Tallin, Estonia is the furthest north I have been (until I visit Helsinki), with a latitude comparable to Juneau, Alaska. The summer is the best time to enjoy the outdoors here before everyone jumps back into their jackets. The country is compact, with a population of just 1.2 million.
After enduring a rough time during WWII (Germans and Russians were fighting in Estonia) and a long period of Soviet occupation, the country has made very quick gains in modernizing since their independence in 1991. Estonia has my vote for the European country that has made the most progress in the last 2-4 decades. Although situated geographically in the Baltics, a running joke is that Estonia is considered Nordic on a good day. Whether the country’s streak of progress will continue is yet to be seen, but the startup community and technology sector is strong in this small country. Estonia has more unicorns (billion dollar startups) per capita than any other European country.
Travel thought: What is your ideal sunrise time and sunset time? Would your preference change in different seasons of the year?
The imposing building of the Estonia National Museum in Tartu
The Skype creator’s chair, slightly used. Spotted in the Estonian National Museum.
If you had tunnels like this near you, wouldn’t you want to cycle daily? Tunnel in Tartu.
Tallinn TV tower, built for broadcasting the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow
Tallinn TV tower, now with flowers
Telliskivi street art
Starship’s delivery robots are fun to watch roaming around Tallinn
The medieval town hall of Tallinn
Tallinn historic old town retains considerable medieval vibes
St. Olaf’s Church, which stood as the tallest building in Europe (possibly the world) for nearly a century
Helleman Tower in Tallinn’s old town
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
2 of the 3 monks situated where the Dannebrog allegedly fell from the sky
Hand-painted marzipan has a long history in Tallinn. In addition to tasting good, it’s cute.
Stairs inside a lighthouse
Lennusadam, the Estonian Maritime Museum, is a unique domed building housing an old submarine and other artifacts
Kadriorg Art Museum is a former palace of Peter the Great
The view from Freedom Square demonstrates how frequently Ukrainian flags are found throughout Estonia, which has provided large amounts of aid to Ukraine
