Estonia

Estonia was settled back in 2500 B.C. It is one of the oldest Eastern European nations, and the residents of Estonia are direct descendents of the Finnish. Situated on the Baltic Sea, the capital and most visited city in Estonia is Tallin. After Tallin, the next largest city is Tartu. Estonia isn’t very large but it is certainly diverse. In fact, it is possible to cross the entire country by car in less than six hours. However, that doesn’t detract from the magnificent beauty of this country.

Situated East of the Baltic Sea, Estonia is also adjacent to the

Gulf of Finland. Estonia is a water country, boasting over 1,000 lakes in addition to its close proximity to the sea and gulf waters. Also plentiful are many rivers, and Estonia also has a number of bogs, islets, and islands. Due to all of the water surrounding Estonia, this East European country enjoys humid temperatures and a warmer climate than its surrounding European neighbors.

The capital city, Tallin has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is most preferred as the top tourist attraction. When visiting Tallin, Estonia you may want to schedule a sightseeing tour. These are the best way to ensure that you take in all of the breathtaking views as well as cultural sights. Some of the most popular Tallinn tours include the Audio guide Old Town Tour, where an audio guide actually narrates your tour for you, a Bicycle Welcome Tour, where you tour the city on bicycle. The tour lasts about two hours, the Nordic Walking tour, where you view the city on foot equipped with walking poles, or a guided bus tour. Tours are a great way to ensure that you won’t miss any of the fabulous attractions while visiting this picturesque city while on your European vacation.

Some of the most popular attractions in Tallin include the

Medieval Old Town that consists of medieval period churches, the

Latin Quarter, and the town wall, towers, and various gates that enclosed the city. The red tiles that adorn the roofs as you look up that towers will awe you. Of special interest and folklore are the Maiden Towers that served as prisons for the women who were arrested for prostitution.

Palaces and castles abound as you view

Kadriorg Palace, where Peter I is said to have laid the very stones that support the foundation. Today, the palace holds the Estonian Art Museum and is a hot spot for cultural performances and concert events.

Another fabulous attraction is Peter the Great’s Cottage. You can view authentic furniture pieces that belonged to both Peter the Great and Catherine I in the 18^th century.

For war and history buffs, you will enjoy touring some of the most infamous buildings, such as the KGB Headquarters, or visit the ruing where the Soviets bombed

Tallinn, in 1944.

Finally, you can enjoy the very rare and exquisite collection of animals showcased at the Tallinn Zoo. The zoo is home to over 5,000 animals and nearly 350 species. With all of the attractions, you are sure to find something exciting to do in Estonia.