More pictures from the beautiful Tallin
Post
Travels:From Finland to Tallin I spent the last weekend in Tallin, Estonia. It is very easy and affordable to go to Estonia from Helsinki. There are daily ferries that leave from the Finnish port to dock to the Estonian coast. I spent two days in the old town of Tallin and it was just beautiful. I did not aspect the city to be so special and unique. The Old Town is actually one of the best preserved Hanseatic town centres in the world and it is has been part of the UNESCO since 1997. I am still in love with the architecture and the small shops where they sell nice handcrafts. Walking around the town and discoveing its magic corners and landscapes was amazing. The city differs a lot from the finnish ones and the italian ones especially for the architecture. Going there durining this period (Autumn) is probably not the best choice since it is already pretty cold and the weather is rainy and windy. Nevertheless, I really enjoied the place and the special atmosphere
Culture&food:Italian indoor markets and Turku Kauppahalli Every big city here in Finland has its own Kauppahalli. In Sicily we have enothing like that. Although, It is possble to find some indoor markets in the North of the country but the kind of product they sell is very different. In Italy is mostly about fruit and vegetables and they are open all day long untill 9pm. The indoor market of Turku is situated in the city centre of the town and it is open untill 6pm every day during the week (except for sundays). The Turku Market Hall was opened to public in 1896 and still today offers a great variery of quality products. In the market it is possible to find nice Bakeries , Butchers , Cheese shops , fishmongers , Other local, food Restaurants and cafés , Spices, tea, coffee . I think that, Kaupphalli is a very nice place where to go to have a meal or a cup of coffe. Especially, in those days, when I am very lazy and I do not want to cook anything, I walk to
Food:Cafè Fontana i have got some tips for turists or students who are here in Turku. Eating out in Finland can be pretty expensive, for that reason I don do that often. However, it is also possible to find nice places and good food for reasonable price. Last week I was having lunch at "Fontana Cafè" in the city centre (very close to the Market square in Turku). The Place is very nice and they offer everyday during the week a very good lunch buffet for 10 euros. They have a lot of choice especially for vegeterian people. I just loved the variety of salads they have. After having the meal it is possible to stay longer, untill 4pm, and sit having coffe or tee (encluded in the "lunch buffet" deal). I think that this is really good so that students can stay and study or read untill the afternoon having a warm cup. Fontana Cafe is famous in the city for serving a rich and good Sunday Brunch. I have not been there for that yet but I can not wait to try
Culture:Finnish Nightmares I was in Helsinki when, for the first time, in a shop I saw an year calendar named "Finnish Nightmares". The title is very curious and that is why I decided to open it and go through the papers. I was surprised to see that it has nothing to do with real nightmares. Infact, it is the product from a comic finnish outhor who uses "stick men" in order to rappresent (in a funny way) the most typical and rappresentatives stereotipes about Finnish people. Matti is the main character , he is a stereotypical Finn who appreciates peace, quiet and personal space. Matti tries his best to do unto others as he wishes to be done unto him: to give space, be polite and not bother with unnecessary chit chat. As you might’ve guessed, it can’t always go that way. can’t always go that way.
Food:Finnish Pulla I want to introduce you to one of my favourite finnish food. A traditional Scandanivan bread. This soft and rich treat is called ‘ pulla’ in Finland (‘ bulle’ in Sweden). People traditionally eat it with coffee and tea, the perfect bread for nibbling while sitting around chatting with friends over a warm cup. The bread is lightly sweetened, incredibly soft and fluffy, and wonderfully unique in its flavor. It is possible to find it and buy it in every bakery or market. Ingredients 1 / 3 cup butter 1 1 / 3 cups whole milk 3 / 4 teaspoon salt 2 / 3 cup sugar 1 tablespoon active dry yeast 1 / 3 cup warm water 2 eggs 3 egg yolks 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 5 cups bread flour 2 / 3 cup dried currants 2 / 3 cup confectioners sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract