Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
From Finland, it was a short ferry across the Baltic Sea to Tallinn, Estonia. I’d never been to this part of the world, famous for its medieval and more recently Soviet Bloc history, and described by travel guides as Europe’s best-kept secret. We spent a month backpacking around the three nations with eyes wide open. It was early May, Spring had arrived, and we seemed to have the place all to ourselves.
One common characteristic in all three capitals is the exceptional and abundant Medieval Gothic architecture in the “Old Towns” of Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. The Hanseatic Guild seems to still be intact. This alone is reason enough for the visit, as it is extensive and well preserved, unlike anywhere in Europe. With the inclusion into the E.U, there has clearly been a rejuvenation and facelift to the grandeur of times past. Bustling with restaurants and shopping yet lacking many of the eye-sore chain brands you’ll see in Western Europe, you really feel like you’re someplace unique. Walkability is excellent, shops greet you right, and there is generally a feeling of being welcome everywhere. You can’t take a bad picture in this kind of place.
Travel tips would be AirBnB, take a bus to travel between the countries, and dress warmly outside of summer. We found the Airbnbs plentiful, well-maintained, and reasonably priced. No need to fly when the countries are so close, so take the bus as the time needed for both might be close. We spent the month of May there, and it was nippy. Bring the jacket even in late Spring.
The two most memorable things were the Soviet-era hangover and Jewish history. There are still plenty of decaying Soviet monuments, statues, and architecture to be found throughout. Plenty of shops sell Soviet-era money, medals, Lenin busts, and memorabilia that appear to be legitimate. Having lived through the 70s and 80s, you couldn’t be anything but intrigued as I picked up my share of souvenirs. With respect to the Jews, I was amazed that most of the ghettos from the 30s and 40s were still intact. When I say intact, I mean that storefronts, street signs, and wall markings were still there from the 40s. Several great local museums have recorded the atrocities of that era, each one leaving you a bit broken after each visit.
Great food, affordable, hospitable, and historic are my final thoughts. Reading some history before a visit only made it better. Tallinn and Riga are must-visit, and Vilnius. If you have the time, is how I rank them. The Baltics really could be Europe’s best-kept travel secret.
Tallinn
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