When in Tallin
The Estonian capital sits at Europe's far north-eastern corner, just across the Gulf of Finland to the south of that country's capital, Helsinki.
This small and beautiful Baltic state shares the ruggedness of neighbouring Scandinavia, as well as the region's sharp winters and warm, clear summers.
Tallinn, much like Prague, has traces of its past all around ? the old town has houses still intact from the medieval period, as well as seemingly endless, twisting cobbled streets.
Not that this up and coming city is stuck in the past, far from it: since regaining its independence in 1991, Estonia has flourished, with Tallinn is particular enjoying an explosion of bars, hotels and restaurants in recent years.
It is this intermingling of old and new that visitors to Tallinn find so charming; the city offers a rare chance to experience and enjoy a culture that is moving forward at a breakneck pace from both a modern and historical perspective.
Visitors looking to bask in the splendour of the older side of the city can stay in self-catering apartments in the old town designed to evoke the capital's history.
One of the companies offering this service is Residence Apartments, who combine period style furniture and elegant interior design with the perks and conveniences of modern living.
Travellers looking for something more modern and serviced have a wide selection of hotels they can pick from, including the majestic Savoy Boutique and the two Scandic hotels, the St Barbara and the Palace; cheaper hotels and hostels are also common.
The city itself has much to offer for a short break, longer stay or even as part of a tour of north-eastern Europe.
A short walk from the city centre is the suburb of Kadriog, a peaceful area that hosts both the 250-acre Kadriorg Park and the baroque wonder that is Kadriorg Palace.
The park boasts the symmetrical Swan Lake, endless rows of trees and paths, and houses the palace itself, which was the summer getaway of Russian Tsar Peter I.
It now hosts classical music concerts and theatre productions, as well as being the permanent home of the impressive collection of foreign art amassed over the last 400 years by the Estonian Art Museum.
The wider area of Kadriorg is also home to several other important art collections, including the national Kumu gallery and the Mikkel museum, which features works from a range of prominent artists, including Rembrandt.
There is a wide range of places for eating out in Tallinn, with traditional restaurants sitting alongside bistros with an international menu; there is, like many nearby countries, a focus on meat in the traditional cooking, but a great number of more modern eateries if this is not for you.
And for your evening's entertainment, once again choice is of the essence: upmarket bars are scattered across the old town, while at the more the lively end there are a number of clubs thumping out European dance music.
The city also enjoys an eclectic musical scene, with live classical and jazz nights available alongside techno and hip-hop parties.
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