The former Soviet state of Estonia is a friendly, Baltic country. It has been often overlooked by tourists in the past, but its lovely medieval ruins, many intact castles, and captivating capital city (Tallinn) make it a destination that no true lover of Europe and European history should miss.

The official language is Estonian, which is closely related to Finnish (the Estonians are a Finnic people). You won’t meet many travelers here, especially in the winter, but with an open heart and mind, travel here is easy. You can visit many historic sites, explore unspoiled wilderness, and fill up on black bread with berry preserves. People are passionate about art, music, traditions, and life. Estonia is known for the many music festivals it hosts each year. Tallinn alone hosts at least four including music week in the spring and a jazz festival.

This ex-Soviet country still holds traces of its past in plain view. Towns like Paldiski still look war-torn with abandoned apartment buildings and military debris scattered in the abandoned streets. In other places, scenes from the Soviet era have been recreated as theme parks or museums. The Museum of Occupations tells the story of the Soviet occupation of Estonia in the twentieth century; in the museum, you can get a glimpse of what life was like then and perhaps gain a clearer understanding of the Soviet influence still present today.

Tallinn, Estonia is one of the most intact and well-preserved medieval cities in Europe. Take a stroll through Tallinn’s Old Town and you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time. The city is riddled with ruins, stonewalls, and old cobblestone streets. But at second glance, the history is mixed well with modern times: old stone buildings have become home to cafes, restaurants, and even nightclubs.

Located in northern Europe and on the coast, Estonia boasts over 1,500 islands of nearly unexplored natural beauty. In the summer, you can lounge on remote beaches to enjoy the midnight sun or just a morning swim. The island of Hiiumaa remains largely untouched save for locals who have built many lighthouses on the island, which dot the coast and are ever so slightly reminiscent of New England.

In winter, skiers flock to Otepää, which offers many ski trails, a casual atmosphere, and, as in much of the country, medieval ruins. Alternatively, Lahemaa National Park has plenty of hiking trails where you could do a little snowshoeing. If you’re visiting in summer, Lahemaa’s hiking trails are worth a visit to enjoy the forest and coastline trails on foot or by bicycle. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even take a swim in one of the clean bogs.

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