Travel in Estonia

The first thing that strikes me about Kalma Saun is that there is nowhere to hide. Brilliant white tiles stretch from floor to ceiling and buffed steel faucets reflect the glare from fluorescent lights—as if I am standing in an interrogation room rather than Tallinn’s oldest public sauna.

Travel to Europe is going to get slightly more complicated in 2021. Starting that year, visitors from the U.S. will need to get an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) approval before entering countries in the Schengen zone. According to the delegation of the European Union to the U.S., the measure is not a Europe visa, but an authorization that “will enable us to get more comprehensive information from travelers coming from visa-exempt, third-country [nations] arriving at the Schengen external borders.”

Most visitors don’t venture beyond Tallinn , but leave Estonia’s capital behind and you’ll find a country of vast, untouched wilderness. a haven for wildlife and a place to escape from it all. Olivia Rawes gets back to basics to discover some of the wilder things to do in Estonia.

Most people come to Swakopmund, a Bavarian-style town surreally out of place on the edge of the Namib Desert, to explore the vast dunes. Few who visit know that the sandy Atlantic shallows of nearby Walvis Bay are also home to 2500 cape fur seals – one of the country’s last remaining colonies – as well as a resident population of diminutive benguela dolphins.

Central and Eastern Europe are among the culturally diverse parts of the world, preserving a plethora of deep-rooted traditions. What’s more, large tracts of the area remain off the mass-tourism radar, ensuring that there is still a great deal to explore. The following ten suggestions will ensure you get the best out of this huge, compelling and endlessly surprising region.

Hot springs and geysers are all well and good, but man cannot live on water alone. Iceland's biggest new attraction is quickly shaping up to be the food scene in its capital. From Mexican flavours to traditional Icelandic specialities, there's a lot to explore. Here Tamara Hinson shares the nine Reykjavik restaurants you ought to put at the top of your hit list.

From the cultured capital of Tallinn to the winter-playground that is Otepää, here are ten of our favourite things to do in Estonia .

We’ve all heard of the big hitters, such as Ibiza, Corsica and Sicily, but what about Europe’s lesser known islands? Have you ever dreamt of mixing it up with a windswept, heart-pumping hike on the remote hills of Foula? Or kicking through the sweeps of sand that pass for roads on La Graciosa?

Farm-to-table cuisine comes with Japanese influences in the Estonian capital, where local staples like kohuke (a curd-cheese and chocolate dessert) are reanimated with novel flavours like sea buckthorn, green plum and spruce shoots. Fermented and preserved local vegetables take pride of place on the menus of cool, contemporary restaurants, while hearty meat pies, colourful dumplings and Nordic cream buns are venerable favourites.

Unsure where you’re going with your creative projects? Suffering from writer’s block? Travel is a wonderful way of picking up new ideas – but where do you go to kick-start your creative imagination?

Medieval yet modern, the intriguing national capitals of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania make some of the best small-city breaks in Europe. United by geography and a common history, yet proudly unique, they combine tightly packed, picturesque old towns with first-class museums, hip neighbourhoods, stylish bars and a burgeoning food scene. As all three countries celebrate 100 years of independence in 2018, here is our first-timer's guide to the highlights of Tallinn, Rīga and Vilnius.

Grab those boots, the ones that were made for walking, as we're taking you on a trip round the world's best hiking spots. From Estonian bogs to Ethiopian highlands, these are some of the most memorable walking trips we've ever experienced. When travel is again possible after the coronavirus crisis has passed, there'll be nothing better to blow the cobwebs away – with the added comfort of being safely outside, with often not a soul in sight.

This article covers May 2020. Visit our up-to-date article with the latest news on Corona virus and travel here: Corona virus travel updates .

A thin sliver of land on the western edge of the South American continent, Chile offers a wealth of landscapes to explore. This country stretches across the Andes mountain range, to the Atacama Desert, and boasts 4000km of Pacific Ocean coastline. Caro Bohets says on Facebook that the colourful houses of Valparaíso are a must-see.

Of the thousands of islands in Stockholm’s archipelago, peaceful little Grinda, less than two hours from the capital, is one of the easiest to reach. A car-free nature reserve, Grinda radiates a carefree, unpretentious allure. Spend a day lazing on sandy beaches, jumping off cliffs or floating in a kayak and you’ll be ready to return to city life again.

Discover winter destinations in Eastern Europe. Prepare for freezing temperatures and look forward to frosty cities, frozen rivers andsnowy ski resorts. Take a look at our 10 top wintery destinations.

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.

Visitors to Estonia will encounter a mix of urbanity and wilderness, the medieval and contemporary. Here one will find crumbling castles and colourful designs permeating urban landscapes. An efficient transport system makes it easy to get around, and the tech-savvy, dynamic residents welcome visitors with open arms. Estonia is also one of the most budget-friendly destinations in Europe. Here's our pick of the best things to do in Estonia.

Europe presents an irresistible challenge to the budget traveller. A potent mix of culture, landscape and history on the one hand and a cash-gobbling monster on the other, sticking to your daily allowance can prove tricky.

Covering one fifth of Estonia, the country’s most ancient bog dates back 10,000 years. The uninhabited bogs are seen as places of peace and mystery, making them a poignant part of Estonian folklore. Visit at sunrise or sunset, when the dwindling light makes the already mystifying area even more enticing, and you may see animals that have adapted to live in the bogs. Visit in autumn when the landscape becomes a palette of reds, browns and yellows, and the water has not frozen over yet, as it does in winter. The Kõrvemaa bog tour explores Northern and Southern Kõrvemaa, which are known for their untouched hills, forests and lakes. Follow the boardwalk paths or don specially adapted bog shoes for a walk in the wetland. Discover how the bogs were formed and their cultural significance, or go for a swim in a bog lake.

Denmark’s second city is underrated, especially as it was once named the European City of Culture with its world-class galleries and museums. One of the most eye-catching attractions to visit is Your Rainbow Panorama, a multicoloured glass walkway located on the top of one of Northern Europe’s largest museum, ARoS.