Estonia
Tere tulemast! Welcome!
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Estonia, the smallest country in the Baltic and boasts a natural paradise of deserted beaches, lush forests, countless quaint islands and unique wildlife. Embracing Nordic traditions and influenced by the Germans, Russians and Swedes, Estonia is also the place to see medieval castles, strong defense towers and opulent manor houses saturated in history.
Estonia is filled with influences from the nations that have occupied it in the past.
In the medieval capital of Tallinn, stroll the cobbled streets of the Old Town and you'll encounter historic churches, old defense towers and walls, and colorful houses, all well preserved from the past. Stop off at the Town Hall Square and delight in the al fresco cafes, medieval markets and artisan stalls vying for your attention. The beautifully preserved town walls and medieval fortifications in Tallinn attest to the historical stronghold of the city. Today, 26 of the city's original 46 defense towers remain. You can even climb some of them to soak in breathtaking views of the Old Town and Toompea hill, a limestone hill in the heart of the city. On this hill stands Toompea Castle, another testament to Estonia's history of invasions and occupation. Estonia's historical charm is not all that draws its tourists in.
The country is also a natural haven of vast forests perfect for hiking, quiet beaches for lounging and botanical gardens dripping with color. The wildlife in Estonia is diverse, so keep your eyes peeled for wolves, flying squirrels, brown bears and rare birds. With lush forests and spectacular coastal vistas mingling with medieval towns, Estonia offers a treasure chest of natural and man-made wonders to digest. With so much to explore, don't delay in planning a visit to this jewel in the Baltic crown.
 The founder of Estours Travel is originally from Estonia and still has close links to Estonia. Estours Travel is able to provide you with first hand information on climate, seasons, how to best get there and what to see and do once in Estonia. Estours can put together an individual travel package that combines the old world charm of medieval city of Tallinn with the rest of your Europe travel holiday...
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Must See in Tallinn !
Tallinn is famed for its culture and entertainment.
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Freedom Square: In summer of 2009 the residents of Tallinn were given back a vital piece of their city's heritage: Freedom Square (Vabaduse vljak). From the last days of the Tsars and through Estonia's first period of independence, this open area at the edge of Old Town had been a place of national symbolism and civic pride, as well as a favourite public gathering spot.
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Kadriorg Palace: A trip to Tallinn isn't a trip to Tallinn without a visit to this magnificent northern baroque palace, built by Peter the Great for his wife, Catherine I, in 1718. Designed by Italian architect Niccolo Michetti, the grandiose palace and surrounding manicured gardens are a humbling example of Tsarist extravagance.
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Rotermann Quarter: To see where Tallinn is heading in the 21st century, take a stroll through the Rotermann Quarter, a former factory complex that sits between Old Town and the Passenger Port. What was a collection of dilapidated buildings just a decade ago is now a bustling commercial and cultural centre, whose avant-garde architecture stands as a powerful symbol of just how far Tallinn has come in re-inventing itself in recent years.
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St Catherine's Passage: Easily the most picturesque of Old Town's lanes, St. Catherine's is a narrow walkway that runs between Vene and Muurivahe streets, along the back of what used to be St. Catherine's Church. What makes the passage particularly interesting is that it's home to the St. Catherine's Guild, a collection of craft workshops where artists use traditional methods to create and sell glassware, hats, quilts.
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St Olav's Church: From 1549 to 1625, this 13th-century church was the tallest building in the world. But its gigantic, 159-metre spire, which was probably meant to act as a signpost for approaching ships, also turned out to be a very effective lightning rod. Throughout the church's history its steeple has been hit repeatedly by lightning, completely burning down the structure three times.
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Tallinn Song Festival: This sprawling event venue in Kadriorg has a special place in the hearts of Estonians. It was here in 1988 that the Singing Revolution, a massive, musical demonstration against Soviet rule, set Estonia on its road towards independence. The grounds feature an outdoor concert arena, built in 1959, and host a multitude of large concerts and festivals through the year.
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St Mary's Cathedral: The gleaming, Medieval church that stands at the centre of Toompea hill is best known by locals as the 'Toomkirik' (Dome Church), and it's the main Lutheran church in Estonia. Established sometime before 1233 and repeatedly rebuilt since, the church displays a mix of architectural styles. Its vaulted main body dates to the 14th century, while its baroque tower was an addition from the late 1770s.
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Toompea Castle: Perched on a limestone cliff and towering over the rest of the city, Toompea Castle has always been the seat of power in Estonia. Ever since the German Knights of the Sword first built a stone fortress here in 1227-29, every foreign empire that ruled Estonia used the castle as its base. Today, appropriately, it's home to Estonia's Parliament.
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Town Hall Square: Picturesque Town Hall Square has been the undisputed hub of Old Town for the last eight centuries. Surrounded by elaborate merchant houses and, in summer, packed with cafe tables, it's a natural magnet for tourists. Historically it served as a market and meeting place, and was the site of at least one execution (resulting from a dispute over a bad omelette)
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Town Wall: With nearly 2km of its original city wall still standing, Tallinn boasts one of Europe's best preserved Medieval fortifications. In fact, a large part of what gives Old Town its fairytale charm is the system of walls and and towers that surrounds it. Work on the town's defenses first began in 1265, but the current outline of the wall dates to the 14th century
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