The sights and smells of the holidays
If there’s one consolation to the long dark nights and short gloomy days of autumn, it’s that you know Christmas is just around the corner. It’s pretty easy to get yourself in the holiday spirit in November. There is no cosier month! Put on your warmest jumper and head to one of the upcoming Christmas markets. Enjoy a concert. And be sure to try some traditional Estonian Christmas food, like blood sausage and sauerkraut in Town Hall Square or at one of the many Estonian restaurants serving holiday food.
Wandering the streets of Tallinn’s Old Town in November, you’re bound to come across the warm, spiced smell of mulled wine, or “glögg”, wafting from one of the city’s many cafés. There are many different recipes for this festive drink, but it’s usually made with red wine and a combination of spices and dried fruit. Every country seems to have their version of the drink. In addition to mulled wine, the English also enjoy mulled cider during the winter months. Spices used are cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and mace. The Germans and Austrians enjoy Glühwein during the Christmas holidays, adding cinnamon, cloves, star anise, citrus peel, and sometimes vanilla to the red wine. Blueberry wine or cherry wine sometimes replaces the red wine, and sometimes even rum is added.
Mulled wine, Christmas concerts, Christmas markets and some great food is all you need to get you through the dark months.
Happy travels!
Kristina Lupp,
Editor-in-chief
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