Sure you’ve been to Italy and Germany and maybe even Poland – but have you ever considered exploring Europe’s Baltic countries? Tucked up in the northern eastern corner of Europe lies three attractive countries featuring vibrant capitals, moody green forests and interesting Soviet history.
Every so often, I reach a city that I connect with more than others. When I peek out the window as the sun comes up, look out to the street or over to the ocean, and I simply cannot wait to get out there and explore. The day is just beginning, but I bounce out the door with wide eyes and a stupid grin on my face, my camera in hand snapping away at the parks, and buildings, seascapes or mountains, buskers, markets and street art. The sounds and smells invigorate and inspire me, the people fascinate me, I love all the food, and I never want to leave.
When I told people I was going to Estonia, I was commonly met with blank stares. “Where’s Estonia?” they’d ask. “What can you see there?”
If you’ve never heard of Estonia before – here’s a quick geography lesson. Estonia is part of the Baltics, which includes Latvia and Lithuania, and sits right next to Russia. Estonia faces the Baltic Sea and it’s capital Tallinn is only a short two hour ferry ride from Finland.
For a small capital, Tallinn has a lot to offer if you know where to look and it’s a worthwhile stop while transiting to and from Helsinki, or from Latvia’s capital city Riga.