Eurovision is in Estonia at the end of the month. Don’t go there, don’t even try - it’s booked up. Enjoy your boom-bang-a-bang in front of the television and plan a trip to its capital, Tallinn, later.
In Soviet days the country was lumped in with Latvia and Lithuania as one of the “Baltic states”, but its history and traditions owe more to the German Baltic than the Russian or Slav. In Tallinn, this translates into a pleasing old town with buildings that might have been imagined by the illustrator Arthur Rackham - conical towers topped by witch’s hat-steeples, ice-cream coloured baroque buildings on cobbled streets.
But its neighbours’ traditions are not ignored - the herring and vodka are excellent and meat-eaters will be better catered for than vegetarians. Lovers of music may chance upon a concert of the work of the local hero, avant-garde composer Arvo PArt, or a song festival in the grounds outside the capital. Make a side trip to the university town of Tartu or visit Finland one day - Helsinki is an hour away by ferry.
Regent Holidays offers three nights in Tallinn for pound;398 per person, including direct flights from Gatwick, Bamp;B at the modern Radisson SAS hotel (five minutes’ walk from the old town) and transfers, or will arrange itineraries on request: 0117 921 1711; www.regent-holidays.co.uk. Also, check out Estonia:the Bradt guide written by Regent director Neil Taylor.
Renata Rubnikowicz
