an even more central role in trade. The population converted to the Christian religion, and in the late 13th century the city became part of the Hanseatic League. Tallinn's importance grew, as did the number of its inhabitants, while economic growth and urban planning underwent major turns thanks to clever rule by the Danes. In the mid-sixteenth century, Tallinn became part of the Kingdom of Sweden and remained there for more than 150 years before coming under Russian hegemony.It was during this period that the city underwent a process of industrialization that led to rural residents flocking to the center. Estonia's independence in 1918 led to Tallinn becoming its capital, but during World War II it was occupied by the Soviets and the Nazis before becoming independent again in 1991. Today, Tallinn is one of the European capitals with the highest economic growth rate and an increasingly popular tourist destination for travelers.
What to see and do in Tallinn
Tallinn's historic buildings
A hypothetical itinerary aimed at a comprehensive tour of the Estonian capital cannot ignore its endless historic buildings, starting with the Old Town, the oldest district of the city surrounded by more than 2 km of walls. Getting lost in the cobbled streets, alleys and lanes that make up the complex network of Tallinn's Old Town is one of the experiences to be had, just as going to the ancient city walls towers that have now become renowned hotels, bars and restaurants. For more affluent tourists, it is possible to take part in private guided tours to discover the architectural beauty and most important buildings of the Old Town to discover Tallinn's ancient roots and open-air evidence of the passage of various peoples in the city. Not only that, the areas of Viro, Muurivahe and Katariina Passage are among the most renowned for luxury shopping, with multiple fashion boutiques available to cater to the needs of the most sophisticated tourists.
Tallinn's museums and events
Lovers of art and culture will also find their fill in Tallinn thanks to several internationally recognized museum hubs. Just think of the KUMU Art Museum, a very modern facility whose rooms house Estonian artwork from the 18th century to the post-World War II period, allowing tourists to understand the evolution of various styles on the way of life of the population. Also worth mentioning is the Occupation Museum, which traces the history of Estonia during the years of Soviet and German occupation, as well as the Tallinn City Museum, which houses a variety of collections telling the story of the city from prehistory to independence in the 1990s. Each of these museum hubs can be visited by wealthy tourists privately through various guided tours that also include lunch stops at the city's various gourmet restaurants. Among the most glamorous events Tallinn hosts is the Joulujazz Festival, an annual winter festival that welcomes the world's leading figures in jazz music, effectively attracting large numbers of VIP tourists eager to hear some of the genre's timeless masterpieces live.
Tallinn's top restaurants
Estonian cuisine is very simple but extremely varied, definitely anchored in the tradition and typical products of the Baltic region. Among the city's best-known restaurants is Peppersack, a gourmet eatery that serves diners the classic leib, or casserole bread, as well as marinated eel and herring dishes served on slices of barley bread. Also worth mentioning are Kaaerajaan and Olde Hansa, typical restaurants that provide the opportunity to taste typical Estonian first courses such as various pork stews or desserts made with buttercream, sugar and cinnamon.
Climate and best time to visit Tallinn
Tallinn is dominated by a continental Baltic-type climate, characterized by very cold winters and mild but very rainy summers. The spring temperatures and weather during this season are quite pleasant: the days gradually begin to lengthen, with highs reaching as high as 20°C, but only starting in the second half of the season. In any case, in the evening hours temperatures can be very close to 10°C, while the weather remains quite unstable given the frequent rainfall of a rainy nature. Summer is definitely a segment of the year where average temperatures rise going even above 20°C on the hottest days, with peaks of 30°C during July and August. Precipitation, however, remains quite heavy and could put a spoke in the wheels for those who planned to visit in the summertime; the Baltic Sea is swimmable although the water temperature remains quite cold. In autumn, outdoor events and various activities diminish as the rainiest season of the year progresses; therefore, it is wise to visit the city's museums indoors to stay away from the frequent rains that grip the months of October and November and the temperatures that drop to as low as 10 degrees Celsius. The Estonian winter is distinctly cold: during daylight hours, highs can hover around 0, while in the evenings it can reach -15°C with disturbances that could bring heavy rain and snow. That said, the best time to charter a private jet to Tallinn is still the summer during which the weather is significantly better than in other seasons.
How and why to fly private to Tallinn
Tallinn International Airport (ICAO code EETN) is a fairly large and capacious hub that serves the city very effectively. Operated by the publicly owned Tallinn Airport Ltd, the Estonian airport hub is the hub for several airlines including the national airline, Nordica, and others such as Air Baltic or Lot Polish Airlines. In 2008, the airport sealed the record for the number of passengers that passed through, some 8 million, effectively marking a very important growth that made sense of the various terminal expansion and renovation works carried out over the years. On the ground floor of the only terminal present stands a VIP area designated for passengers on private flights, who have access to a range of premium services that they can use to enhance their travel experience: they can enjoy a WiFi connection, PC stations, private luggage storage, personalized disembarkation assistance, catering service, food outlets, stores, security checks and reserved check-in, as well as ATMs and a Lounge equipped with a TV and an outdoor terrace where they can relax after the flight. Not only that, there is also a 24-hour library inside the terminal where you can borrow a book and bring it back whenever you want. The city center is about a 15-minute drive from the airport, a distance that can be covered by cab, rental car with or without a driver, and through the limousine service available in accompanying the charter flight passenger anywhere.
How much does it cost to fly private to Tallinn
It is about 3 hours of flight time between Tallinn and London, one of the European capitals connected to Estonia; the rental of a Light Jet costs about €15,000, that of a Medium Jet about €27,000, and that of a Large Jet rises to about €39,000. It is also possible to fly to Tallinn from Nice with the 3 jet classes mentioned above incurring a respective expense of approximately €17,000, €31,000 and €44,000. The flight is 1 hour and 45 minutes if departing from Warsaw: the rental of the 3 jets is about €9,000, €16,000 and €24,000 respectively.
The most suitable jet to fly to Tallinn
The Beechcraft Premier 1A is a light jet that provides efficient performance for the 6 passengers accommodated in its cabin: the aircraft offers a range of about 3,000 km and a top speed of more than 750 km/h, providing very high levels of comfort. Among the Medium Jets, the Cessna Citation VI deserves honorable mention with its 8 seats, its speed of about 800 km/h and the range it offers of more than 3500 km, not to mention the comfort of its reclining leather seats and the sophisticated design that adorns its cabin. Last, but not least, is the Bombardier Global 5000, Large Jet with a huge cabin capable of accommodating up to 13 passengers allowing them to travel at over 900 km/h while benefiting from an extremely spacious luggage compartment!
The most frequent flights to and from Tallin
Below of the most frequent links to Tallinn:
