The Baltics are actually three sovereign states, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Estonia
Estonia is a small but beautiful high tech country with an exciting mix of cultures because of its proximity to Finland and Russia. The capital, Tallinn, the best-preserved medieval city in northern Europe, is on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. A stroll in the historic old town is memorable. The Christmas fair in Tallinis according to Forbes one of the ten most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe. Many travels here for this reason only and to find handicraft and other exclusive items and of course to sample typical Estonian food and drink. In Tallinn, there is also a wide choice of great hotels, conference venues, and fine dining.
Well, known are the wonderful islands of Saaremaa and Muhu, with their diverse flora and fauna and medieval history remnants. An interesting fact, the town of Kuressaare has supposedly the highest number of spas per capita in the world.
Latvia
Latvia is a country of many cultures. Its capital Riga, the largest capital in the Baltics, is included in UNESCO’s World Culture and Natural Heritage list. It is famous for its exciting architecture with new and old right next to each other. There are over 800 Art Noveau buildings, which is more than in any other city in the world. Riga’s central market is one of the largest markets in Europe, situated in giant Zeppelin hangars, left behind by the Germans after World War 1.
The Ventas Rumba in Kuldiga is the widest waterfall in Europe. One really different attraction in the city of Liepaja is the possibility to spend a night in jail with complete accommodation lockup complete with Soviet-style treatment.
Lithuania
The beautiful capital of Vilnius is one of the many highlights in this small country with long stretches of beaches along the Baltic coast. The historical center of Vilnius is on UNESCO’s World Heritage list and the Old Town is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe.
As all of the Baltic states, Lithuania is also a place of many cultures. The lakes, well-kept cities and manors are intriguing, as is the interwar architecture and a large number of cities on the long list of cultural heritage sites.
Why The Baltics?
- Intriguing culture and historical perspectives.
- High tech countries.
- Some of the best-preserved medieval cities in northern Europe.
- The Christmas market in Tallinn (in Estonia) is according to Forbes one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe.
- Riga’s (In Latvia) central market is one of the largest markets in Europe, situated in giant Zeppelin hangars left behind by the Germans after World War 1.
- There are more Art Noveau buildings in Riga (in Latvia) than in any other city in the world.
