Travel in city Tallinn, Estonia

Finnish airline Finnair is making it easier to hop across the Atlantic this fall and winter with a flight sale for travelers planning ahead.

Spain is proposing a short-haul flight ban for routes where a train journey is possible under 2.5 hours. It's a similar proposal to the one that France has enshrined in law. As many EU countries try to reach ambitious 2050 climate targets, many are making similar moves to discourage flying and encourage train travel.

Tallinn is a stunning metropolis set beside the Gulf of Finland. Its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing medieval facades and fortifications that have remained largely unchanged since the 13th century. Its modern bonafides are almost equally as impressive. Beginning with the birth of Skype here back in 2005, the area has built up a reputation as the “Silicon Valley of Europe.” All the delicious hallmarks of hip contemporary society have crept in alongside it: a craft brewing boom, Michelin-caliber gastronomy, cocktail bars.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nicole Cueto, a 40-year-old who has traveled to 47 countries. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

Find the world's most beautiful winter destinations and swap staying at home for exploring. The coldest season seems to make many places shine their brightest, so take a look at 20 of the beautiful winter trips we recommend you try.