Photos/Comments - Virtual Riga/Tallinn/Helsinki

Photos/Comments - Virtual Riga/Tallinn/Helsinki

From 7th May 2020, several Friends were due to visit the cities of Riga (Latvia), Tallinn (Estonia) and Helsinki (Finland). As we were unable to make the trip, we have posted some photographs to give you an idea of the things that we would have been doing each day. Whilst this was no replacement for the real thing, it is a reminder that there are some wonderful places awaiting us once the Covid 19 crisis is over.

The photographs start with Riga, then Tallinn and, finally, Helsinki. 

Since our return, several Friends have commented on their experience of the 'virtual' tour. Here are a few.

Freda Moody wrote-

"I've just returned home after a wonderful trip with FOW.  I'm back 2 days later than originally planned as I got sidetracked in Riga doing a canal trip and then walking round the medieval walls in Tallin (my favourite of the three cities). In Helsinki I was tempted to try lots of the cafes in the design district, took in a few boat trips to the islands and went shopping.  I couldn't resist a quick visit  during the stop over to Copenhagen last visited on a school trip decades ago.  The great thing was I had no hassle changing my flight plans - the wonder of virtual travel!

 The tour certainly gave me a great feel and understanding of the three Baltic countries.  The historical  background  information was very interesting and informative.  We Scots were too busy repelling our own invaders in the 13th century to take in anything about the Livonian Wars.   Maybe bribing a few Teutonic knights  would have helped us out.

The transformation of Riga from the brutish photos taken in  the '30's to the present day videos of Tallin were fascinating.  Perhaps a salutary lesson for us coping with current restrictions.  

I certainly look forward to being able to see these places for real and hope to be able to join a future trip."

As they say in Finnish

kiitos paljon."

Eileen Tunbridge wrote-

"A slow morning after taking back cat duties from my son .

What a wonderful tour thank you again for bringing it to life and I cannot wait to relive those moments.

Such variety I think out of it all the two main houses really stayed with me especially Sibelius’s on the last day.

Baking and eating more in lockdown will have the same effect as we would of had eating all that delicious looking food."

Allan Ruff wrote - 

"Many thanks for the virtual tour - it must have taken many hours to put together, it was much appreciated. It looks like the kind of tour I would have enjoyed going on ! Perhaps there will be an opportunity in the future."