Estonia, a forgotten gem with a fairytale landscape, strategically placed between Russia and Scandinavia, is a former Soviet Republic that has undergone a rapid transformation since its independence. The internet and mobile phone revolution have taken the nation by storm and the influence of modern technology happily co-exists with a people that are strongly connected to nature. Almost half of the country is forest and it is home to countless traditions, folk tales and fairytale castles to boot.

Best time to visit

May to July for the good weather.

Essential experiences

Trying to walk across the icy cobbled streets of medieval Tallin in winter; rejuvenating in a mud bath at one of Parnu's health spas; collecting Baltic Gold washed up along the western coast, visiting the island of Saaremaa; watching brown bear, lynx, wolves and flying squirrel in the Estonian wilderness.

In a few words, Estonia is

Medieval architecture, fairytale landscapes, quiet and reserved people, mobile phone addicts, grand limestone buildings, twilight nights, open air song festivals, cheep beer, stag and hen parties in vibrant Tallin.

Did you know

Estonia is home to one of Europe's few accessible meteorite craters at Kaali on Saaremaa Island and over 160 million TV viewers caught a glimpse of Estonia when the country hosted the 2002 Eurovision Song contest.