| Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania |
Estonia City Breaks
Estonian people are proud of their identity and their history. Estonian language belongs to the Finno-Ugric family, keeping close resemblance with Finnish and sharing also remote roots with Hungarian.
Estonia fell in the early middle ages under the rule of German States and Sweden, during which some of her cities were developed as Hanseatic ports.
In 1920 Soviet Russia recognized the independence of the Republic of Estonia, but reoccupied the country during WW II.
After centuries of German, Swedish and Russian domination, independence was finally regained in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Estonia became a member of the EU in 2004.
What to see in Estonia on a City Break
The capital Tallinn is a great city break destination, a city steeped in medieval history that hasn’t changed since its Hanseatic splendor.
Join the shopping hordes of Finns and Swedes that flow everyday into Tallinn’s popular markets.
The beautiful islands of Hiiumaa and Saaremaa are gaining reputation as popular tourist destinations.
The national parks of Soomaa and Lahemaa offer wide variety of attractions, landscapes and rich folklore.
Sing and drink like an Estonian on any of the Midsummer festivities.
Birdwatchers will find a paradise at the Matsalu nature reserve and on Hiiumaa island.
Be a cool snowboarder at the south-east resorts and watch Estonia from the country’s highest hill, the Suur Munamägi (317m.
Latvia and Lithuania City Breaks
The ancestors of the Latvians and Lithianuans, the Balts, settled in the area around 2000 BC.
Germans, Poles, Swedes and Russians dominated Latvia until the 20th century.
During the three centuries of Swedish rule the Latvians were allowed to build up their national identity.
Lithuania and Poland joined forces together in 1386 and eventually formed a new state called Rzeczpospolita.
Rzeczpospolita entered in war in the 16th century against Sweden and Russia, and as a result Lithuania fell into Russian rule.
Latvia and Lithuania declared independence in 1918 but were reoccupied by Soviet Russia in WW II.
After a bitter period of Soviet rule, Latvia and Lithuania regained independence in 1990 and 1991 respectively.
Latvia and Lithuania became a member of the EU in 2004.
What to see in Latvia and Lithuania on a City Break
Riga, a fascinating 800 year old city with strong German architectural heritage and Vilnius, a very lively and international city with the largest old town in Eastern Europe are worth a city break trip.
Kaunas, Lithuania's second city, enjoy the historical old town and the bustling nightlife, is also perfect for a city break.
The summer resorts of Jurmala (Latvia) and Palanga (Lithuania).
The cultural heritage of the Sigulda region in Latvia and the impressive Hill of Crosses in Lithuania, where uncountable crosses have been erected from the 14th century.
The National Parks of Gauja (Latvia) and Aukstaitija (Lithuania). You can do canoeing, horseriding and cross country skiing.
The Curonian Spit in Lithuania, an original long thread of dunes rich in flora and fauna.
The centre of Europe is in Lithuania! a pyramid marks the geographical point near Moletai.
Dance in the forest with the locals in a midsummer festival
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